Would you pay a lot more for British goods?

I USED to be national sales manager for a firm manufacturing high-quality drill bits for the DIY and professional markets. our modern factory in Bakewell employed 100 skilled people.

Competitors closed their UK production and sourced cheaply from China, hiding this fact behind their brand names. We took the decision to continue with quality products designed, made and tested in our own factory.

Sadly, distributors were not in interested in British quality and preferred to buy low-cost Chinese products. ‘no one cares where they come from,’ they said.

Price was the only factor they considered. They took the easiest route for the highest profit. The result was our factory closed and all the jobs and skills were lost.

This has been repeated across many industries and quality British- made products are extremely hard to find. Will we learn for the future?

JACK BUTTERWORTH, Oldham, Gtr Manchester.

China crisis

I ADMIRE the reader who has resolved to avoid buying products made in China. I wish him luck.

I have just bought an oil-filled, free- standing radiator from an Italian brand that amalgamated with a well- known British household electrical goods company in 2001.

When I took the radiator out of its box, I discovered it was made in China. This was also the case with a computer mouse and toaster I recently bought from other British firms.

The irony is that the HQ for the radiator company is less than ten miles from where I live.

Name supplied, Fareham, Hants.

Multi-million mission

EUAN BLAIR has to be admired not so much for his personal wealth of £73 million (mail), but for weaning the chattering classes off their obsession with a university education for their children. Too many have discovered they are illequipped for university life or their degree is useless in getting a wellpaid job.

If Euan’s education training company can provide apprenticeships in engineering and building trades, it will change the employment outlook for youngsters.

ROB SHARP, Worthing, W. Sussex.

Brexit catch

WHY can’t our fishermen sell their catch here at a good price?

I had a holiday home in Spain for many years and shopping at the fish counter in the local supermarket was a delight. Shrimp and lobster costing €8 to €12 a kilo, all shipped from Scotland, were a weekly treat.

If this fish and seafood was sold instead in British supermarkets, it would be fresher and cheaper because of reduced transportation time and costs, so there would be better margins for the fishermen.

much better than complaining and throwing it away.

RAY ALTON, Mansfield Woodhouse, Notts.

Millie’s struggle

I WAS saddened at criticism of reality TV star millie mackintosh, who described her mental health issues following Covid. yes, she is a young woman with a wealthy background and the privileges that brings, but why is this relevant? Depression is an illness that does not necessarily happen as a consequence of difficult life experience. Plenty of successful people are depressed.

Poor mental health is frightening and isolating. all the money in the world doesn’t help if you feel you are stuck in a black hole with no way out. Let’s just be kind.

JUDITH GAY, Cardiff.

Battle of the footpath

I’VE been walking my dogs for ten years, day in day out, rain or shine. In normal times, I see only the occasional fellow dog walker.

now I am confronted by cyclists, joggers and walkers, who seem to think they have priority on the towpath or footpath. They expect me to move my well-behaved dogs onto the verge and wait graciously while they go by.

While I appreciate I do not have exclusive rights to this area, I can’t help but feel like Farmer Palmer: ‘Get orf my land!’

L. GILKES, Rugby, Warks. a JOGGER has complained about ‘inconsiderate walkers who allow their out-of-control dogs loose on public footpaths’ (Letters).

When out walking my dog sedately on his lead, I get exasperated by inconsiderate joggers who run pass and make us jump out of our skins.

FIONA CRAWFORD, York. I WAS jogging four years before the pandemic. Usually, I’d see five other people on my run. now, it’s more than 30 and I have had to change my route to avoid people.

Family groups do not keep their distance even when you ask politely if you can pass. many hadn’t been out walking before lockdown and probably won’t be seen again once this is over.

LINDA PEARCE, Wolverhampton, W. Mids.

Let me enjoy the view

WHY is there criticism of second homes? There are two types of owners: those who buy for profit and those who want enjoyment.

my husband and I bought a bungalow in Wales as our retirement home. We do not rent it out and spend nine months of the year enjoying the wonderful views. We are helping the Welsh economy and are happy to pay 50 per cent more council tax.

our property was paid for out of our pension lump sums on retirement, so we can’t see why we should be criticised.

S. DICKSON, Gorleston, Norfolk.

Swallowing my pride

I WENT to a food bank last week. I am on Universal Credit, but it’s not enough to live on.

as I am a lifelong Conservative voter who prides myself on my selfreliance and can-do spirit, this was hard to do. I decided swallowing my pride was easier than not being able to swallow food. I can’t believe the £20 uplift in Universal Credit could be scrapped. I hope the Government does the right thing for people who are struggling through no fault of their own.

STEPHEN CONNER, Bristol.

Boxing not so clever

HAVING to shop online has highlighted the issue of packaging.

I ordered three scent diffuser refills, which I expected to be delivered in a padded envelope. However, they turned up in a box that was 3 ft x 2 ft x 4 in.

Would a cardboard tax help to crack down on this nuisance? Excess packaging has to be disposed of and even if it is recyclable, it’s a major inconvenience for shoppers.

JULIA PICKLES, Cheltenham, Glos.

Housework vs gym

I AGREE that doing the housework can keep you fit (Inspire). I don’t have a tumble dryer, so I hang out my washing. Bending down and stretching up several times is a good form of exercise.

I vacuum twice a week, change the beds, turn mattresses and dust everything in sight, including the tops of door frames.

I go up and down the stairs and carry bags of shopping home from the supermarket. Who needs to go to a gym when your home provides all the exercise for you?

JEAN HUNTER, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.