'We’re cascading downhill': Reader voices concern over taxes and support - your letters, plus a snapshot of shopping in the '80s

Population stats are alarming

​Just searched internet and found out our population is 70,000,000 of those we know about.

Worrying thing is only 35,000,000 are working to pay for the non workers.

Even more worrying is that 1.5 million are on universal credits. So we must be cascading downhill to oblivion.

The workers cannot continue paying for others through their taxes. I’m 78, still working by need and still paying income tax.

Yes I’m very lucky to be able to work but I’m aware that this system of supporting others cannot continue.

Supporting others who can’t support themselves is fine.

But I don’t want to support others who don’t intend to support themselves.

Colin Hubbard, Midlands

Stop stealing from salt bins

Is it just me that hates the people who steal salted grit from the yellow bins that the council put onto housing estates for use on the roads? 

Some use a bucket but others even turn up with a wheelbarrow and shovel for their own driveways and paths. Rock salt is pretty cheap, often from garages and builder merchants. Before the council put some bins on the bendy hill out of our estate I used to use my own rock salt to clear it.

Chris Smith, Horsehay

Thank-you to Wem library

If bouquets were handed out, I’d like to nominate Wem Library. Through no fault of its own it had to close for some months. Jill, the manager was determined that the service would remain open, which those who use it are eternally grateful. It even ran a service over the Christmas period.

Thank you Jill and your staff who are always so friendly, helpful and welcoming. I look forward to the reopening.

Mrs P M Matthews, Wem

Hogwash to nappies excuse

A quarter of children starting reception classes are not toilet trained. Yet more social work for teachers. A recent report seemed to imply modern parents are too busy and too overwhelmed by life to complete the task. Hogwash. Parents from previous generations faced similar problems and maybe more as the state was a darned less generous.

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

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