Sir, In response to your story concerning the increased allowances for county councillors, I would like to commend Lynda Atkins for Wallingford for her honesty in admitting she will accept the increase.

Whilst a number of councillors either declined the increase or offered it to charity, the majority appear to have kept quiet — obviously hoping that if they make no public statement it will be assumed that they won’t be taking the extra money, ahem… I was, however, slightly taken aback with councillor Atkins justification for accepting the increase of: “I am in the process of reducing my paid working hours”. It does make me wonder, given that she is currently employed by MP Ed Vaizey as a constituency case worker, if she does not expect this job to last beyond the General Election next year.

Lee Upcraft

Wantage Road

Wallingford