WHAT a glaring example of how out-of-touch our politicians are was shown by recent remarks from Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, pictured.

So someone one from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales (42 people for every job vacancy) should “get on a bus” and go to Cardiff (only nine people for every job).

It is Mr Smith who should be looking for another job if he is so incompetent that he cannot be bothered to check the figures surely available to someone in his position.

If only our politicians applied the payment by results which they are so fond of to themselves instead of the schools, hospitals and police.

Bill Bartle, Barnard Castle, Co Durham