Latest news with #DeborahTompkinson
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
How Labour stands to lose out from its changes to the electoral system
SIR – When I was 16, Labour was in power. It was a time of bin men's strikes, nurses' strikes, food shortages, petrol crises, power cuts, job losses, soaring unemployment and soaring inflation. We teenagers could tell that our parents were desperately worried about money, and our own prospects looked grim. Had we been given the vote then, I know which party would not have received my support. Sir Keir Starmer's Government must be very confident about how it will perform over the next four years (' Votes at 16 as Starmer panics over Reform ', report, July 18). Deborah Tompkinson Maidenhead, Berkshire SIR – Labour's plan to extend the franchise to 16-year-olds could easily backfire and play into Reform UK's hands. If these young people were to reflect on their lot, they would realise how both Labour and Conservative policies in recent years have left them significantly worse-off than their forebears. Factors they might consider include: the effect of the bungled Covid response on secondary education, the eye-watering cost of a tertiary education of diminished value, sky-high property prices, a weakening jobs market, collapsing public services and crumbling infrastructure, poor-quality but expensive public transport, an ineffective and wasteful health service, immigration out of control, weakening social cohesion, and a social care system in disarray. Why would someone vote for any party at least partly responsible for such a catalogue of failings? The appeal of a new, non-establishment party offering a fresh approach to the next generation is clear. Sam Kendall-Marsden Huntingdon SIR – At a barbecue a while ago, I found myself in conversation with a 16-year-old. For no apparent reason, she told me that Margaret Thatcher was an evil person who had ruined the country. I asked how she had reached this view. 'My teacher told me,' she replied. I suspect Labour's latest move will, in effect, just give extra votes to the Lefties of the education unions. Tony Palframan Disley, Cheshire SIR – Sir Keir Starmer claims that the reason for giving 16-year-olds the vote is that they deserve a say over how their taxes are used. Given that young people are required to stay in some form of education or training until the age of 18, how many 16 and 17-year-olds are actually paying tax? Peter Higgins West Wickham, Kent SIR – Labour's arguably cynical decision to reduce the voting age will create fresh mental burdens for young people, arising from social media saturation by political parties and pundits. Research published last year indicated that nearly 20 per cent of British 16-to-18-year-olds felt their smartphone usage was problematic, leading to anxiety and depression. Does the Government really want to make this worse, with the inevitable bombardment of political messaging? Shouldn't these young people be allowed two years to settle into their next stage of life, without having another thing to worry about? Simon Taylor Martock, Somerset SIR – I fear that Annabel Hogan, in her excellent commentary (' Under-18s like me really don't need a say in who runs the country ', July 18), has unwittingly undermined her own argument. Her grasp of the essentials of the discourse, and the maturity of her expression, suggest that, despite being in her mid-teens, she possesses all the attributes required for competent voting. Her article provides hope that not all young people will be bought off with promises of free ice cream. Dermot Elworthy Tiverton, Devon SIR – I recall being enfranchised at the age of 18. I was still at school. I walked into the local office of my favoured party and asked the man behind the desk if he could explain why I should vote for it. He curtly asked me to leave. I cast my vote for Screaming Lord Sutch's Monster Raving Loony Party, which at the time was campaigning for greater availability of birth control on the NHS and the return of school milk. Chris Benn Grantham, Lincolnshire SIR – At 18 I voted for Anthony Eden because he was good-looking. He then took us into the Suez Crisis. Doris Grimsley Abbey Wood, Kent
Telegraph
14-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Expensive and inconsistent EPCs are hammering Britain's housing market
SIR – I recently had to update an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on a flat I rent out. The last time I did this the flat received a 'D' rating. Since then, I have installed a new gas boiler and loft insulation, and have had an outside wall insulated, too. The assessor still awarded it a 'D' grade. When I challenged him, he advised me to prove the depth of both wall and loft insulation. To do this, we had to drill a small hole in the wall to assess the exact thickness, and climb into the loft to take photographs, as his form indicated he'd 'assumed no insulation'. With this proof, he upgraded the property to a 'C'. There also seems to be a lack of logic when scoring electric or gas heating, with high heat retention storage heaters (which are quite inefficient) contributing to a higher grade. These certificates have an inconsistent basis: the assessors are given only basic training and have limited knowledge. The 2030 requirement of 'C' ratings for rental properties will drive landlords out of business and create a huge shortage of rental homes. Helen R V Morris Lowestoft, Suffolk SIR – The EPC surveyor who looked at our father's house refused to go into the loft by the sturdy pull-down ladder. He therefore listed it as being without cavity wall insulation, despite such insulation being clearly visible when standing in the loft. Recently bereaved, the idea of pursuing legal action for his blatant failure to provide a service with reasonable skill and care was more distress than we could face. But we now regard all EPCs as likely to be similarly valueless unless carried out by an experienced person in the building trade with relevant qualifications. Deborah Tompkinson Maidenhead, Berkshire SIR – A few years ago we installed an air-source heat pump at our Victorian property – something the local council had heavily promoted. The cost has been prohibitive, with many breakdowns ensuing. Two weeks ago the heat pump failed. The technician informs us that mice have eaten the wiring. He suggests renewing the pump at a cost of £6,000. We think we should revert to oil. Elizabeth Barclay Kings Lynn, Norfolk
