Newark Advertiser Reader Letters: High earners to contribute more

I wonder in this time where the cost of living impinges on many lives, and like others in this area and country, actually wonder how it is that chief executives of many so-called public services who appear to have over benificial salaries (plus pensions) seem entitled to receive, in addition, incentives and bonuses?

I had actually thought that people only received bonuses by doing something over and above their normal day-to-day work!

So what do these chief executives actually do?

It would appear from the media that those in charge of our privatised railway system can earn at least £280,000 and yet many trains do not run to time or are cancelled, whilst shareholders also seem to get over the top dividends whilst a large portion of any profits should surely be put into investments and updating of railway stock and other areas to improve the public services.

Much the same would appear to happen in our privatised water companies who are allowing raw sewerage to enter our rivers and our seashores, and to the detriment of the health of their customers and others as we have seen recently in Devon.

We still seem to be largely reliant on Victorian piping and sewerage systems despite an increasing population and over the years more homes being built, even though Central Government has known for decades that more homes are stll required!

Yet the water companies, since privatisation, have apparently done little to plan ahead and upgrade or renew our water and sewerage systems despite having been confronted with these problems and the possibility of more flooding in the future due to climate change!

And seemingly believing that because of these problems that are now known that it is there customers who should now pay for all of the required improvements.

Little wonder that this country is in such a mess.

I’m sorry, those who earn the most and use these services need to contribute more proportionately, either in investment or through taxation so that all of our essential public services can be run far more efficiently, rail fares simplified, and infrastructure brought up to date, can be staffed as required and paid appropriately given their work and status. — A. M. WADDINGTON, Sutton-on-Trent.