JO Smith is right was right to question why hundreds of millions of pounds are being handed uncontested to private companies.

The answer is because they’re managed by friends of the government.

With the UK suffering the worst death-rate and economic downturn in Europe, its second-rate test and trace system; the exams fiasco; the unsavoury sight of the housing minister bending the rules to help billionaires Party donors; Russian media magnates, cricketers and family members being elevated to the House of Lords, I am driven to the conclusion – after over 50 years of observing the political scene - that this inept and corrupt Government is good at one thing only, blaming civil servants for the decisions they have made.

Why anyone still supports them is beyond me.

Anthony Hentschel,

Nailsworth