THERE is understandable unease around the government's decision to remove the winter fuel payment to many pensioners, but the right or wrong of it masks an underlying dilemma facing our politicians. Should they make the payment to all pensioners which results in the rich receiving money that they do not really need, or should they make it means tested which presents the problem of where to draw the line?

Who would be a politician? All needs must be met, and all ages supported, including children and teenagers. Sure Start centres, introduced by a Labour Government in 1998, have been closing down in recent years, with Craven's remaining two, in Hellifield and Skipton, poised for closure.

Councillor Brian McDaid drew attention to this in a recent letter to the Herald. Pointing to a sharp reduction in youth clubs in Craven and expressing anxiety about problems likely to arise from further cuts to youth services, he has called for the decline to be halted.

It was Cllr McDaid's initiative that led to the creation of Skipton Town Council's Community Safety Working Group, which has as one of its objectives the safety and well-being of young people through resources, activities and networks.

How we care for the most vulnerable in society, be they young or old, is a measure of good government at both local and national level. All need to feel safe and secure with opportunities to grow and develop. Balancing the budget is often difficult and challenging. Politics should not be viewed as an easy option and those who do opt for it and take it seriously, trying to do right across all competing demands, deserve our thanks.

Celia Midgley Skipton