REGARDING the letter – Devolution ‘only way’ (Keighley News, September 21) – how come people are ready to ignore the implications of seven years of Government austerity and seek to blame it on the local council instead?

This Government has made massive cuts in council funding, so Bradford Council has no choice but to cut the level of service it provides. Under the same austerity policy, pay for most people has fallen behind inflation and job insecurity has increased. Under these conditions, retailers are hardly likely to develop new shopping centres when consumers have less money to spend in them. It’s as simple as that.

VAL CARROLL Silsden