IT is thanks to the Government that councils are aiming to provide 'better value.' This means that hard and unfair decisions are being made.

Blackburn has seen the effects of this with the closures of two of its homes for older people, and no doubt we haven't seen the last of it.

It is a sad state of affairs, and the private sector is suffering too, with homes going into receivership. Policy is crippling our services.

The Government wants older people to remain in their own homes because it is cost-effective.

Many older people do want to remain in their own homes if they are able -- and should be supported to do so.

However, with people living longer, this means that their families are often elderly themselves, as a result of this, they might only be able to give minimal support -- some don't have any relatives at all.

New services such as rehabilitation centres are being set up to support government initiatives and, therefore, positive things will arise from these catastrophes.

However, at present we have a lot of older people worrying about the possibility of losing their council-run home and very caring staff are having to deal with this while not knowing what their own futures hold.

If we want our services to survive, and that includes the National Health Service, then we are simply going to have to accept that we have to pay for them.

M THOMPSON (Mrs), Thorn Hill Close, Chester Park, Blackburn.