Sir, – I gather that the Scottish Government seem intent on pressing ahead with legislation which will result in the privilege of rates relief being withdrawn from independent schools.
The Non Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill is due to come back for final debate in Holyrood on February 4.
I wish to raise public awareness as to this absurd, almost “bee-in-the-bonnet” and narrow approach to legislating which impacts negatively on our, already pressed, education system in Scotland. Scottish education used to be hailed as among the best – sadly this has somewhat deteriorated in recent years, but why apply more financial pressures to the mix when the real need is to raise the bar?
Some additional financial assistance would be of far more benefit.
This law, if passed, will apply to private schools which are registered charities, thereby isolating a section of Scottish charities from the rest, which will continue to enjoy rates relief. I ask, is this fair or discriminatory?
My final point is that according to the proposed legislation, some independent schools will continue to be granted the relief.
These two categories are a) “special schools” such as those which educate children with special needs (understandable) and b) “specialist music schools” (yes, honestly!).
What are specialist music schools and why should they be granted relief when faith schools such as those with a Christian ethos will not be?
Some smaller schools may be forced to shut down as a result of this law – where will the students who attended them be educated if that happens? Some parents who send their children to schools with a very particular Christian ethos may not be able to find a suitable alternative in that eventuality.
I plead with the Scottish Government to reconsider.
George Smith.
14 Craignabo Road,
Peterhead.
Where can our children go?
Sir, – Is discrimination wrong? If so, how can the government of a progressive western society justify using it as a means of saving money?
The Non Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill is due for final debate in the Scottish Parliament on February 4, yet this shocking abuse of trust is sailing through largely unnoticed, removing much-needed rates relief from all independent schools in Scotland, with the exception of “special schools”.
This demeans a small but essential part of the charities sector – all other charities will still enjoy rates relief.
Why is the Scottish Government proposing a scheme that will put intolerable financial burdens on independent schools, undoubtedly leading to closure and thereby adding pressure on the state schooling system?
My children have been fortunate enough to attend an independent Christian school and enjoy an excellent education based on the national curriculum, but without the unsavoury distractions associated with state schools.
The inevitable closure of some independent schools is a tragedy.
Why should a Christian school not enjoy the same rates relief as a music school?
If our school closes, where can children go without violating our Christian beliefs?
Craig Michel.
Pittarrow House,
Perth Road,
Abernethy.
Make the best of Perth City Hall
Sir, – The pictures of developments in the revival of our city hall are indeed encouraging, as is the enthusiasm of Caroline Warburton of Visit Scotland. She reckons that the planned display and museum features planned, with or without the Stone of Destiny, will boost tourism to the Fair City.
This will also help threatened local retail and hotel businesses. We in Perth can all look forward to the revamped hall, albeit several years hence.
However, its original purpose as a community centre should not be forgotten.
Dances, weddings, and a small concert hall to supplement the fine Perth Concert Hall are all relevant. Also, why not bring in the Tourist Information Centre with associated displays of local events, city and county maps and history to supplement the cultural displays? Perth’s very good museum and art gallery must not be overshadowed either.
A very attractive prospect for Perth is under development in its renewed city h all. Any intact old building should be developed as a real local asset.
Isabel and Charles Wardrop.
111 Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
A time of failed promises
Sir, – Almost a year ago, a promise was made by ScotRail to our Scottish Government that the practice of trains skipping stations due to timetabling problems would be systematically reduced as the year progressed.
It must therefore be dismaying for all concerned that Michael Matheson, transport secretary, has been forced to reveal that while 2,131 trains purposely missed stopping at certain stations a year ago, 2,660 skipped stations in 2019.
That’s an increase in unreliability of 20%!
Roughly over that same period there is a second and unrelated failure concerning a situation originated by our Scottish Government, concerning the introduction of minimum pricing for all alcohol sold in our country.
That unusual legislation was introduced to reduce alcohol intake within our community and especially to protect youngsters from its harm.
Figures released by our National Health Service into how the new price rises had influenced the drinking habits of 50 youngsters between 13 and 17, shows there has been no change in their alcohol consumption.
It appears to me that this “alcohol price-rise initiative” has been as much worth to the community as the failed idea of getting money back on beer bottles at pubs.
Archibald A Lawrie.
Church Wynd,
Kingskettle.
The Doomsday Clock absurdity
Sir, – In an era of gloomy prophecies, the absurd Doomsday Clock claims to count down the seconds to a looming global apocalypse.
But even the most scientifically challenged must suspect it is conflating disparate threats with varying degrees of urgency: nuclear war, climate change, and emerging technologies.
The stated motivation of those involved in this absurdity is to apply pressure to governments by calling on citizens “to express themselves in all the ways available to them”.
But we already have the endless rants of the Swedish prophetess Greta Thunberg and most of us could do with just the tiniest break.
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Scots asking permission?
Sir, – Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton argues Nicola Sturgeon should ask permission from Alister Jack on just about everything important to Scots.
It would appear, as the Conservatives can’t win in Scotland, they are prepared to wreck devolution.
Of course we all know they fought long and hard to stop it and they don’t like it.
It would also appear to many that democracy is a threat to Conservative plans for their one nation unitary state and Holyrood is standing in their way.
Bryan Auchterlonie.
Bluebell Cottage,
Perth.
