I’M told more than 300 dogs are abandoned every day.

Often charities like the estimable Dogs Trust are left to cope with the consequences.

Many people fall for that adorable “puppy in the window” at this time of year, but have second thoughts not long into the New Year.

My best friend Buster has asked me to remind readers that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.

Owning a dog is a serious matter, not one to be undertaken without a great deal of thought.

George Osborne deserves credit for his autumn statement reconciling deficit reduction against an unpromising financial backdrop with the need to maintain decent public services and catalyse economic recovery.

Even the Opposition must comprehend that, since welfare represents such an enormous chunk of public expenditure, cuts in it are unavoidable in tackling the deficit.

I continue to get lots of messages about gay marriage.

For me the clincher in what I understand will be a free vote on the matter is that priests will be able to decide who they marry according to their beliefs and that people will be able to continue to profess their faith without being vilified.

If I can be assured that this safeguard is truly in place, I really cannot object to the state calling civil partnerships marriage where that is the wish of the couples involved.

Traditionally MPs send out large numbers of cards at Christmas but the cost is becoming prohibitive and the environmental impact, even for an avid recycler like me, disquieting. So, this year I’ve taken an axe to my Christmas card list.

I toyed with the idea of an electronic greetings card but they are just too annoying for words.

I’m hoping readers will accept good wishes expressed in this column as an austerity Christmas greeting.