RECENT letters have commented on the apparent high increases in service charges borne by Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust residents.

Your readers may feel a more balanced picture is provided by the independent Audit Commission in its report on the trust that was issued last month, which states "service charges have remained at RPI plus 0.5 per cent over the last ten years". We do recognise the difficulties faced by people on fixed incomes, and strive to keep increases as low as possible.

Paul Dack,

Director of finance, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust,

Water End,

York.

Updated: 10:36 Monday, May 22, 2006