THE Government's proposals to criminalise persistent begging are obnoxious and socially unjust.

A TV commentator recently declared that there are sufficient state benefits to live on. This depends on the perception of sufficient - because most live on a pittance and are in derelict property or worse.

We live in a pluralistic society where the family is no longer always the accepted norm. Government needs to renovate, build new accommodation and improve the infrastructure to house the single person. This is a wealthy country - the cash is here if the political will can be found.

Meanwhile, the accommodation options are B&B or large multi-occupied guest houses, mostly in the West End of Morecambe, and the old chestnuts of drug and alcohol abuse are trotted out as to why these homeless people cannot save. Is it surprising that with a lack of decent options and an existence of misery that some turn to narcotics and alcohol?

The Government says it is 'tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime', but in reality it is the state's failure to provide for all that is the cause of much of the new wave of crime.

Peter W Law, Skerton.