I read with some disbelief Jack Straw’s remarks. On what planet is this man living, or more frighteningly, what planet are those who advise him living on?

As a legal aid practitioner, I would dearly like to be paid no more than public sector employees. Has he considered how much more that would cost the exchequer?

My trouble is that I chose to work for the government as an independent contractor. If I had gone into public sector employment instead, I would now be earning twice as much. I would have double the holidays, half the work, a fraction of the stress and a nice inflation-proofed, final salary pension on retirement at public expense, with a good chance of a gong to follow.

No doubt I would also have had a rise or two in salary in the last 15 years and I would not now be facing a cut. Equality? Please, minister, bring it on.

Ken Gulati, AK Gulati & Co, Sutton