WHEN it comes to filling a "butty" I like mine spread with jam rich, fruity and sweet.

The Tories on the other hand like their jam so sour, it often leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

To improve the living standards of those “just about managing” the Tories have come up with an apt acronym – “Jam”.

Squeezing the pips from the poor is something the Tories are actually very good at.

An announcement in the recent Autumn statement says those on Universal Credit, which rolls major benefits into one package, the working poor can now keep 37p for every pound they earn above their work allowance, instead of the previous 35p.

It’s a Tory “concession” that is supposed to soften the impact of harsh welfare cuts.

In reality it’s a tax grab of 63 per cent – making it the highest tax rate in Europe.

I do recall the Tories saying it was outrageous when Labour introduced the 50p tax rate for the rich. So how come a 63 per cent tax rate for the working poor suddenly becomes a “concession”?

Stephen Dixon, Redcar