Should we not get our priorities right and reward the skill and knowledge of those who manage our largest companies, bringing wealth and employment to our country? Indeed, many of our own Premier League footballers earn this “excessive” £1.6 million in less than two months. SIR – You report that shareholders of some major companies are objecting to the “excessive” pay of their executives ( “Stop vilifying high pay in Britain, City chief urges”, May 4).Īpparently a salary of £1.6 million to run a major multinational company is seen as excessive, so I had to smile when I read your list (May 4) of the 10 top-earning athletes, starting with Cristiano Ronaldo on £165 million per annum. Just rewards for leaders of large companies The public may be better served by striking doctors who show a desire for a safer, fairer, workable health service, than by doctors who choose to leave it. It is hardly surprising that some prefer to leave to see how their talents are valued in private employment, or to work abroad (“ Junior doctors lured to Australia with £130,000 a year salary and 20 days off a month”, report, May 4), leading to further reductions in the supply of NHS doctors. This, together with the vocational nature of medicine and the paramountcy of patient safety, has enabled the Government to adopt a “take it or leave it” approach for decades, such that junior doctors are now comparatively underpaid. All have a set pay scale, so free labour-market forces do not apply, and there is an inequality of bargaining power. SIR – The NHS is a monopoly employer of junior doctors. I am now 77 and feel that the NHS has let me down. This operation will take place at the beginning of June this year. An X-ray done on the same day showed that my right hip is bone on bone and in urgent need of replacement. On researching the “market”, I had a consultation at a local private hospital within days. My doctor then advised me that it would take 12 weeks to be seen at the skeletal unit, and, if deemed necessary, up to three years for a hip replacement.īeing in a great deal of pain since December 2022 (which has prevented me from working, as I am not yet retired), I have had no alternative but to go private. The physiotherapist at the local surgery sent me to hospital for an X-ray. This is after numerous visits to my NHS doctor, who advised me that my need for a hip replacement was not urgent. SIR – After working for 62 years, paying all my dues, I find myself having to fund a private hip replacement. Now there’s a challenge for the King and Queen if ever I heard one. That reminded me of Laurie Lee and his first day at school in Cider with Rosie. He had learnt that the King had decided that all good children would get a special present. What was really endearing was that he had a message for his nursery friends. Coronation Day also happens to be his sister’s second birthday, and he went to nursery on Tuesday with his home-made crown. This week he’s been learning all about King Charles and the Coronation. Like many children of his age, he has a vivid imagination, but he is also adept at entertaining adults with his insights as to what might be good for little children. SIR – My wife’s grandson is three and a half. I hope that all your readers enjoy the celebrations this coming weekend. As well as taking an oath to defend the established Church of England, King Charles has said that he will work to use his position to facilitate the unity of all people of faith, so that religious tension and strife in this country can be overcome. The late Queen believed, as does her son, that her role is a sacred, life-long duty that can only be carried out with divine strength. He is a remarkable man, and no one else (to my knowledge) has had to serve a 70-year apprenticeship. I have had the privilege of meeting the King through my charitable work, particularly in connection with the Prince’s Trust, which has helped more than one million young people. We were exceptionally fortunate in our late monarch, Elizabeth II, and I believe her son will follow her example and prove to be a fine King. SIR – I am a Royalist and believe we are fortunate to live in a stable country, with its many privileges and freedoms, and a hereditary monarch as head of state, governing constitutionally with an elected Parliament.
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