SIR: F Fogg's attempt to blame council inefficiency for the poor state of our public services rather than Tory cutbacks was extremely naive and had no bearing on reality.

It is the action of a desperate government trying to find money for tax bribes that causes old people's homes to close or council taxes to rise, not overstaffing.

Figures published by the Department of Environment during last year's budget show that the government's strategy includes plans to force council tax payers to cough up an extra £3.5 billion in council tax over the next three years - equal to a 2p income tax rise.

At the same time, through the kind of double dealing that so characterises this government, the Westminster council funding racket continues. If every council this year received the same level of help enjoyed by this so called Tory flagship council, 94 per cent of council taxpayers wouldn't have to pay anything at all - in fact they'd be due a rebate!

The simple truth is that the Tories have doubled the national debt since 1990, increased taxes 22 times since 1992, and squandered revenue from North Sea oil. No wonder hardly anyone trusts them to run their councils anymore.

A Page, Manorfield Close, Bolton.

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