You reported that unemployed people are to be treated “like adults” (Swindon Advertiser, April 9). That was a quote from a UK Government minister.

The same piece carried a statement from a local Conservative Member of Parliament saying that “We are determined to end the something-for-nothing culture ...”.

Leave aside the fact that most unemployed people may be out of paid work through no fault of their own. Leave aside the fact that fraud for so-called Jobseeker’s Allowance is far from enormous (to be sure, it should not be allowed to happen but seems to be around three per cent of total payments, according to the Department for Work and Pensions). Leave aside the fact and irony that some (not all) employees of Jobcentre Plus and of Atos Health have treated members of the public in ways that if they were to do that to their own workplace colleagues would be grounds for disciplinary action and possible sacking.

No local politicians have shown much interest in the plight of those unfortunate to have found themselves dealing with part of the public welfare system that is often not intrinsically friendly to its supposed recipients of help. Nor seemingly interested in tackling a public service whose bureaucracy and often insensitive behaviour have actually made some people’s situation worse – yet whose management may have ticked some boxes to help the Government look good.

Reality is far from these politicians’ assertions. It is better summed up by the title of the article: “Tough targets for jobseekers.”

Incidentally, the same edition carried a piece about another Government minister who is alleged to have fiddled far more than any unemployed person would be entitled to by law in a whole year.

“Tough targets for politicians” any time soon?

Geraint Day, Southampton Street, Swindon