REGARDING Burnley Labour Councillor Marcus Johnstone's criticism of Blackburn Rovers boss Jack Walker and his claim that legitimate tax-saving schemes are a greater scourge than Social Security benefit fraud (LET, January 25).

This clearly shows his complete lack of understanding and knowledge of the most basic economic realities.

This country is losing hundreds of millions of pounds in fraudulent benefit claims.

While I am quite sure Mr Walker is more than capable of speaking up for himself, I find it necessary to offer Mr Johnstone some well-intentioned instruction in basic economics. If it was not for business and employers like Mr Walker, there would be no people working and paying tax and National Insurance for our Labour controlled councils to squander on loss-making industries - like the Burnley Council contract services fiasco - and on politically-correct vote-seeking schemes and organisations.

Mr Johnstone clearly displays the real face of the New Labour - as Old Labour in drag.

S SMITH, Burnley Heritage Centre, St James Street, Burnley.

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