Railing over MoD’s woes

From: Michael J Robinson,

Park Lane, Berry Brow, Huddersfield.

I WAS reminded of the recent calls for the railways to be re-nationalised when I read that the Ministry of Defence has managed to ‘squander’ £24bn in leaving the Army ‘four years away from being able to field a “warfighting division”.

MPs described the MoD, and specifically the British Army’s efforts to modernise its ageing fleet of armoured vehicles, as “a woeful story of bureaucratic procrastination, military indecision, financial mismanagement and general ineptitude”. How different our railways may turn out to be if any form of civil servants were ever again allowed to apply their expertise and business acumen to that or any other industry.

Across: 5 Tear; 7 Accomplish; 8 East; 10 Gnat; 12 Ail; 13 Apache; 16 Award; 18 Due; 20 Acne; 21 Tarn; 22 Cap; 24 Rider; 25 Serene; 26 Sum; 27 Face; 29 Wilt; 33 Attendance; 34 Help. Down: 1 Ice; 2 Soon; 3 Spot; 4 Pip; 5 The; 6 Aisle; 9 Fatal; 10 Glance; 11 Sad; 13 Adore; 14 Cute; 15 Hearse; 17 Wear; 19 Enemy; 23 Pet; 25 Spine; 27 Find; 28 Clay; 30 Tap; 31 Sty; 32 Ace.

POLYPIPE GROUP said it was in a strong position to deliver an improved performance in 2021, after it suffered a fall in revenue last year during “unprecedented” disruption caused by the pandemic.

Polypipe Group, which is a provider of sustainable water and climate management services for the built environment, has published its audited results for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The company suffered a revenue decline of 10.9 per cent, which it said reflected the unprecedented trading environment in the second quarter, followed by a strong recovery. The group’s total revenue was £398.6m last year, compared with £447.6m in the previous year.

The underlying operating profit was severely impacted by reduced volumes in the first half and investment in Covid-19 measures, according to Polypipe. The company said the performance was “much improved” in the second half.

Martin Payne, the chief executive officer, said: “I would like to thank our employees who have risen to, and overcome, the challenges that we have faced in what was an unprecedented year.

“The health and wellbeing of our colleagues, customers and communities remains our priority.

“We have continued to invest in new products, technologies and businesses to emerge stronger out of the pandemic.”