WHAT I find perplexing and confusing about foodbanks and their claims are that outside my work environment, I personally don't know anyone who has used one, nor does any of my friends, work colleagues or relatives.

We all live in the deprived or poorer areas of the west of Scotland, the subject of foodbanks has arisen many times in many conversations, and the conversations usually start along the lines that in this day and age it's morally reprehensible that this service is needed and exists, what is the government doing?

Then when you ask what is their experience of anyone they know of using one, the usual blank look and the words, I don't know anyone or have heard of anyone using them. So everyone has an opinion on them but I've still to meet someone who knows anybody on a personal level who has used one, outside their work environment.

I work in the social care/addictions field in the west of Scotland, one of the unintended consequences of foodbanks is is that they are enabling people with addiction problems to spend more of their money on drugs and alcohol, knowing that they can access a voucher that will get them food from the foodbank free. If you doubt what I say, go along to your nearest foodbank (easy to find out where they are) and this will confirm the vast majority of users have addiction problems.

John McHugh

Posted online

I SEE Santander are trying to buy over RBS. It would suit them better if they looked after their current loyal customers. They have just cut their ISA rates that would make Scrooge blush. This is on top of them increasing their month charge from £3 to £5 pm on their 123 account holders. Also upping their credit card charge from £24 a year to £36 a year.

Yet Santander are raking it in with profits soaring by 40% to more than £1.4 billion in the first nine months of this year. Yes the greedy bankers are back big time.

John Kerr

Coatbridge

I GET fed up reading about people complaining about Frank McAveety.No doubt they are from Spam valley with a Chelsea tractor and 2.5 kids. Definitely not in the real world.They forget the poisoned chalice he inherited from our previous leader who was only concerned in feeding his own vanity. In doing so he slashed the social work budget to finance the Commonwealth Games. He has gone and we will get a better deal unless the SNP impose more cuts. Give the man a chance and stop sniping and whinging

Alex Lindsay

Glasgow