Readers' letters - July 6

I have heard that a supermarket is opening its first ‘cashless store’. Apparently it is to cater for the impatience of shoppers and create shorter queues. (Here’s an idea, why not increase the number of staff on the checkouts?!)I wonder what the elderly or indeed anyone who prefers to use cash think of this ‘choiceless’ concept? Or if it will increase the debts of those on a budget as they will be less likely to keep a close eye on what they spend (it is so much easier to spend, spend, spend on a credit or debit card than with a £20 note)? Or maybe that’s the idea. With cards we can spend to our heart’s content, no longer limited by the idea of ‘living within our means’. Maybe debt is the future and spending what we actually have is an outdated idea? Win win for the retail sector. Lose lose for the elderly, the poorest and the most vulnerable in our society. I suspect also with less contact with hard cash and this seemingly increased impatience for shorter queues, we will all suffer in the long run. What’s next, a completely ‘staffless’ store to save on salaries? Shush, best not give the big faceless corporations any more ideas! Molly Clarevia emailHelping the young achieve a positive future

As local authorities start work on publishing their new local offer of services for care leavers, Barnardo’s is calling on them to carefully consider what can be done to help more young people who have left care to secure an education, employment or training.Statistics and our own experience show us that young people who have been in care are less likely to be in education, training or employment than those who have not been in care. In 2016-17, Barnardo’s supported more than 3,200 children who had left care and our research found that the main barriers to employment were a lack of qualifications and experience, the stigma of having been in care and mental health issues.Whilst we recognise central government needs to provide increased resources, local authorities need to rise to this challenge, too.Barnardo’s believes local authorities should commission improved quality services for care leavers, including advice on employment, training and skills, access to a range of suitable accommodation options, and to support with preparation for independent living, guided by well-trained personal advisors available to each young person. If young people leaving care are to succeed in life then it is imperative they get the support they need to get a job or access training. We know at Barnardo’s that, with the right help and a bit of belief, those leaving care can achieve hugely positive futures for themselves. Lynn PerryDirector for Barnardo’s, North WestEnjoy a cuppa and help charityAt Breast Cancer Care, we were devastated to have made the tough decision to reduce our helpline opening hours earlier this year to make savings, a decision we didn’t take lightly.As the UK’s only specialist breast cancer support charity, we are here to provide care to anyone who needs it. We saw this more than ever when we faced a huge surge of calls following the recent reports about an IT error which meant that many women in England were not sent their final routine invitation for breast screening.We are working hard to make sure that the helpline stays available to everyone who needs us so we can continue to provide vital support for free, but we can’t do it without your help.You can support Breast Cancer Care by having an Afternoon Tea to raise money this July. Simply choose a date and invite friends and family round to enjoy a cuppa with some tasty sandwiches and treats. Breast Cancer Care will provide you with a free kit with everything you need to plan your tea.All money raised will enable the charity to continue to be there for the 691,000 people living with breast cancer in the UK today, and it’s essential these services remain free. Breast Cancer Care is not government funded so every penny that you raise makes a huge difference. Order your free fundraising kit at www.breastcancercare.org.uk/cuppa or call 0300 100 4442.Samia al QadhiChief Executive of Breast Cancer Care