Letters - February 14, 2018

We all want a childcare system that is more affordable and easy to use, so parents face less stress and can access the nursery hours they need, and one that delivers the best possible start for children.

The childcare system in England isn’t working. Great childcare sets up young children for life – helping them to learn, express themselves and get along with other children. It’s where they learn the communication skills, and gain the confidence and curiosity that will mean they thrive once they start school.

Nursery workers and childminders are doing an incredible job. But right now, our broken childcare system isn’t giving families the support they need – at the most important time in their children’s lives.

Even though changes have been made, many parents are still finding it tough to make choices about going back to work – with mums who are struggling to make ends meet being hit the hardest. Parents tell us that childcare bills are so high that it’s not worth going back to work, and that finding a way to get the support on offer from the government is tricky.

We need a childcare system that fits around families’ lives and gives parents the choice to go back to work if they want to. It’s better for parents, and better for their children.

Please consider signing a Save the Children petition calling on Theresa May to make childcare work for everyone by visiting www.savethechildren.org.uk

By signing the petition, you will help Save the Children raise childcare up the UK government’s agenda and show them how many people want a childcare system that gives children the best start and parents choices.

Garry Richardson

Catterall Close
Blackpool

Environment

Let’s get rid of 
this silly screen

I absolutely agree with J Williams (Your Say, Gazette, January 31) about that giant TV screen outside the Tower – it makes me feel like I will have a black out whenever I see it.

Last year, some relatives and I queued briefly for the Tower Dungeons, but we couldn’t stand being near that screen, so we went elsewhere instead. Nobody in my family has epilepsy, so if we can’t stand that screen, it must pose a risk for epilepsy sufferers.

I also agree that the screen looks tacky. It’s totally out of place on a historic building like the Tower. We should cherish heritage sites like this, not ruin them with ridiculous TV screens. The council owns the Tower and as a council tax payer I hope they remove this silly and dangerous screen.

J Sullivan

via email

Tourism

Council must care for the residents

I can’t believe they are building another HOTEL in Blackpool.

What we really need is a another hospital – Blackpool Victoria is bursting at the seams, so why can’t one be built one on the old site where Devonshire Hospital was? We don’t need another HOTEL that’s for sure.

As for Blackpool Council advertising in the town centre, claiming there’s going to be a better Blackpool, well they need to look beyond the promenade – the streets are filthy.

All the shops that are closed and boarded up make Blackpool look shabby.

Blackpool council need to look after the residents, not just the visitors, they need to look after the children who are living in poverty.

At one time it was good to see police on the streets. Now you are lucky if you see one. Rate payers are paying money for policing, and there are even cuts to the fire service – what#s happened to our town?

Get your priorities right Blackpool Council? Who needs another tram line and another hotel, not us.

If holidaymakers saw the real Blackpool they would be shocked.

Bring back our police and stop cuts where they are desperately needed. I used to feel safe in Blackpool not any more.

Name and address supplied

Health

Some publicity for a rare disease

For Rare Disease Day (February 28), I hereby state the case for Post Polio Syndrome (PPS).

PPS is not so much ‘rare’, or even ‘medium rare’, but ‘rather underdone’. PPS affects 120,000 people in the UK; more than Parkinson’s, however this neurological condition – for which there is no cure – receives a fraction of the attention.

While 86 percent of the public have heard of Parkinson’s, only seven percent know of PPS. Rare Disease Day is opportunity not only to educate, but to remind Polio survivors that we can help them. Whether it’s benefits advice or simply a friendly ear, we want to hear from you.

Helping just one Gazette reader with PPS would make this February 28 a rare success for our wonderful charity. Anyone in need of our support can call 0800 043 1935 (free), or visit https://britishpolio.org.uk/join-us/

David Mitchell

National Chairman, The British Polio Fellowship