R G Jenkins asks if we can reasonably protest if the Government redistributes the local authority grants to the detriment of the South (Letters, September 26) in view of the prediction that economic growth in the South East and Sussex, in particular, will outstrip the rest of the UK during the next three years.

Yes, we can, if this will result in the sort of council tax increases forecast by East Sussex County Council (The Argus, September 26), which is talking in terms of a 35 per cent increase, or £350 a year, for band D households.

When the local economy grows, those employed in the private sector can usually expect their incomes to grow at a similar but often lagging rate.

Those in the public sector usually receive no more than a rounded-down average national rate. Those on fixed incomes, principally pensioners, can expect nothing but the meanest pickings from both the State and private pension providers.

For instance, this year, both my State and private pensions increased by up to three per cent but my band D council taxes increased by 4.9 per cent (East Sussex County Council), 14 per cent (Lewes District Council) and 18 per cent (Sussex Police).

It does not take a mathematical expert to see that I and probably all other pensioners in this area have been net losers.

We already had a world recession when the genius in 10 Downing Street decided to join chief sabre-rattler Dubya and threaten war with Iraq.

The result has been a disaster for anyone with any savings in the stock market or dependent institutions - the majority of savers. Building society interest rates are also at a 40-year low.

For pensioners, most public-sector employees and many others, a redistribution of the local authority grant as proposed will have disastrous financial implications for this area.

Having lived through the socialist administrations of Attlee, Wilson, Callaghan and now Blair, I have nothing but jaundiced expectations.

We will all be ground down to the lowest common denominator eventually. In order to survive, we will all downsize to hovels and live grubbily ever after.

-Tony Sturley, Warren Way, Telscombe Cliffs