It REALLY was nice to read about an area where Scotland might be a leading light in the worldwide fight against homelessness and destitution, especially where it impacts children (Social Bite village aiming to tackle homelessness open in Scotland, May 17).

One thing which was notable was that there was no mention made of employment, long term plans, or putting these potential future developments in anything other than cities.

Where our nation has consistently and shamefully fallen down for centuries is in its support of the small farmer, or crofter. I will allow that some recent legislation has been enacted to address some aspects of that.

Imagine though, with the vast tracts of unused land which we have, property which our ancestors successfully cultivated until forcibly evicted. What if some was brought back into government control, by way of ongoing land reform.

It could be easily done, cross party support would see to that, if major landowners were realistically taxed, say those with over 10,000 acres, yet were allowed to pay their tax in kind, with land, instead of in cash. To encourage that, the land could even be assessed a premium value, to be applied against the next two or three years payments, until a retain limit had been reached.

This land, with other parcels already in public hands could be parcelled out into under-10 acre lots. The land would always be government land, but a three bedroom croft-house could be built on it.

Homeless, or the long-term unemployed could then be offered the option of assisting in the building or renovation of these homes, all after appropriate training, with wages paid at the living rate, (these could even be asylum or refugee rights). Afterwards, the new crofter begins paying rent as the lands’ productivity rises, while the government subsidy is reduced, until, through a period of years, the people and place are self sufficient.

It might require the Scottish Government to initiate the scheme, eventually transferring control to local councils, but surely, where there’s a will?

Many folk might be put off from taking such an opportunity due to remoteness or lack of knowledge, yet addressing this would also be simple, education could be provided, and several croft-houses could be placed adjacent to each other, their land branching out like a pizza slice.

The crofting community would see its numbers grown and its lobbying effectiveness increase.

Unemployment and other social safety nets are a brutal yet necessary load to the public purse, surely if a way could be found to make those investments profitable in the long term, it should be examined, and that profit would not be simply financial, not only measured in exports, additions to the food supply or individual incomes, it would be lives rebuilt, dignity restored, and community rejuvenation, with land long forced abandoned producing once again.

A MacGregor
East Kilbride

I AM extremely pleased at Alex Salmond’s statement in The National that he is ready for Yes (Salmond: When indyref2 is called I’ll be on my marks, May 18).

It has always been my opinion that Alex would continue the fight for independence, and quite frankly he is too big a personality to sit on the sidelines.

The Yes movement has been looking for a leader, and Alex could be a candidate, but I suspect that would be too formal. He has maintained his profile by running his Russia Today show which I have found both interesting and informative. He will not attempt to undermine Nicola Sturgeon.

Jim Lynch
Edinburgh

A NEW report shows 75% of Scots 18-34 year olds, and 54% overall, support Minimum Alcohol Pricing. Sales of cider fell 20% in the first week.

Encouraged by this, Nicola Sturgeon is the first political leader to come out strongly against obesity, albeit child obesity. She should widen the discussion to all areas where we, the public, taxpayers and voters, accept our responsibility in preventing and solving the NHS crisis.

Only 1.3 million out of 2.1 million Scots participate in the excellent home bowel cancer screening test, meaning only 4,000 out of a possible 7,000 bowel cancers are discovered and treated early, successfully and at less cost.

The number of Type 2 diabetes cases rose from 50,000 in 1965 to 250,000 today. It can be avoided or cured by weight loss and costs £1 billion out of NHS Scotland’s £13bn budget to treat.

We need cross-party support for education, screening, food marketing and manufacture legislation but politicians are silent for fear they will lose voters.

Now that Ms Sturgeon has thrown down the gauntlet. I hope all party leaders clamber onto the bandwagon and work to end this crisis.

Allan Sutherland
Stonehaven