YOUR front page (LET, March 8) had an article about possible changes or financial cuts to special needs schools in the Blackburn area. We also hear about cuts in other schools and colleges up and down the country.

A few weeks ago, the newspapers, TV and radio brought to our attention the crisis in our hospitals., with particular reference to nurses and their pay. What was basically being said was that there was not enough money to fund many more urgently-needed extra staff, or to pay current staff what they really deserve.

We will also remember, not so long ago, that our county's police force was having to look at ways of cutting back on services because there was not enough money to pay for the present level of services.

I believe that everyone knows that, although our education, health and police services are local, they are funded from central government, and a lot of central government funds come by way of income tax.

Central government tells us that there is a shortage of money to fund these essential services. Then, it cuts income tax yet again. A few years ago, we had enough policemen to keep our streets reasonably safe, schools had sufficient teachers. They certainly did not have to fund-raise privately for things like books, etc, and there were a lot more nurses and doctors. The queues in accident and emergency were a lot smaller. We also used to pay, quite happily, 33p in the pound income tax.

Why not go back to this rate of 33p again? For the average working man, it will not make that much difference, but we may get back to a better standard of living in other ways.

Cone on Mr Prime Minister and Mr Chancellor, who do you think that you are kidding? I believe that if you held a referendum, on this subject, you would find that most thinking people do not mind paying for decent services like those that we used to have.

MAURICE ROGERS, Holden Fold, Darwen.

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