I FIND this astonishing - the sum of £28 million to revamp DEFRA offices in Peasholme Green, as reported by The Press.

These buildings were only constructed in 1994 and were being revamped to make them more sustainable'. The work quoted will save 15 tonnes of carbon a year.

Hilary Benn's statement defended the expenditure. Yes he would, this staggering figure to be paid out of tax-payers' money.

How has this figure been worked out? The only person who is going to take this up is John Greenway MP, who will ask a relevant committee to look into this outrageous expenditure.

What does the Labour MP for York think? "He is not in a position to comment on the expenditure" (typical).

Mr Benn has no more money for flood defences, yet he can pluck £28 million out of thin air for this revamp.

This financial year we are told City of York Council will be £1 million under funded, yet we are asked where this money should be saved. How about £1 million from this revamp?

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.