IN recent correspondence with my MP Rishi Sunak, he has made it clear to me that he supports the maintenance of the charitable status of many independent, fee paying schools and the huge tax-breaks these multi-million pound corporations enjoy as a result.

Last week, together with 318 of his well-paid colleagues, he voted against extending free school meals to help the most vulnerable families during the school holidays, meaning many will once again be forced to seek help from food banks etc.

So, it seems that our chancellor believes that while the children of the most privileged families should benefit from charities, those at the other end of the scale should be forced to rely on them.

David Goff, Carlton-in-Cleveland.