WHILE great focus has been recently (and rightly) centred on misuse of taxpayers’ money in respect of MPs’ expenses claims, I think there is a need to look at ways by which taxes raised through English people are being spent to the benefit of other UK countries.

I believe the following is the case:

■ free prescriptions are available for all in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Although similar arrangements are proposed for England, when will this be?

Why haven’t they been introduced already?

■ certain drugs are available to other UK countries while not being available through the NHS in England. Why?

Surely it can’t be merely put down to cost;

■ university fees (and other higher and further education costs) are less in Scotland than in England, resulting in reduced levels of student loans while, apparently, not having an adverse affect on educational standards;

■ the care system for the elderly in Scotland seems to be of a high standard and achieved at a lower cost (especially to the individual concerned and their families) than in England.

I am not “having a go” at our UK cousins but, as an Englishman, I would expect a more equitable provision of services than would appear to be the case.

JK Banks, Hett, Durham.