Letter: Premature pledge

IT IS a clever and popular election strategy to promise the people of Scotland a continued freeze on council tax (your report, 15 October), but it simply does not reflect the reality of our grim financial situation.

If local authorities are not allowed some increase to offset inflation, they will have to cut to the bone essential services, leaving vulnerable groups in our communities suffering even more pain.

The SNP really cannot promise anything for Scotland until the extent of the financial cutbacks are announce next week at Westminster. Then, and only then, will the true picture will become clear.

DENNIS GRATTAN

Mugiemoss Road

Aberdeen