SO local councils are introducing Maggie Thatcher's infamous Poll Tax via the back door, with their yearly hike in council tax.

I have raised this issue with the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. I am advised that all councils are adequately funded, and that there is no real justification for high increases set by local councils.

So it would appear that the councils that mismanage their financial affairs simply hike up the council tax on the poor old public. So the public, being so very blind and cannot see this, need to be reminded of one or two facts.

You spend your life paying off a house mortgage, then you are at the end of your working life faced with a second mortgage, viz an ever increasing community charge which follows you to your grave.

We are the only country in Europe that has this tax on private dwelling houses. Even a small country like Ireland has no tax on houses. In these countries, local government is funded by central government.

The only remedy that you, the poor old suffering public have, is to use your voting powers in the May local election.

Robert M Goodman

Red Bridge

Bolton