WHILE not aspiring to the degree of financial acumen often claimed by stockbroker and senior York Tory politician Coun Chris Steward (The Press, 3), I found his comments on poverty insensitive, complacent and misplaced.

Despite his belated apology, Coun Steward has a track record of foolish remarks.

When recently addressing the council’s cabinet meeting on the living wage, he described the pensions being paid to the likes of school cleaners and care staff as a “perk”.

While some public servants are well paid, such low-paid, often part-time employees certainly are not. And the local government pension scheme is fully funded, and the employees contribute to it.

Coun Steward’s comments, on this and food banks, plainly demonstrate he and his party are clearly out of touch with the reality of the lives of hard-working and poorly paid public servants, and the effects of his Tory-led Government austerity policies on the working poor.

Coun Sandy Fraser, Micklegate ward (Labour), Millfield Road, York.