Sir, I am writing regarding the bedroom tax.
I am a single person living in a two-bedroom flat. I did not want two bedrooms but this was what I was offered as there are so few one-bedroom flats available. So I am now being charged for something I did not ask for and do not want.
I have tried to swap flats using Home Swapper but have had no luck.
I am now going into rent debt as I cannot afford the extra charge.
What am I to do?
I am fearful that I will be evicted if I am in debt and could end up on the street through no fault of my own.
I agree with Councillor Karen Marjoram that the bedroom tax is: “an ill-thought out, cruel tax on the people who are least able to deal with such large increases in their day-to-day costs.”
Claire McCrae. 47 Cairns Street East, Kirkcaldy.
Not acceptable behaviour
Sir, It seems, from reading Wednesday’s Courier, that the views of Jim Crumley are becoming ever more bizarre.
We already saw his views that Sea Eagles are a great addition to the wildlife of populated and industrialised North East Fife when, in fact, their natural habitat is the coastal wild areas of Norway from where they were imported.
Now we see that he thinks the recent violent intimidation of Nigel Farage in Scotland’s capital city can be justified, because Scotland, politically, has always been left of centre and always opposed to intolerance.
Many people actually believe that the UKIP view on immigration has nothing to do with intolerance and a lot to do with basic common sense and the preservation of culture, to say nothing about the effects on jobs and services.
The intolerance demonstrated in the Nigel Farage episode was in fact the intimidation and denial of free speech brought about by a gang of loud-mouthed Scottish thugs, of the same degree of intolerance as those who believed it to be appropriate to celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher by holding parties in Glasgow and elsewhere.
It is surprising that Jim Crumley thinks that such behaviour is acceptable in 21st century Scotland.
I certainly don’t.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstuther.
Why waste money?
Sir, Re your recent article regarding the pedestrian crossing in Leslie, Fife, I find it confusing why this money is being spent for the following reason.
The crossing in question is mainly used by people making their way to the post office. It is a well-known fact that the present post office is closing and is being re-located, therefore the amount of people using this crossing will be dramatically reduced (if this new location is not in a convenient place I fear for the future of a post office in Leslie).
It is noted that our community council is contributing £3,000 towards the cost. I am sure there are better ways to spend this money, especially as the roads belong to Fife Council. There are many potholes and pavements in need of repair.
The problem at the crossing would be resolved if cars were not parked next to the crossing which often makes it impossible to see anyone on the crossing. I thought it was illegal to park so close to a crossing?
We keep hearing that money is short, so why then spend on such a project? It looks to me as though no proper planning has been done but, then again, we are talking about Fife Council and our money.
JM Donnachie. Croft House, Leslie.
Wrong to glory in “oil boom”
Sir, It appears that the case for Scottish independence rests on the high revenues from the oil industry to sustain the Scottish economy. The SNP base their claims on a projected oil boom and an inflated estimate of the high price of oil. Unlike Norway, the Scottish Government do not own the oil fields offshore.
The SNP assume that the global economy will continue to grow over the next decade so that the demand for oil will rise and sustain a high price for oil. But economists are predicting that the world economy may flatten, growth may be slow, so that energy prices may fall and profits will remain low. As the price of oil will fluctuate it will be irresponsible for an SNP government to glory in the prospect of an oil bonanza when there is the possibility of a shortfall in oil revenues leading to a deficit in government income and expenditure.
The SNP fail to take into account a number of factors which will reduce and will lower the value of Scottish oil such as the opening of new oilfields in other parts of the world where production will be less costly than North Sea oil; the exploitation of shale oil and gas; nuclear power; the increasing demand for green energy and renewables.
As the oil companies begin to develop less productive oilfields in the North Sea and tap the more inaccessible reserves, production costs will rise. And as the older oilfields become exhausted and go out of production the cost of decommissioning oil wells will run into billions of pounds.
No doubt, the SNP will accuse me of scaremongering. I plead guilty, as I am definitely scared at the prospect of SNP policies being applied.
(Rev) Ivor Gibson. 15 McInnes Road, Markinch.