Austerity madness

Published on 01/10/2012 00:00

IT IS right for Joyce McMillan to describe as grim the “ideology of the austerity-mongers”, (Perspective, 28 September) – especially, it seems regarding the effects of local authority cutbacks upon frontline public services.

However, budget cuts aren’t as straightforward as the “ideology of austerity” would have us believe. Take for example Aberdeenshire Council’s recent budget statements showing an underspend last year of £20 million. Moreover, last week’s audit and scrutiny committee reported a further £12m surplus for this ­financial year.

Seemingly, the first tranche of the surplus earmarked could be described as a councillor’s “wish list”. Proposed one-off projects range across town centre and village hall refurbishments to all-weather sports pitches.

Arguably, “austerity-mongers” are successfully creating the perception it is politically acceptable spending savings on “wish lists”. Why can’t some of the cuts made in education, social care and sheltered housing be restored?

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk 

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

I REALLY do not understand Joyce McMillan’s thought processes. She accuses Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont of sidestepping the debate on how our resources are distributed, whereas Ms Lamont has actually opened up the debate by stating that it is those most in need of taxpayer-funded free services who should get them, while those that can afford to pay should do so. In her airy dismissal of how public services are funded, Ms McMillan appears reconciled to our grandchildren paying through the nose so that present-day millionaires can get a free eye test.

ian lewis

Mayfield Terrace

Edinburgh