I SIMPLY can't get my head around the news (Bury Times, July 19) that in light of the Chancellor's spending spree for education, Secretary of State Estelle Morris is extolling the virtues of matching cash injections to schools with improving standards.

Her prophetic words, "parents, teachers and pupils will see real change in their local schools", comes at a time when Bury Metro has decided to close Affetside School and is recommending closure of other similarly excellent primary schools which already offer those high standards of education she refers to.

That's certainly real change, Estelle, but probably not what you had imagined!

Bury's head of financial services, Mr Peter Lowe, and Councillor Steve Perkins, Bury's executive member for lifelong learning, tell us that the money isn't enough to salvage education in Bury, which seems to be in a critical state with presumably more closures on the way.

Indeed, the local authority generally seems to be in financial crisis. It is being forced to close schools and old people's homes, hitting the most vulnerable at both ends of the age spectrum. Who has got them into this mess? Who is accountable?

In the midst of this financial mire, why have councillors insensitively voted themselves a 50 per cent "pay" increase, which will mean an additional £180,000 to cover their allowances and expenses? On the one hand, councillors are bleating about the authority having no money; on the other, they are awarding themselves excessive increases.

Which is more vital: providing services for people who need them, or having well-rewarded councillors? I know which I would rather have.

DISILLUSIONED LABOUR VOTER