LISTENING to the evening news, I was horrified to hear that our donation to help the Pakistan people will be increased from £30m to £60m. How can we possibly afford this amount when our own country is in such a financial mess?

Wherever is the money coming from? The taxpayer, I wonder.

Let us get our own house in order before starting to offer such sums to other countries. After all, according to the old adage, charity begins at home.

We need to sort out the problem of all the immigrants coming into the country. We can’t afford it.

Common sense should prevail here – many of our own people need the help given to these people.

Mrs A Gaskill, Bishop Auckland.