SIR: I am shocked by recent reports suggesting that the government is to squander money tied up in profits made by the privatised utilities.

Such disgraceful actions are purely political and nothing to do with helping the people of this country. They know that this money has been earmarked by the Labour Party to provide jobs and much needed training for Britain's young people.

We are falling well behind the rest of Europe when it comes to providing jobs and training for the young. There are currently 700,000 16 to 24 year olds not in work, training or education - are they to be forgotten about?

My job often involves working closely with young unemployed people. It is clear that if this country is to compete with the rest of the world tomorrow then it has to invest in its young people today.

This government seems to revel in taking money away from those who need it most. However, it would be wise remembering that the benefit of a one off rebate bribe will soon disappear, whereas jobs and training for the young will provide long-term benefits for the country as a whole right into the next century.

Emily Kynes

Old Vicarage Mews, Daisy Hill, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.