This morning’s letters to The Courier editor focus on tax collection rates, England in the World Cup, carbon claims, the jobs market and Scottish transport links.
Claw back outstanding tax to cut UK deficit Sir,-It was with some concern that I read your editorial, Tough One to Call, (May 25) allied, as it was, with your report on Page 10, Sending Shockwave through Whitehall, which quoted uncritically the right-wing pressure group the Taxpayers’ Alliance.
While the deficit brought about by bailing out the banks must be addressed, the tax gap (consisting of tax avoided, evaded, or uncollected, as a result of staffing shortages in HMRC) is now estimated at £123 billion. Investment in staffing in HMRC could bring this money in, wiping out in the region of three quarters of the deficit.
The policies of the last government have cut staffing of HMRC by more than 30,000, giving the lie to the claims of the Taxpayers’ Alliance that public sector workers have not suffered through the recession along with the private sector and leading directly to the growth of the tax gap.
Now is a time for unity among workers in the public and private sector, to ensure the levelling up of terms to the best possible, rather than for the lackeys of multinational tax evaders to seek to divide working people to force through attacks on low-paid workers.
Hamish Drummond.Public and Commercial Services Union,123 Dunholm RoadDundee.
England has cup all sewn up?
Sir,-With regard to George K. McMillan (May 25) he is, surely, as bad as the “boorish and bad mannered Scots” when he implies that it is wrong to support any team that is playing England.
If he looks deeper, he would find out that most of the problems stem from the English media who seem to have the England team lifting the World Cup before the tournament has even begun.
It has been reported that England’s victory parade has been booked already.
Stephen Caldwell.31 Bankton Park,Kingskettle.
Misleading carbon claims
Sir,-It is Dr G. M. Lindsay who is being misleading (May 25) in his comments on the carbon emissions of the proposed biomass plant in Dundee.
Yes, burning biomass will emit carbon dioxide but what Dr Lindsay overlooks is that this carbon dioxide is the same amount as was removed from the atmosphere by growing the biomass in the first place.
The net emission is, therefore nil.
The nine to 11% extra is the additional carbon dioxide produced in processing and transportation of the biomass.
Dr Lindsay’s misleading and erroneous claims do the climate-change deniers no favours.
(Dr) Stephen Moreton.33 Marina Avenue,Great Sankey,Warrington.
Doing ourselves out of work
Sir,-I wonder why we all shop, bank, buy cheap second-hand goods on the internet as well as obtain car and house insurance, sometimes conducting our business with someone in an office in India by phone.
We buy our food, drink, clothes, flowers, newspapers in the supermarket and quite a few have jumped at the chance to do their own checking out at the new machines.
We use hole-in-the-wall ATMs, even when it is raining, instead of keeping bank tellers in a job.
Witness the queues any day.
Why write a letter when we can email our prose?
It means using the Post Office to buy stamps and who writes anything these days? You do not even have to use the Post Office to tax your car.
No wonder branches have closed.
Bearing all this in mind, why do we all moan at the lack of jobs for the people?
Syd Edward.10 Stratheden Road,Broughty Ferry.
Make most of transport links
Sir,-Mr John Crichton of Forfar (May 24) wrote an excellent letter promoting the case for reopening North Sea ferry links between Scotland and Scandinavia.
In Fife we are promoting the expansion of the Port of Rosyth, including its land connection with our main railway lines through the re-opening and upgrading of the West Fife Railway, as recently reported on positively by the South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) and supported by Fife Council.
The published intention of Babcock Engineering to apply to construct an international container facility within the dockyard only adds to the case for developing our transport infrastructure in Scotland based on rail and ferry travel.
As if to emphasise this point, First Minister Alex Salmond travelled to Belfast by ferry for his recent leaders’ meeting.
Over the years, Scotland has become increasingly cut off from direct transport links with the Continent, although increasing flight connections are to be welcomed. However, these are not always the best for northern Europe as recent events have demonstrated.
Mr Crichton’s suggestion of direct sea crossings to Norway and Denmark makes sense, especially when compared with the long-haul alternative of first travelling down to England.
In former times, our east coast ports traded extensively with partners around the North Sea, into the Baltic and beyond. There is now certainly a case to consider re-opening these sea routes for passengers and freight.
We have a start with the regular Rosyth-Zeebrugge link. I would suggest that enthusiasts like Mr Crichton and other Courier readers lobby Norfolkline, North Link Ferries and other potential operators.
I know that the Scottish Government is very open to proposals to develop such direct maritime links with the outside world.
Economically and environmentally, the world is changing and all proposals to use rail and sea are now most welcome.
(Cllr) William G. Walker.Ragnar House,Bogside,Alloa.