THE Institute for Public Policy Research calls for care workers to be treated fairly ("Our carers are like war heroes … they deserve to be rewarded", The Herald, April 28).

Part of this fairness must be a fair wage for work which is difficult, essential and which at times puts carers at risk.

The inequality of power between staff and employers has meant that care worker wages are often only at the minimum wage. Workers are not well unionised. Their sense of responsibility towards their residents restricts the range of industrial action they might take. Market forces encourage a race to the bottom in pay. Care workers’ immediate employers are often in financial difficulty because of the exploitative demands made on them for building rental and to meet dividends for owners and shareholders.

One successful way of tackling this situation and providing a level playing field for care homes in terms of wages paid is the establishment of a wages board. The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board provides a template for such a body with representation from employers, employees and the government.

David Mumford, Dunbar.

THE Latest Office for National Statistics figures indicate that total UK Covid-19 deaths (21,284) to April 17 were close to fifty per cent greater than deaths (13,917) that were announced for hospitals only, very much higher than indicated at previous UK Government briefings. The huge increase in reported deaths in care homes over the last two weeks further confirms what was previously suggested from numbers released earlier in Scotland and in countries across Europe, that the UK Government has deceitfully attempted to hide the true extent of the number of Covid19 deaths; misleading statements have been accompanied by poorly drafted graphs comparing UK hospital deaths with numbers from other countries that have included deaths outside of hospitals in their figures.

Once all deaths are now properly assessed and analysed, not only is the UK probably already close to the 40,000 Covid-19-related deaths (both in and out of hospital) estimated in a recent Financial Times report. but it tragically appears to be headed to a catastrophic total of around100,000 before the pandemic finally comes to an end. This is without considering deaths through cancer and other illnesses that could have been prevented had Covid-19 not been transported into the UK.

In future years when the many deplorable deaths that could have been avoided with better preparedness (as recommended in Exercise Cygnus), more transparency and faster actions, The Great British Cover-up will regrettably provide a text book example around the world of how not to prepare for, nor manage, a pandemic.

Stan Grodynski, Longniddry.

REGARDING the hinted at, though officially not denied, 18-month lockdown for the over-70s, I wish to draw from that well-known Edinburgh welcome to unexpected visitors "You'll have had your tea then?" and amend it to "You'll have had your three score years and ten then?". Has no thought been considered on the effects to those imprisoned, who will more than likely proceed to physically and mentally decline more rapidly? An additional burden will be placed on family who would far prefer to visit, or better, be visited by, happy and lively older family members and, if their condition deteriorates, requiring additional council supplied home carers already stretched to their limits.

Although not quite 70 yet I am already climbing the walls, so I just cannot imagine what my elders think of this scenario.

George Dale, Beith.