YP Letters: Cost to our coffers would fall if we provided care overseas

Social care is the defining domestic issue of these times.

THE Chancellor is putting more money into social care, but will he be able to keep pace with demand?

As we transition from a generation of elderly who served and suffered in the war to one of egocentric baby-boomers, should we adopt a more pragmatic approach?

Even as hospital beds are being blocked in more expensive areas, there is still some spare capacity in parts of the country where labour and accommodation are cheaper. We have a confused ethic that no one can be expected to move but which relies for funding upon those who do move, at some personal cost, to follow their career.

How much extra should the taxpayer be required to give so that it remains convenient for people who delegate the care of their parents to drop in on them when they find the time?

We need to develop more affordable care options in the north and west of the UK. We need also to look at providing care overseas, where the cost difference is greater, the climate is better and we can avoid drawing labour into the UK.

From: Alan Chapman, Beck Lane, Bingley.

NEXT year the Government is committed to dealing with legislation to reduce and adjust the Parliamentary constituency boundaries. Can it get proposed changes through the Commons and Lords?

BBC political data indicates the UK has 650 constituencies – England 533, Scotland 59, Wales 40, Ulster 18.

The average population of voters per constituency in England is 72,400, Scotland 69,000, Ulster 66,800 but Wales only 56,800.

The intention is to reduce the total number of constituencies to 600 in the UK, each having 75,000 electors with an allowance of plus or minus 3,750 (five per cent) to make voting representation approximately equal and fair.

This is vehemently opposed by Labour as they are heavily over-represented in South Wales, giving that party a six per cent advantage across the country.

Perhaps of more significance are results from the EU referendum. Taking just  England only, vote Leave was 54.3 per cent with Remain only 45.7 per cent.

The largest number of Commons seats are in England, where the largest vote to Leave has been recorded. This does not augur well for Labour and is a sound reason for the Government holding the next election in 2020.