The revelation that Oxford council tenants are subsidising those in other parts of the country to the tune of £17 a week is nothing short of a scandal.

The Audit Commission is right to highlight the system as unfair and urge the Government to scrap it.

The fact that we are one of the highest contributors is probably due to the fact that we live in a fairly prosperous area with low unemployment, and that our city council is better at managing its housing stock and collecting rent than many others.

But that is no reason why we should have to bail out inefficient and ineffective councils.

Oxford tenants often complain that it takes a long time for repairs and improvements to be carried out to their homes. Just think what could be achieved if the city council was allowed to keep all its council housing money.

The Government should act immediately to end this injustice.