I TOTALLY agree with your campaign regarding the armed forces but I would like to comment on my time with the army.

I served 12 years with the S/16 Lancers in Germany, Northern Ireland and Bosnia and loved my time in the army. I think that if you have no job and are 16-18 it should be law that you serve two years in the forces.

On leaving the army I was given no help at all to find work or accommodation. Also five of my mates who served with me are currently on the dole in London.

It's only recently that the forces are helping soldiers on leaving the army. I was offered a job in security for £2.65 per hour in London. I would have had to do 80 hours per week just to survive.

People must realise that men and women who have served with distinction should be given help to adjust to civilian life. I wasn't given any help at all. I was left, like my comrades, to fend for myself which I found really hard.

People have to understand that when a man or woman has done 12 years of having all their accommodation and food provided for by the army, to suddenly be left to cope with civilian life, believe me, is really hard to do. Two of my mates are alcoholics and living on the streets in London.

I enjoyed my life in the army even though I was shot in the leg in Northern Ireland. It's only recently that the army has begun to help their ex-forces lads and women. In my time there was no help at all.
I think your campaign is brilliant and is helping the forces personnel but please spare a thought for the lads and lasses who got no help at all after serving their country.
Scott Andrews,
Ex-Lance Corporal

Upside down world
IN our upside down world is it any surprise that after a report by the district auditor (Echo, Aug 1) into the dealings of Sunderland Council's leasing of land, in particular to the Council Leader Paul Watson, that he should respond saying he was happy with the auditor's "clean bill of health"? I am so glad he is not my GP.

The auditor noted missing paperwork surrounding the deal of Mr Watson's lease of land from the council, breaches of contract regarding not maintaining the buildings on the land and running a taxi business from the premises, contrary to the agreement. The auditor concluded that Paul Watson paid £750 rent per annum which was significantly below the market value which should have been in the region of £6,000 per annum.

Mr Watson also stated that this was before he became Council Leader. This is irrelevant. Now that he is selling the lease for £270,000 would he consider paying the rent "arrears"?
Walter Mitty

Who else is angry?
DOES any elderly person feel the same as I do about the way our country is run today?

We had to look after our elderly parents and do their housework (no home helps). We learnt to sew, knit and cook, not just to pick up the phone to order pizzas and such.

When we had our children we were not paid to bring them up. We waited until they went to school before getting a job.

It makes me sick to hear the cry, "We have to work". What for? The cars, the plasma TV, the designer clothes, the trips abroad?
The country wouldn't be in this state if they stopped coddling unmarried mothers with their posh prams and designer clothes.
Angry Pensioner

Buses stop running
THE new bus service from Aug 10 removes all access to the village, last one 18.35 every day and none on Sundays.

We have a new Tansy centre, the working men's clubs, but no one has access to them due to cutbacks. This is most difficult for hospital visits as there is no metro to these places.

No Sunday service means bank holidays like Easter, Christmas etc, will mean no buses for up to three days. Please review urgently.
Molly Cook
South hylton

Think tank is wrong
POLICY Exchange is wrong to state that some cities in our region are "beyond revival" and that the residents should move south. Leeds and Manchester are just two examples of northern cities that have been regenerated. The same is happening to cities such as Liverpool, Bradford and Sunderland.

Many of our towns and cities are blighted by poor quality housing, an abundance of empty properties and decaying local heritage; this situation is exacerbated by the 17.5 per cent rate of VAT charged by the Government on maintenance and home improvement work. The high rate of VAT makes it too expensive for many owners to maintain or refurbish their home and encourages neglect; leading to demolition and new build. The financial disincentive to repair and maintain buildings caused by the high rate of VAT is often the root cause that allows homes to fall into disrepair in the first place.

The Government needs to work a lot harder to join up its housing, regeneration, environmental and fiscal policies.
Barry Oliver
Northern Regional Director
Federation of Master Builders