AS THE recession deepens (no, we are not in recovery), it is becoming clear that Government cuts are no more than a disguise for privatising our public services.

Arguments surrounding pay levels of town hall executives are a red herring. Compared to the multi-million pound salaries of private service company executives, public sector salaries are insignificant.

The sole purpose of these corporations is profit and to satisfy shareholders; executives of such companies are not publicly accountable.

Among the assets on offer or already sold to the private sector are large parts of the NHS, prison service, primary and secondary education, the jobs and benefits agency, social services and local authority services of all kinds.

What the Big Society really means is “you’re on your own Jack”.

It is sad that most people swallow the gumph put out by the Cameron/Clegg gang while Labour stand by helpless, having lost the bottle for meaningful resistance.

What a sad, awful, greedy, selfish, class-ridden, celebrity-obsessed and undemocratic country we have become.

C Urquhart, Millfield Road, York.