Lack of PE in schools is a fat lot of good for our children

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Evening News, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS

HOW embarrassing and infuriating it is to hear that Edinburgh is among the worst in Scotland in providing PE in primary schools (News, 28 January).

With levels of obesity among the young on the rise, and with children likely to get puffed out doing anything more strenuous than playing with computer games, it's disgraceful the Scottish government has failed to live up to its pledge of two hours of PE per week.

It seems to be the latest in a long list of vows the SNP has failed to keep after promising much for our votes. Then again, Alex Salmond doesn't look like he's been in a gym for some time, and perhaps doesn't see it as a priority.

The finger of blame must also be pointed at the city council, who have clearly made little effort to meet the target.

Perhaps we should encourage our politicians by administering stern punishment on them for failing to give our young folk the best start in life – some tough sessions in the gym or perhaps some cross-country running in winter. Maybe then we'd see some action.

Mr K Welsh, Easter Road, Edinburgh

Death shows road action not taken

I AM extremely saddened to see yet another fatality at the notorious Leadburn Junction (News, 27 January). This follows in excess of 40 years of procrastination by Midlothian Council.

I worked as a trainee civil engineer in the County Surveyors office in the period 1963 to 1967, during which time survey work was carried out and a scheme was prepared for the construction of a roundabout.

My recollection is that adjacent landowners were more than willing to co-operate to allow the project to proceed.

I have no idea why action has not been taken, however, it is nothing short of tragic that so many fatalities have occurred since then.

Douglas Johnston, Drumbrae Place, Edinburgh

Councils are run by and for the staff

HOW sad that 700 jobs are to go from Edinburgh City Council (News, 15 January). No doubt, however, the blow will be softened by generous redundancy deals and no doubt some staff will feel relieved to no longer have to "serve" the public of Edinburgh.

I don't think this is really the best way to go about things. Surely priority for redundancy should be given to those members of staff who have had the most complaints made against them by members of the public or who are just not up to the job.

The fact that the greatest consideration is shown to staff, with the interests of the public coming as a secondary consideration, is further evidence that local government in Scotland is little more than a job creation scheme, run by and for the staff, and that all the mission statements about putting the public first and serving the people are little more than an exercise in window dressing/PR.

B Sneddon, Colinton Mains Loan, Edinburgh

Homes should be a priority for funds

THE scourge of homelessness is yet to be resolved. With councils starved of the funds they require to build the housing needed in Scotland, it looks like housing shortages will not be met in the foreseeable future.

Yes, I know, money is tight and our politicians do not agree on any coherent strategy to finally end the long waiting list for "affordable" homes, but there is no shortage of funds for wage rises and expenses for senior figures in government, nor any shortage of funds for the war machine now running in nations around the globe.

It appears war is more lucrative than peace.

People must question why they bother to vote.

Trevor Swistchew, Victor Park Terrace, Edinburgh

Government must do voters' bidding

IT WAS recently claimed by the SNP that they could not insist that parts of the planned power cables from Beauly to Denny should go underground. Wrong.

The SNP represents the voters of Scotland who pay their salaries and as such should carry out their wishes. If the voters want stretches of the cables to go below ground, then the Executive must specify that on the contract.

CJR Fentiman, Polwarth Gardens, Edinburgh