ALLAN Wilkinson writing on ‘Cost of living’ (HAS June 10) made a good point.

With supermarkets undercutting each other’s basics-of-life prices (bread, milk, own-brand cereals etc) and Jeremy Corbyn citing breakfast-starved schoolchildren, what are the parents spending their family allowance on?

While I certainly wouldn’t deny the shameful need for food banks for genuine hardship, this live-alone, unfit to work, welfare dependant was taught by my impoverished, divorced parent the importance of budgeting wisely – on low wages too.

I’m proud to be behind the times, if stringent economies mean avoiding debt/keeping a roof over my head, and knowing the difference between wants and needs.

Limited benefits and/or low wages don’t excuse definite necessities becoming very rare treats. So I can’t entirely agree with Mr Wilkinson’s statement: “It’s not what you have that makes you poor, it’s the way you spend it.”

I’m poor in material possessions, but rich in common sense. From one only-child to another (much missed): thanks Mum!

Steve Lawson, Tow Law