Here is a selection of this week’s letters to the editor.

Event showed value of the town’s library

THE recent Redditch Library event showcased the town’s Twinning Links displaying histories, geography, economy and culture with live music and dance.

There was relevance to local issues – improving community relations and cohesion – one-off perhaps but some alleviation of food poverty although not all dietary needs were offered and some could have been ‘fair trade’, a local police presence, and re-assurance about community safety after recent anti-social behaviour/violence in the town centre.

As this world plunges into further conflict and environmental crisis perhaps the town’s twinning could extend further to Ukraine, Lebanon and Gaza/Palestine which has become more like hell on earth with many towns blitzed to rubble.

The opportunity to forge connections across countries and for cross-cultural exchange has been established locally and this landmark event provided one clear justification for keeping the town’s library – with its setting, facilities and dedicated staff alongside the twinning organisers.

Alan Godwin,

Redditch

Labour have broken promise to farmers

LABOUR have broken their promise to farmers in Redditch and the Villages with the ‘Family Farm Tax’.

In the build-up to the Budget, farmers were promised that the government wouldn’t make any changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief. Labour lied.

Labour’s tax changes will stop farms from being passed on to the next generation of farmers which will threaten our food security, risk jobs and lead to food prices rising.

This disastrous decision will have an impact on our constituency. Family farms in the rural parts of our area will be hit by this tax, damaging our local economy and the rural way of life.

I can’t say I’m too surprised given there was only 87 words about farming in Labour’s entire election manifesto.

As the President of the National Farmers Union has said: “The Treasury’s figures which claim this will only affect one in four British farms are misleading. The £1million cap to APR shows how little this government understands the sector… It’s clear the government does not understand that family farms are not only small farms, and that just because a farm is an asset it doesn’t mean those who work it are wealthy.”

Labour have never and will never understand rural communities. And what is our new MP going to do about this? Probably nothing given he was cheering on the Chancellor during her Budget speech.

Rachel Maclean,

Redditch

Our service heroes must be remembered

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 more than 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

One in four children are living in poverty

EVERY year Barnardo’s supports thousands of children and families across the UK struggling to pay for the basics like food, heating, beds and suitable accommodation.

We see children going to school hungry and returning to a cold home.

We see how poverty affects a child’s physical and mental health and how it can affect them for the rest of their lives.

Here at Barnardo’s, we help families to keep the power on and the fridge stocked so that children can grow up safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.

But charities like Barnardo’s can only do so much.

Research we recently published shows food bank usage has almost trebled in the West Midlands, as a direct result of the cost-of-living situation, with more than a quarter of parents of children aged 18 and under struggling to provide sufficient food for their children over the past 12 months.

The government’s new child poverty taskforce is a glimmer of hope for Sonia and the thousands of families Barnardo’s supports.

But good intentions won’t be enough without bold action, so it is disappointing that the Government has not ended the unfair  two-child limit on benefits in the budget last week.

Sadly, it is a stark reality that more than one in four children in the UK lives in poverty – that’s nine in every single classroom.

Your readers can help us make a difference to these children by going to our website and donating to Barnardo’s Change a Life.

Even just a few pounds could help provide nourishing food for a family, money to help cover school essentials or valuable support for a family struggling to make ends meet.

On behalf of all the children and families we support, thank you.

Hugh Sherriffe,

Director

Barnardo’s Central region

EDITOR’S COMMENT

IT IS frustrating the £5million promised by the previous government to boost arts and culture in Redditch has been withdrawn.

Activities like these encourage creativity among residents and bring people together so they can get involved in projects they enjoy and bring joy to others.

The idea for the levelling up fund was to cut the unfair gaps between towns and cities and, therefore, it has clearly failed.

Let us hope alternative funding can be found to champion the arts across the borough.