Letters reveal growing worries about UK farming and business future
Readers share their thoughts about new tax rules impact on farming communities and business operations. Personal stories mix with serious concerns about British institutions quality drop
A nearly two-centuries-old farm machinery business faces tough times — their £10-million yearly turn-over cant protect them from new budget hits. Anthony Bone‚ the companys chairman points out that a £50‚000 yearly cost increase is forcing them to freeze new equipment investments
The farming community shares deep-rooted worries: a fifth-generation farmer explains how UK agricultures future looks shaky. Land brings less than 2% return which makes farmers property-rich but money-poor (while dealing with weather issues fuel costs and endless paper-work)
Natural landscape care remains farmers key role. One land-owner describes creating wild-life friendly spaces:
- Three lakes for water-birds
- New woodland areas
- Re-built old hedgerows
- Special grazing spots for cattle
The governments new value-for-money office sparked debate when David Goldstone got a £247‚000 per-year job for one-day-a-week work; his track record with the 2012 Olympics budget raises eye-brows
BBC programming quality shows concerning signs — arts coverage keeps shrinking. The Leeds Piano Competition got squeezed into a two-hour show; while BBC4 fills time with old sit-coms instead of fresh content
British Airways service standards keep dropping: business-class passengers point out bad seat layout and weak customer support. One reader mentions making 18 calls to their help-line with no real help
A heart-warming story closes todays letters: during a plane emergency about 50 years ago a father rushed back into smoke-filled aircraft to save his kids teddy bear — that toy still stays with its owner today
