Related Articles
Ofcom argues reform was needed as folk are sending fewer letters than a decade ago but the current system is not fit for purpose, despite our conscientious and overworked posties struggling to carry hefty Amazon packages. We have a Catch-22 situation.
Reducing the price of stamps in the festive period, as in 2012, is one of many policies it could try. The intransigence of the Czech EP Group, owned by billionaire Daniel Kietinsky, with regard to listening to the public has, frankly, wrecked the joy of sending a Christmas card and, in the long term, poses an existential threat to the Royal Mail itself.
John V Lloyd, Inverkeithing.
Read more letters
Mystery over missing magazines
I see there are new proposals to “improve” Royal Mail’s performance. I await with interest to see how long it takes to reach the 99% delivered in two days.
I have several magazine subscriptions. One weekly one which leaves the printer late Monday and should arrive on a Wednesday has arrived on a Saturday. I have another magazine regularly goes missing and needs a replacement sent out.
One magazine which had a preview of the British Grand Prix was published on June 27 but has yet to appear and a replacement sent last Friday has yet not appeared either, probably joining the other mail which goes missing.
My problem is getting to the bottom of issue: is it a local issue or national one? I can get a letter package sent to my daughter in rural Devon arriving in less than 24 hours of posting from the St Rollox postbox so it would suggest I have a local issue. Perhaps someone in Royal Mail may look into this.
Douglas Jardine, Bishopbriggs.
Prestwick Airport must be retained
It was great to read of the continuing successes that are being achieved by the management of Prestwick Airport (“Are critics glad yet this key Scottish airport was rescued?”, The Herald, July 10), and proves, that after a lot of blood, sweat and tears from many that Scotland can produce a viable business in a sector that is known for its volatility.
Our other major airports, both in Scotland and the rest of the UK, are owned by foreign investment companies, who at the drop of a hat, will sell up and get out of the business if the going gets tough.
The message to our present SNP Government, and any other political party that may come into power, is that the Prestwick Airport asset is not for sale, and that the financial and commercial benefits are a very important national asset.
Mike Dooley, Ayr.
Welcome news on NHS
Your report on waiting times in Scotland (“A&E waits in Scotland moving in ‘right direction, insists Health Secretary”, The Herald, July 9) was an encouraging read, because the figures released indicate a slight improvement in waiting times to the week up to June 29.
Added to this good news, the First Minister on paying a visit to Falkirk announced an increase in the capacity of the Hospital at Home service (“FM reveals £85m boost for Hospital at Home beds”, The Herald, July 10). This service has many positives for our NHS, freeing up beds and also for the patients, who make better progress at home.
Plans for “frailty teams” in all A&E departments are a welcome move when we consider the bigger picture of an ageing population. John Swinney yesterday committed to those teams being in place by end of the summer, running slightly late on the previous commitment for early summer.
Our NHS is a wonderful service which we all rely on and hope it will be there for us all at the point of need, so it is only right we should recognise and praise any improvements.
Catriona C Clark, Falkirk.
The real cost of the royals
AJ Clarence (Letters, 9 July) would appear to be a dab hand at figures. It seems he can invent any figure you like.
The money paid to the monarchy is nothing like £500 million and does not come from the taxpayer.
The monarchy gets the lesser part of the proceeds of the Crown Estate, an NGO which stewards the profitable possessions of earlier monarchs. The major part goes to the Exchequer.
The 15 per cent of Crown Estate profits which the royal firm gets are about £36 million most years. The percentage was tuned to 25 per cent for one year recently because Buckingham Palace needed some expensive attention.
There are some other sources of royal income like the Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster.
The royal firm only gets money from the taxpayer if Parliament wants to pay for some sort of public event which causes royal outlay.
There used to be some salaries called annuities which Parliament paid to some princes and princesses. The late Queen paid the eight princely annuities which were paid during her reign back to the Exchequer. Their total value had been £1.5m per year.
AJ Clarence could have found all this information in minutes. Exactly as I just did.
Tim Cox, Bern, Switzerland.
The meaning of life
Re Alison Rowat’s column (“So, Prof Devi Srihdar, you want to live to 100. Is that entirely wise?”, The Herald, July 10): There is one reason to live as long as possible. To see what happens next.
Norman McCandlish, Aberfeldy.
