UNFORTUNATELY, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is unwilling or unable to recognise that he, as an Archbishop of the Church of England, is an employee of one of the biggest land and property owners, and therefore one of the richest institutions, in this country. Can anyone justify why taxpayers of all faiths, and nonbelievers should pay the expenses of 26 bishops who have seats in the most undemocratic institution of all – the House of Lords?

If the Church of England was a PLC, and the Archbishops of both Canterbury and York were joint chief executives, there would be calls from the shareholders for both to resign if their performance was related to results, ie the number of parishioners attending their churches.

If Dr John Sentamu is genuinely concerned about the increasing gap between the rich and the poor may I respectfully suggest that he voluntarily accepts a wage cut in his own well-paid job.

Keith Dewison, Billingham.