NEW Labour often chided the Tories over the wind-chill factor in cold weather payments for the less well- off and often demanded it should be taken into account.

Now they have the power to rectify this, their spokesman effectively reneges with a rather cross statement that it will not be taken into account and now that we have reduced VAT on fuel, that should benefit these people.

Well, for anyone to benefit in a wind-chill situation, they will have to spend the equivalent of £150 a week to save enough VAT to be equal to a cold weather payment.

How absurd can New Labour get?

WALT MEADOWS, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.

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