Apologies can be hard to give and near impossible to accept.
The former Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was, ‘profoundly sorry for every death’ caused by the government’s ‘woefully inadequate’ pandemic response.
While some readers commend his testimony to the inquiry, others believe he could have prevented unnecessary deaths:
‘Matt Hancock is trying to wash his hands of pandemic wrongdoings’
■ So, ex-health secretary Matt Hancock is trying to wash his hands from all his wrongdoings in the pandemic by pushing it on Whitehall’s shoulders and telling us that Whitehall’s priority was the body bags, not stopping the disaster happening in the country.
If the wrong policies were in place then what was he was doing as the health secretary at that time? Why didn’t he correct them or mention this in his daily televised updates for the government? Why is he only telling us now? Why didn’t he resign over it?
And doesn’t he think if he had resigned some precious lives could’ve been saved as thousands of people in the care homes died as a result of his decisions in the pandemic. Or is he putting that on Whitehall, too?
It’s completely unacceptable and widely laughable now.
Samuel, London
Do you think his apology and subsequent claims that government didn’t focus on stopping the virus taking hold diminishes his responsibility?
Readers are also discussing the impact of rising mortgage rates. One says it leaves landlords in a difficult situation.
Following on from yesterday’s Talk readers are doubtful Prince William’s £3million can end homeless in 5 years.
One reader suggests a fairer system based on taxed wealth with a government elected for their stance on homelessness could go a whole lot further.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
■ ‘Sorry’, for many of us, is the hardest word. All the more reason therefore to congratulate Matt Hancock (Metro, Wed) for his frank admissions with respect to the Covid epidemic and his responsibility for it.
When people can apologise for mistakes they have made there is always the chance of moving on – when they can’t, that is decidedly difficult.
Andrew McLuskey, Ashford Town
■ So Matt Hancock thinks the government’s mistake was not to respond even more hysterically to the pandemic. Welcome to the dustbin of history, Mr Hancock.
Rich House, Stroud
■ I would like to say to Matt Hancock well done for giving evidence yesterday, I’m a Tory member and we support you.
Joe, Wakefield
‘Landlords will have no choice but to make tenants homeless if mortgage rates go up’
■ Further to Sarah Davidson’s column (Metro, Mon) and mortgage rates going up again, let’s not forget the impact on landlords, and how it could lead to people becoming homeless.
Firstly, when I was younger, I could not afford to pay a pension as a single parent of three.
As my children and I got older, I started to buy property to rent out as my pension pot. But interest rate hikes have hit hard.
For example, the interest rate has increased my monthly payment by more than £200. (On top of this, there are service charges of £85 with a total of £492, then any damages insurance, gas, electric certificates, accountant fees and tax etc.)
Please tell me how landlords can manage with no support? The only option is to increase the rent or to sell – making another person homeless!
I would love to know who pays for the accountants that the government uses –why don’t they tell us how to manage and help us as normal, non-rich, middle-of-the-road, working-class people?
Well done Prince William for highlighting and helping homeless people (Metro, Tue) – at least someone is.
Trouble is, a lot of property gets kept for people coming into our country and people who live here cannot get it.
It’s a disgrace.
Eileen, Wirral
■ What kind of country are we? Very little is done by government to help our homeless but we are happy to provide hotel accommodation for migrants.
David, Shropshire
■ Regarding Prince William aiming to end homelessness: he has a property portfolio of £1.2billion. It’s unearned. He’s unelected.
Giving £3million will not end homelessness in five years – that’s £500,000 each for six areas. It’s just PR.
Taxing the royals’ wealth and property would be much fairer, as well as moving to elected rulers. We need justice not charity.
Una Sapietis, London
Do you trust ministers to reform Thames Water?
■ So the boss of Thames Water, Sarah Bentley, has quit in response to sewage issues (Metro, Wed).
Now Tim Farron, environment spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, has said it’s time for ministers to step in and reform the firm from top to bottom.
And the customers of Thames Water thought that they had problems before!
John, South Staffordshire
Any kind of gambling can be addictive
■ Much is made of gambling TV adverts on television, mainly with regards to football betting.
Yet very little, if anything, is ever said about the bingo and lottery adverts that appear regularly on TV. Although they are often portrayed as fun, and helping good causes and communities.
They are still types of gambling and are as addictive as any other form.
Paul, London
Is school better with uniforms, and is it time to ditch Glastonbury mess for good?
■ Asher Liam-Eric’s response (MetroTalk, Tue) about school uniforms seems to miss my point slightly – expensive uniforms are absolutely not necessary and that seems to be the main objection to them.
There is no need for schools to dictate so much costly ‘branding’ and local authorities should step in to stop it.
For me, uniforms (unfortunate term) are not about preventing bullying and Asher’s school-days experiences are sadly not due to them.
And, there might be a case that they do actually help stop it for most pupils. I remember really looking forward to secondary school because of them.
In my primary school, we didn’t have uniforms and I remember feeling very uncomfortable with my very limited clothes compared to other children in my class.
So Asher, I can only give an opinion based on my experience.
Joan Green, Greater Manchester
■ I would like to send Asher my deepest sympathies.
I was bullied at schools both with and without uniforms and have never got over it.
As a libertarian Conservative, I oppose school uniforms on principle.
I would certainly like to know how Asher’s school can defend having a different colour and emblem every year.
Mark Taha, London
■ The disgusting mess left by festival-goers at Glastonbury was awful (Metro, Tue).
These festivals are awful. It’s about time they were stopped – I can’t think of anything worse than being in such a crowded place.
No decent hygiene facilities or loos and having to be in the presence of these so-called fans? No thanks.
Vicki, West Midlands
Share your views
Start a text with VIEWS followed by your comment, name and where you live to 65700. Standard network charge applies. Or email [email protected]. Full T&Cs on metro.co.uk/terms. Metro is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Comments may be edited for reasons of legality, clarity or space.
MORE : Matt Hancock says he is ‘profoundly sorry’ for each Covid death
MORE : Who owns Thames Water and what could a collapse mean for you?
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Covid-19 News Click Here
