Under the heading "Take a look at Labour, not Salmond. " (Letters, November 11), Joe Jackton tells me that my views are ridiculous but I think he, like Joe Sheerin, is referring to a different topic. He says that the policy of the former Labour government led to Renfrewshire Council imposing care charges in 2006. I did not say care charges, but housing-support charges and, oddly enough, the SNP council has never made this claim, although it appears to be the perfect "It wisnae me" card. Instead, it says that charges for housing support services within sheltered housing were introduced in January 2008 in accordance with the council's charging policy.
The initial notification regarding these charges in November 2007 said that they could have been introduced in 2003 but the council chose not to - ie, the former Labour council.
Joe Sheerin asks why I have not been in touch with Hanover Housing since the council does not run these establishments. When I made this contact I was referred to the council directly for any complaint regarding charging policy. Renfrewshire Council subsidises Hanover Housing for warden services, and in January passed the charges directly to the residents, which created a 26% maximum increase on current maximum rent. I would like Mr Jackton and Mr Sheerin to reflect for a moment on what effect such an increase would have on their lifestyle, if applied to their rent or mortgage.
The line of responsibility is simple in the minds of the residents and their relatives: new charge - new council - SNP - Alex Salmond. In all probability, there is a more complex explanation but most people vote on perception, not with in-depth knowledge, and I suggest that factor in Glenrothes could operate elsewhere.
Alison J Johnston, Balrossie Drive, Kilmacolm, Inverclyde.
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