SIR – In reply to Mrs Oldcorn’s letter, ‘Mileage claims upheld’ (T&A, May 5), I would like to highlight a few points.

I’m sure everyone is fully aware that the allowance isn’t just for fuel, and it also factors in for wear and tear and insurance.

I don’t think anyone is questioning if a mileage rate should be paid – the questions are regarding the size of the allowance.

I myself have to use my own car for work, but the allowance I got for the period in question was 40p. This is the approved rate set by HMRC (It has recently been raised to 45p).

The reason people are quite rightly surprised at the rate the Council allows is because it is more than 60 per cent more than HMRC’s approved rate. The fact the Council now tell us they are trying to opt out of this rate suggests they know it’s extremely generous.

When people are told their local swimming pools and libraries are to close to save money, they are quite rightly allowed to be angry when they see mileage has been paid at far higher than approved by HMRC.

R Williams, Thorneycroft Road