WHEN this Government was elected, all sensible and fair-minded people realised cuts to the ridiculous levels of spending by national/local government had to be undertaken.

Eventually, though, the knife hits the bone, at which point common sense and realism should prevail, something bureaucrats find difficult to comprehend.

Do politicians and mandarins in Whitehall not realise that subsidised bus fares in North Yorkshire and elsewhere are not another layer of fat awaiting the cut, but a vital essential service to enable senior citizens without private transport to enjoy a reasonable level of independence?

After all they are only asking for something in return for all the millions in tax they have paid.

Peter Rickaby, West Park, Selby.