I READ with interest MP Mr Bill Wiggin giving us half the story on council tax, (Hereford Times, March 11.

I see he quotes the figure of 8.9% as the amount we will have to pay. He completely ignores the police and fire service element which, when added, would give the figure of 10.6%.

Am I, as a pensioner who received my increase in line with inflation, supposed to rejoice that the increase is only five times as great as my pension increases?

I see it is all the fault of the Labour Government, so perhaps Mr Wiggin can inform us if Herefordshire Council has received above inflation grants during that period?

Also what extra funding has been allocated to Herefordshire since 1997 in the way of grants to support transport education and other projects?

Then perhaps we can make a fairer judgement of the position other than the versions given by Mr Wiggin.

J G DAVIES,

Westfaling Street, Hereford.