It was saddening to read the article about the plight of Farepak customers such as Julie Irwin, who now face a struggle to pay for Christmas, ‘Hamper firm has ruined Christmas’ (October 18).

The loss to Farepak’s customers is all the more disturbing because many of them are on low incomes, some are on benefits and the scheme run by Farepak is the only way they can save for Christmas without being penalised by the Government.

According to health expert Dr Trisha Macnair, the public health of the nation can worsen around Christmas time, often because of financial reasons.

It is the people on low incomes, particularly those on benefits who struggle around this time, and it is partly down to the injustices of the benefit system.

The Government should legislate to allow a Christmas Trust Scheme, where people, particularly those on benefits and low incomes, can save money for the festive period without it counting as income or savings for tax and benefit purposes.