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It is a fundamental duty of the state to protect us from invasion from without by means of the armed forces and to maintain law and order within by means of an effective police force and civil justice system, accessible to all. But the law has now become so complex, the present 5th edition of Halsbury running to 110 volumes, the 4th was 52, the state's ability to fund all of this, especially with the likes of Leigh Day bleeding millions from the LAF over the Iraq torture enquiry, is limited. We also have a massive debt and deficit to clear off.

But cases such as this really make one ask have the cuts in this area gone too deep? MPs' pay rise of 10% is the first thing I would axe. In fact I wouldn't pay them anything and then you would only get the sort who want to do the job, rather than those who do it for the money. And why can't we ask for a day's work from those on benefits and fit enough? Holes in the roads going unprepared, public parks and gardens being neglected, railway stations in need of repainting and maintenance are a disgrace. Why should we be paying people to sit around all day long and do nothing for their benefits if they are fit to work? They might even learn a skill they can then sell e g painting and decorating. It would at least stop those who claim benefits and work at the same time.