Sir, As many readers will now know, the UK Government is softening us up for additional cuts in welfare funds, as well as others, but saying the pension will be protected by a triple lock system.
We need to be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, as you can guarantee that this will result in cuts from other payments, such as winter heating allowance.
There has been much comment about payments to countries such as India which has a space programme and nuclear weapons. This is British taxpayers’ money that should be used to assist our own at home, not countries such as this.
How many people know we send over £9 million of financial aid to Argentina (UK Defence Daily News, January 6), a country that invaded British sovereign lands and cost the lives of more than 200 serving British personnel, and is still making claims to that land? How can it be right that we give them aid?
This Government needs to start looking at these payments and start by assisting our own at home.
Our fuel bills have risen by approximately 60%+ in recent years along with VAT at 20% and yet we are still forced to struggle while our taxes go to help other countries.
This has to be wrong.
Alastair McLean. 4 Fletcher Place, Crieff.
They are taking far too long to set this up
Sir, I and many others in Perth and Kinross are eagerly waiting for the opening of the credit union, but it seems to be taking a ridiculous length of time.
Last January I received an email saying they were hoping to be open by the summer of last year. That came and went and it was supposed to be October. Now we are in January again and there is still no sign of an opening date.
There is a building all ready and waiting and there is a manager in charge so what on earth is the delay?
It seems they are waiting for approval from the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. This is taking far too long.
Like many others in Perth I am unemployed and have to rely on payday lenders who can charge a high rate of interest because people have no other options to get credit.
I had hoped the credit union would have been open for Christmas as it would have helped people to avoid going deeper into debt.
It is disgusting that in the year 2014, in Scotland’s newest city, residents don’t have access to a credit union.
They really need to get moving on this.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Time for state to break circle
Sir, Every cloud has a silver lining is the proverb, and indeed even in these days of economic disaster and budget constraints the light does shine upon usury and the growth of short-term loans.
Colloquially known as payday loans the first essential is an actual payday and for a great deal of people at the moment there is no such thing.
Around Christmas and New Year the apparent pressure seems worse from family and friends so that wants far exceed needs, thus encouraging the use of such emergency financing.
However, the fact is that taxpayers’ money is going directly into the pockets of usurers swelling their profits and local communities and charities are having to provide essentials for life.
A government giro is regular and guaranteed providing too much of a temptation for the growth of an industry built on usury, financed by the country’s taxpayers.
How much of the welfare payments made by the state actually go to feed and maintain children and their families and how much is going to fund loan interest?
Surely it is time for the state to break this circle and stop this “new age tax” on the less fortunate.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
Generous sponsorship
Sir, I refer to your article “Warning over funding for displays” (January 6), regarding Fife Council’s welcome decision to give continued support to Glenrothes In Bloom.
Councillor Craik, chairman of the Glenrothes area committee, is quoted, however, as saying that Glenrothes people need to be more engaged and that Fife Council “cannot be the first and last source of funding”.
I wish to point out to Councillor Craik that his statement gives scant recognition to the many businesses and individuals in Glenrothes who, over the years, have generously donated sponsorship and support to enable the floral displays to be achieved.
In 2013 this sponsorship amounted to approximately £19,000, ample evidence the community has not viewed the council as first and last source of funding.
Bob Hutchison. Community Volunteer, 2 Rosemount Crescent, Glenrothes.