AT a time when all of us in the Forest are feeling the pinch, even to the extent that the council has to charge us 20p to spend an hour shopping in our towns, it is interesting that the EU is not having the same problems.

Brussels MEPs have decided they have overspent this year, so instead of pulling in their horns (like we are all having to do) they have sent the UK Government a bill for an extra £2 billion pounds for this year and next.

That's £2,000,000,000 on top of what we already pay them. And Cameron and Clegg have no option but to sign the cheque.

I think UKIP have a point, we should get out and bring the money home. Then we could have free parking again, and a bit left over!

– Dan Winter (via email).