Moreover, other cuts are in store with the weakest once again bearing the brunt. Further hospital beds will be closed and contract staff laid off. New teaching materials will not be purchased and broken school equipment will not be replaced. The onus will be placed on parents to do this. Cuts in travel allowances will affect outreach services. Nursing home beds and respite care will be curtailed. Local improvement projects will be put off. Streets and public places will become dirtier. The backlog in the provision for the needs of the disabled will remain unmet. Like a conjuror pulling a life saving rope out of a hat, or more topically given the time of year, like Santa Claus bringing goodwill, the Government now, as it always does, is producing goodies in a pre-local election promise binge.