Readers' Letters: Scots blessed with abundant natural resources, are more than capable of creating an enlightened future for their country

​The facts (omitted by UK Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, in recent TV interviews) are that SEPA reports that 87 per cent of Scotland’s rivers are in good health while only 15 per cent of England’s rivers are rated at that level with The Rivers Trust reporting that not a single waterway in England is in overall good health. It is of course understood that with England being more densely populated there is a greater level of monitoring in England but most sensible people would rather be taking a shower, never mind drinking the water, in Glasgow or Edinburgh, rather than in London.

Perhaps Ms Stephenson should draw some positivity from Scottish history (as it seems that confidence in her fellow “Scots” is not yet flowing through her veins) and recognise that the people of Scotland, blessed with Scotland’s abundant natural resources, are more than capable of creating an enlightened future for their country.

Stan Grodynski, Longniddry, East Lothian

Tax tipping point

The economy of the UK may have passed a tipping point where increased taxation results in reduced tax revenue and higher benefit payments.

The result of the various increases in the cost of employing staff is becoming apparent. Many companies do not have the income to be able to retain so many semi-skilled staff. My suggestion is medium sized companies and charities together with those such as supermarkets that employ large numbers of semi-skilled staff have been forced to reduce head count by say 5%. Those no longer employed are no longer paying tax and newly draw benefits. Increasing the tax burden by whatever means will continue this avalanche effect reducing GDP progressively.

Scotland may be able to avoid some of the effects of this economic deterioration. Firstly Scotland must stand up to the EU and the London Government by insisting on the same economics ties to the EU as northern Ireland has obtained. Shelve independence, this will eventually come anyway and concentrate on this objective with the grim determination needed to avoid an economic collapse.

Secondly encourage profitable companies to relocate to Scotland by building reasonably priced decent housing in areas with access to economically successful regions such as Glasgow and Edinburgh and offering this to key workers as has been done in the past. Reinforcing success will inevitably allow all areas to benefit from the overall rise in economic activity even if it is just concentrated in the central belt. Above all do not reinforce failure.

I suggest governments must realise that they cannot continue to magic money out of thin air by endlessly increasing the tax burden on the people and companies which they represent. In the end they must spend within their means just as every member of our population is forced to.

Ken Carew, Dumfries

Trump Hypocrisy

Gerald Edwards (Letters, 26 July) claims that, unlike Swinney and Starmer, Trump makes good on his election pledges. Ending the Ukraine War within 24 hours was pure hyperbole and failure to recognise that Putin was “tapping me along” earlier was extremely bad judgement. Our leaders may be ailing but they are not arrogant and incompetent.

As Trump landed in Scotland he may have reflected on his presbyterian upbringing from his Scottish mother. “Blessed are the peacemakers..” (Matthew 5:9). Trump may believe he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize but his track record suggests otherwise. The Gaza War is so one sided the idea that Hamas could end it tomorrow as Mr Edwards claims, is without foundation, they are well beaten and have little influence. As your editorial states Trump is in a unique position to help Gaza by championing humanitarian aid. He could also end the war by withdrawing arms to Israel but allows Prime Minister Netanyahu to string him along with talk of ceasefires to save himself from facing trial for war crimes. Instead Trump is complicit in mass starvation and murder of innocent civilians at US/Israeli food points, some would argue ethnic cleansing.

As for releasing the Epstein files Trump continues to act with rank hypocrisy as his MAGA base are starting to realise. It’s unlikely, however, that our leaders will do anything other than play to Trump’s ego given there’s a trade deal to sign. Contrary to Mr Edwards view, Swinney should raise Gaza as he pledged to do, just don’t mention the windmills John!

Neil Anderson, Edinburgh

Inquiring minds

Stephen Jardine's negative views on public inquiries are spot on (Opinion, July 26). My only criticisms of them is that they are too mild and too measured. Remedying what has become a very expensive British disease is needed. To assuage politicians who need a mechanism to kick issues into touch, and to keep lawyers happy for years to come, I suggest a remedy. A Public Inquiry into public inquiries should be established.

Hugh Pennington, Chair, Public Inquiry into the September 2005 Outbreak of E.coli O157 in South Wales, Aberdeen

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