THE recent Tory/Lib Dem government financial settlement for local councils will cause more hardship and inconvenience to local people.

We all have to balance the books but further cuts to social care, libraries and bus services in Herefordshire will end up costing us as taxpayers more money in the long run. We have already seen the problems caused by fortnightly bin collections.

A&E services across the country are under huge pressure. Hereford County Hospital is no exception. People in their 80s and 90s want practical help and support to stay living in their own homes. I know from working for Age Concern how important reliable, good quality care at home is to older people and their families.

Across the country local councils are having to restrict access to home care services. This is a false economy. Without good support at home, older people are more likely to end up in hospital and to be there for longer.

Cuts to bus services increase isolation. Many older people remain fit and well into their 80s and 90s but there comes a time for all of us when it’s no longer safe to drive. Reliable bus services are vital.

We know that isolation and loneliness cause depression and other illnesses, putting more pressure on the NHS. Further reductions to bus services will also make it harder for young people to get to school and for people who do not have cars to get a job.

The local authority’s own assessment states that cuts to bus services will damage market towns as fewer people will shop locally.

Herefordshire County Council is considering closing libraries in Bromyard, Ledbury and Kington and reducing opening hours in Hereford, Leominster and Ross.

Libraries are vitally important for people who do not have a computer and an internet connection at home, for students and families with young children.

We need to balance the books, but cutting public services to the bone isn’t the way to do it. We need to increase tax revenues by increasing economic growth and by the better off in society making a greater contribution through the tax system.

SALLY PRENTICE Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Herefordshire