If Gordon Brown wishes to ease the burden on the taxpayer and increase affordable housing, he could do worse than tell county councils that no more money is to be spent subsidising the pensions of fat cat council staff.

That would lower council rates by 25 per cent. Likewise, if civil servants want a pension, they can pay for it.

Secondly, tell housing associations to purchase existing dwellings now at knock-down prices which would have an almost immediate effect on the rental waiting list. Instead of building their own estates just for vanity’s sake.

Glyn Limmer, Roosevelt Road, Long Hanborough