SIR: It is regrettable that under the heading 'Too scruffy to pick up their dole' (BEN October 7) sought to highlight just one area in the new Job Seekers Allowance (JSA). This serves only to reinforce the prejudices of those who label the unemployed as long-haired, tattooed scroungers.

The JSA marks the biggest change to the dole system since 1948. Redundant workers who have paid National Insurance Contributions during their working lives expecting 12 months unemployment benefit will find this cut to just six months. If you have the added misfortune of being under 25 years old, your benefit will be cut by a further 20 per cent from day one. It also cuts availability of hardship payments and reduces the benefit for childless couples.

It is estimated between one and two per cent of the unemployed abuse the system, yet these changes have been introduced at an estimated cost of £320m to save just £240m. employment Service Workers have been on strike over the introduction of the JSA no for additional money but they fear for their safety!

The real cheats are not identified by their long hair and tattoos but are frequently dressed in expensive suits, live in large houses and drive smart cars.

Bernadette Gallagher, Bury Road, Breightmet

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.