Paying the price

In Stan Hogarth’s book, being called a socialist is a grave insult, and this is what he calls Alistair Duff and Bob Taylor (Letters, 11 November) for having the temerity to speak up for universal 
benefits.

In his letter, Mr Hogarth says “Somebody has to pay”. But presumably this does not apply to the Department of Work and Pensions who last year retained £12 billion of unclaimed payments rightfully due to beneficiaries. Or to the individuals, businesses and major corporations who evaded or avoided payment of tax to the tune of £30 billion, as conservatively estimated by HMRC. I wonder how many teachers that money could have employed?

Elsewhere on the same topic (Letters, same day) Colin Hamilton ties himself in knots trying to blame the SNP for these possible cuts to teachers’ numbers, even though this is a strategy that the SNP is actively opposing.

No correlation with the 7 per cent reduction in the block grant or the additional £5bn of cuts made and promised by the three unionist parties, because Mr Hamilton does not do criticism of the Union. .

Also in letters (same day) RJM Wilson says that the SNP non-attendance at the remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph was “shameful”.

If Mr Wilson cared to check his facts or had even bothered to listen to the TV commentary before going off on a rant about “xenophobic bigotry” he would know that the SNP presence at the ceremony is rotated with Plaid Cymru.

Whether that is fair or respectful to these parties is another matter, but this year a wreath was presented by the leader of Plaid Cymru representing his party and the SNP, while Alex Salmond laid a wreath at the City Chambers in Edinburgh.

Douglas Turner

Derby Street

Edinburgh