SIR I am sure Bradford taxpayers will be delighted to learn that the Government is giving £10 million of their money to the trade unions on a you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' basis.

The unions provided £10 million towards the funding of the Labour party election campaign. The Government is giving £10 million to the unions for modernisation, much of it to update their computer systems they say. How much is used to fund strikes is anyone's guess.

Our very own Gerry Sutcliffe, the Employment Relations Minister, has already announced a first share of £3 million and says the scheme is so worthwhile that there will be a fresh round next year.

What role did Mr Sutcliffe perform prior to boarding the Westminster gravy train? Why, a trade union official of course!

Geoffrey Holmes, The Grove, Idle