SO our council tax is increasing by five per cent and they will ensure "best possible value from every pound spent".

Let me help them out.

By 2020 the council will have spent at least £9 million on the failed "Troubled Families Programme".

The council has proudly claimed a saving of £76,000 per family per annum in phase one of the programme.

This is a miracle, since the government estimated a total cost per family of £75,000.

Our council has removed all the costs ... a feat unique in the country.

They have successfully 'turned around' 99 per cent of these troublesome families.

Isn't that value for money?

Yes ... if it were true.

Unfortunately the TFP national evaluation 2016 commissioned by the government itself proves the TFP had no impact on crime, anti-social behaviour, school problems, family health and well being and employment outcomes.

The government has now conceded that there were zero cost savings due to the programme.

All the local authority claims were based on data manipulation and fiddling with success criteria, encouraged by the government.

Nationally more than £500m has been wasted so far with nearly a billion more currently being spent including in Wirral.

How many other Wirral Council projects have zero value?

My guess is many.

Come on whistleblowers, tell us the truth.

Professor DP Gregg (retired) by email