ONCE again my pension has been plundered by this council.

The 8.5 per cent increase is nothing short of scandalous, and I'm really fed up to the back of my teeth with them. There is no doubt in my mind that the council is completely out of touch with the plight of folk on fixed incomes.

No wonder Ronald Schofield is up in arms and prepared to take on the council. I regret to say, however, he won't win, because I tried some years ago, but not before I got my two pence in when I told the council that we in Bolton were being ripped off. And, to rub salt into an open wound, the company United Utilities have upped my water bill for this year by £21. Why, I don't know, because the rain that's fallen on me this year is just as wet as last year.

Now I'm no economic wizard, but how can inflation be as low as this with such increases in council tax etc. And I ask the question -- who's kidding who?

Haulghite pensioner

(Name and

address supplied)