The past few months have hit us hard and we now find ourselves without any work or possible leads.

No bank or financial institution is willing to help. Government funding cannot be found despite the fact our banks have been given billions of the public’s money.

The Inland Revenue offered no relief from the tax and VAT bills due, so we are now being forced to pull the plug on a once prosperous business.

Alistair Darling has promised help but when and where can this be found?

Millions more businesses will be forced to close this year due to the lack of help offered to us people who do not wish to become another statistic and happily sit on the dole.

Unfortunately, this time next week I will be signing on.

Thank you Gordon Brown. — Skint.

Kenneth Brannan made some valid points in his letter on the subject. However, I do object to one of his assertions.

As I read, I was quietly praising Mr Brannan’s letter until he said Mr Barile didn’t do the cowardly thing and leave the classroom to go off with stress.

In my eyes he has made an unqualified judgment on the topic of stress.

His use of the term cowardly is not appropriate.

Stress is a serious issue, a mental health issue.

The publicised figure of mental health sufferers is one in four people, but if all people who suffer from stress and depression came forward, the actual figure would be one in three or one in two.

Stress and depression stem from all problems in life, whether you’re successful or not. — Stress Relief.

When the opening credits rolled, it proclaimed Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdink.

I found this very funny because I immediately thought of the artist, formerly known by real name Arnold Dorsey, who lives in the USA.

For a period he was also known as Jerry Dorsey because he did brilliant impressions of Jerry Lewis.

Engelbert the crooner did, of course, take his name from the 19th century German composer. I wonder how many people watching thought the singer had, in fact, written the opera? — J. I. Matthew.

For a long time the Rep has been praised for the quality of the work done at the theatre, but not being a regular visitor to any such place, it had passed me by.

In fact I had to be persuaded to go see Beauty and the Beast, but as the first scene began, I was glad that I had made the trip.

Everything about the show was fantastic.

The Rep is a credit to Dundee and deserves its reputation for excellence.

From now on I will keep a close eye on what is happening at the theatre and I am sure it will not be long before I return. — Reformed Theatre Fan.

All too often, Braeview is singled out as the prime example of what a bad school in Dundee is — usually by people who do not really know anything about it.

They read the latest flood of incriminating statistics and jump immediately to the wrong conclusion.

Poor results compared to others do not necessarily make Braeview a bad school.

As a parent of two pupils at Braeview Academy, I offer an alternative opinion of the school, based on first hand experience.

Over the past five years, I, and many other parents, have witnessed a massive transformation for the better at Braeview.

These changes were aided by the funds that came with School of Ambition status.

More importantly, the changes were aided by the staff, under the stewardship of the new headteacher, Brenda Hadcroft.

I have always found her and her staff to be dedicated, supportive professionals, who care about the pupils, the parents and the school.

Moreover, I am completely satisfied that all members of the Braeview staff have given my children every opportunity to make the most of their time at school.

This is not only in academic matters, but also in extra-curricular activities such as concerts, talent shows and educational trips away from the school.

A truer assessment of what the problem is at Braeview, and many other schools, is long overdue.

The simple factor of disinterested, underachieving pupils is largely ignored in our hyper-sensitive society.

The negative views expressed serve only to demoralise all who are involved with the school.

It is wrong to pre-judge the school by getting caught up in the misleading negative reputation that it has done much to shed. — Very Satisfied Parent.