Letter: Growing too fast
Now the European Union executive have said Europe will need more people to pay for the pensions of an ageing population and have proposed that the minimum maternity leave in EU countries should be raised by six weeks to a total of 20 weeks (your report, 22 October). They hope this will boost flagging birth rates. Businesses are already struggling in this harsh economic climate and need no more unnecessary costs. Employers will stop employing young women and either employ men or older women.
The world population is 6.5 billion. Unsustainable. We do not need any more people in Europe. In the UK, the numbers now are 61 million and will increase to 70 million by 2028, driven by immigration and their much higher birth rates. We are already an overcrowded country and need to limit births not increase them.
CLARK CROSS
Springfield Road
Linlithgow, West Lothian