Sir, – John Swinney’s comments at the national child protection summit in Perth, confirm the SNP’s state of denial on the named person scheme.
The pilots in various parts of Scotland in recent years, previously lauded, are now dismissed by Mr Swinney as irrelevant in the face of criticism arising from the Liam Fee tragedy.
It is disappointing to hear the Education Secretary repeat the disingenuous wording of the First Minister, claiming the scheme is ‘an entitlement not an obligation’.
Even when experts on all sides say it has no opt out, and given its blanket approach, it never could have.
The scheme follows the controlling instincts of the SNP, applying scarce resources of those directly and indirectly involved in the care of children, across all families rather than focusing on those most in need.
The risks of an inconsistent approach, whether in over-zealous pursuit of the innocent, or in ill serving those most in need due to resources being too thinly spread, are clear.
Yet the SNP’s we know-best attitude is unwavering.
Keith Howell.
White Moss,
West Linton.
Harsh financial reality
Sir, – Recently published government accounts reveal that the liability of final salary retirement schemes for NHS staff, police, teachers and other state workers has increased by £190 billion to £1.5 trillion in the 12 months to the end of March last year – a figure much the same as the national debt.
This highlights the cost to the state of covering these commitments. Public sector workers – except for local government staff and university lecturers – are in unfunded schemes, that is to say there is no pension pot, which means their retirement schemes are paid for out of revenue from general taxation.
I believe that at least 30% of council tax receipts go to pay unfunded pensions of local authority workers.
With the almost universal closure of final salary schemes in the private sector on the grounds of unaffordability this is a situation that must be seriously addressed.
Who though will take steps to bring the system into the realms of financial reality as has happened in the private sector?
Those with the power to do something about it are beneficiaries of the largesse they receive at massive costs to the taxpayers.
Donald Lewis.
Beech Hill,
Gifford,
East Lothian.
We must fix our own problems
Sir, – It seems to me that the Brexit campaign wants to blame the EU for our own problems.
If membership of the EU is such an obstacle to trade and economic growth how is it that, in 2015, Germany’s exports outside the EU were EUR 504 billion and the UK’s were EUR 234 billion, more than double, with a population only 50% bigger?
In fact Germany’s exports to China were three times the UK’s.
And is it the EU’s fault the UK , with 1.6 million unemployed, cannot fill its 700,000 job vacancies with its own people?
If the UK wants to grow its economy by exporting and reduce immigration we should be producing better goods and services and a better skilled, educated and motivated workforce at all levels from Prime and First Minister down.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
The blame game must stop
Sir, – So councillor (Bill) Duff is not only blaming the Conservative Government for cuts to local services, he is also blaming the SNP for freezing the Council Tax, thus stopping the local authority from collecting more money. It’s never us, it’s always them.
However, is what popped through my door this morning part of the solution to the frozen council tax?
Angus Council now want to charge residents £25 per year to pick up their green bins. Not a lot of money, but where will it end? Will they charge for picking up the grey, purple and food Waste bins in the future?
Not everyone has a car to take their garden waste to the nearest recycling centre, wherever that may be in the future, so will we have people burning their garden waste or just putting it in one of the other bins.
For many a year now we have heard successive governments talk about council tax reform, and yet nothing has ever been done to address this.
Why should a couple living in a modest home have to pay the same as the family of five next door?
In the end it is all to do with money or the lack of it, but politicians keep on playing the blame game just to score a few points.
It doesn’t feel like we are the sixth largest economy in the world.
Al Buntin.
7 Provosts Walk,
Monifieth.
We must act to protect children
Sir, – Once again we get the same response from the social services and other people involved when a child is molested or killed, that is that “lessons will be learned”.
How many more children must die before they learn these lessons and start doing their jobs?
For a start if someone is suspicious and reports that there could be a problem, act upon it. Do not take chances. If necessary break doors down to gain access. The police already do this for lesser suspicions, namely drug trafficking.
Alister Rankin.
93 Whyterose Terrace,
Methil,
Fife.
Real reason for independence
Sir, – Many commentators have recently remarked on the contradictions in the SNP’s arguments for staying in Europe but leaving the UK.
If the issues are examined closer it actually reflects what drives many of my nationalist friends and explains the lack of logic.
The drive for independence is not based on economics, politics or social justice: at the core of many nationalist policies is a deep, emotional dislike of England which means attempts at rational argument often end with them saying “well anyway, I just want independence”.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
East Neuk fishing industry
Sir, – In reference to Mr Derek Farmer’s comments over the demise of fishing in and around the area of the East Neuk, he probably, and conveniently, forgets that a large number of vessels were scrapped upon payment from the EU, along with others from inside the EU.
Fishing licences were also sold on separately to the larger fishing fleets down south.
Some of our own Scottish fishermen no longer apply for a license up here, but secure them down south, in order to fish UK waters.
Would Mr Farmer like to turn the clock back to the heady days of the herring fleets that kept our local harbours working ,only to see the profits disappear into the pockets of those larger firms that controlled those fleets from onshore?
Only a few years back the Danish factory ships were stopped by EU intervention from trawling the sand eels off the coast of Scotland. What would happen if we leave Europe?
I’m sure fellow Brexiteer George Eustace, Conservative MP, Fisheries Minster, will be assured of a No vote from Mr Farmer when the time comes.
I’m afraid Mr Farmer is still living in Victorian times. After all we, well nearly all of us, have moved on in this modern progressive society within the EU, and often with help from it. That is why this area has had to adapt to its new role – and, funnily enough, I bet him that the profit made through the new local trade is actually kept here.
Not being as well informed as Mr Farmer, I have been around a little while and witnessed what has been happening here – even if only over the past nearly three decades.
Bob Harper.
63a Pittenweem Road,
Anstruther.