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Priorities all wrong as austerity bites

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Could we be in for a decade (a decade sounds better than 10 years) of austerity? Well, certainly eight years at least, as confirmed by George Osborne.

The number of homeless sleeping on our streets is on the increase. Repossession of homes is at an all time high, threatening to put even more people on the streets, while stable employment is no longer a guarantee.

Living costs are outstripping the household's income. And Leicester City Council has decided to reduce the number of beds for the homeless. Could it be that this saving will help fund a £4 million development called Jubilee Square and now a further £1 million refurbishment around the Victoria Park war memorial plus millions more to "upgrade " Leicester market.

These expenses are merely bricks and mortar when compared against unfortunate human beings (who could be any of us in the future). It would be fair to say that the Jubilee Square project has caused some controversy and I'm sure if you were ask the "homeless" for their opinion their comments would be unprintable.

The subject of the "homeless" can cause heated debate but the "homeless" are a reality of our society and as such their situation has to be addressed.

LCC has got its priorities totally wrong. The chancellor has told the country that the UK's recovery will take even longer than he predicted.

How can we possibly commit millions of pounds to "making an area look pretty" when the welfare of human beings is at stake?

The figures will get worse if the authorities maintain their blinkered approach towards what is a nationwide dilemma.

It seems that LCC is only interested in a visual legacy, instead of considering the welfare of those who elected them into their well paid jobs.

It's now being suggested that those people who live outside of the city should pay more to visit Leicester's theatres.

I am staggered that such an idea could ever have been thought of – and this is from an elected member of LCC.

It appears from the recent article (Mercury, December 17) that those who live outside the city are wealthier than those who do not.

That must be obvious as those living in the county have to pay transport costs to travel to the theatre and dare I suggest they may even pay more council tax – hence they must be richer!

The number of tickets sold shows the value of those who live in the county compared to city dwellers; and for Mr Patel to be concerned about paying his council tax in support of his theatre he need have no more worries.

I, for one, will no longer attend any Leicester theatre in the future. He can gladly have my seat.

I would sooner travel to Derby, Nottingham or anywhere, and bear any additional costs, and spend in any other city, than suffer this unwarranted discrimination.

Let's hope others do not follow my example in protesting these proposals – for the theatre's sake.

P Wright, Wigston.

Labour's proposed tax on visitors ("Non-city residents could pay extra to see show", Leicester Mercury, December 17) demonstrates once again how out of touch with reality they are in running the city.

At a time when Leicester should be open for business and welcoming visitors with open arms, the Labour run council seems determined to put people off visiting by taxing them.

The city's retail and hospitality industry, that employs so many people, relies on theatre-goers for regular trade. It is already costly enough to park in the city centre, once you have navigated Leicester's incomprehensible one way system. These proposal will put people off visiting and bringing cash to our fabulous city.

The proposals will also be incomprehensible to people. Imagine lifelong friends Sandeep and Ada heading out for their annual treat to see the seasonal panto.

Sandeep lives in Braunstone Town and will pay more to see the same show that her friend Ada, who lives across the road in Braunstone will pay.

How can it be right for them to sit in the same seats and watch the same show, yet pay different amounts?

What next from Labour? A customs post on Narborough Road to collect a visitor tax, next to the Welcome to Leicester City sign?

D Stubbs, Braunstone Town.

Perhaps Sir Peter Soulsby would like to take a stroll along the footpath from Castle Gardens to the Space Centre. It is in an appalling, disgusting state.

I think of how nice and pleasant their walls are in Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Winchester and other cities. Why is Leicester so dismissive of what could be a great asset?

Perhaps Mr Soulsby could make this area a tribute to the Queen's Jubilee? After all, it stretches right through the Belgrave area, as well as the town.

Mrs Reid, Birstall.

Priorities all wrong as austerity bites


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