Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I write in response to the Scottish Government’s draft strategy on supporting young people into employment.
Any initiative which gives young people the chance of a positive start in their working lives must be applauded and welcomed.
We simply cannot risk the short, medium and long-term potential consequences of writing off this generation, when we know this investment is critical to safeguarding Scotland’s economic future.
Yes, the public purse is facing tough constraints but the ramifications of not supporting the young cannot be overestimated. This draft strategy makes a number of very positive and constructive points and it is pleasing to see that the government is embracing the contributions of public, private and third sectors on an equal basis.
It is imperative these disparate sectors rise to the challenge of working together to deliver any final strategy, ensuring the solutions offered are effective and represent real value-for-money.
The services we collectively provide must be tailored to the needs of our young people and we must ensure the investment is successful and improves the prospects for young people.
As it stands, the draft strategy encompasses a cohesive approach highlighting different avenues for young people to take and opportunities for organisations and businesses to capitalise on unearthing what is fast becoming an untapped talent pool.
The time for action is now and through a collaborative approach to tackling youth unemployment, Scotland can soon reap the knock-on benefits.
Heather Gray.Director, The Prince’sTrust Scotland.
Need to look at the situation realistically
Sir, – Having had my writing fingers severely rapped by John Campbell of Dundee over ”suggestive remarks” and a ”doom-laden missive” I must correct his misconceptions.
My letter was not a ”another subtle attempt by a unionist sympathiser to suggest Scots should vote ‘no”’. It was an un-subtle attempt to get people looking at the situation realistically instead of being blinded by optimism that, should we go it on our own, we will become a land flowing with the proverbial milk and honey or whisky and oil if you like.
Rest assured Mr Campbell that when the votes are counted and a decision made on Scotland’s future, I will abide by the wish of the majority whatever that is.
The only difference is that I will have weighed up ALL the future possibilities, not just those being thrust at us daily by those in favour of independence.
Ian Wheeler.Springfield,Fife.
Don’t ignore the potholes
Sir, – As we are all no doubt aware the main subject with regard to the A9 is the dualling of it which, I think, is long overdue.
I am a regular user of the A9 and last year, each week, I travelled to visit my elderly mother an hour away if there was no accident.
On the southbound dual carriageway at Drumochter, part of the carriageway is coned off and has been for a few weeks as there are holes on that lane.
I cannot believe there is no work getting done on them.
The lane that is being used is full of potholes. This is on the Perthshire side of Drumochter.
Come on Perth & Kinross Council, or whoever is in charge of our national roads; get them repaired before more accidents happen.
Sheila Macdougall.40 Willowbank,Little Dunkeld.
Hold honours until they retire
Sir, – The furore over Sir Fred Goodwin’s honour has made headlines for various reasons.
People are either for or against honours for business tycoons but there are countless cases where honours are deserved for good work resulting in a better future for the UK.
Few honours have been given for ventures that have resulted in the financial disasters of RBS and HBOS.
The better way would be to only bestow an honour after a CEO or chairman either steps down or retires. Only at that stage can his entire history of service be fairly judged on achievements or failures.
Under this way I doubt if Sir Fred and possibly many others would have qualified.
Angus Brown.Station Road,Longforgan, Dundee.
Doesn’t mean SNP governs
Sir, – It appears everyone is of the opinion that in the first election after the independence referendum, I believe in 2015, and if the result is ‘yes’, that the SNP will be in Government. This may not be the case.
Even though the Unionist parties may hold a majority there will be no possibility to change back to as the Government was pre-referendum.
How can the existing Scottish Labour Party then possibly govern an independent Scotland in which they had no belief in and campaigned so hard against it happening?
Just because there has been a winning ‘yes’ vote doesn’t mean that all those who voted yes will then go on to vote SNP.
Alan Provan.19 Park Place,Elie.
Heard it before
Sir, With massive steel works in South Wales, why was the contract for the Forth Replacement Crossing awarded to Chinese, Polish and Spanish firms?
The politicians tell us that the rigorous procurement process they have set up could save taxpayers nearly £1bn.
I recall hearing something similar prior to the construction of the Holyrood building now a costly disaster to maintain.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
Final act of love
Sir, – I am in favour of Margo MacDonald’s idea of a ‘friend at the end’ a trained and licensed facilitator. Someone like a parish minister would be ideal.
Far too often in my long career I sat beside the beds of parishioners in busy, anonymous wards as they lived out their final days in the grossest indignity and suffering.
I would see it as a last act of love and mercy in that final great rite of passage.
(Rev) Dr John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.