YP Letters: Theresa May's policies behind rise in homelessness

From: Beryl Williams, Brier Lane, Wakefield.
Theresa May on the campaign trail in Leeds.Theresa May on the campaign trail in Leeds.
Theresa May on the campaign trail in Leeds.

YOUR readers may be forgiven for labouring under the illusion that the sharp rise in homelessness in this country is solely due to alcoholism, drug addiction and wife-beating.

However, this is not the case. It’s also, and significantly, a direct outcome of the policies of the outgoing government.

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Here’s an example of how this works: Because the Government wants to impress us with their care for the elderly, they increase a weekly basic State pension of £122+ by approximately £2.50, with a promise of further annual increases.

They also offer housing and council tax benefits. “But, oh dear, now that we’ve increased your pension, your income is now above the maximum threshold by £1.84. So you’ll have to pay all your rent and council tax yourself.”

Private landlords, and there are more of them than ever before, have no qualms whatsoever in evicting tenants who default on rent.

From: Don Burslam, Elm Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury.

WE have had extensive coverage of the French elections. My reaction is how fortunate we are over here with our long-established monarchy which is above the party battle and has given this country the stability few other countries can boast.

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Yes, our system is expensive and the pyramid which supports the monarchy does attract its share of criticism, particularly such institutions as the House of Lords.

The price is well worth paying, though, because we have largely avoided the divisions and extremism which have disfigured other countries.

From: J Hutchinson, Kirkbymoorside, York.

WHEN will Labour rid itself of the “them and us” chip on their shoulder? Who do they think provide the jobs? Certainly not the man on the shop floor.

Too much taxation on businessmen and entrepreneurs will only achieve the exodus to other countries of the kind of work we are desperate for. Wake up, Mr Corbyn, and any other political party that thinks this kind of hate politics is the answer to the UK’s woes.

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

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WHY does Jeremy Corbyn think that a Marxist manifesto will attract voters to the Labour Party? I would be inclined to agree that some utilities could be better in the hands of government, such as the Royal Mail and the railways, but to do so would put the country at the mercy of the likes of union leader Len McCluskey.

To return to the days of strikes and massive wage hikes would be a disaster and there is little doubt that this would happen if Mr Corbyn became PM.

From: Brian Nugent, Pecket Well Mill, Halifax.

I MUST disagree with your comment piece, implying that Labour’s Barry Gardiner was wrong to imply BBC bias against its presenter Nick Robinson (The Yorkshire Post, May 13). I listened to the interview and it was a classic example of how the BBC follows a narrative laid down by the national right-wing press, yourselves included.

Hares at risk from hunting

From: John Rimington, Hare Preservation Trust.

A CONSERVATIVE repeal of the 2004 Hunting Act would accelerate the demise of our brown hares, already listed in 2011 for potential extinction by 2050.

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One third of the hunts (with dogs) in England and Wales target these declining hares, not foxes.

The Act also outlaws hare coursing but a repeal would further encourage this intrusive and destructive activity, already so distressing to farmers and problematic to police forces countrywide. The police would, as a result of repeal, have reduced legal powers against the coursing perpetrators.

Why delays to rail upgrade?

From: Jeff Thomas, Strait Lane, Huby, Leeds.

TOM Richmond’s column (The Yorkshire Post, May 13) prompts me to write again on the east-west rail upgrade and why we are at a complete standstill.

I firmly believe nothing will be done by government until the Yorkshire devolution debacle is resolved.

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Our councillors and local MPs, for that matter, are holding the rest of us to ransom simply because they cannot agree a political solution and neither party wants to lose face.

The Tory Party would do well to remember that there are key marginals along the rail corridor in West Yorkshire and if they don’t give the green light now for the much-needed upgrade they could get a nasty jolt on June 8.

Ironic, is it not, that central Manchester has completed a new north-south tram link?

Polls apart on fracking front

From: AN Burlak, Kilham.

FURTHER to Mr Mercer’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, May 13): “Now all voters in North Yorkshire have elected pro-fracking councillors...”

What an ill-informed sweeping statement!

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Of the 446,296 voters in North Yorkshire only 157,728 voted. Of those, 83,107 voted for the pro-fracking Conservative Party; a sad 18.62 per cent of the electorate.

I have yet to read an intellectually informed pro-fracking letter in your paper.