I am somewhat perplexed by Nick Hearn calling upon Brighton and Hove City Council to stop the 25 per cent reduction in council tax bills for households with single occupancy (Letters, August 21).

Surely he cannot be saying that vulnerable groups such as single mothers, widows or widowers on a pension should pay full council tax, in the hope that this will somehow make housing more affordable? A few hundred pounds won't stop people moving to an area but could really hurt people on a fixed income.

As a city which depends on revenue from tourism on the one hand we cannot then expect to close our doors to people who then choose to live here.

The council wants Brighton and Hove to be a Capital of Culture yet seems to be completely ignorant of the effects this might have.

It's time to face up to facts. If we want to compete with the other cities in the country, with all the benefits this may bring, we may well have to be prepared to suffer some of the drawbacks too.

-Les Wright, Preston Park Avenue, Brighton