SIR – The report on financial problems at Worcester City Council is worrying on several levels: ● How much were the consultants paid to arrive at the same conclusion every consultant comes to about council finances – spending and jobs must be cut?

● Why is this only coming to light now? Have our elected councillors been paying attention to council finances?

● Why can’t the Government bail out the council for a relatively small £3 million when they can find billions for the banks?

● Cutting jobs at the city council just adds to spiralling unemployment – no one gains.

● Will MP Mike Foster intervene with the government to get the money needed?

Socialist Party members have launched a petition to oppose the £3 million cuts at Worcester City Council, oppose any job losses, oppose any service cuts, oppose any rate increase, demand Gordon Brown provides proper funding for all the county’s councils, demand our MPs and councillors fight for the money from Brown.

MARK DAVIES, Worcester.