GP struggles, tax changes and Christmas memories from an Ironbridge school

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Memories of Blue School, Ironbridge (c. 1950–1951). Paper party hats, festive bunting, and smiling faces - this nostalgic image captures the pupils of the Blue School on St Luke’s Road during a Christmas gathering over 70 years ago. Shared from the family collection of Peter Fletcher, whose father, Joe Fletcher, was a tireless local organiser for youth sports and clubs in Ironbridge. The photo holds special personal significance as it includes Peter's late sister, Rosemary Fletcher, pictured on the back row in a striped top.

placeholder image — PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Memories of Blue School, Ironbridge (c. 1950–1951). Paper party hats, festive bunting, and smiling faces - this nostalgic image captures the pupils of the Blue School on St Luke’s Road during a Christmas gathering over 70 years ago. Shared from the family collection of Peter Fletcher, whose father, Joe Fletcher, was a tireless local organiser for youth sports and clubs in Ironbridge. The photo holds special personal significance as it includes Peter's late sister, Rosemary Fletcher, pictured on the back row in a striped top.

Today’s letters cover concerns over access to GPs, changes to the tax system and poor-quality goods, alongside a defence of Strictly Come Dancing’s new presenting line-up

Fighting just to see my GP

Doctors in this country are doing less and less to help their patients; never has it been so bad just to get to see a GP. The main services used are 111 or A&E, which are already at breaking point, taking on what should be the duty of care provided by GPs.

The other concern is these machines which are now installed to do the job of receptionists – patients are no longer able to ask at the desk for repeat prescriptions or order prescriptions over the phone. The point is, not everyone wants to be on the internet by choice; some people only have a landline by choice.

This situation needs to be taken seriously. There is absolutely no duty of care by these people, who seem to be in the wrong profession and are putting people's lives at risk.

Judith Fisher, Midlands

Scrap the new tax system

Did you know that Labour has introduced a new Making Tax Digital system that forces small businesses and the self-employed to submit accounts to HMRC every three months instead of every year, and it carries a £200 fine? So I have set up this e-petition to scrap it and remove the £200 fine (petition.parliament.uk/petitions/766548).

Hopefully, Labour will scrap MTD and the £200 fine at the next Budget.

Gordon Edward Fanthom, South Staffs

Put a ban on shoddy goods

There should be a ban on absolutely shoddy goods that don't work properly.

For instance, I purchased a mini air compressor to pump up car tyres. It burned out after half inflating a tyre, and the retailer gave me another. This too failed after a few minutes! I was refunded. Then, I bought online a rechargeable angle grinder, which failed after 30 seconds. Again they replaced it with another, and this also just stopped working. Quite useless!

What is the point, I wonder, of making such rubbish goods that don't even last more than a few minutes? We used to have a Trading Standards Department who would prosecute such sellers, but they no longer are interested, it seems, and purchasers lose their money.

W F Kerswell, Picklescott

New line up is Strictly fine

Many commentators seem intent on knocking the new Strictly line-up, while most people I know think the new presenters are an improvement! Give them a chance!

Anna Smith, Shifnal

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