SIR - The Government's decision to increase by two per cent its financial contribution towards the cost of running county services is a blow to all of us. Taxpayers and service users alike are entitled to a fair share of all the taxes collected by this government.

The school funding increase of nearly six per cent is to be welcomed, although our children's education continues to be relatively poorly funded compared with nearly everywhere else.

What is not welcome is the Government's failure to understand that Worcestershire pensioners, people with disabilities, road users and vulnerable youngsters also deserve a fair deal. The cost of maintaining county services is rising by much more than two per cent. For example, social care services, electricity, gas, heating oil and petrol prices are all rising much faster than usual. The Government's policy of judging Worcestershire people to be rich enough to pay more council tax and undeserving of the financial support it so readily directs elsewhere is unacceptable.

ADRIAN HARDMAN,

Cabinet member with responsibility for finance,

County Hall,

Worcester.