ALUN Cairns MP recently voted to take £30 a week away from people with serious long term illness such as cancer and MS, and others living with lifelong conditions like autism or a learning disability.

Employment Support Allowance will be reduced from £102 to £73 per week thanks to Mr Cairns and his colleagues. This will make a huge difference to the quality of life of people who should be looked after and supported.

In the same week Bangor University published research telling us that the number of foodbanks in Wales increased almost 10 times in the past six years, from 16 to 157. Their report found a clear link between the rise in food poverty and the Conservative’s welfare reform and austerity policies.

Along with his Conservative colleagues, Mr Cairns refuses to acknowledge this link; he has told us that he believes that foodbank clients can’t manage their money, or are addicts, bullies or neglectful of their children.

As a result of his recent choice to penalise those least able to defend themselves, many disabled and seriously ill people will now be joining the foodbank queue. Leading charities such as Mencap, Leonard Cheshire, Scope and the MS Society, and high profile figures including Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson have criticised Mr Cairns' government’s choice to make the most vulnerable pay.

Between 2014 and 2015 Alun Cairns claimed more expenses than any other Welsh MP - £191,333.35. Last year he claimed £12 from us, his constituents, for a ticket for a member of his staff to attend the Vale Show.

Perhaps he’d like to dip into his own pocket to treat his staff next time. Better still, he could think about the consequences for his most vulnerable constituents before he votes.

Please could you publish this letter to ensure all constituents know what our MP is doing.

Mrs J Crowley

Dinas Powys