WE ARE all aware we are living through difficult times and that hard decisions must be made. This is true for City of York Council, too.

The council is making decisions, in our name, to keep this city on a firm financial footing and we are all aware savings must be made and services cut.

However, I have been truly appalled to see that the warden call service has been singled out for a massive increase in charges for the very elderly and vulnerable people who rely on this type of help to remain independent and safe.

The charges are being increased from April 1 from £18.42 per person per month to £30.34: That is a percentage increase of 64.7 per cent.

For a couple living at the same address (who currently pay £18.42 as they only require the same equipment and visit as a single individual), it is increasing to £43.34. That is a percentage rise of 135 per cent.

I find these figures staggering. It makes the utility companies’ increases look benevolent in comparison. These are people who lived through the Second World War with all its privations, who are saving the country a fortune by living in their own homes and who often have nothing more than the state pension to fund them.

I cannot believe our councillors had the gall to do this to our most respected citizens.

Norah Ward, Forest Close, Wigginton, York.