Answer lies in text books and Ted Heath’s ‘one club golfer’

TIM Mickleburgh (Yorkshire Post, July 25) asks why it is assumed that a low interest rate is good for the economy. It isn’t, and if he wishes to find out why, I would suggest he puts himself to the hard graft of a couple of standard A-level text books on the subject. He might also look up elsewhere Mr Edward Heath’s comment, something like “the one club golfer”.

On the second point he raises – the low rates of return on savings and the effect on purchases – he is looking at only one half of the matter.

I am well aware of the derisory returns on savings which affect the older generation. I am also aware that those millions of retired people have children and grandchildren who have mortgages to pay. A higher rate of return on savings implies a higher rate on mortgage. What the older generation gain, the younger generation lose. Is this what your contributor wants? If so, why?

From: David F Chambers, Sladburn Drive, Northallerton.

IF the nation’s financial state is so dire, why is Government expenditure still rising? If we are increasingly being forced into fuel poverty, why is the Government subsidising wind farms? Surely now is the time for the Government to take the really bold step by becoming the first to acknowledge the still-growing elephant in the room and halt all expenditure based on the concept of global warming and CO2 levels?

We’d have to apologise to the EU for breaking some daft agreements and make it clear that any penalties imposed as a result will be disregarded. We are still a sovereign state and have the right to remain so.

Enough is enough.

From: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon, Shipley.

HOW right was Roy Sladdin (Yorkshire Post, July 5) to criticise your Editorial concerning the Local Enterprise Partnership for the Leeds City Region.

There can be no doubt that Bradford city centre is far more in need of regeneration funds than the Kirkstall Forge site. Leeds already has many areas of attraction and a thriving shopping centre, whereas Bradford is just the opposite. The Aire Valley site will do little for Bradford.

That Bradford has been badly served by its political leaders and by various regeneration officials over the past 10 years is beyond doubt.

Indeed, it is highly surprising that no heads have rolled while this shambles has continued. The failed individuals instead simply seem to be posted to similarly lucrative positions elsewhere.

So, where are we now with Bradford? As Mr Sladdin says, we have a neglected city with a hole in the ground that has become a national joke, and “a large, potentially imposing former cinema that is being allowed to fall down” against the wishes of the majority of the population.

Just how long do Bradfordians have to wait to see some realistic proposals to properly regenerate our sad and neglected city, and which would also be supported by its residents?