Opinion: Most of us want to help the needy in our midst

The column which printed as we braced for the Budget reminded me of my first Halloween in America.

We knew about "trick or treat", but it had not reached Britain in 1980.

Trick seemed more fun than treat, so I created a doll, using a cauliflower as a face with a small hooded anorak over the top.

When the doorbell rang, I opened the door with a creaking sound, poked out the cauliflower face, croaking "Hello little children".

They all ran down the path, not waiting for more.

The next day, there was a deputation of mothers explaining that all we needed to do was hand out sweets!

Rachel Reeves may have had the same problem.

Some reporters might have rushed into print already, screaming about the lady in a pointy hat like the kids in Connecticut, though some did get sweeties.

The £600 million grant funding for Social Care, £230 million to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping and £500 million for road repairs sound positive, but still leave "a black hole in local council budgets", to quote Ed Davey from the budget debate.

More politics can be left to Paul Arnott of East Devon District Council, whose columns often precede mine, plus many other commentators.

Social care and special educational needs are the responsibility of Devon County Council which needs to be funded.

EDDC is concerned with the homeless; their housing officers do a splendid job finding accommodation, but it costs a lot, as well as settling Ukrainians and other migrants!

Some columnists have spent years lambasting "Tories" and now worry about how "Labour" is digging us out of the hole they perceive we are in.

The problem is that one side of our politics identifies with management, wealth and private enterprise, and the other side with workers and unions, where business owners are not regarded as "workers".

Try explaining that to your local shopkeeper.

One political group is enhancing state control, the other delegating to private companies, two different formats of power, both of which need to pay attention to the weak and vulnerable.

Housing the homeless, care in the community, special educational needs and mental health are real issues for real people and should show the concern of our society for the more needy in our midst.

The £1bn uplift for special educational needs sounds good but is only a 6 per cent improvement to inadequate funding.

The byline for this column is "highlighting the needy"; it is they who need politicians to support them alongside the many people who are giving time and money to charities.

Clothes and other freebies should go to the needy before politicians, and seats at football matches and concerts could be sold for charity!

Real people need support and services in old age and sickness as well as in the prime of life.

We all want housing, clean water, good food, clothing and, of course, fuel and energy at prices affordable to those with poor finances.

The phrase "worse off" is avoided, because there can be a lot more loving care and concern among struggling people than the confused chaos reported about some muddled wealthy lives!

Fortunately, there are plenty of organisations to help the needy in many different ways.

All blessings and strength to our many volunteers and donors who keep things afloat despite politics, allowing us to have continued faith in a caring society.