Sir, – Should the BBC be given the responsibility to decide who gets a free television licence?
I noted the wise words of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the matter.
He says that it is not the role of that organisation to make “judgements about distribution of income between social groups”.
Roughly translated, I am sure he is saying that it should not become involved in means testing, setting age qualifications or even discounting, where pensioners over 75 might get, for example, a third off the current fee of £150.50.
Ideally Chancellor Philip, Hammond should review the decision to transfer the responsibility from the Exchequer directly to the BBC.
He could do this in next year’s budget and I have one idea that might help him.
It strikes a seasonal note. The £10 Christmas bonus, paid to all pensioners, was introduced in 1972.
It has not been adjusted to take into account cost of living increases for the 46 years since.
If it had been it would now be worth £98.
The Chancellor could upgrade the bonus to, say, £100 for the over 75s and they could then be left to decide whether to spend it on a TV licence or not.
It cannot be right to ask the BBC to set up a large bureaucracy to administer a scheme that was introduced by central government and should remain with central government.
Bob Taylor,
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
Bank hits people where it hurts
Sir, – Your two recent reports – one on the demise of McEwen’s of Perth (“Former store owners in court battle with bank”, Courier, December 10) and the other on staff being bullied (“RBS ‘culture of bullying’, claims whistleblower”, Courier, December 10) – perfectly reflect the incompetent bank’s expertise in kicking a man when he is down only to then walk away with impunity.
Joan Crook,
7 Demarco Drive,
Glenrothes.
Common sense must prevail
Sir, – It is clear from the numerous letters regarding recently introduced car parking charges in Angus, and the effect they are having on local businesses, that this decision by Angus Council, without any consultation with local businesses, could fairly be called “bungled”.
Many of your readers will no doubt remember that now council leader David Fairweather only last year showed high moral compass by resigning over an issue with the proposed closure of the recycling site in Monifieth.
He said at the time that “the current administration had fallen at the first hurdle and lacks the ability to agree decisions”.
Because of the stance taken by Mr Fairweather and some of his colleagues, this bad decision was overturned.
Given that this decision by the council not only inflicts his constituents with parking charges, but, adding insult to injury, makes the payment method virtually unworkable for many, there will undoubtedly be further pressures on the already embattled High Street traders.
I think it is fair to say that what Mr Fairweather called the “bungled handling of the recycling centre issues” could now be replaced by “bungled handling of the parking charges issues” and he should, therefore ensure that this decision is also overturned and sense is allowed to prevail.
This parking fiasco will undoubtedly lead to a number of people becoming unemployed and a number of independent businesses being forced to cease trading.
We are all aware of the financial constraints councils are facing but it is not going to help solve the problem if their actions lead to yet more empty shops on the high street and more people becoming unemployed.
Don Henderson,
Gray Street,
Broughty Ferry.
Democracy is being ignored
Sir, – What has happened to “ Brexit means Brexit” and “the people have voted”, not to mention “no deal is better than a bad deal” and so on?
Why do I get the feeling that all this “politicking” has been a stitch-up since Theresa May won the leadership and the last election and that the “remainers” in her camp (and she is included) will win the day.
So much for democracy and what’s best for our future.
It appears to be more about protecting the future of politicians.
Earl Russell,
7 Albert Street,
Arbroath.
Hoping for a Euro favour
Sir, – While you are working on getting out of the EU with your Brexit talks can you please do a favour for one of your colonies?
Can you please get Australia out of Eurovision?
I don’t really understand why we are in it and all it seems to do is provide a lot of hype for about a week.
Dennis Fitzgerald,
28 Landale Street,
Melbourne.
Brexit blame is widespread
Sir, – The incompetent leader of the opposition is lodging a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister because of the disastrous lack of progress in the Brexit issue as if it was entirely her fault.
Does it not occur to him that the fault occurred when voters were misled and lied to by politicians in the run up to the referendum vote in June 2016?
A A Bullions,
6 Glencairn Crescent,
Leven.
Only one way out of this mess
Sir, – The UK Supreme Court has, once again, despite justifiable claims from the Scottish Government that they were in the right, made very clear, that the UK Government has the power to overrule the devolution settlement any time it feels like it.
Any powers which have been, or will be devolved, are there only through the goodwill of Westminster, and, it seems, can be taken back at any time.
So much for four nations in a union of equals.
It is clear also that the devolved Scottish Parliament – wonderful thing though it is – is, to a large extent, a Trojan horse, giving Holyrood control of most domestic policy and its implementation, but crucially leaving control of the money at Westminster.
So, as Westminster imposes its austerity and its Brexit, Holyrood is held responsible for the consequences.
Meanwhile, the unionist press is quick to exaggerate all its perceived failings.
Scotland’s representatives at Westminster, who, on any reasonable judgement, are among the most impressive performers in the place, are treated with ridicule and contempt in the circus that is the UK Parliament, which has been seen in all its glorious malfunction over recent weeks.
There really is now no alternative: Brexit has brought things to a head.
The Westminster Government is totally incompetent, not fit for purpose, and if we remain in the UK we will go down with the sinking ship, with places in the lifeboats being reserved for the UK elite – those with the money and the power to ride out the storm.
The UK is now broken and disunited, beyond repair.
Surely Scotland’s only hope for the future is independence.
Les Mackay,
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Pay-off is hard to justify
Sir, – I am outraged by the comments of the outgoing NHS Scotland boss over the NHS Tayside scandal (“McLay’s £90,000 pay-off represented ‘good value for money’ says health boss”, Courier, December 18).
While disgraced CEO Lesley McLay and the NHS Tayside Board were wrangling over her payoff, patients that had been unfairly “sectioned” under the Mental Health Act to Carseview were desperately trying to get explanations from her office without success.
It could be argued that she was feathering her own nest instead of performing the statutory functions as NHS Tayside CEO.
Let us not forget it was supposedly for this duty that taxpayers were paying her a handsome wage.
Indeed, in turns out she received what one former Health Minister has referred to as “a film star salary”.
This is public sector incompetence and brass necked management kleptocracy.
It is completely inexcusable.
Neil Robertson,
4 Glamis Terrace,
Dundee.