I thought Scrooge was a fictional character

It is a government's duty to look after its citizens. Two of the most vulnerable sections of any society are the young and the old.

Regarding the young, this week a vote on a bill to give vulnerable poorer children free school meals during this pandemic was defeated by the Conservatives.

Incidentally Swindon voters, our two right Honourable MPs Mr Buckland and Mr Tomlinson both voted against it. I doubt this will affect any MPs' children. Or did I come up the Clyde in a banana boat. ?An old Glasgow saying for pull the other one.

Regarding the old. Count me in on this one. Over seventy fives are being threatened by imprisonment and now being forced to pay for a TV licence.

What a caring government the Conservatives are turning out to be.

Mind you, the MPs have all just recently received a large pay rise. Not to mention spending billions of pounds to support in my opinion an unnecessary draconian lockdown.

That means there will be children this winter in poorer households going without proper nutrition.

As well as over seventy fives deciding whether to eat, heat or watch TV. I always thought people like Scrooge were fictional characters.

Bill Williams

Merlin Way

Covingham

Flu vaccination expanded due to Covid

Due to the Covid pandemic this year’s flu vaccination programme has been expanded to include more at risk groups including parent carers and children and young people with long-term health conditions or a learning disability.

This follows new analysis that shows an increased risk of having coronavirus with flu.

As a charity working to support parent carers we know many are often too busy to think about their own health. And we know that the Coronavirus pandemic has stopped almost half of families with disabled children from seeking medical care for themselves and their children.

That’s why Contact is urging eligible families with disabled children in Wiltshire to get the flu vaccine.

Who is eligible?

All children aged 2-11 – Primary school age children and children in year seven of secondary school will get their flu vaccination at school, so look out for the consent forms. Younger children and those who are home educated can get their vaccine at a community health clinic or your GP surgery.

All children aged 12-17 who have a long-term health condition or a learning disability – you can choose whether to get your child vaccinated at a community health clinic or your GP surgery. Get in touch with them to arrange.

Young people aged 18 and over with a long-term health condition or a learning disability.

Carers, including parent-carers, are eligible for the free flu vaccine if you receive Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer for a disabled person who may be at risk.

Getting the flu vaccination is one way to protect the health of parent carers, children and young people with disabilities.

Amanda Batten

Chief Executive, Contact, the charity for families with disabled children