Lockdown draconian and disgraceful

To shut down the fifth largest economy on the planet earth because of an unknown virus, was a decision in my opinion. One of the greatest political blunders of any Prime Minister in my lifetime.

That takes some beating if you think about it. As I am nearer the exit door than the entrance door to this existence. I have a vested interest regarding the future of my late Good Lady’s genes combined with mine.

The disgraceful and sudden unwarranted act of the lockdown was draconian and a first in my lifetime.The economic loss of jobs, the moral and social consequences of this act in the near future do not bear thinking about.

On a more personal note, I have just received a letter from the BBC regarding extracting £157.50 from I, for a TV licence, for a station I never watch.

The CITA have the contract from the BBC to ensure that seventy five year olds and over will be imprisoned on failure to pay. They also implement parking charges as a sideline. I almost forgot, according to a national newspaper. CITA have decided against. government guidelines, to keep most of their workforce on government contracts stationed at home.

I rest my case readers, as I go to bed with my little Springer Spaniel for the sake of normality. God Bless you all.

Bill Williams

Merlin Way

Covingham

Children's charity calls for recovery plan

The NSPCC’s How safe are our children? 2020 report has revealed the scale of abuse against adolescents for the very first time.

The report showed, compared to younger children, adolescents are twice as likely to be in care, but are less likely to be the subject of a child protection plan or on a child protection register to support them.

It also states that the NSPCC Helpline received an average of 1,066 contacts a month from April to July from adults with concerns that a child or young person was being physically abused – a 53 per cent increase from the pre-lockdown average.

The wide-ranging report shows that compared to younger children, rates of police-recorded offences against adolescents are four times higher for physical abuse, nine times higher for online grooming offences, six times higher for sexual abuse.

In the South West, there were almost 1,600 referrals made to agencies in the region, following calls to the NSPCC Helpline with concerns about children of all ages.

To counter the huge impact coronavirus has had on young people, including adolescents, the NSPCC is calling on the Government to quickly introduce a comprehensive recovery plan.

It is crucial children, particularly those who may have suffered abuse, neglect or other traumatic experiences during the lockdown receive the appropriate support.

Sharon Copsey

Regional Head of Service for the NSPCC in the South West