Gambling issue highlighted

As PR for Preston Gamblers Anonymous, I appreciate the report for increased awareness.

However, personally I would like to single out reporter Sarah Carter for praise for the professional, in-depth and caring way in which she handled the sensitive content of the ‘therapies’ of the individuals concerned.

I must admit, I was wary of how the article may have been portrayed, particularly as Gamblers Anonymous, by definition, does not seek or condone self-promotion.

The respect she showed was commendable and I have received nothing but positive responses since the articles’ inclusion.

On a personal note, I have people from my past who have been in touch to offer their support.

I intent to continue the fight to spread the word about the support available. I intent to contact GP surgeries, various health agencies, charities and citizen advice bureaus to increase awareness further.

Your support has been appreciated.

Terry Kilgariff, Preston

Make climate our priority

At last we are together over climate change as the US and China, who are both responsible for 40 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, have together both formally joined the Paris Global Agreement.

The Paris deal is the world’s first comprehensive climate agreement. It will only come into force legally after it is ratified by at least 55 countries, which between them produce 55 per cent of global carbon emissions.

Members of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee finally adopted the proposal to ratify the Paris Agreement at the start of the G20 Climate change negotiations.

Countries around the world agreed to cut emissions to help keep the global average rise in temperatures to below two per cent.

While other nations still tussle over ratification, this puts pressure on G20 nations to move faster with their pledge to phase out subsidies to fossil fuels.

There are pressures from climate deniers like Donald Trump and oil producers like the Koch brothers, who finance Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency of the US. The UK has yet to ratify the Paris deal.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister told BBC News that the Government would ratify as soon as possible. We wait with bated breath!

Will she sign up to the agreement and join China and the USA dedicated now in fighting climate change?

Marjorie Nye via email

Saving lives or saving money?

I listened to a very earnest spokesman who explained the new strategy for the NHS was aimed at saving millions of pounds.

I reflected that we seem 
to have come a long way from 
the days when the NHS was set up.

Then, the objective could have been stated as saving millions of lives.

Surely, that should be the main objective.

It’s about time we returned to the real world.

Let’s not try to launch a seven-day NHS unless we provide enough money.

Let’s try and match our European neighbours in the amount we spend on our health service, and most importantly, with an ageing population, let’s not pretend we can actually reduce expenditure.

AF

Leyland