JULIETTE Astrup’s article on the proposal by Francis Maude that we should be “nudged” into giving to charity at cash machines etc. got me thinking.

In yesterday’s Echo, there were references to 15 different charities, from the Royal British Legion to Caring Canines. In addition, 16 out of the days’ 18 obituaries suggested donations to charities ranging from the Macmillan Trust to a Donkey Sanctuary.

Charities already play a huge role in society and their voluntary workers do a wonderful job. However Mr Maude, the Cabinet Secretary, referred to donating as akin to tipping a waiter. Really?

We already know the many cafes, restaurants and hotels divert these freely given gratuities into subsidising catering workers wages to the level of the minimum wage. Can we be sure the expected £4 billion raised will not be matched by cuts in the grants to voluntary bodies from government and services such as home care provided by the NHS and central/local government? Would readers think this to be a pertinent question for one of our local MPs to raise at Prime Minister’s Question Time?

HOWARD DAVIES, Holme Road, Highcliffe