THANK you for the timely reminder of the continuing war in Syria (Why is Syria forgotten? November 2) but I was disappointed to see no mention of Turkey’s increasing threat to the Kurds, especially as David Pratt has previously written eloquently in the past about the autonomous system the Kurds have established in the north of the country.
In the midst of the barbarism of the Syrian civil war, they are creating a model society, based on grassroots democracy, feminism and ethnic and religious equality, that should be a source of inspiration to us all.
Four years ago, the world watched in awe as the Kurds of Kobane carried out a heroic defence of their city that was a turning point in the battle against Daesh.
On Thursday, November 1, it was Kobane Day – a day when the world remembers the Kurd’s last-ditch stand against Daesh.
But now Turkey has announced further invasion plans in Kurdish areas of Syria. The Kurds have had to call a temporary halt to their action against Daesh to defend their homes and the peaceful and inspiring democracy that they have built.
The UK Government retains ties with the Turkish government and sells them arms.
So far attacks on the Kobane region have been limited, but that is how the invasion of Afrin started. Turkey will be looking to see what response is made to these current incursions before going further. We need to make it clear that any attack is unacceptable.
Sarah Glynn
Dundee
SO there will now be a shortage of head teachers and classroom teachers because Scotland’s tax system is different to that set out by Philip Hammond.
Middle and high earners will depart from bonnie Scotland because they can benefit from a slight annual salary increase in dear old Blighty.
What a load of rubbish from the Unionist press. Surely aspiring teachers want to teach as a vocation first rather than as a salary consideration. Sure the increments are useful year on year, and even promotional prospects are possible. A headship after say 10 years? Not bad in reality.
But would people really give up Scotland’s freebies for an extra £80 pay rise under Hammond’s new tax break for middle and high earners? There are university fees for a start, where a family with children are concerned. Then there are high medication bills, let alone the restrictive “free” bus pass for elderly parents. Just to name a few.
No, I don’t think so. More daft attempts at scaremongering and giving our SNP Government a bad name. C’mon you Unionists, we have been here before, remember? Try harder next time otherwise you will need extra lessons in the class of 2014.
Alan Magnus-Bennett
Fife
AS a Living Wage employer we are proud to be playing our part in marking the forthcoming Living Wage Week (November 5-10).
We are voluntarily taking a stand to ensure that our employees can earn a wage which is enough to live on. That basic fairness is at the heart of what the Living Wage campaign is trying to achieve and there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the business benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer.
It is not just the right thing to do, it makes absolute business sense.
By paying the Living Wage we attract and retain the best and most motivated people, whether directly employed by us or by others, boosting productivity and competitiveness.
We want to recruit good, committed people, and the Living Wage is an excellent way of attracting and retaining them.
Our success as a national water retailer, which undertakes the Scottish Government contract to provide water billing and efficiency services to the majority of the public sector, depends on the skills, enthusiasm, ambition and dedication of our employees.
We would urge other companies and organisations to sign up to the real Living Wage and take advantage of the tremendous benefits it brings.
Tony Donnelly
Edinburgh
IN response to Michael & Sylvia Troon, who argued it is useful to listen to the BBC (Letters, November 2), it is my humble opinion that it is never useful to listen or watch BBC unless you want a good old chuckle.
I haven’t watched the BBC’s news or current affairs since 2014 and I have become more aware and better informed on a plethora of subjects since switching to superior news sources.
As for their neighbours’ interpretation, I would agree it is very unique but when you measure that against the people of England and Wales who voted by a majority to leave on a very poor understanding of what it meant, his unique interpretation pales into insignificance.
Bryan Auchterlonie
Perthshire
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