I MUST write to express my disgust at the council tax rise in the 2003/04 financial year of 11.7 per cent.

It is all very well for our ruling Labour Councillors to give out misleading spin by stating that percentages are not the criteria to use and that the rise is the second lowest in Greater Manchester!

What we are concerned with is that the increase of 11.7 per cent is nearly four times the current rate of inflation. This at a time when many of us are lucky to receive about a three per cent wage or pension increase.

For the 1997/98 year, a band A council tax was £473.86. For the coming year a band A property will be £722.39. This is, therefore, an increase of about 37 per cent in six years whereas over this period the rate of inflation averaged three per cent maximum.

This comes on top of the working population having to pay a one per cent National Insurance increase. This rate applies also to employers which is, therefore, a jobs tax and who knows how many jobs in industry and commerce will be lost as a result of this.

The council will claim that increased National Insurance is one factor in the council tax increase but then who is to blame? Yes you have guessed, this high-taxing Labour Government.

In view of the tax increases both at local and national levels under Labour rule in the last six years, I say enough is enough and it's time to use this year's council elections, to vote out the ruling party at local levels for starters.

IRATE COUNCIL

TAX PAYER,

Radcliffe.