The letters by Derek J Cole and Lynn Forbes Davies (The Argus, June 24) criticising the Budget border on economic madness.

The previous Labour administration inherited and subsequently ruined the healthiest economy since the war. The current Government has the unenviable task of trying to straighten out a ruined economy. Yes – the budget was tough and, sadly, in places unfair. But the reality has to be faced.

For public spending to remain at its current levels and to service the massive Government debt would mean taxes would rise to wartime levels. All aspects of society must accept that public sector bureaucracy and the benefit culture must be addressed quickly and decisively. Failure to do so will mean a massive austerity burden for decades to come.

Richard J Szypulski
Lavender Street, Brighton