London journalist Paul Coleman asks: Which of these two letters is fictitious?
'Dear Chief Executive,
Bearing in mind the billions of pounds spent by the taxpayer to rescue your ailing bank, can you afford a new glassy HQ with umpteen hi-definition widescreen TVs? Can you afford non-essentials like that new private jet, a yacht, dozens of cases of Veuve Cliquot champagne and those cigars?
'If you want to keep your bank you have to start budgeting now...'
Here's the other letter: "Dear Tenant, Can you really afford Sky, cigarettes, bingo, drinks and other non-essentials?
"If your benefit is being cut and you want to keep your home you have to make up the difference. Non-essential items won't matter if you lose your home.
"Start budgeting now - we can help you to do this, call us."
Clumsy tract
Eastland Homes chief executive Sheila Doran has apologised to its Manchester residents for the patronising and "clumsy" words used in its tenants newsletter - the second tract above.
Doran said benefit cuts mean some Eastland "tenants will be living hand to mouth".
Of course, the first letter to recipients of state welfare or 'bankfare' would never be written.
Paul Coleman, London Intelligence, March 2013
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