I HAVE just learned that the prices charged by the water companies are to rise, not by the proposed 30 to 50 per cent but by as much as 72 per cent.

The additional amount was being blamed on the new water quality requirements set by Europe.

As one long-standing campaigner for better drinking water and sewage treatment quality standards I would normally be the first to welcome improvements on these matters as money well spent.

However, I also know that like the privatisation of the railways, water privatisation was similarly badly flawed and has produced similar results.

My concern now is not so much connected with water quality as with my ability to pay these new proposed charges.

I and many tens of thousands of others have experienced problems in trying to pay our ever-rising council tax on very small pensions under the threat of imprisonment for non-payment.

The prices of gas and electricity are not only rising rapidly but set to rise much higher, fuel price rises will have a knock-on effect on the prices of food and clothing, and the water pricing increases are therefore undoubtedly to become the final straw.

What is a person such as I, on a pension of only £70 per week to do? Go to prison for inability to pay council tax, or have goods and property seized to pay off debts to the water companies, the courts and the bailiffs?

Alternatively, are we to be admitted to hospital suffering from malnutrition, acute mental depression or both?

Or, finally, live on the streets wearing rags, in a cardboard box existing on handouts from passers-by?

Which of the aforementioned options will benefit the UK economy and the place of Britain on the world stage the most and of course guarantee the re-election of a Labour government?

This letter is not intended as a satirical joke. These are the real options now being displayed for our choice.

It is now very clear that the only real growth industry now in the UK is debt and its management and one I fear we can invest in no longer.

BRIAN JACKSON, Duke Street, Winewall, Trawden.