The late Bob Monkhouse said that when he told school friends his ambition was to become a comedian, they all laughed. ‘Well they’re not laughing now!’, he added.

I feel much the same way about the government’s much vaunted £150 April Council Tax rebate, since at the time of the announcement I joked to my wife that it would probably not be paid into accounts until midnight on the 29th April.

Now we learn from the Echo that Dorset Council will merely be contacting residents at some point in May to discuss the award. Would that be May 2022 or May 2023?

Through your paper, may we have some straight answers from Dorset Council please:

1) Why is this appalling delay being presented as a good news story rather than as a humble apology?

2) Who is to blame for this mess: the government, Dorset Council or both?

3) Assuming they fill in the requisite forms, will those who are eligible and don’t pay by direct debit be guaranteed payment before the end of May? A mere month late.

4) Will those who are eligible and pay by direct debit be guaranteed automatic payment before the end of May? A mere month late.

In our case, this delay is extremely irritating; for many people it is critical.

To end on a positive note. May I congratulate Dorset Council on the incredible efficiency they have shown in taking Council Tax payments out of our account - always precisely on time with no questions asked.

Richard Pask

Chickerell Road

Weymouth