How sad that you report a lack of career guidance for young people (“Connexions service faces budget cuts of up to 50%”, August 6) in the centenary year of the statutory requirement to provide help in finding suitable work and further education.

The arguments of Winston Churchill, William Beveridge and RH Tawney in support of the service provided by the Education (Choice of Employment) Act 1910 still apply. Without it, our national talent will be wasted, the economy will suffer and youngsters will be excluded from satisfying careers.

Ironically it was HE minister David Willetts who, in January, said “careers advice is more important than ever”. Now that he is the minister responsible, he must surely find a way to retain this service for those leaving school in this most difficult year.

David Peck, Shrewsbury.