RICHARD BRIDGE’S view that Labour got the council tax support system so badly wrong (Letters, October 9) holds little sway given he was one of the party’s most prominent campaigners at the last election.

However, it is important to correct the history.

The change to council tax support was introduced by the previous Labour administration who turned down transitional government funding, offered to ease the burden.

I proactively offered to meet Richard Bridge and had a civilised conversation, but timescale wise and with the limited information we were given by the then administration we could not commit to total opposition.

The new administration committed to a review of the policy to find the best way to help those with the lowest incomes.

However, if the system is changed we need to know where the money is coming from.

Labour brought in the system, then made no attempt to review it and only when no longer in office did they claim they were about to change it, yet they still provide no information on how they might fund it.

We are looking at how we might change the system, and if changes are made the financing of it, we will search for the right policy while Labour search for the right headline.

Chris Steward, Leader, York Conservative Group, Councillor for Rural West York

 

I WAS shocked to read that hundreds of thousands of Christians are facing kidnap, slavery and even crucifixion at the hands of Islamic State - victims of the escalating ‘Jihad’ declared on all those who do not obey Allah’s will.

Surely the Government must make a stand against this savage religious extremism?

The world is getting out of control.

Let’s restore some balance before it destroys itself.

Aled Jones, Southcliffe Road, Bridlington

 

I AM grateful to Ian Yeowart for providing publicly the information I was denied privately by Earswick Parish Council when I made a Freedom of Information request (Letters, October 7). A clear demonstration of the power of the press.

In his attempt to defend the parish council, I am afraid Ian misses my point about the inexplicable reluctance of Earswick Parish Council to be open and transparent.

It has nothing to do with my views about their competence. I was not at the ‘special’ parish meeting and when later I asked for information on costs it was denied to me.

I can now pursue the justification for engaging security patrols to deal with the temporary use of private land by travellers. I intend to question why costs of around £500 should be met from the parish precept. The land in question is privately owned by the Fosslands management committee, so shouldn’t they foot the bill?

Any other security concerns are the province of the police, who incidentally were in regular attendance to monitor events.

Allan Charlesworth, Old Earswick

 

THERE are only so many vacancies for social care, so it does matter if refugees take priority over the needy and vulnerable in our present society.

Cllr Mary Cannon is your typical Labour spokesperson (Letters, October 5). Having been a carer for her mother she believes she is an expert in adult social care and health.

She even boasted the residential care and independent living model a success. Obviously she has not read the numerous official reports constantly condemning the care system.

As a relief sub postmaster I hear on a daily basis from worried neighbours about the misery these amateur politicians create.

How loneliness becomes unbearable.

As one customer explained to me it is solitary confinement without guards. This then results in poor health from depression and anxiety with no age group immune. Rural areas are particularly prone.

Is Cllr Cannon honestly saying home alone citizens prefer a 15-minute daily flying visit to a warm residential home like Oliver House, which offered comfort, companionship and socialising without worry.

Only Ukip is prepared to challenge the cruel treatment and neglect in our already failing social services.

Paul Abbott, Ukip York branch secretary

 

WHAT has happened to our society that results in so much so-called homelessness? Presumably people live where they are born unless they move to another city and find themselves literally without a roof over their heads.

I find it worrying that so many people are literally in need of a bed for the night – where are the mothers of these unfortunates, presumably most of whom are male?

And if these people are so badly behaved that they will not fit in with where they should be living, who and what can be blamed for this?

It is bad enough that we now have hundreds of migrants who have for reasons of their own travelled for miles to find somewhere to start new lives, but when our own people find themselves homeless, how can this dreadful state of affairs be tackled?

I think that someone, somewhere should begin to try to solve this problem which seems to have become rife nowadays.

Heather Causnett, Escrick, York

 

PEOPLE are, quite correctly, getting very angry at the way VW have pulled the wool over their eyes by manipulating the exhaust gases from their car diesel engines when said engine needed to down-grade the nitrous oxide (NOx) part of its emissions test.

This manipulation raises the question: What else have computer-programmers hidden in the software of the various devices we use in our everyday lives?

This exposure illustrates only too well how computers dominate our everyday lives.

From the simplest tasks (a basic calculator) through to the huge complexity of guiding a spacecraft on a ten-year mission to rendezvous with a comet billions of miles away.

Too much dependence on computer-driven devices could, quite possibly, be mankind’s Achilles heel.

Only time will tell.

Philip Roe, Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge

 

I RECENTLY attended a funeral of a relative at Watford Crematorium and was surprised to see they provided a small café in the grounds adjacent to the crematorium building.

Why not though?

The café is tastefully arranged and discreet and it provides a cup of tea and something to eat plus shelter from the rain, cold or the snow or comfort for friends and relatives awaiting the service to start.

Sometimes people also travel long distances and may arrive early needing a hot drink and a snack.

I hope the idea catches on; it would be nice to see the York Crematorium provide a similar service.

Tony Baker, Lucombe Way, Hartrigg Oaks, York