Letters: Treatment of disabled has been a knife in their backs

I read the article “Disabled man pulled knife on Atos assessor” (Evening News, March 6) and whilst I do not condone what the man in question has done and his reported actions, I certainly have some sympathy for him and can understand where he might be coming from.

In recent months I have heard the disabled and jobless referred to as scroungers, slackers and workshy.

I have heard of disabled people allegedly being sent back to work after Atos assessments despite their own GPs stating that they were anything but fit.

Some cases may include people with cancer, heart disease or serious mental health issues.

Whilst there might be a few scroungers out there, the vast majority of people claiming benefits are genuine cases and there are some with very complex needs.

I am sick to the back teeth at the way we treat the disabled in this country.

If some of the language being used was against Muslims or black people, then the chances are you would be on some kind of police charge and facing jail.

Alastair Macintyre, Webster Place, Rosyth, Fife

Tram line can be star at the Border

Having noted the preferred design of The Star of Caledonia public artwork, marking the Scotland-England border at Gretna, I’m afraid I am not impressed.

Driving back from visiting some of our clan in Kettering and Corby, I was always glad to see the “Welcome to Scotland” sign on the way home.

The “iconic design” reminds me of another kinetic design put up at the roundabout at the top of Leith Walk some years ago which never worked properly.

We also cannot afford the £3 million cost, so perhaps the redundant tram lines from the Leith Walk to Granton line could be incorporated into the Star to save some money.

Jean K Bell, Bellevue Street, Edinburgh.

Wind will blow ‘Yes’ dream apart

Pensioners in Scotland could see their state pensions slashed if there is a “Yes” vote in 2014.

Leaked secret papers reveal that the SNP will be unable to fund all the promises they have made. These promises include free university education, prescriptions, bus passes and care for the elderly.

Scotland’s ageing population will also add to welfare problems after independence.

To fund all these factors would mean increased taxes and the prospect of cuts in public sector jobs, state pensions and welfare benefits.

There will also be yet another crippling cost that Alex Salmond has so far hidden from public scrutiny.

I refer to expensive wind turbine electricity. The mega subsidies harvested by wind farm developers are added to the electricity bills of the whole of the UK, but Scotland has only eight per cent of the households.

Once the rest of the UK realise they are subsidising an independent Scotland, they will demand that Scottish households pay for Salmond’s green dreams, adding to the number experiencing fuel poverty.

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow