anne Lubin claims that I said that most refugees live off the taxpayer.

If she would read my letter again, I did not mention refugees once. What I said was that asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers are not allowed to work and therefore rely on benefits. Fact.

Regarding figures on the numbers of illegal immigrants, how on earth could I know when a Home Office select committee has just announced that the British government has no idea?

Then she goes on to compare those who come here uninvited to the sick, disabled, unemployed and pensioners who have been paying into the benefits system all their working lives. How can she equate them to people who have not paid a single dinar, piastre, rupee or rouble. No doubt she will find a way!

John Utting

Penhill