Letter: Feelbad factor in the public sector

Sir: The Cabinet is holding a meeting to discuss what they regard as the puzzling absence of a "feelgood" factor. For those of us working in the public sector, it is not puzzling at all. We have had several years of pay increases around the rate of inflation, with the prospect of more to come. The substantial tax increases of recent years mean that our after- tax income has declined.

In addition, most people in both the public and the private sectors have seen the value of their homes go down. Thus millions of people have seen their incomes decrease and their capital decrease as well. This "double whammy" would appear to explain the lack of a "feelgood" factor.

Michael W Eysenck

Head, Department of Psychology

Royal Holloway

University of London

Egham, Surrey