As the parent of a profoundly disabled son who will require support services throughout his life, I am tired of him being an easy target for cuts, and sick to death of the lack of local and national priority given to people like him and other vulnerable individuals.

The crisis in the NHS, reduced funding of the Supporting People budget and the impact this will inevitably have on social services are some of the issues recently reported.

County council leader Keith Mitchell now states that "services affecting the vulnerable might be the first to be cut if the Government does not give Oxfordshire enough money in next month's settlement" (Oxford Mail, November 23). I, too, blame the Government for inadequate funding of social care.

This council must share some of the blame as recent spending priorities and questionable financial management have also played a significant part.

Mr Mitchell should also remember that his council has a duty of care towards vulnerable people and surely, if forced to make any cuts, they should be the last in line, not the first.

This use of vulnerable people as a political lever is becoming an all too familiar pattern.

Mr Mitchell clearly has no understanding of the impact his words might have on people already receiving too little support and worrying how they will cope.

Wouldn't it be nice if, for once, he said: "We will preserve services to the vulnerable at all costs", rather than always putting them first in the queue?

Gail Hanrahan-Barnes, High Street, Chalgrove