A RAY of hope in Tuesday’s National! “Land tax the key to Scottish revenue” (December 11) was welcome news. I am pleased there appears to be some genuine progress on this issue driven by the Scottish Land Commission.

The accumulation of wealth by owning land and property has become the dividing line between those who “have” and those who “have not”. Some people can own land and property and some haven’t a snowball’s chance in hell of ever doing so. This has a massive negative impact upon people’s lives. Those who can “get on the ladder”‘ can of course then accumulate wealth by renting land and property to those unable to buy. I’m not suggesting that everyone who owns property does so, but I do think this division within society is widening.

Imagine a scenario in which the useless council tax was replaced with a land values tax (LVT). This could make the accumulation of lots of land inefficient from tax perspective. This might prevent assets bubbles as people stop “investing” in land. Land and therefore housing might become more affordable. As land = wealth in Scottish society at present, the land taxation may represent an effective method of redistributing wealth. If LVT was combined with rent control and/or used to fund building homes for social rent then people might even be able to live in secure, affordable homes! Whatever next?

Kenny Wright

InverYess

IT’S bizarre that anyone should feel ploughing up our heather moorlands is great idea (Grouse shooting is ‘least effective’ use of Scotland’s land, December 10). There is so little of it left on our planet that the 1992 Rio Convention on Biodiversity ratified the global importance of UK heather moorland. Today we have 75% of what remains in the world; and the habitat management undertaken on grouse moors preserves and enhances it.

In contrast, though, heather cover was falling sharply in the UK until the early 2000s, generally as a result of overgrazing and/or commercial forestry plantations. This matters because these heather moors support 13 biological communities listed under EC Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna; and 18 species of European or international importance.

It’s time to celebrate those committed to managing our heather moorland for generations to come.

Andrew Gilruth

Director of Communications, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

READ MORE: Grouse shooting is ‘least effective’ use of Scotland's land​

I AM sick and tired of Yes campaigners claiming that we must debate the currency issue, while making no attempt to do so themselves.

Malcolm Parkin’s letter in The National yesterday was a refreshing change. Malcolm addresses the fundamental issue in relation to currency, which is: will the new independent Scotland have a real full-reserve currency under full government control, or will we be trapped in the fractional-reserve system of the international banking elite and be drowning in uncontainable debt?

If we do not address this issue and just accept the latter, we will not have political independence whatever the outcome of the coming referendum, we will just remain “dependent” on the international bankers just like Greece is today. So please, those who like myself really want a fully independent Scotland, can we at last really discuss currency in a genuine way and examine the issues which Malcolm is addressing?

Andy Anderson

Saltcoats

READ MORE: We should aspire to be free from the control of the private banking system​

NEGATIVE attitudes towards disabled children and their families are a blight on our society that needs to be challenged. I’m encouraging my neighbours to sign up to the charity Scope’s campaign on this issue.

Three-quarters of parents of disabled children across the country say they have experienced negative comments from the public when they go out with their child. Negative attitudes and inadequate support leave families feeling judged and isolated. Now is the time for a new Minister for Disabled Children and their Families who can lead government thinking in how to tackle negative attitudes.

People can support the campaign by signing a petition or donating on Scope’s website, www.scope.org.uk.

Jamie Smith

Dumbarton

IN response to Amanda Baker (Letters, December 11), I also felt a thrill of fear when I saw the new big boy haircut Boris Johnstone is sporting. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Maureen Patton

Clydebank

READ MORE: Letters, December 11

WHAT a stunning photograph of a leaping hare by Stephen Breslin in yesterday’s edition (Picture of the day, December 12). Amidst all the turmoil of Brexit and in these increasingly febrile times, moments of quiet beauty in the natural world are to be absolutely treasured.

Mo Maclean

Glasgow