GOOD conjurors work by sleight of hand. You are so busy watching what disappears from one hand that you miss it reappearing in the other.

In the Budget, the government said it was cutting income tax. But the next day, the money reappeared again when it said it was cutting the money given to local councils - by £54 million in Lancashire alone!

This cut will have to be made up by rises in council tax. So, when at election time the government says it has cut taxes, don't just look at your payslip; look at your Council Tax bill as well.

COUN DAVE HOLLINGS, Blackburn Council, Bolton Road, Darwen.

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