It's not just higher taxes that would help the NHS – it's a healthier lifestyle

I am just writing (tongue in cheek) to apologise in advance if I become one of the over-85s who are predicted to be the cause of a necessary rise in taxes to keep our noble NHS afloat.

In my early seventies, now I am at risk. Presumably our younger members of society – the 30 per cent of children and 60 per cent of adults who are obese; the smokers, drinkers and drug takers – are not the main problem.

We should be hugely proud and supportive of our NHS. However, I firmly believe we should ALL do our very best to look after our own health by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

I, for one, would be happy to pay higher taxes to maintain and enhance provision of the service, but each and every one of us who is able should use the service wisely for the greater good.

Sally Bundock
Eastcote, Ruislip

Celtic still atrocious

Scott Brown – Glasgow Celtic’s captain, and thus the living proof even football can be dumbed down – has said his club can make the Champions League last 16 next season.

Considering its contemporary record playing clubs outside Scotland’s maladroit League, the question is whether he means 16 days, 16 hours or 16 minutes?

Mark Boyle
Johnstone, Renfrewshire

A small tourist task can be a big help

Richard Branson’s comments that an “isolated” Edinburgh tourist tax will drive visitors to Glasgow may grab headlines, but they are clearly nonsensical.

A tax similar to that already levied in parts of Europe would mean Edinburgh visitors could pay an amount of say a pound per night up to a maximum of five nights.

Let’s assume visitors spend an average of £100 per person to fly here and £50 per person per night for a three day mini-break. A total of £250 plus subsistence, local travel and attraction entry fees – another £3 wouldn’t be noticed by the vast majority of tourists yet would be of great benefit to Edinburgh Council.

The SNP administration seem more than willing to levy the UK’s highest income tax rates upon Scots. How about Nicola Sturgeon enthusiastically, unequivocally and immediately backs Edinburgh Council’s plans to collect miniscule amounts of tax from visitors to our beautiful city? Who knows? We might end up with one or two fewer potholes as a result.

Martin Redfern
Edinburgh

Failure builds character – embrace it

Matthew Syed’s article on embracing failure made a great point about the need for a cultural shift on how society views failure. This shift is particularly crucial to take place at the early stages of children’s development, both within families and in schools, if we are going to foster adults that are growth-oriented (rather than goal-oriented), resilient, adaptable and creative.

In the education sector (where I work), for example, I remember the impetus many years ago to move from knowledge-based learning to critical and analytical learning – now it is time for educational institutions to make another shift to that of character-building learning.

Angelos Sepos
Address supplied

Too little too late for Corbyn in Ireland

The best way Corbyn could have secured harmony in Ireland (and frankly the whole of the UK) would have been to campaign unambiguously to Remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum.

This latest trip to Ireland smacks of more poor judgement, a pathetic attempt at distraction from Labour’s current political paucity, and makes me think of out-of-control horses and stable doors…

Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

Should I stay or should I go?

A recent DNA test shows I’m only 56 per cent British. Will the Home Office deport me?

Geoffrey Downs
Address supplied