SIR – Max Hey, (T&A, January 3) makes understandable criticism of Lib-Dems who were persuaded to support tuition fee increases.

Making difficult decisions happens to all parties in Government – even without the need to accommodate coalition partners.

People are apprehensive of coming spending cuts, most of which will merely stop debt growing larger. While borrowing may be necessary to get out of recession, Labour has used it over time as a feel-good factor. (This doesn’t include all the PFI debt of hospitals etc.)

Lib-Dem ministers have said that the size of Labour’s debt and being in coalition has necessitated back-peddling on tuition fees, but a package has been devised to make the system favour students from poorer backgrounds and ensure that pay-back for low-earners will be unnecessary or more affordable than under Labour’s system. (It was Labour that introduced tuition fees – driving how many away from further education?)

Money markets would force up interest rates if Government did not take serious steps to tackle debt. That would penalise everybody with mortgages, credit card debt etc, and hit already cash-strapped businesses.

Coun John Hall, (Lib-Dem, Windhill & Wrose) Pennithorne Avenue, Shipley