SIR – The article by Chris Holland (T&A, March 6) does not really give the full picture regarding the proposed changes to the civil service redundancy scheme. Yes, the Government are, somewhat belatedly, trying to introduce a £60k cap on such payments, but even with this cap in place, it will still be very generous indeed by comparison to the those who do not work in the public sector.

A recent report highlights that the average redundancy payment is just £12,500 so those in the public sector, who might themselves unfortunately be made redundant, will benefit by almost five times more than those workers who do not work for the Government.

Many workers in the manufacturing sectors are only entitled to statutory redundancy, so really the civil service employees are well looked after.

Perhaps it’s time for them to wake up and smell the coffee – I am sure that now the wider public knows the disparity between the public and private sectors schemes, any sympathy for their recent walk-outs will soon evaporate.

N P Shaw, secretary, West Yorkshire Taxpayers Alliance, Westmoor Avenue, Baildon, Shipley