Readers' letters - May 9

There are many people who believe in fracking, despite the massive health and environmental problems seen in the USA.

Indeed the problems have been so bad that many European countries refuse to have fracking within their own borders.

Believers in fracking state that new regulations will protect our health, welfare and the environment.

Perhaps these people should take a look at the most regulated power industry in the world: the nuclear industry. Despite massive legislation in every country with nuclear power, it has not stopped catastrophes in the USA, Russia and Japan.

Strange as it may seem, there is no comprehensive list of nuclear accidents, escapes or leaks, to water, land, or air, held in the UK either by the Government or the industry.

In fact, the industry and Government does everything to prevent the public from finding out about and viewing such problems.

The nuclear industry is the most secretive power industry in the UK and makes massive profits, with no solution as what to do in the long term with its waste.

The industry, just like the fracking industry, is about profit, any one who believes that domestic or industrial gas prices in the UK will fall to the level of the USA will be sadly disappointed.

Fracking is about one thing – profit for the investment companies. No amount of regulation will keep the environment safe, just as masses of regulation has failed to keep the nuclear industry clean and safe.

With dozens of companies drilling in every part of the country, the industry will be able to keep secret any problems from the public, and the cheaper the costs, the bigger the profits, the cheaper the costs, the more dangerous the risks. You can make all the regulations you want, pass laws and have regulators but when things go wrong, as it did in the USA, Russia, and in Japan’s nuclear industry, sorry will not be good enough. The health and welfare of us all, along with the environment, will be lost for a profit for the few.

Paul Dainton

President of Residents against Toxic Scheme (RATS)

nhs

Fair pay for all nurses

Once again, the Conservative Government is eroding nursing pay. Whilst it is true that, last month, the Government awarded nurses a meagre one per cent pay rise, it still means nurses’ pay is around 14 per cent behind the cost of living than when David Cameron came to power in 2010.

Now there’s been another attack on our pay. This time changes in National Insurance arrangements on pensions will wipe out our one per cent rise before it even hits our pay packet. It’s just not good enough. That’s why we’re asking all members of the public to support the RCN’s campaign for fair pay for all nursing staff.

If you are a member of the public and would like to tweet your support for fair pay for nurses, please either visit www.rcn.org.uk/nursingcounts or tweet your local MP directly using the hashtag #nursingcounts.

Nursing staff work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, caring for patients. Please help show us you care by supporting our campaign.

Let’s tell the Government that nursing staff won’t stand for it any longer. Thousands of our members across the region are dedicated to caring for you, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whatever your illness or condition. Please show your support for us.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) North West Board