THE decision to slash wage levels should not come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the recent history and employment policies of Blackburn with Darwen Council (LT, Jan 8,).

This council pioneered privatisation of services in a big way in local government and the effect was that 500 jobs transferred to private provider Capita were vulnerable to cuts.

Not only in pay but in pensions and holidays, anything that could be reduced was, and is being reduced in order to increase the profits of Capita. But a 20 per cent cut in pay hits a new low even by the right-wing standards of this council.

The question that councillors should be asking is why a council that employs senior officers on over £100,000 a year is making any cuts in pay at all.

This has come about through long-standing neglect of central government and weak leadership in local government.

Nobody should be surprised that employees, mainly women, who have been deprived of a fair and proper rate of pay are now receiving what they should have received many, many years ago. It is morally and legally wrong to cut the pay of employees in the arrogant and draconian manner that is being administered by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

This shifting of the blame onto other workers when they have done their jobs conscientiously for many years, is like a black comedy, unfortunately it is deadly serious and the hair-brained decision to make employees pay and be responsible for something that is out of their control is ludicrous and unfair.

Senior councillors and officers should be demanding central government intervenes and gives more and better support to councils faced with increase in costs. Money is easily found for Northern Rock, Rover Cars, illegal wars or funding MPs and councillors to pay rises.

DON RISHTON, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.