Our country needs cash raised through taxes
I would not object to paying high taxes if it was kept in this country for our own use.
But I strongly object to my money being sent to subsidise other countries.
In our current recession, we need it here.
We also need to abolish the absolute knowledge in the minds of some immigrants, that Britain is paved with gold. Our own dissolutes, who get more on benefits than they would in employment, also need to be discouraged from a parasitic existence.
Our tax bill could be considerably reduced if our government had sufficient backbone to solve our own financial problems, rather than addressing those of other countries, foreign freeloaders and our own home-grown lazy countrymen.
Jim Walker, via emai
Fat cats to blame for current crisis
As the recession deepens it is becoming increasingly common to hear politicians and media pundits attacking the public sector.
Far from comprising a vast army of fat cats, many parts of the public sector have been under direct governmental attack for years.
In local government councils have been obliged to make cuts of at least 3% year on year, so services are at risk of collapse, while hundreds of thousands of low paid women workers are still waiting for equal pay.
In the NHS, Unison is campaigning across the country to ensure that private sector workers are paid proper rates, thereby illustrating that the public/private divide as far as working people are concerned is a false one.
Instead of simply throwing taxpayers' money at the banks, the Government should use the public sector to mitigate the effects of the recession by maintaining and increasing the vital services much needed by people hit by unemployment and stimulate employment and the economy with the construction projects for necessary schools, houses, hospitals and energy saving adaptations.
Remember, the fat cats responsible for the crisis were private sector bosses and it is they who should pay .
Roger Bannister, Unison National Executive Council Member
(North West)
be aware of new landlord rules
New laws affecting landlord and tenant are appearing at a frightening speed. So often do the ground rules change that any landlord could be forgiven for finding it impossible to keep abreast of the changes.
Yet, in the eyes of the law, ignorance is no excuse. A good example is Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). Most landlords have probably never heard of them.
However from last October all owners of residential and commercial property must provide prospective tenants with an approved EPC before they sign the new lease. Failure to provide one means a fine of 200.
Another example is gas certificates. From April 1, Corgi Landlords Gas Certificates are no longer valid. Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants.
So, to make sure any property you own is safe, all appliances must have a safety check carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
To learn of other changes, go to www.sosforlandlords.org
Andy Bradley, address supplied
Too small to count
I write to say how upset and disappointed our 12-year-old grandson was on taking 2 to the post office the morning after Red Nose Day, only to be told that only donations of 5 could be taken.
Are the organisers too big to accept a child's small donation?
Mrs P Billington, address supplied
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
