Take long hard look at uncaring society

REGARDLESS of where we stand politically, we should all take a good hard look around the UK today and wonder just how we have managed to create such an unequal, divided and uncaring mess that is called our modern society.

We all have a moan about our bins being missed or the roadworks making our journey longer but these are only temporary problems and will soon be sorted.

Often cuts to services are not noticed, simply because we don’t use them, but for those with special needs the reduction or often complete withdrawal of support can have a devastating effect on their families lives, which will often not be temporary.

Recently your paper reported on changes to funding for women’s refuges, a policy which will lead to the closure of many facilities at a time when domestic violence in our society is rising and our police forces unable to cope. So why, against all the evidence that this will cause serious problems, is it happening?

A statement by the government pledged to build a ‘fairer Britain’ but for who is this fairer Britain being built? Certainly not those in zero-hour jobs or working a full week and still having to rely on food banks or state benefits to pay their way because of low pay. Last week the government’s social mobility advisor and his team announced they were quitting because the Prime Minister was failing in her pledge to build a ‘fairer Britain’. This was a cross-party committee set up to advise on social division – so why were they not they being listened to? The UK is one of the wealthiest countries on the planet so why is this being allowed to happen? Where is the protest? Why is it that vast amounts of money can be found to develop projects like HS2 which for all the talk about economic benefits, will only favour a few areas, when many people are struggling to feed their families?

Isn’t it about time our government got its priorities right and start investing what makes our country tick – its people? Bob Arnott Holbrooks

Possible solution to parking problems?

YOU have kindly printed letters I have previously sent regarding the parking issue outside Parkhill School.

Now parking notices have been put high up on the pavement but the yellow lines have nearly been worn away by people parking on them, and as there is not a parking patrol to issue tickets, they just get away with flouting the Highway Code.

I understand that, a short walk away, the Unicorn Inn has an agreement to allow parents to park. If this is the case I find it amazing how lazy people can be to not take this up. I do hope councillors get their heads together and resolve this issue before it is too late.

Is it not possible to open the dead end of Parkhill Lane to create a one-way system down to Parkhill Drive, making it wide enough for parking and to drive away? Sheila Bates Tile Hill South

Message of peace from councillors

AS we approach the festive season, my friends Councillors Marcus Lapsa, Tim Mayer and I send our best wishes to the residents in Westwood ward, whom we are honoured to represent.

We also send our grateful thanks to our brave, hard-working police, fire and rescue and ambulance services. And, of course, to the devoted medical staff at University Hospital and elsewhere in the city. They all protect us night and day.

Above all, we wish everyone peace. Councillor David Skinner (Con) Westwood ward