AFTER the spectacle of a 102-year-old lady lobbying Parliament in protest against a move of residential home, there is now the tragedy of a 108-year-old one starving herself after a similar move.

Private residential care is failing the eldery and it is time the New Labour government abandoned this Tory policy and gave local authorities the financial resources to care for older people on the basis of need, not in pursuit of profits.

ROGER BANNISTER, member, UNISON National Executive Council (personal capacity), Admin Road, Kirkby.