Sir, – The Courier editorial of June 11 stated “Long term economic planning is required”, and, in the body of the piece there was reference to “the potential job losses at Crieff Hydro”, among many others.
The Scottish think tank Common Weal, has newly released just such a comprehensive plan for the survival and regeneration of the Scottish economy after Covid, and Brexit, which points the way to a more resilient Scotland, building on our strengths, hopefully leading to a better Scotland for all.
Included in their plan is a proposal that the Scottish Government, which will clearly have to take steps to financially support the survival of our hospitality and tourism businesses, such as Crieff Hydro, give each Scottish citizen a £100 voucher to go towards a holiday in Scotland, and a voucher for £30 towards the cost of a meal in a restaurant in Scotland.
This money would go directly into sustaining these businesses as they emerge from lockdown.
It would help protect jobs in local economies all over Scotland, encouraging holidays at home, which will be necessary after Covid to compensate for the inevitable decline in foreign visitors, and, importantly, giving a boost to people weary of lockdown, social isolation, and all the rest.
It is a great idea, with benefits all round. And this money would have to be spent anyway if this sector is not to be permanently damaged.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
A one metre radius is enough
Sir, – As only 0.1% are currently infected by coronavirus, of 1,000 people you might pass in the street just one of them might be ill.
If you happen to be within two metres of that person for 15 minutes you have a 0.65% chance of contracting it; if you’re one metre away its 1.3% – which is pretty minimal.
Medical experience shows healthy under 70s will have mild symptoms, so only the truly neurotic will refuse the WHO advice of a one metre “social distance” rather than the arbitrary two metres insisted on by the first minister and her health secretary.
The first minister can return our economy and society to normal by using a WHO sterile safety zone of three square metres – a one metre radius – rather than her discredited 12.5sqm or two metre radius.
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Different for the sake of it?
Sir, – So it is safe cautiously to open London Zoo on Monday but, according to Nicola Sturgeon, not Edinburgh Zoo, putting 300 jobs, and even the zoo’s entire future, at risk.
It is perhaps possible she’s right, but let’s hope Ms Sturgeon isn’t doing things differently to Downing St, just for difference’s sake.
Martin Redfern.
Melrose,
Roxburghshire.
No lowering of food standards
Sir, – The UK Government is breaking its promise to safeguard food standards.
The Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto said that “in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards”.
Six months on, Conservative MPs have voted down an amendment which would have protected standards of food imports.
This means that we could end up with chlorinated chicken and hormone-filled beef on sale in our supermarkets.
If this food is cheaper than local meat it could put farmers out of business, leaving us with sub-standard imports from countries which condone animal cruelty in food production.
The US is seeking reduced standards as part of future trade deals.
It is also seeking, as a condition of a trade deal, that their agri-chemical industry is consulted before the UK revises food, welfare and environmental standards.
Taking back control?
The UK Government must ensure that our food is protected to the high standards we have come to expect as members of the European Union.
We urge everyone to write to their MP to ask them to back legislation to protect our food, our environment and our farmers.
Susannah Rae.
Perth for Europe,
Barnhill,
Perth.
Phonies hold all of the power
Sir, – When are we going to get a government that does the job we elected them to do?
Most of our politicians think they are back at the university where talking is more important than working.
What we need is people that can be used to service the nation’s industries and health service.
If foreign aid had been spent on the UK we may have had an electrified railway system throughout the UK and electric buses in all our towns and cities, plus a lot more. The endless talking has to stop.
We need to rebuild the UK starting with the road/rail bridge to Ireland and better roads.
We need tidal barrages to produce electricity and we need to stop relying on cheap shoddy goods from abroad that our government has encouraged.
As for our MPs, what skills have they got?
It is time every person standing for election wrote a truthful CV.
I know this would be out of character but we have elected too many phoneys.
We need change, but it won’t come from the big four parties.
John G Phimister.
63 St Clair Street,
Kirkcaldy.
Floyd statue would be folly
Sir, – Your correspondent, Bill Porteous, has proposed statues be erected in our cities to the memory of George Floyd ( Scotland could honour Floyd, Courier, June 11) .
I assume he is making this suggestion tongue in cheek. At a time when mobs are pulling down the statues of slave traders in the name of Black Lives Matter, to erect statues dedicated to the memory of a career criminal would be the height of hysterical folly.
George Dobbie.
51 Airlie Street,
Alyth.
Wildlife is good for the soul
Sir, – I hope Dundee City Council will take note of the advice given on Springwatch that it greatly helps wildlife if the grass is left to grow in open spaces naturally.
This helps insects and, therefore birds, to find a living. And we all know how good wildlife is for mental health.
Antony Black.
79 Blackness Ave,
Dundee.
