FIRST Minister’s Questions on Thursday heard the Conservative opposition call for mass vaccinating centres across the country in an effort to increase the rate of daily vaccinations. However, those centres need manned with nurses, admin staff, supplies and many, many volunteers just to function, and we owe them all our thanks for the stern job they have all done in rolling out the vaccines to date.

Questions arise from the Conservatives’ call. Where would all the extra staff to man such additional centres come from? Conservatives were also demanding more clarity and support for businesses as a result of the return to some restrictions due to the new variant. So what do we need our politicians to be preparing for right now, and can we give businesses any assurances? Well, this lies greatly with the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who needs to assure businesses that a return to furlough if required will follow. A return to furlough being on the table would give assurance to thousands of hard-working families who are in fear for their jobs should more restrictions follow.

WATCH: Nicola Sturgeon scolds 'shameless' Douglas Ross over Covid politicking

So perhaps Douglas Ross instead of demanding action from the First Minister, whose hands are tied due to a lack of devolved powers, should be directing his calls and demands to the UK Treasury, who have the powers to act accordingly, in light of the urgency of the pandemic.

Catriona C Clark
Falkirk

A PROBE into the donations made to charities has revealed, wait for it – “spoiler alert” – that rich individuals have reduced their contributions, despite their income growing from 2012 to 2019. Donations to charities from the top 1% of earners have dropped by 20% during this period.

The Office of National Statistics has released its update of the UK average salary 2019, showing that the average full-time salary is £36,611 and average part-time salary is £12,495. A startling detail from the report revealed that approximately 344,000 highest earners who received more than £175,000 before tax accounted for 17% of the UK’s pre-tax income, including capital gains, over that period but made just 6% of all charitable donations.

That is worth repeating. 17% of the UK’s pre-tax earnings was made by 344,000 individuals earning more than £175,000, and these individuals contributed only 6% to charities.

94% of charitable donations was made by 83% of the working population (33 million) plus 12.5 million pensioners. This average earnings of £36,611 will include these 344,000 earning more than £175,000, so the average is skewed too high.

I should point out that it’s not all of the top earners that have deep pockets but short arms, but most.

It appears that “trickle down” doesn’t work. A low-tax economy was supposed to allow increased wealth for all, with the wealthy investing in local economies thus allowing circulation and hence growth. There is a yawning wealth gap and now with this report a yawning generosity gap.

To quote the report: “The rich are getting richer but meaner.”

But why? Could it be they just like hoarding it?

Is this the same money created by quantitative easing to prevent the banking and finance sector meltdown in 2008/9?

Alistair Ballantyne
Birkhill, Angus

THE result of the independence referendum in New Caledonia shows the perils of manipulation of democratic processes. It was held against the better judgement of the independence supporting National Liberation Front because the Covid emergency and local funeral customs would make campaigning impossible. The French government insisted that it should go ahead to complete the three-part referendum Noumea agreement of 1998.

READ MORE: How a joint approach to independence in Catalonia and Scotland could work

Abstention levels, called for by the NLF, were at 56.13%. Non-participation by one camp completely invalidates the result.

The French government’s manipulation carries lessons for us, both in the possible use of such tactics by the UK Government and those amongst us who are impatient to hold a vote in circumstances where widespread campaigning is impossible.

Cathie Lloyd
Edinburgh

THE excellent series of articles by Hamish MacPherson fully illustrate the obscene power enjoyed by the aristocrats of bygone days in raising regiments from their tenantry for a taste of death or glory. Does their spirit linger on?

The Royal Horse Guards needed more troopers for the Queen’s coronation. This found me on parade, full fancy dress from spurs to plume, plus a horse. Inspection by an officer, an Etonian toff, I looked him straight in the eye. “Look to your front,” he snarled before pushing his face towards mine. “You didn’t shave this morning did you, trooper?” “No sir.” “Why not?” “I didn’t think the Queen would notice.”

READ MORE: Back In The Day: How the Royal Highland Fusiliers won their name

“Put that man on a charge,” he screamed. Fortunately the parade was about to begin and couldn’t be a trooper short. The coronation nonsense went well and the charge of insolence was dropped. Sycophancy and royal privilege should be left south of the Border where it’s still in fashion.

Iain R Thomson
Strathglass

AS a member of the SNP I wish Tommy Sheppard all the luck on his legal challenge on releasing the information requested by him, but I suspect his request will be denied. If it is allowed it will be heavily redacted.

Glen Peters
Paisley

WELL done Tommy. We’re behind you. There must be something there they feel it essential to hide. I think the tribunal was cheesed off when Gove chose to wait until the last day to lodge the appeal from the first ruling. Using our own money against us really sticks in the craw.

Joan Coverley
via thenational.scot