Letter: Labour's power to help the poor

Sir: I was saddened by Roy Hattersley's account of a family who could not take up the offer of a council flat because they had no money to buy a bed or bedding.

In the past three years, charities have twice collected furniture I no longer needed. The furniture was sold by one charity shop; the other charity gave furniture direct to applicants. Surely social workers are aware of these charities and could advise their clients accordingly?

EVA WITTENBERG

Pinner, Middlesex