On today’s agenda: housing benefit changes, transport links, fuel costs, and praise for Ninewells Hospital cleaners.
Housing benefit rule change tough for dads
Sir,-David Cameron’s call for fathers who abandon their families to feel the full force of shame, and for them to take a more active and responsible role in the development of their children, has been welcomed by many (June 20).
However, if actions speak louder than words then the actions of Mr Cameron’s work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, appear to be at odds with the thrust of the prime minister’s comments.
Changes to the housing benefit, starting January 2012, alter the rules for the single room rate. This means that any estranged father under 35 on low pay or out of work will have access only to shared accommodation.
Possibly this will be with someone they do not know.
Unfortunately, the result will be that they may be denied space for their children to sleep over.
Such an arrangement would make it more difficult for them to share responsibility for childcare.
This presumably unintended consequence highlights once again how chipping away at the welfare system too often simply creates new problems instead of solving old ones.
Gordon MacRae.Shelter Scotland,Edinburgh.
Build transport interchange
Sir,-Your correspondent is correct about the missing rail station at Edinburgh Airport (June 20).
It was planned in detail some time ago but was not built for lack of funding and a change in government policy.
Unlike Glasgow Airport, where the bus from the rail station takes 20 minutes on a motorway, the Edinburgh bus takes considerably longer from Waverly Station.
There is to be an expensive bus/tram interchange at Gogar, so why not go for a full transport interchange just south of the terminal building? This would have several advantages and ultimately may not be too expensive.
Only a single track tunnel is required under the runway, for some trains from Fife and the north and some from the west. Two long platforms at ground level and one bay would be required.
There would be direct trains from Carlisle, Newcastle and all parts of Scotland. Thus the airport would become a hub for all Scotland, north-east and north-west England.
To offset the cost, a large shopping centre should be built beside the station.
Peter Murray Spencer.11 Castleroy Crescent,Broughty Ferry.
Great need for rail link
Sir,-In response to Professor Chappell’s letter regarding the missing rail link to Edinburgh Airport (June 20), I am really not surprised he has not had a response from the first minister. He cancelled it!
When the SNP came to power as the minority government about four years ago, the first thing they did was to cancel the planned rail link to Edinburgh Airport.
This well thought out scheme would have meant all trains going north and west from Edinburgh stopping at a station below the terminal building, with a tunnel under the runway to join existing tracks at Kirkliston.
This would have solved many transport problems and, along with thousands of others, I would have used this link. And this week in particular, many would have used it to get to the Royal Highland Show.
Network Rail have recently announced the current abandonment of a rail/tram interchange at Gogar because of the uncertainty as to whether the tram project will ever happen. There is now an even greater need for an airport rail link.
Andrew Gilmour.Montrave Home Farm,Leven.
Reinstate slice of fuel payment
Sir,-Energy Secretary Chris Huhne advises people faced with increases in energy bills to vote with their feet and not to take price rises lying down.
Perhaps the minister will reinstate the 20% taken from millions of poor people in receipt of the winter fuel payment, reduced from £250 to £200 this coming winter.
Tom Black.56 Russell Place,Dundee.
Don’t blame the cleaners
Sir,-The cleaners at Ninewells Hospital have been forced to defend their standards after the recent very damning report by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (June 18).
Whenever hospital hygiene issues are criticised, everyone blames the cleaners, but this is very unfair.
In fact the inspectors praised the cleanliness of wards and clinical areas.
Two family members who had recent operations in Ninewells had nothing but praise for the high standard of ward cleaning.
The hygiene lapses criticised by the inspectors were all within the remit of the health care workers.
Inspectors are demanding improvements in hand hygiene, use of gloves and aprons, risk assessment of patients, and cleaning of patient equipment. They also found dirty mattresses.
It’s not rocket science and some problems persisted throughout three inspections.
Jennifer Helen Allan.18 Grangehill Drive,Monifieth.
Surcharge on energy bills
Sir,-I fully concur with Tina Wilson’s letter (June 20) relating to government hypocrisy over our soaring energy bills.
Green taxes and renewables subsidies instigated by governments are major contributors to our increasing energy costs.
My energy supplier has already taken the step of showing its customers a breakdown of their costs.
This revealed that there is a 12% cost component on my bill for what they rather euphemistically call “government obligation to help the environment”.
G.M. Lindsay.Whinfield Gardens,Kinross.
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.