Steve Mumby (Letters, Chlorinated chicken flip-flopping, ​ 2 March), like so many others, does not get it where chlorinated chicken is concerned: it’s not about what ends up on your plate but the process that got it there.

When the process involves dousing in bleach to kill bacteria it’s because the animals have been reared in such appalling conditions there is a high risk of infections. Rearing animals in poor conditions, concentrated in large numbers, increases the chance of viral infections arising, including ones that can be transmitted to people.

So there is a choice between a process that seeks to respect the animal and manage risks from farm to plate or one that abuses the animal and only manages risk to the ultimate consumer.

I know what my choice is but I do fear we have a government that may take choice away.

Dr K Murphy

Southampton



Steve Mumby suggests he has suffered no ills from consumption of chlorinated chicken and hasn’t detected a difference.

I understood the objection to said chicken was in terms of animal welfare not consumption.

When it comes to consumption free-range wins every time.​

Valerie Morgan

Leigh on Sea​



Regarding the letter from Steve Mumby concerning chlorinated chicken, I’m tired of explaining to people that it’s not the fact that the chicken is chlorinated that bothers me but the substandard animal welfare practices that necessitate the chlorination in the first place.​

Jean Foster

Selkirk



Disenfranchised voters

G Barlow (Letters, Dog whistle politics, 2 March) remarks that it would not be too much of a stretch to associate the first-past-the-post electoral system with risking the tyranny of the ill-informed. It’s a valid point.

Research by Bristol University and Carnegie Mellon University reveal that when voters feel disenfranchised and excluded from a political system they are more likely to accept lies from a politician who claims to be a champion of the “people” against the “establishment” or “elite”. Furthermore, no amount of fact-checking will reduce their appeal.

Whereas in countries with proportional representation there is a tendency for politicians who are found out to be lying to lose the support of voters – even among those of the same political persuasion.

Roger Hinds

Surrey



Young apprentices

This week marks Scottish Apprenticeship Week. The campaign theme is “Talent Without Limits”, celebrating the opportunities Modern Apprenticeships offer everyone no matter their background and for every business no matter its size or sector.

The rewards of getting young people who are disabled or care experienced into work are well worth it. They bring passion, skills, dedication and drive to the workplace.

Recruiting a modern apprentice enables employers to fill the skills gaps that exist within their current workforce, as apprentices begin to learn sector specific skills from day one, developing specialist knowledge that will positively affect the bottom line.

However, as always, we can do more and the support of businesses and other employers is key as it is they who clearly make the vital difference.

As we mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we would urge Scotland’s employers to look beyond the label and take on a modern apprentice who may have an additional need, taking advantage of the excellent skills offered by many of these young people.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:

Tom McGhee, Chairman, Spark of Genius

Duncan Dunlop, Chief Executive, Who Cares? Scotland

Kenny Graham, Principal, Falkland House School

Niall Kelly, Managing Director, Young Foundations

Lynn Bell, CEO, Love Learning Scotland



Social Care

Social care is at breaking point. The sector is a vital lifeline for millions, yet it has been deprioritised by successive governments and forced to survive on emergency cash injections whilst battling increasing workforce and funding pressures.

The public are rightfully exasperated, counting social care among their top two most urgent domestic policy issues for government to address. With 79 per cent of older people worrying about affording decent care, government must meaningfully address social care reform once and for all, to give peace of mind to our ageing population.

Despite years of broken promises, our research shows the public are becoming more optimistic. Trust in government to deliver on social care reform has increased by 7 per cent since the last general election. The upcoming Budget is an opportunity for government to reassure the public their trust is not misplaced.

A cross-party solution for sustainable reform is needed immediately. Our Programme for Change, shaped by older people, sets out a tangible plan for reform.