YP Letters: British deserve better than BHS-style pension scandals

BHS staff carry goods that they purchased with discount from the BHS head office in Marylebone Road, London, following the retail going in to administration, as a damning report into the collapse of BHS and the role of former boss Sir Philip Green is clearly concerning", Downing Street said while stressing Theresa May's desire to "reform capitalism" and prevent "reckless" corporate behaviour.

From: Peter Asquith-Cowen, First Lane, Anlaby, Near Beverley.

THOUSANDS of BHS workers face a miserable retirement because of Sir Philip Green’s scandalous behaviour. Is there any wonder we see sad faces on the high street? The British people deserve better.

Workers have been used and abused to make fortunes for business leaders who have had honours showered upon them by the Establishment. It is an absolute disgrace!

Sir Philip Green should be stripped of his knighthood, but men like him will feel no shame and no remorse for their less than fortunate employees.

The honours system should also be abolished. It enshrines “The Seven Deadly Sins” and bolsters up a system that fits the Middle-Ages rather than the 21st century.

This should be the first early test for Theresa May, who cannot afford to miss the chance to turn her rhetoric about tackling “irresponsible behaviour in big business” into reality. The big question is will she? Or is this just hot air? Responsible Capitalism? Britain stinks!

From: Dr Glyn Powell, Bakersfield Drive, Kellington.

A COMMITTEE of MPs has described Sir Philip Green’s actions whilst in control of British Home Stores (BHS) as the “unacceptable face of capitalism” (The Yorkshire Post, July 25).

However, many Conservative MPs are guilty of gross hypocrisy. According to leaked reports from Tory think tanks, the governing party is seriously considering legislation that will greatly weaken company pension schemes.

The reason given for changes to pension fund rules is that under present economic conditions many funds cannot afford to continue paying benefits. But MPs pensions will be unaffected!

Yet these same people call Sir Philip Green’s actions unacceptable whilst considering measures that would make Green’s actions pale in comparison. Pension funds were hard fought gains by our forebears. Therefore, trade unions should organise widespread direct action in defence of these valuable company benefits.

From: Paul Emsley, Newton Way, Hellifield.

AS Sir Philip Green has benefited from BHS – the Blair Honours System – perhaps we should ask the ex-Prime Minister what was included in his citation and how well does it stand up, under current scrutiny?