New health burden falls on the poorest

IRRESPECTIVE of which way we pay the “Health and Social Care Levy”, from both the Government’s or its Opposition’s methods, whether via National Insurance increases or the landlords’ tax, the fundamental flaw in both, is the impact it has on the lower-income brackets, which will result in increases on a wide spectrum of the goods and services we depend on.

One must ask how many are dependent on foodbanks, benefits and family support to maintain themselves.

One must ask how many are just keeping their heads above the water in the current environment.

With the utility companies announcing fuel price increases from October onwards, along with supply shortages pushing up prices, one must ask how the Government can justify these increases but will not ask for more from those who can afford it. A question must be asked whether the Government and its Opposition are fit for the purpose of running the country.

With both our Government and its Opposition, one must ask the question whether our county and local authorities are fit for their purpose, when we see calamities present, creating businesses which collapse through mismanagement or road projects costing more than 10 percent more than the original price.

One has to ask whether it’s the old trick of submitting the lowest price, knowing that you will get the contract, then when almost finished demanding more funding to finish it or leave a white elephant?

This again impacts on those with low or tight household budgets, with the likelihood that assistance from other sources will be needed, such as foodbanks and benefits. How many children will go to bed hungry or cold, because of this incompetence whether at local or Government level.

So MPS and councillors need to have a realistic look at their costs and ask if they justify their salaries and expenses, I bet none of them have to make the decision whether to pay for heat or food, once the rent, mortgage have been paid. Tony Morris

Carlton