STEPHEN DIXON (HAS, Apr 4) is well behind the times on computer systems, saying that a computer cannot handle the work for Universal Credit.

Nearly 20 ago I project-managed the roll-out of a new computer system for a major utility, even then, it merged several hundred computers around the country to handle the work.

These days, even a Google search may involve thousands of computers over a few continents, a weather forecast involves the equivalent of millions of home computers.

The amount of data is not particularly large, the problems on these jobs are usually the same, mainly that the data on predecessor systems is difficult to merge and contains undetected mistake.

The other difficulties tend to be around lack of understanding of how both the old and new systems are meant to work, it’s amazing how little the users understand about what they are supposed to be doing.

Universal Credit can be made to work, the problems are mainly that the laws are so complex and have evolved. We have to define the problem then it can be done. Saying: ‘you know what I mean’ doesn’t work with computers.

If client data only has to be entered into one system then it can save huge sums on resolving discrepancies, providing that the politicians keep out of it then it will be a success.

Anthony J. Foster, Peterlee