• I READ with incredulity that “council chiefs” are insisting on photo identity for payment of government help to meet cost of living and energy price rises.

Are these the same “chiefs” who recently voted themselves increases in their allowances?

Of course, Camden Council has a duty to protect payments against fraud but if this is, say,
5 per cent what is the justification for not paying 20 per cent of the vouchers because of lack of photo ID? What will happen to the unpaid vouchers?

Those who are eligible for payments but do not have photo ID are likely to be the most vulnerable members of our society and those who are suffering most from inflation.

Perhaps one of the “chiefs” can tell us what impact risk assessment took place before imposing the need for photo ID.

We note that the independent investigation of responsibility for £100million plus bill for remedying the PFI, private finance initiative, refurbishment of defects in the Chalcots, not of course fraud, has yet to start some five years after the emergency evacuation.

It is time our newly-elected councillors took action against what amounts to oppression of our most vulnerable members of our community.

Were they consulted about the photo ID requirement before it was imposed; were they aware of it before the information appeared in the CNJ?

MICK FARRANT, NW5