Praying in aid the supposed success of WeightWatchers said it all. The public weighing characteristic of that organisation can achieve short-term change but wastage rate is high and ability to achieve long-term reduction doubtful.

The answer is not to make performance indicators more comprehensive.

There should be as few as possible - say not more than five - and they should exist within a context which does not demean.

What a mean-spirited, Gradgrindish view of our work would develop from an obsession with numbers. A few critical numbers are needed but within a renewed concept of public service.

Those who work in the public service need an incentive to battle on in increasingly difficult circumstances. Knocking a few percentage points off an unfavourable performance indicator, among a mass of other numbers, is unlikely to be enough.

Let us give those who work in the public service a reason to lift their heads.

PETER GALE

41 Barnes View

Sunderland