ALAN Magnus-Bennett asks the question, what is so special about 1001 days, as cited by Rishi Sunak as the most important in a child’s life (Letters, Nov 1).

The answer is very simple indeed. The first 1001 days include pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life. There is clear, compelling evidence that this is a significant and influential phase in development. This is an age of opportunity. What happens during this period lays the foundation for every child’s future health, wellbeing, learning and earnings potential. It sets the groundwork for children’s developing emotional wellbeing, resilience and adaptability; the competencies they need to thrive. During this period we can lay a foundation of health and wellbeing whose benefits last a lifetime – and carry into the next generation.

That’s the thinking behind the Scottish Government’s baby box scheme. That’s the thinking behind the old New Labour government’s Sure Start centres, so ravaged by Conservative policies of hollowing out public services.

READ MORE: Overwhelming support for Scotland's baby boxes among parents, poll finds

It’s the thinking behind so much of the case for increased access to counselling and psychotherapy or many people suffering from mental health difficulties, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic. Unfortunate or traumatic early life experience weakens our personal “infrastructure”, so that we are less resilient in the face of even the ordinary stresses of modern life, never mind the extraordinary challenges we now face.

Children need all the help and support we can give them through those first 1001 days.

Mary MacCallum Sullivan
Ardrishaig, Argyll & Bute

WELL done to the Scottish Independence Convention on its continuing series of transition papers looking at the options open to an independent Scotland. The latest paper, highlighted in Wednesday’s National, shows that there are more options available to Scotland than just the EU or nothing (What options does an indy Scotland have joining Europe?, Nov 3).

This paper outlines the various options available to Scotland and it should be up to the people of Scotland to decide which option is their preference. Whether that is EFTA, EEA or EU can be discussed in a referendum allowing the people of Scotland to choose the future relationship with Europe which best matches our needs.

READ MORE: What options does an independent Scotland have in joining Europe?

I would encourage all National readers to visit the SIC website and read its other transition papers; they provide a lot of detail and information on various aspects which will either help us gain our independence or give us more options on what we can achieve as an independent nation.

Duncan McIntosh
Dunoon

FIRST it was Covid, and now according to Ed Miliband a referendum vote is a distraction from combating the climate crisis. An independent Scotland would be far better placed to pursue the actions needed. What next, we can’t have a referendum because we are genetically incapable of making political decisions? Oops, they have already tried that one.

Cliff Megginson
Via email

THE UK Government is telling us porkies just for a green headline. They have stipulated that from 2030 onwards no fossil fuel cars can be purchased. Of course you can keep using your petrol and diesel cars, you just can’t replace them with the same.

The lie is that our electricity grid, which just copes now, could ever cope with an ever increasing number of electric cars. To update the grid will cost billions and take at least two decades if they start now. It is not possible to meet the 2030 target.

The other lie is that electric cars are not green unless all power production is from a green source. The UK is only 35% green currently for renewable energy creation. No supporters of electric cars mention battery disposal or the fact that mining for the Earth’s rare lithium and cobalt destroys ecosystems in a similar way to strip mining. We are being sold hype.

There are other logistical issues currently with electric car use mainly where do you charge them. No doubt as we use less petrol and diesel all of us will have to pay for the electricity which seems fair. It will be interesting to see how the government recovers lost fuel tax.

Robert Anderson Dunning I WAS interested in Isobel Lindsay’s letter anent Costa Rica. My dad was ambassador there in the fifties so for a time my home was there. It was a delightful country, very democratic. With some justice it claimed to be the most democratic country in the Americas. Those who flap about Scottish defence should note it has no army, that having been abolished in 1947. From what I have seen and read over the years, little has changed in Costa Rican attitudes, save that they have become very environmentally conscious making great efforts in conservation and green areas. This planet needs countries such as Costa Rica.

R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian