THE current energy crisis that has entered our fuel supply and cost reminds me of a similar scenario back in the 1980s. In the 1980s we were all advised to look around, search the market, get the best deal, loyalty could be costing you dear. That was the message regarding one’s mortgage provider and we all know the consequences of that misselling.

So, has the similar message to shop around for your fuel supplier come home to roost?! Is there a bail-out for the energy companies? Not according to Westminster. Is there any lifeline from Westminster for hard-working families who are facing massive reductions in their household incomes with the removal in 10 days’ time of the £20/week uplift to Universal Credit, the end of furlough approaching, the increase in National Insurance and inflation rising exponentially (3.2%)? And now they face massive increases to home fuel costs with winter just over the horizon.

I make reference to hard-working families, but there are those who are unable to work through disability, who need homes to be properly heated. Thankfully in Scotland we have the “child winter heating assistance” grants (£202) which are available to families with disabled children 18 years of age and under.

This grant must be publicised in the current fuel crisis to allow any families slipping through the net to secure their entitlement.
Catriona C Clark
Banknock

MICHAEL Fry is doing it again (How our NHS may end up effectively privatising itself)! Perhaps he intends his comments to provoke discussion as an agent provocateur. In which case fuelling the debate is useful.

While the concept of privatisation has some merits there is one elephant that is always ignored by the proponents. And that is that from the available budget profits are taken, which inevitably means fewer services for the money available, usually accompanied by a reduction in safety and staffing levels.

If the privatised NHS was run on a not-for-profit basis then it would make some sense, but funnily enough that is what happens at the moment but funded from our taxes instead of direct payment.

Health services run for profit are the least effective system for public wellbeing with the US example being a case in point. There is nothing wrong with profits from a business per se, but it depends entirely on the level of profit, where it goes and what happens to it. And in public sector provision, utilities and essential services, it is undesirable.
Nick Cole
Perthshire

DIABETES Scotland’s Month of Miles is a new fundraising challenge which is all about you, as you choose your start date and how far to go.

Those taking part are invited to run one of four distances – either eight miles, 13.1 miles, 20 miles or the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles. You have a month to complete your chosen distance – you can start any time you like, and you can go at whatever pace you are comfortable with.

It’s a month of putting yourself first, but with the heart-warming feeling you’ll get from being part of something bigger. Because by getting sponsored for every mile you run, you’ll be helping us transform the lives of people affected by diabetes.

It is free to register for Month of Miles and, after signing up, you will receive a downloadable welcome pack featuring advice about preparing for your challenge, fundraising tips, a running schedule and a sponsorship form.

Month of Miles really is a great way to keep active, get some miles in and help a great cause. So, please, sign up by visiting monthofmiles.diabetes.org.uk. If you have any questions, email monthofmiles@diabetes.org.uk or call on 0345 123 2399.

Thank you.
Angela Mitchell
Director, Diabetes Scotland

FOR a while The National had the best coverage of Scottish Women’s football. However, in yesterday’s edition there was nothing, not a word, on Scotland’s World Cup qualifying tie taking place yesterday evening at Hampden.

Even worse, in the “Sport on TV” section it advertised the England Women’s match on BT Sport, while failing to include the Scotland game which was showing live on Alba. Maybe a bit less wall-to-wall coverage of Rangers and Celtic might allow the women’s game to recover its lost promotion – and might appeal to many of our readership who do not think the Old Firm coverage in The National needs to equal that of the Daily Record.
David White
Galashiels

IT is interesting and heartening to have the BBC’s lack of neutrality confirmed yet again by research (Research finds BBC’s lack of Tory scrutiny is ‘failing’ viewers). As a regular listener to Radio 4’s Today and PM programmes I long ago concluded that complaints about the corporation’s political bias are treated by the BBC Complaints Department as fuel for black holes. Keep up the good work!
Doug Clark
Midlothian