SIR – I really enjoyed reading the postings on the T&A website, where people were giving their views about the abuse of the A&E departments in our hospitals due to alcohol related problems during the festive season.

I cannot agree with the contributor who stated that the people who work all year and therefore pay for the NHS have every right to abuse the system, but the unemployed should be refused this right.

If this is the case, then should the fire brigade refuse to attend fires at the homes of the unemployed?

Would the police would refuse to investigate crimes unless the victim was in full-time work?

Surely, the welfare state should be available to everyone. The only ones who should be made to pay are the ones who abuse the system, whether they work or not.

Keith Rayner, Laburnum Drive, Baildon