AS THE dust begins to settle after the election two things are clear.

The first is that having given people “freebies”, such as universal winter fuel payments, it’s impossible for any government to take them away without being punished.

Secondly, there is no group willing to make personal sacrifices to pay for services or social care. That leaves a future administration very little scope for manoeuvre if it wishes to increase taxes.

Simply pointing the finger at business and richer people and expecting them to roll over and cough up is absurd.

D W Lacey, Newton Hall