I am encouraged that Dame Louise Casey has made such a powerful case for a wholesale approach to tackle disadvantage.

She said ‘normal’ people are being forced into destitution.

How can we accept children growing up with inadequate food and housing?

The care workers and the health staff put their humanity above fear of Covid. I ask for the same dedication to tackle the growing inequalities in our system.

My father said ‘Governments make wars, ordinary people do the best they can.’

Emergencies depend on ‘ordinary’ people. Prior to World War II, the government recognised that recruits were too malnourished to fight effectively.

Research established the basic diet which enabled the rations for all. The war brought in rations that made us all ‘food insecure’.

What we ate was enough because it was researched and provided a healthy nation.

Now research reveals that the processed food industry not only fails to nourish us but includes ingredients harmful to good gut bacteria.

Cheap, addictive food is good profit but at society’s expense.

Herefordshire has some of the most deprived areas and the gap is widening. The few grow rich and the poor struggle.

Government needs to serve all.

The war-time coalition cabinet ensured the best people worked together for the good of all.

Providing a healthy society – in mind and body – would truly honour the NHS. Surely now is the time to address the vast inequality of our society.

Basic necessities for all is morally right.

It is also in society’s interest. I consider this our abolition of slavery crisis.

Barbara Ferris
Dinedor