Letters: In 2026 can we start making sure those without family aren’t left behind?

Don’t leave me behind

Had to visit the GP today and was asked the question “Have you got family?” The answer is not really, so the year has been extremely hard and traumatic as I’ve been trying to cope with a foot injury. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, yet the holes of support are as big as the Grand Canyon. Why are people having to struggle alone when we have a welfare system that some would call generous and a care system where people think disability is always looked after? Please in 2026 can we start making sure those without family aren’t left behind?

Christopher Burns, Cornwall

Responses to our investigation into MPs’ rent expenses

Time to re-think who the real scrounger is.

@housing_inclusion_hackney, Instagram

Job centres tell people that a 90-minute commute is reasonable. The same should be applied to this thieving lot!

@howard.anstock, Instagram

They should have to share rooms. Others who live in London could accommodate members of their party. Surely there’s Premier Inns, Travelodges? Or 10 Downing St and 11 Downing St could help out. It’s disgraceful.

@haggaroni, Instagram

I really appreciate this kind of reporting. Thank you.

@bleachboxgallery, Instagram

Anderson says hotel bills are too high for foreigners, but it’s OK when it him.

@janetheoracleforlife, Instagram

Socialism for the rich, capitalism for the rest.

@marsh_farm_pottery, Instagram

Kemi recently claimed welfare spending is “unChristian”, and is calling for cuts. I think she might be a hypocrite?

@catherineedgson, Instagram

Honestly they all make me want to scream. Kicking those of us at the bottom of the pile while ending up with stacks of coins like Scrooge McDuck.

@andonshereads, Instagram

We should just build a block of flats in London for MPs to use, rent-free, while away from their constituencies. Anything bought on expenses stays with the flat when they move out.

@juliemontoya20.bsky.social

The real scourge on our financial system is MPs taking the taxpayers for mugs.

@flourishingxplant.bsky.social

Freezing LHA, cutting benefits to save money, talking of people gaming the system and then claiming nearly £40k in rent per year for themselves. Who are the scroungers?

@sylvia-suffragette.bsky.social

It’s like the system’s rigged or something…

@shazbot42.bsky.social

You’re not alone

Your article about loneliness inspired me to write to you. Go to church. It’s free and it’s warm. You may have to listen to a lot of gobbledygook but if you are lucky there may be coffee and cake afterwards. At the very least, if you go regularly people learn your name and there will be an increased chance that they will chat with you. I don’t know if you will meet an attempt to convert you, but it is worth putting up with for the warmth and human company.

You may be hopeless at art but people are aways fascinated by people drawing. If you can find a scrap of paper and a pencil it may be worth standing in a street to sketch some chimney or turret or piece of carving or anything really. People will almost certainly stop to talk to you. 

There are societies which may accept you turning up to their meetings. The most obvious one for men is the Men’s Shed. I think it would be nice to have a Women’s Shed as well. 

Dorothy Haughton

Heart of the matter

Just wanted to say, I was absolutely blown away by the Letter to My Younger Self from Sir Magdi Yacoub! Wow! What an inspirational and humble man. In these dark days he’s a true beacon of hope and light. Also, as always, Sir John Bird’s article on the Madrid ceremony was enlightening, if only more people would listen to his vision. He makes such sense.

Alexander Zacharski

Send us a photo of Britain you’ve captured today

Send us your image, or photo you’ve captured, with a brief description.
On socials or email letters@bigissue.com

Christmas cracker

Just finished reading Bumper Christmas Special No 1. What an absolute tour de bloody force it is! I can’t think of another publication that covers such a variety of topics and that, I think, is its greatest strength. Keep up the great work!

Paul Dilger

A dog’s life

Good article on imported dogs. I hadn’t heard about it and was very pleased. I’d just like to add we should also be concerned about the thousands of dogs, many bought during lockdown, who are now left at home all day while their owners are at work. I live on a large housing estate and during the day you can hardly walk 100 yards in any direction without hearing some poor pooch yapping away behind a locked door. Some of them don’t get walked, have not been trained and yap continuously.

Ruth Malyan, Weston-super-mare 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Change a vendor’s life this Christmas.

Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – or support online with a vendor support kit or a subscription – and help people work their way out of poverty with dignity.