THE time will soon be upon us when we will be informed of next year's likely rise in community tax. This despised carry-on is daylight robbery.

Instead of the increases being a pound or two, as would be acceptable the rise will be a percentage of the grand total.

It is time for innovation and a new look at the whole system.

We have people on fixed incomes and any rise will cause hardship. One group in particular are the old folk with basic pensions.

They cannot afford the extras that land through the letter box.

We hear of certain parts of our society who are excluded from paying the tax. This should be dealt with urgently and it be known that we are no longer a soft touch.

Also it has been announced that gas and electricity prices are to increase and the rate is not going to be modest.

JOHN SHORROCK, Marlton Road, Blackburn.