Taxes would make benefits fairer for all

ROS Altmann (Yorkshire Post, May 1) quite rightly criticises the suggestion that the more wealthy pensioners should voluntarily return allowances to the source from whence they came. Where next would the axe fall as it is also raises other state payments, even actual pensions, which might in future be culled at some arbitrary level at the whim of some Parliament?

Rightly or wrongly, the universal benefit system has been established in this country, covering medical treatment and pensions to name but two, for which working people pay into the state coffers over their working life. In that time some amass wealth, some put savings to one side for the future; others choose to spend to the hilt, possibly on frivolities, as they ‘live for the day’. Others, less fortunate, might have had few jobs in their lifetime for one reason or another and are therefore beholden to the state for subsistence in their latter years. Who dares to arbitrate on such matters?

There is a simple solution, mentioned right at the end of Ros Altmann’s piece. Make all state benefits and allowances taxable. That way no one will be discriminated against other than by the national process which is equal to all citizens, rich or poorer. There is a minimum level to exclude the lower paid and higher rates for those in better circumstances. It would also ensure that any attraction for some recipients to make claims for dubious reasons would be discouraged as they would be taxed on the income.

Now why can one of our well paid, liberally expensed and pensionable Parliamentarians not think of that instead of indulging in a very dubious and dangerous form of moral blackmail?

Greedy workers

From: James Anthony Bulmer, Peel Street, Horbury, Wakefield.

AFTER I read the item by Labour’s environment spokeswoman Mary Creagh (Yorkshire Post, April 23), the word “shoddy” stood out.

Having worked in many of our then textile factories in the country between the years 1950 and 1975 as a contractor, I know that shoddy is the reclamation 
of wool from old clothing etc which is then blended in with new wool.

As Mary is trying to get more money for agricultural workers, may I respectfully point out that wool comes from sheep and that now the sheep farmer has almost to give away the sheared wool, thus losing money.

Secondly, and surely Mary knows this, dairy farmers are struggling to make ends meet and some are going out of business. The supermarkets will not pay the price.

Thirdly, and again, we all know the markets can import most of what we eat and wear much more cheaply than we can grow or make. The result is vast profits for the already wealthy.

Ms Creagh then goes on to the unemployment figures, 2.5 million, yet never mentions the demise of our once thriving textile industry, our once sought after engineering products and others which has led to far fewer jobs being available.

Could I also mention the greed of workers’ unions attempting to make the members millionaires at the expense of the general public, when living essentials cost more and more?

Our greed is our downfall, very apparent in the North when regeneration carries on at a fast rate and yet councils and respective Members of Parliament moan and groan about people on the breadline and the unemployed.

Being a northerner myself, if ah want owt doing’ for nowt ah’ll do it missen.

Praise for the 
NHS helpline

From: Trevor Mumford, Rutland Drive, Harrogate.

ONE evening recently, I had cause to telephone the much maligned NHS 111 service on behalf of my wife who was feeling very poorly.

The telephone was answered promptly by the call handler 
who asked various what I considered to be pertinent questions in an efficient manner and at the end of the call informed me that I would be contacted by telephone by the out of hours GP within two hours.

The GP contacted me well within the time limit and demonstrated that she was in possession of the facts as described to the call handler and after having ascertained further details informed me that a GP would make a house call.

Within the hour, the GP arrived, gave my wife a thorough examination together with 
advice which greatly reassured us both.

Though I am sure that an anti-NHS Tory would find something in this performance of NHS 111 and the out of hours GP service to gripe about, I found the service and treatment on this occasion to be excellent.