HOUNSLOW'S council tax payers (Chronicle, March 12) have again been given a welcome respite under the dual administration of the Conservative-led council and the Conservative Mayor of London. Neither has increased the levy on local people.

Hounslow's Conservative-led regime was elected in 2006. Since their setting of the council tax it has been frozen, despite Labour Ken Livingstone's swingeing and inexorable annual increases.

Hounslow's level is now down to the 15th-highest out of the 33 London boroughs, compared with fifth in 2005, such was Labour's legacy of high taxation.

The Labour Government has led the nation into massive debt, for which we are nearly all paying the price.

Everyone - companies, local organisations, individuals - is having to economise. Hence the popularity of Hounslow's £1 and 99p shops. Thank goodness that the Conservative-led council cares about the hard-pressed taxpayers.

LIZ MAMMATT Engleheart Drive, Feltham.