Sir,- Should we like or dislike the idea that retailer Amazon is bringing more jobs to Fife and the east of Scotland (Courier, October 5)?
I have often heard some really harsh comments about the organisation, mainly from people who have been hired on a temporary basis, through an agency, to work at its site outside Dunfermline.
The criticisms relate to the actual pace of work and the almost cavalier way it gets rid of people when seasonal demand changes.
Indeed, it would seem its ideal employee is relatively young, very, very fit, computer literate and unquestioning of authority.
Against that, of course, we have to consider the millions of online shoppers who are satisfied with the goods and services it provides.
Equally, we have to consider that Scotland’s economic future depends on attracting modern businesses that will be quite happy to locate elsewhere if they don’t get the right incentives.
It’s a real dilemma for those charged with securing Scotland’s economic future.
Critics should remember that good working conditions in many sectors were only achieved after years of campaigning.
The challenge for our councillors, MSPs and MPs is to adopt the right tone – one that will respect the need for the inward investment that Amazon and similar outlets represent.
It should also be one that acknowledges that good working conditions come about not just by hard bargaining but by a bit of diplomacy as well.
Bob Taylor.
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
The sad saga of Perth City Hall
Sir,- Having read your article about our local council’s plans to invite international bids for the transformation of our neglected City Hall into a cultural centre, I have to ask – was it not such a venue before it closed in 2005?
I know what has caused this volte-face – the bid for the 2021 city of culture title.
Let us not forget, the council not so long ago wanted to demolish it, create a square, leaving the two “iconic” phone boxes.
The council also seems to have forgotten that various earlier suggestions for the development of the hall were made locally – the best of which was Vivian Linacre’s (Perth City Market Place), which for no good reason was always rejected, resulting in the present proposal.
I only hope any international developer selected will adhere to all regulations regarding the development of listing buildings.
Alister Y. Allan.
18 Castle View,
Letham.
The nation’s laughing stock
Sir,- No doubt Jim Crumley’s name will yet again be mud after his most recent choice words in his column (Courier, October 4).
But I for one am in total agreement with his controversial views, I just find it so sad that there have been more than 10 wasted years since Perth and Kinross Council took the original decision to demolish the City Hall but failed to see it through.
We must be the laughing stock of our nation for having let this project go on and on without a conclusion.
Jim’s dream of a civic square could and should have become a reality long ago and our great city of Perth could have been reaping the benefits.
Enough of all these endless proposals for new uses, bite the bullet and do what has to be done – bring the dream to reality.
Tony Heath.
Ben Vorlich,
Kinfauns.
Councillor’s baseless claims
Sir,- I read with astonishment the letter on October 4 from Councillor Peter Barrett claiming that the “council tax changes will leave Perth poorer”.
This is a baseless assertion.
The Scottish Government’s proposed progressive reforms to local taxation will, over the lifetime of this Parliament, raise an additional £500 million to invest in raising educational attainment.
Every council area, including Perth and Kinross, will retain all the council tax income they raise in their area and no council, despite the public scaremongering and mis-information from Mr Barrett, will be worse off as a result of these reforms.
In addition to the changes impacting on the higher council tax bands we propose to make changes to the overall setting of the council tax rates.
For the last nine years the Scottish Government has fully funded the council tax freeze, saving council tax payers in Perth and Kinross more than £1,500 over the period.
From 1 April 2017, councils will, at their own discretion, be able to increase council tax levels across the board if they so wish, but to further protect households we propose to cap these increases at 3%.
Perth and Kinross Council will have full discretion on how they spend any additional income they decide to raise as a result of this change, which also makes a mockery of Mr Barrett’s claim.
Our reforms to the council tax will protect household incomes, make local taxation fairer and ensure local authorities continue to be properly funded, none of which will result in Perth and Kinross Council being left any the poorer.
John Swinney MSP
The Scottish Parliament,
Edinburgh.
Consider sending Carney home
Sir,- The Home Secretary is right to ask if British jobs could be better done by British workers.
Perhaps she should ask the same question of former Goldman Sachs banker, Canadian Mark Carney, currently head of the Bank of England.
Mr Carney’s unnesssary decision to cut interest rates has harmed prudent savers and is also partly responsible for sterling’s fall.
Should he really continue in post until 2018?
William Loneskie
Amulree
9 Justice Park,
Lauder,
Contactless is for good of banks
Sir,- Those who use the new contactless card payment system for small purchases, should know that it has not been introduced for their benefit, but for that of the banking system, which is trying to eliminate cash as an alternative to their own digital money supply created from thin air.
In the event of any financial rescue of either bank or country – which would now inevitably require a contribution from all those with bank deposits – there would be no escape, and private deposits could be converted to shares in any failed bank or country, or simply skimmed to contribute to any fiscal support, as was successfully trialled by the IMF and European Central Bank in the recent Cyprus rescue.
Never forget that the money men are the real masters.
Malcolm Parkin.
15 Gamekeepers Road,
Kinnesswood,
Kinross.
Politicising the national survey
Sir,- I noticed a tweet being shared on Twitter today from SNP North East Fife that they will be out “chapping on doors” with the Scottish Government’s National survey.
I had thought the survey was aimed at getting the views of the whole nation, no matter how you voted.
So, surely having the SNP knocking on doors is making the survey party political.
They may even be leaving themselves open to suggestions that vulnerable or elderly householders are being “helped” to complete the survey the “correct” way.
Billy Smith.
4 Sunart Place,
Glenrothes.
V&A destroying view of ship
Sir,- It is a great pity that Dundee’s elected worthies have allowed the new V&A to be sited so as to destroy the magnificent view from the iconic Road Bridge of that greater icon of Dundee, the RRS Discovery.
Mike Scott-Hayward.
Sawmill House,
Kemback Bridge,
Fife.