I READ in the Evening Times (24/11) that Kezia Dugdale has decided that, if elected, the Labour party will introduce a payment of £1000 for every disadvantaged pupil in Scotland to be given, presumably, to whichever school they attend.

This is yet another example of good Liberal Democrat policy being stolen by other parties to provide the best service possible to the most disadvantaged in our society.

The Liberal Democrats introduced this policy around three years ago in England, and called it the Pupil Premium.

The equivalent funding was provided to the Scottish Government, who promptly sat on these £millions for two years, and then started the Attainment Fund, which it added it to the coffers of only seven councils in Scotland instead of providing it to ALL disadvantaged children.

The Pupil Premium focuses on the direct education needs of our disadvantaged children, but recognises that they can be in any school, not just in those favoured by the SNP.

I know the Labour party, which is in such disarray, has very few ideas or policies of it’s own, so it is always welcome to see the quality of thinking of LibDem policy makers being adopted by others.

Eileen McCartin MBE, of Renfrewshire Council

KEZIA Dugdale’s proposal to help the “poor” children, is commendable, in principal.

I would, however, like to hear her definition of “poor”.

It seems to me that what my generation called “luxuries” - TV, computer, mobile phones etc - are now regarded as “must haves”.

This, therefore begs the question, how will head teachers ascertain the difference between “need” and “want”?

MFK, East Kilbride

HOW absolutely sickening to read about the puppies abandoned in Royston Park (Evening Times, Wednesday),

The people responsible for this atrocity are the lowest of the low and it is to be hoped they will be brought to justice.

Even then, they'll probably simply banned from keeping dogs so not much by way of punishment.

Steve Graham, posted online

WHOEVER left those little puppies in a park at just one week old are heartless people.

I hope they are found, charged, and named and shamed with a very heavy fine and jail sentence.

Thomas Donnelly, posted online

IF found I hope the owner of the puppies is punished properly and banned from ever having a pet again.

The mother needs to be taken from the evil owner too.

Helen McCrindle, posted online