We must put an end to sewage dumping as soon as possible

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Our own bathing water here on the south coast is itself deteriorating (PA)

I totally agree with the calls for Therese Coffey to resign over the amount of sewage that water companies continue to discharge.

Our own bathing water here on the south coast is deteriorating because of the actions of Southern Water.

Hence, The Environment Agency rated our bathing water as excellent in 2019, good in 2021, yet only sufficient in 2022.

What we need is an end to systematic sewage dumping as soon as possible, mandatory monitoring of waterways and rivers, and most importantly, tougher sanctions for failing water bosses.

Geoffrey Brooking

Hampshire

All refugees must be treated humanely – not just veterans

It is appropriate to recall the recently stated ambition of Suella Braverman: “I would love to have a front page of The Telegraph with a plane taking off to Rwanda, that’s my dream, it’s my obsession.”

It seems apparent that Rishi Sunak shares the dream; despite ample opportunity to do so, he has never said otherwise. He has pledged to “stop the boats”, which actually means stop the people.

The Afghan ex-pilot is a person fleeing danger; he also ticks all the boxes for the free “dream” trip. Who else among those men, women and children who made the same journey and faced the same perils for much the same reasons are not entitled to an “exception”? What is good for one under the law is good for all, is it not?

The debate and its reasonable arguments offered by reasonable people underline the cruelty and unfairness of the boats policy. The problem is the law, not the immigrants. End the bad law Sunak and you will end the bad boats.

David Nelmes

Newport

A desire to curb immigration has overwritten common sense

The irony underscoring Steve Mackinder’s recent letter is quite simply baffling.

To suggest that the current economic situation is a reason to take an uncompassionate stance on this country’s immigration policy is just too convenient in my eyes, especially when coupled with the notion that this government is blameless in the current issues we face.

Yes, I agree with Steve, we should be using hard research and cold facts to base our policies on to move forward. But as we saw through the long, painful, Brexit debate, these mean nothing once the voters leave the safety of their armchairs to vote at the polls.

I remember too well that when the economic effects of a hard Brexit were clear for everyone taking an interest to see, a majority still chose to vote for this, largely driven by the desire to curb free movement and immigration numbers to this country. Now that it is clear to see that this hasn’t worked, at all, to suggest that these economic issues are further reasons to close down borders is hugely uninformed.

So yes, I will lay blame on this government for these shortfalls, and yes, I will continue to hope for a more humane approach from the comfort of my armchair until I am asked to vote again – and it won’t be for these policies.

Marc

Cambridgeshire

What is the downside to allowing asylum seekers to work?

I do not understand why asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their claims are assessed. We need their labour and it would reduce the cost of accommodating them as well as raising tax income. Where’s the downside?

John Wilkin

Bury

Voter ID laws are a logistical nightmare

Polling staff are dreading the introduction of compulsory photo ID. How long will it take polling staff to vet every individual? A cursory glance is pointless. And how do they vet them?

Let’s say it takes polling station staff about two minutes longer per voter while they check everybody’s photographic identification. This means that if there are 10 people ahead of you in the voting queue you can expect to wait at least 20 minutes longer to receive your voting paper. Best not vote on your way to work! Just ruin your evening instead, along with everyone else.

Voters can expect hiccups and huge delays; especially when polling staff cannot accept the photo ID offered, leading to arguments and shouting (if not worse). A busy day for the police, trying to calm voters denied their vote for having the “wrong” ID.

Let’s hope the next government repeals this expensive, timewasting, pointless and anti-democratic nonsense.

Barry Tighe

Address supplied