I should inform Ken Strudwick (Letters, November 24) the reason why the next round of council tax increases will be among the smallest in recent years is because, with the cost of living pressures rapidly spiralling as a result of a decade of Government mismanagement, it was incumbent upon the state to ensure its spending was curbed.

Further, he is completely wrong in saying it is the thriftless Labour Government we have to thank for the current low inflation rate (heap credit on them if you will for the mess most of us are in at the moment). The credit is due to the Bank of England.

The task of keeping the rate of inflation low and stable is the responsibility of the monetary authorities.

They control the size of the money supply through the setting of interest rates, through open market operations and through the setting of banking reserve requirements.

I should like to apologise to Ken for terming his “solo”

letter a team effort but would add that, he might achieve a greater degree of accuracy if his letters were a team effort.

Dave Bonwick, Oakdene Close, Portslade