Letters: House seekers left on the outside after budget deal

AS the dust settles following the last-minute horse trading that ensured the passage of the Scottish budget, it is clear the biggest losers will be the 160,000 households stuck on housing waiting lists in Scotland.

MSPs voted to cut the overall money available for housing by a whopping 34 per cent - a bigger cut than any other area of government spending.

To add insult to injury, John Swinney was able to find an extra 16 million down the back of the sofa for shared equity and "mid-market" rent properties, reportedly to secure the backing of the Conservatives. As mid-market rents are on average more than 60 per cent higher than social rent, these properties won't help those in most acute housing need.

It has become clear that housing simply doesn't feature as a political issue in the way it should. The biggest consultation on the future of Scottish housing was published on the day of the UK budget. It was debated in parliament on the day the Pope was in Scotland whilst many MSPs enjoyed a glass on the lawns of Holyrood Palace. It has resulted in a 34 per cent cut to funds.

These are not firm foundations on which to build a better future.

Graeme Brown, director, Shelter Scotland, South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh

BlindCraft axe is a shameful move

SO the realities of the rising economic tide begin to unfold, cascading misery to thousands of people throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. The decision to axe the BlindCraft factory epitomises the choices which our elected officials have in complying with the national budget cuts.

I find this choice to be extremely distasteful and shameful as it affects the most vulnerable in our society. Essentially, a casting vote has wiped out history, livelihoods, accomplishment and companionship. The individuals concerned will be devastated and they have my support and sympathy.

This decision clearly illustrates that the announcement of cuts in expenditure by central government have not been clearly thought out regarding the overreaching effects this will have on our society. The impact of these cuts are, I believe, intended to give working people a bloody nose and are as deep rooted as those associated with the "Thatcherite" years.

The national deficit is one thing, household budgets are another and the people of this country are only concerned about the latter. I hope that a solution can be found to reverse this closure, but I am not optimistic.

Peter J Sargent, Corstorphine

Come clean over tidying practices

I HAVE some questions for our cleansing department.

Why pay overtime for residential road sweeping on Sundays? Everyone's home and their parked cars prevent a proper job. Please do it midweek when the streets are relatively clear.

Why do bin lorries start work at 7.30am during the working week? They are often finished by early afternoon and if their start was delayed until, say, 10am they wouldn't add to rush-hour congestion.

And are we to believe that the emptying of bins on Portobello promenade on a Sunday morning is financially prudent? Or am I missing something?

Norrie Henderson, Meadowhouse Road, Corstorphine

It's time to stop animal snaring

I AM writing to make readers of the Evening News aware that the Scottish Parliament will decide whether or not to end the snaring of animals on March 2.

Seventy-seven per cent of people in Scotland want an end to snaring. I have pledged my own support to this important campaign by making a video for OneKind, a Scottish animal protection charity campaigning to end snares.

Snares are indiscriminate traps that often catch protected animals such as badgers and otters, and even domestic animals like cats and dogs. Snares are cruel and cause great pain and distress to the animals they catch. I am asking kind-hearted readers in Edinburgh to visit www.onekind.org and choose a way to help.

Bill Oddie, London