Your Letters: November 7

​This Remembrance Day, we once again take time to remember all servicemen and women who died in the world wars and in other conflicts. It is a day to remember the sacrifice and service of the people who have defended our freedoms.

The huge loss of life in both World Wars is almost incomprehensible today; each individual loss was grieved by families, loved ones, and fellow soldiers, sailors, or aviators. For those at home, lives were forever changed by death, and for many who did return, their lives were never the same again.

This time of year gives us the opportunity to pause together to remember those who have died in all conflicts throughout the decades and we will ensure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Those selfless and humble individuals are an inspiration to all of us who have followed in their footsteps.

People who serve in the Royal Air Force today continue to demonstrate unwavering determination, resilience, compassion and skill in the face of evolving global challenges. Many are enriched by their Service but for some, the physical and mental impact of their roles can remain with them for the rest of their lives.

For over 105 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has provided life-changing practical, emotional and financial support to those who serve, veterans, and their families. We will continue to be there, alongside the RAF Family, ready to act when needed – now and in the years ahead.

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Controller, RAF Benevolent Fund

ACTION NEEDED ON GREEN BELT

To prevent the industrialisation of our greenbelt and protect the environment, South Staffordshire District Council should now ban all Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) developments in South Staffordshire.

I have set up an e-petition on South Staffordshire District Council's own webpage.

The main objection to the two BESS planning applications near Swindon village are industrialisation of greenbelt but the e-petition is in regards to all the BESS applications in South Staffordshire area.

Gordon Fanthom, South Staffs

IMPORTANCE OF HELP WITH WORDS

Labour's manifesto included a promise to fund early language interventions in primary schools – the importance of this becoming a reality cannot be overstated.

Today, a record number of children in the UK – 1.9m – face a lifetime of limitation and exclusion because they struggle to talk and understand words. Without the right support, they’re more likely to fall behind at school, be unemployed, commit crime, and have mental health challenges across their lives.

No child deserves to be left behind and, as a society, we can’t afford to not support them.

With our research finding 80 per cent of teachers think some of their pupils are behind with their talking and/or understanding of words, there’s an urgent need to ensure teachers have sufficient training to support speech and language development in the classroom. Half of teachers (53 per cent) believe they don’t have sufficient training to support pupils’ speech and language in the classroom.

Early language interventions are readily available and literally change lives. Every day we see the transformative impact these interventions have on the lives of children. But only with public donations and government funding can we change the lives of these 1.9m children who urgently need help and build a future where no child is left behind.

Jane Harris, Speech and Language UK

Send us your letters for publication to [email protected] 

Letters to the editor must include the writer’s name and address and will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to condense or amend letters.