I NOTE with concern changes to council tax benefit under the coalition Government’s localism agenda (City heads fear £1.3m cash gap, The Press, August 7).

I’m all in favour of giving local representatives more responsibility in supporting their communities, but this isn’t achieved via a deceitful attempt to blame others for your ideological cuts agenda.

The council is faced with a very tough decision: either to reduce council tax benefit payments by 30 per cent or more for some of the most vulnerable, many low-waged, citizens of York or make savings elsewhere.

It will be interesting to see whether local Conservative and Lib-Dem councillors support their coalition Government’s proposals.

Steve Burton, Labour councillor for Westfield.