Absolutely right that doctors and nurses shouldn’t get a pay freeze, but what about other NHS workers?

letters@independent.co.uk

It’s good that doctors and nurses are not included in the pay freeze but what about others who work in the NHS? The receptionists, auxiliary staff and cleaners all help to make the system work, and I can speak from personal experience of their kindness and skill. After what they have done during this difficult time, all NHS staff should get a generous pay rise.

Paul Graham

Nuneaton

Military spending

The chancellor of the exchequer has announced a pay freeze for public sector workers, extending austerity and misery well into a second decade for millions whilst, at the same time, promising many billions of pounds to update military hardware. 

The nation, and particularly the Conservative Party, needs to recognise that British hegemony is over, just as happened in the past to the Netherlands and Spain and will, in the future, happen to the US. 

We need to prioritise our spending to reflect a diminished role as world policeman. So, for example, would we rather provide resources to recruit well-paid teachers in order to educate our children or buy warships?

Ian Reid

Kilnwick, Yorkshire

MP pay

So we are going to experience very significant cuts in public spending in very many directions. Doubtless, we will also have significantly higher taxes. Of course, most of us understand the need for lower expenditure and increased income, probably for many years. However, where are the cutbacks in parliament? Where are the cutbacks for royalty? Until these incredible bastions of pomp, circumstance and privilege are seen to be subject to significant expenditure reductions, how can the man in the street be expected to understand and to accept reductions to his own living standards? We have a government that epitomises inherited rank and privilege. Is there any real chance of a fairer society or will the man in the street have to pay?  After all, it has always been thus. 

Chris Harrison

Herefordshire

Foreign aid

Why does this government continue to shoot itself in the foot so often and needlessly? The decision to reduce foreign aid from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent is not going to make an iota of difference to the depth of our Covid-19 or financial crisis but is simply to pacify certain elements of the Conservative Party. 

With foreign aid being such a sensitive aid programme, it doesn’t take much thought to understand the consternation it would cause when reduced. Some countries receiving foreign aid also spend money on projects that do not support the population. For instance, India is funding projects to launch rockets into space while having severe problems feeding and caring for its people. India is a recipient of huge aid support from many countries. While other countries have human rights issues and yet still receive aid. 

However, most aid recipients would suffer greatly if aid were to be withdrawn and it is incumbent on those countries who can afford aid to consistently help those countries in dire need. I and many others have criticised our government for the cynical caring ethos it shows. 

A reduction of a significant amount of aid will result in many people needlessly suffering the withdrawal of health programmes, education programmes, refugee aid, etc. With the vast amounts of borrowing Mr Sunak has actioned, it seems criminally churlish to take money away from those who most desperately need support. It’s sad to read that yet another minister, Baroness Sugg, has resigned in protest over the reduction of the aid budget. When organisations perform a U-turn it generally means that the initial decision had been given scant consideration or was a knee-jerk reaction to a major concern. 

It appears that Mr Sunak, after a stellar first few months in office, has finally succumbed to Mr Johnson’s affliction – nincompoopery. It’s just as well that this financial review is for only one year as we can’t be sure who will be in office next year with so many sadly resigning in the wake of incompetent government.

Keith Poole

Basingstoke

Taking care

Just getting my head around the joint advice from the political leaders of our four nations. By “taking care”, do they mean we should only hug the relatives we don’t like too much, in case we accidentally kill them off?

Gordon Brooks

Hampshire

Brexit omission

The audacity of the Tories is unbelievable; after seven years of pay freezes and a pay increment last year, the majority of the public sector is right back where it started. 

Even more astonishing was the chancellor’s complete omission of Brexit from his review.  On the day after, Andrew Bailey makes a statement that in the longer term a no-deal Brexit will be worse than Covid!  Well, we all voted for this lot and we will reap what has been sown. That will be misery for the masses while the fat cats grow ever larger. Covid-19. Deadly-2020. Austerity-21.

Paul Morrison

Address supplied