SIR - In 2005 I bought a three year-old Toyota Corolla for use by me during retirement.

The car is at present rated band E and commands a charge of £170 annual tax 2008-09.

I have just checked the new car tax bands brought in by Labour in the last Budget and to my amazement have found that the new annual tax for 2009-10 rises to £260 - an increase of some 53 per cent for a normal medium sized car.

I thought the Government was trying to be environmentally friendly?

It is obvious to me that all they are doing is, as usual, bleeding the hard- working taxpayers.

C G Willcox, Worcester.