SIR – This Government’s application of austerity principles is causing many more casualties than previous exercises, as the lower middle class and lower classes are experiencing.

These groups are not the cause of the global financial meltdown, and should not be being penalised for it, and neither was the previous government.

It was the fault of silly American bankers, as every interested body now knows. I am on David Hockney’s side and against selling our art to soften the blow of this coalition’s cuts to council finances.

Councillors should have the guts to make the cuts, then Bradfordians will realise who caused them, which wasn’t our councillors.

The truth of the situation will then help our city’s voters to make a considered, sensible voting decision at the 2015 General Election.

Alan Holdsworth, Sandside Close, Bradford