It’s impossible to maintain youth services without money

http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2015/aug/16/letters-kids-company-youth-services-funding

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Your editorial (“Vulnerable children deserve better support”, Comment) demonstrates that the furore over Kids Company has crystallised how a range of concerns about the negative impact of austerity on services for young people is now spreading to those for children.

Many voices from the front line of youth work, including in Rotherham on sex exploitation and nationally on mental health, have gone unheard. In 2011, the education select committee presciently identified the sharp decline in youth services in England and called for prompt government action. It was rejected in a cloud of bluster by the then responsible minister, Tim Loughton. In the last few weeks, his successor, Rob Wilson, has expressed his disappointment in local authorities and said that good provision is not a matter of money.

At the heart of many current difficulties is the absence of government leadership to co-ordinate and set standards for the wide range of bodies that can contribute to young people’s development. The Department for Education has shed the responsibility for youth work it held for 75  years and Ofsted has ceased to inspect such community-based work. Is it any wonder that problems fester out of sight until a crisis occurs? Responsibility for the co-ordination of youth policies now rests with the cabinet office; since Wilson is a minister there, perhaps he can demonstrate what can be achieved for the young across the country with no money and a declining number of youth workers.

Tom WylieFormer CEO, the National Youth AgencyOxford

Turkey’s anti-terrorist record

I strongly refute claims that allege any co-operation between Turkey or Turkish officials and any terrorist group including Daesh (Isis) as well as claims that Turkey has a tacit or candid support for any group that is involved in terrorism (“Turkish jets hit Kurdish militants in Iraq and Isis targets in Syria”, News).

Turkish security personnel were killed by Daesh members in Nigde last year; the Turkish consul general and his staff were taken hostage in Mosul in June 2014; a Daesh-affiliated suicide bomber killed a Turkish police officer in Istanbul in January; 31 Turkish citizens were killed in Suruç by a Daesh-affiliated suicide bomber and a Turkish army petty officer was killed at the border by Daesh fire last month.

Turkey has been informing the UN security council committee about measures it takes against oil-smuggling activities at its land border with Syria and Iraq. Turkey is also an active member of the Anti-Daesh Coalition, co-chairs the working group on foreign terrorist fighters and participates in its working group on countering terrorism finance. Turkey co-operates with all partners and allies to fight against Daesh terrorism and expects a sincere and effective co-operation rather than a “blame game” in return. The clear and imminent threat to Turkey’s security from a number of terrorist groups that are present in Syria and Iraq requires nothing less.

Abdurrahman BilgiçAmbassadorTurkish EmbassyLondon SW1

But what about the orchestra?

An entire article across two pages singing the praises of Bournemouth for its football, its seven miles of beaches, the blue-chip companies based there, its ambitions to be a global digital hub, its university, its entrepreneurial spirit, Mary Shelley – and not a single mention of the best asset of all, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. (“Forget Silicon Valley, Bournemouth has found its mojo”, News.)

A long and distinguished history, a high and growing reputation this century under Marin Alsop and Kirill Karabits, prize-winning recordings, international tours and acclaim – didn’t anyone mention all that to Dan Glaister, who wrote the article? Didn’t he think to ask about it? Or was it just not thought important enough, next to Calilfornia-style lifeguard huts, iced coffee and computer games? Shame on someone, anyway.

Philip PullmanOxford

Support small farms

I have every sympathy with Patrick Holden’s views (“If our small farms are allowed to wither, the whole nation will suffer”, Comment). We seem to be oblivious or unconcerned about very radical changes taking place in the countryside. These changes will have a very adverse effect on the quality of our food and our environment.

Organisations such as Compassion in World Farming have drawn attention to the plight of millions of creatures incarcerated in inhumane conditions and exploited in order to meet our desire for cheap foods. It’s time to draw attention to the consequences of such practices. Once we lose our small farms there’s little chance of seeing their like again.

Margaret CrennellHaverfordwest

Kick ’em while they’re down

Kathy Lette claims that “in Australia sport is a religion while the British are only world class at queueing, quipping and whipping” (“I’m not saying that I hate gloating Poms…”, Comment). Perhaps it is worth pointing out that Yorkshire won more medals than Australia in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Brian H SheridanSheffield