IN reply to Mrs Anne Miller's remarks in "Beggars least offensive" (Letters, July 5), the very people she feels are inoffensive attend the unemployment office every two weeks and sign on, in order to claim Income Support or unemployment benefit.

When signing on you are making a declaration that you are available for employment. Many of the unemployed have to attend job clubs five days a week as a condition of their actively seeking employment.

I find it offensive that a minority sign the declaration to obtain benefits, while employed standing or sitting round the streets begging.

ALAN LEWIS, Laxey Road, Blackburn.

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