IF we are expected to believe that all the cuts imposed by the Government are really necessary, then let them lead by cutting the number of MPs by at least ten per cent.

This could easily be achieved by slightly extending the size of constituencies.

We have 650 members of Parliament sitting in the Commons, each paid a minimum of £64,766.

However, the average back bench salary is £82,252 per year, less expenses.

Reducing the number of MPs would produce an impressive saving and maybe help to keep more people at the lower end of the pay scale in a job, thus reducing the number on the unemployment list.

A sign on the desk of the President of the US reads: “The buck stops here”.

David Cameron could have one which says: “The cuts start here”.

William Bohannon, Durham