I AM disgusted at the government's decision to commission portraits of key parliamentarians.

The amount spent varies but £22,000 for a portrait of John Bercow, the Speaker of the House, is a gross misuse of government funds.

When did an oil painting become more important than a teacher, police officer or nurse? Surely the money could be better spent elsewhere.

I do agree that politics is a key part of our histories fabric, and MPs do need to be recorded down in history, but we are in an age of austerity, so why is the government cutting NHS spending whilst commissioning luxuries such as this vanity art?

Another example of austerity for some, but not for others. The cost of living crisis is felt all over the Forest, but will a nice oil painting put food on our tables, fund an extra nurse for A and E or hire an additional teaching assistant? No it will not!

Austerity for some but not for all. A slap in the face for the hard-working people of the Forest.

– Andrew Knight, Cinderford.