THE people of Swindon will bear the brunt of the Government's underfunding of services in the town. Council tax bills may rise by around 9.5 per cent - and even then there are likely to be cuts in areas such as leisure and the voluntary sector.

The problem stems from the Government's handout to Swindon Council, which leaves it short to the tune of around £300,000.

Minister Stephen Byers this week boasted of "generous" increases in the amounts given to councils.

But Swindon Council leader Mike Bawden says the Govern- ment had "totally underfunded" vital areas such as education in the town.

Today the Evening Advertiser asks how much you are prepared to pay to make up the shortfall.

The result of our telephone poll will help shape the setting of the council tax next week.