SO what's new A L Eastwood (Help for pensioners with council tax, Letters, Monday, June 20)? That's the way this government works. But have you noticed that the stealth taxes have already started creeping in?

Even larger portions of the Lottery funds are now being allocated by the state for health, education and the environment, compliments of Mr Blair's changes to the Lottery in1997. And the latest from jovial John Prescott's office is a new tax on home improvements.

This tax would be on a par with the window tax of 1696, introduced by William 111. There's plenty more to come folks - and if you're a gambler put your house on it.

TONY EAVES, UKIP Mid-Worcestershire