UN shines a spotlight on our woeful poverty levels

BRITAIN played a part in setting up the United Nations, which has a duty to assess and report on those backward countries where the behaviour of elected governments is so far below civilised expectations that they stand condemned by the whole world.

And now Professor Philip Alston of the UN has had the courage to accuse the British Government of deplorable policies, based upon despicable beliefs, which make the lives of many poor British families so miserable and desperate.

This Conservative Government intends to introduce its flagship welfare policy, designed so that the recipient gets no money to live on for the first five weeks. There is no other explanation possible than the complete absence of moral values in the character of any who voted for this.

Previously, each child born to a family received social benefit from the state, but this Government has deliberately decided to withhold this benefit from third or later babies. This has been the record of the Tory Party for 200 years, but denying food to babies is beneath contempt. This one good man, Prof Alston, has spoken out against inhumanity in high places, and Britain’s right-wing media display their own standards by pouring abuse upon a fearless champion.

Neville Westerman Brynna

We know what it’s like to be vassals

BORIS Johnson and Jacob ReesMogg MPs have described the Brexit proposal by the Prime Minister as leaving us (the United Kingdom) as a “vassal state”.

We in Wales/Cymru are fully aware of being vassals, who are inferior to rule by England. Is it any wonder that the Welsh people have low wages in a poor economy with antiquated transport systems that create poor connections with the rest of Wales?

The Welsh Assembly has few powers and is dominated by Westminster. Overall, we have little say on our own futures.

Yes, we know how subservient we are, and we don’t like it either.

Steve Jones Maesteg

Cheap solution

NOT having been there (“Despair as mystery leak floods huge hole in lounge floor”, Echo, November 16) I can’t contribute much, but we always used sodium fluorescein to trace waterways, since a tiny amount goes a long way.

You drop some powder where you think the water is coming from, and if you are right, the outwelling will fluoresce under UV light.

It costs pennies.

Bob Sunman

Penylan, Cardiff

Free diabetes tips

AS preparations and excitement for Christmas grows, we recognise that it can be a difficult time for people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, especially if it is their first Christmas with the condition.

It can be a time of temptation, unpredictable or delayed meals, extra nibbles, excitement and stress, all of which can make managing their diabetes more of a problem.

There is no other explanation possible than the complete absence of moral values... Neville Westerman Brynna

We have just published our December newsletter and a new booklet, Diabetes at Christmas, to help families who live with the condition. It gives various options for Christmas dinners, a recipe for homemade, lower carbohydrate and calorie Christmas pudding and many other tips. We also have a booklet, Diabetes – Everyday Eating, and we hope the newsletter and booklets will help to make life easier over the festive season.

We are happy to send these, free of charge, to any readers if they contact IDDT on 01604 622837 or email enquiries@iddtinternational.org

Jenny Hirst Co-Chair InDependent Diabetes Trust

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