IT seems to me that some of your anti-EU correspondents make sweeping statements with no actual knowledge of the facts.

On the subject of European accounting standards, Mary Kendall took the trouble of looking up the facts, to refute those lazy arguments (Letters, September 9).

Let me give my limited personal experiences as chief executive of a social enterprise based in York.

We have found that accounting standards for the European Social Fund are very high indeed.

The finance is hard to get, allows no surplus, and must be rigorously accounted for.

It has supported us in what we regard is pioneering work in disability cycling, offender rehabilitation and volunteering opportunities for marginalised people.

It has also allowed us to measure ourselves against best practice in three other European countries, and to make significant links with similar social enterprises in those countries.

Jim McGurn, Chief executive, Get Cycling CiC, Hospital Fields Road, York