I READ an article stating the Tories are planning £20 billion of cuts to be unveiled on November 25. Two pages further on I read about a Reading MP, Rob Wilson, who claimed nine pence on Parliamentary expenses for driving to the next street.

The trip was 352 yards long. He also claimed for 52 car trips to the station, even claiming £18 to park there. He was also twice reimbursed 13 pence for travelling a third of a mile on a business trip and had 160 travel claims for less than £1.

I accept that he did not break any rules and the claims were approved by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

I remember some years ago when an MP urged everyone to 'get on your bikes'. I thought I would love to say this to this man – but I then read that he gets 20 pence a mile for cycling – he got 60 pence last November for riding his bike to work.

It must be nice for the MPs collecting these permitted allowances – but surely a slap in the face for all who are being asked to tighten our belts?

As many servicemen would agree, it's great to have a man who leads from the front – but I'm not so sure about this sort of situation, when the people leading this country can be given such freedom while trying to justify the cuts we are expected to bear.

Les Woods,

Sutton