I AM delighted that the Liberal Democrat motion asking the Secretary of State for Health to write off the historic debt inherited by North Yorkshire and York PCT was unanimously backed by City of York Council (The Press, January 26).

It is clear that the £37 million historic debt is putting huge pressure on health services in our area. Recent reports in The Press have featured doctors and health workers who are unhappy with health cuts. Patients will feel the effects as treatments are withdrawn or delayed. On top of the historic debt, the PCT faces a further £45 million deficit this year.

Whether the needs of local people can sway the Labour Government has yet to be seen. We have to keep campaigning against these cuts, to show Tony Blair that we will not give up our local health care easily.

The Labour Government have caused the financial problems in the National Health Service (NHS) through constant interference and targets. The biggest scandal of all is that these cuts are being made despite record levels of funding. It is not fair that local people here in York and wider North Yorkshire will be left to pay the price for the Government's poor political management.

Coun Madeleine Kirk, Lib Dem councillor for Strensall Ward, Melcombe Avenue, Strensall, York.