MATTHEW Laverack continues his ideological crusade against the Living Wage, saying “Richard Bridge should know that statistics from various sources can be interpreted to support opposing views on the Minimum Wage” (Letters, July 26).

I used the Labour Force Survey - the most well-recognised survey on employment and unemployment and indeed the largest household survey in the UK - to demonstrate that Mr Laverack’s previous assertion that the introduction of the Minimum Wage in 1999 caused an increase in youth employment was simply false, and therefore entirely misleading to readers.

While I agree statistics can be used in different ways, at no stage has Mr Laverack referred to any evidence, survey or research to support his initial statement.

Claims that we make need credibility.

I invite readers to make their own conclusions.

Richard Bridge, Holgate Road, York.