I WOULD like to respond to Mr J Brooks' letter published on April 19, regarding council tax, and in which Mr Brooks wrongly accused me of doing nothing over the last four years to win a fair deal for St Helens ratepayers.

Can I point out that it took 18 years for the Tories to create the present unfair system and the Labour Government is determined that any changes are fair and will take into account the individual needs of all communities.

I can assure Mr Brooks that as Deputy Chairman of the All Party Council Grants Reform Group, I have been very active in pressing the Government to reform the present system as quickly as possible. The new Labour Government has already introduced some reforms into the system, which have increased funding to our schools and other services, but reform is needed.

It is also true that the Government has forced the Council to use the increased grants to increase spending on education rather than reducing council tax levels. The Labour Government has also taken this action to ensure that St Helens children receive the best possible start in life.

The Labour Government remains committed to a complete reform of the present grants system and it has commissioned a number of university reports, which will help the Government develop a completely new grants system in the future. While I am unable to give any guarantee, I am convinced that this new system will increase the level of grants to our town and better reflect our needs.

I hope that this response will clarify both the Government and my own views on this matter.

Dave Watts MP