READING in our Gazette of June 21 of the dismay voiced by council leader Adrian Hardman at being faced with further cuts to his budget, it is easy to sympathise with him and to understand the predicament he faces.

But how does he feel about the way so many bonus payments were deliberately postponed into this new tax year so that many millions of pounds were taxed at the newly reduced top rate?

It is all very well the prime minister and his chancellor talking about taking a harder line on tax evasion but they allowed a lot of money due to the treasury to go into the pockets of their friends in the city.

It is hardly surprising that the government failed to prevent this latest ruse since the financial sector donated almost £11 million to the Tory party in the election year, 2010.

GREN GASKELL Malvern