Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Millions spent on Fife Council employees’ sick pay. I wonder how all the private sector employees will view this expenditure in such a short period.
Mind you, there can not be many of them out there now, so I suppose no one will bother.
All the same, in a fair and equal society surely it is now time for the Scottish Government to instigate a full sick pay scheme for all working people regardless, be they private or public sector employed.
Full sick pay for six months and half pay for six months paid for by the Scottish Government out of our taxes what a tremendous coup this scheme would be, and it would sit very well with free prescriptions, free care for the elderly, toll-free bridges, etc.
All workers would have the security and peace of mind that their wages or salaries were being paid by our Scottish Government. That to me is fair and equal to all.
I personally do not believe for a minute that there is a shortage of public funds, as can be seen by the numerous public projects throughout the country.
Public money can be found and always will be after all it is the easiest thing in the world to get a hold of and spend.
Surely there is a wizard or otherwise civil servant who could write this very laudable scheme into the public services budget?
Come on, our SNP government, let’s see you look after all of us equally and fairly, because I am sure that if Labour were in government they would look after the working men and women with this vote-winning scheme.
Donald Alari59 Ochil TerraceDunfermline.
Why hold on to ‘monetary drag’?
Sir, – A few years ago we were being told the five million or so Scots were a constant monetary drag on the finances of the Westminster Government.
I always thought this strange as some London boroughs required more finance, owing to their even larger populations. Now it seems the leaders of the opposition parties are willing to jump into bed together to prevent losing this previous drain on their capital.
Nothing to do with the wealth of oil and gas or the revenue from whisky. Nothing to do with the fact Scotland provides the bulk of England’s electricity. Nothing to do with the fact a considerable amount of beef and lamb sold in England is reared in Scotland.
No, of course not, Miliband and Cameron just don’t wish to lose the Scots who voted for their parties at the last elections.
Bill Duthie.25 St Fillans Road,Dundee.
Heard enough already
Sir, – We’ve only started on the independence debate but I think we’ve heard enough to convince all right-thinking people we urgently need a referendum with only one question.
For starters, we need to confront a myth that has been shamelessly peddled since last May.
This awful nationalist government DID NOT gain an ‘overwhelming mandate’ for anything. To our eternal shame only 50 per cent of us bothered to vote; and around half chose the SNP. Ergo, one in four of the electorate voted SNP; and it’s reasonable to suggest even they aren’t 100% in favour ofindependence.
So, nothing has changed. There has always been a minority grouping of unrealistic dreamers, and ruthless self-promoters hell-bent on breaking up the United Kingdom; and right-thinking people should always be striving for the extermination of nationalism (of any ilk).
And as for that single question: haven’t we seen enough over that past 11 years to prompt widespread demand for a yes/no on abolishing that profligate, inept and counter-productive farce at Holyrood?
Jim Parker.9 Banchory Green,Collydean, Glenrothes.
Should not be seen as ‘extras’
Sir, – It was with sorrow I read that the cuts in local government spending needed to avoid a rise in council tax will be made by slashing education, including a reduction in the number of music and physical education teachers.
Music, the arts and physical education should not be seen as optional extras.
To be deprived of these could mean that doors to creativity and a fulfilling life remain forever closed to many young people.
Antony Black.79 Blackness Avenue,Dundee.
One MP per constituency
Sir, – Mr McMillan made very pertinent observations on the EU and Holyrood.
I often ask people to identify their MPs, MSPs, and MEPs. Like myself, most don’t have a clue. These tiers of bureaucracy try to micromanage our lives at colossal expense to the taxpayers.
One MP per constituency on a cost-effective, democratic basis makes sense, so long as they don’t sit in Strasbourg or Holyrood.
Michael C. Smith.Threapmuir Farm,Cleish, Kinross.
Bag returned
Sir, – I’d like to thank the lady (she didn’t leave personal details), who returned my bag to the customer service desk of a city supermarket on Monday after I left it in a trolley.
It contained items in of sentimental and monetary value and I am truly grateful for her honesty.
Alex Dunn.Wester Friarton Farm,Newport on Tay.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.