'Schools are doing their best' - Your Letters: February 25

I would like to respond to the letter written by G W Beard of Norton regarding extending the school day. I am horrified that this person feels that young people hanging around in bus stops causing trouble is down to lack of schooling! 

Having worked in education for nearly 13 years I can assure you the hours of schooling a child receives in a school day either match or exceed your statement. Unfortunately, due to the past Conservative government many services have been reduced and stripped back and barely touch the sides to support young people, children and their families. Community and Sure Start hubs are a thing of the past, being able to go to health visitor drop ins are few and far between, youth clubs are pretty well none existent. Many clubs these days aren't without cost - if you are from a low income family it's not going to be a priority or something you can afford to send your young person to.

Schools are doing their best to counteract this issue by providing free school meals, giving pastoral and family support, providing free after school clubs - mostly run by staff that don't get any extra pay for it. There's additional support in school for those that struggle. But given the state of the country with so many spending cuts young people, children and their families unfortunately start life out at a disadvantage.

So, please don't think that this issue to purely down to the length of the school day there is a much larger picture here.

N Mason, Shrewsbury

PENSIONERS STILL OUT OF POCKET

As a pensioner who is no longer eligible to claim the winter fuel allowance I was led to believe that the rise in the state pension in April would compensate for the loss of the allowance. 

However, as bills for the new financial year begin to arrive it is clear that the rise in the weekly pension will barely cover the rise in bills such as rent, council tax, energy and utility bills, let alone compensate for the loss of the winter fuel allowance.

There is a growing sense of unrest among disillusioned Labour voters like myself. The government would do well to heed this warning.

John Costello,  West Midlands

WHERE ARE THE BUNGALOWS?

There are many elderly people who dread the thought of going into care, frightened in fact, and I can't say I blame them. So why are no bungalows being built, if any?

I am sure most people would be willing to give up large size houses for a smaller decent place where they can manage in comfort but all they seem to be offered is flats, which frankly wouldn't be safe for the vulnerable.

Councils etc. accommodate and look after outsiders coming into our country - isn't it time to look after our own?

Judith Fisher, West Midlands

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