THE Government stuck to its word this week announcing its intention to cap excessive council tax increases.

Two authorities that cover Redditch are being told their proposed budget increases are too high and that action must be taken to cut the bills they are asking people to pay.

West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority have 21 days to persuade ministers of their case.

I will be working with them to find a way forward.

I am particularly keen to avoid a costly re-billing exercise.

It is crucial frontline services are not affected as these council tax bills are brought under control.

However, I have too many people, particularly pensioners on fixed incomes, writing to me about excessive council tax rises to ignore their call for controls.

Council tax rises must be sensible and the level affordable. We are roughly at that level now.

l The European Elections are being held on 10 June.

I regularly meet employers in Redditch whose exports to Europe are made easier by the free access to markets that the EU provides.

By working together in Europe, we have achieved more than we could have by acting alone.

On issues such as the environment, international crime and border controls, it is only through co-operation at a European level that many effective solutions are possible.

That is why being committed to the EU is so important and why a move to the margins of Europe would be so damaging.