I WRITE in response to John Whittingdale’s comments at the pre-election hustings.

The economy was the best in Europe he said.

In the first quarter of 2017 the UK had the lowest GDP growth rate in the European Union. We have rising levels of household debt and student loan debt in the UK has risen to over £100bn.

Consumer spending is being underpinned by private debt which is unsustainable.

According to the majority of economists growth will slow significantly in 2017.

Low incomes and poverty are already daily realities for many.

The NHS wasn’t being privatised he said.

Figures show outsourcing to the private sector now accounts for £8.7bn a year.

That’s public money going into private profits. David Cameron said: “I want to know how we drive the NHS to be a fantastic business.” Jeremy Hunt has talked about the ageing population as a big commercial opportunity.

The NHS has proposed borrowing up to £10bn from City Hedge Funds to pay for repairs and equipment. It also plans to sell off NHS buildings and land assets to deliver NHS ‘transformation’.

More money for schools he said.

Overall cuts of £3bn which for just one Maldon school will mean a reduction of £336 per pupil or two teachers. There is a teacher recruitment crisis, school infrastructure is decaying, schools cannot afford textbooks or to replace equipment and the arts are being removed from the curriculum.

Prue Plumridge London Road Maldon