IN response to George Cowley's recent letter, the answer is not as simplistic as paying more income tax.

Since this Labour Government has been in power their solution to everything is tax increases!

Worcestershire has already independently evidenced its claim (Blanchflower & Oswold) for Area Cost adjustment (ACA) as requested by Minister for Schools David Milliband.

This would mean in monetary terms an extra £10m into this county, not only for education, but health and social services. Still this Government refuses to listen.

I understand Mr Cowley has health problems which render him unable to work - even he surely would not begrudge others who suffer from ill health the extra help that ACA could provide?

At the moment,paying more income tax would only serve to widen the gap between Worcestershire and other counties.

Currently we are 146 out of 150 LEAs as far as funding is concerned. The annual average increase here is 3.1 per cent - compare that to 4.1 per cent in the rest of the country. Then tell me that these shameful facts are fair!

Perhaps Mr Cowley, instead of making one-line statements attacking people who want to see and end to discrimination, you should pick up your pen and petition this hard-of-hearing Labour Government.

MARK BRUNNER, Redditch.