Madam, This is part of a copy of an open letter sent to MP Jesse Norman.

I am writing this open letter to you to ask you as our elected representative in parliament what you are prepared to do on behalf of the elderly and disadvantaged in our communities?

I am driven to this appeal on hearing today's news that, with domestic energy prices rising by an unprecedented 17-20%, the energy companies have seen their 'profit per customer' rise in recent months from around £15 to £120. That is a 700% increase! And at a time when energy costs are decreasing. Are you listening?

How do you think people on low incomes, on fixed incomes, can absorb these unjustifiable increases? (Still too high and of course it is convenient to leave some commodities 'out of the equation' when calculating official inflation rates.)

Another recent report – The National Health Service this time – referred to hospital failings and the 'criminal neglect' of elderly patients. We are seen as a 'cost' and a 'strain on resources' and not part of the raison d'etre of the Health Service in the first place.

A member of the BBC Quesiton Time audience on October 13th asked when tax and other finanical loopholes exploited by the richest in the community would be addressed and stop targetting those at the bottom to plug the financial gap created by the reckless behaviour of the banks. That's our money you're giving away, on top of everything we're already contributing to the NHS, the energy companies, the supermarkets (profits measured in £billions while food prices increase).

It doesn't seem to matter that printing more money – quantitative easing – will add to future inflation and compound the anxieties of those on fixed incomes.

So I refer you to my opening question – as our elected representative what are you going to do to stop this exremely worrying assault on the elderly and disadvantaged? Because words alone are not enough. I await your response.

Brian Jackson, Ross