WITH regard to Neil Redmayne's comments on the present tax system in the UK (Letters, January 25), I agree wholeheartedly with his observations.

The government has been hailing the new Family Tax Credit as the saviour of mankind recently.

Well, I would like to point out that under the new rules, where I lose the married couples allowance and the ability to transfer any unused tax allowance to my wife, I will finish up about £40-£45 a month worse off. This is about £480-£540 per annum.

This is for a family with one small child and where I am unable to work because of disability.

The new child allowance is £416 per annum and don't forget we have to wait a further 12 months to claim that. I must strongly disagree with Mr Redmayne on one point though, when he says that a leopard cannot change its spots. I think he should remember that at least Old Labour had the decency to put up taxes for those who could afford it and not pick on the very people they should be protecting - the poor, the homeless, the sick, etc.

Socialist, this lot? The politics of this present administration are more akin to those of the infamous Margaret Thatcher!

J SHACKLETON, Reservoir Street, Darwen.

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