Well done Observer '“ it's great to read the youngsters' view of life

However, I also believe in giving credit where it is due and would therefore like to pay tribute to the Youth Matters column that has recently appeared in the Observer.

Three interesting perspectives from the younger generation, all on local issues, providing a fresh insight to local issues. It's exactly what a local newspaper should be about, in addition giving young people who aspire to a future career in journalism their chance.

The initial piece on life from a hard-up student's perspective made it clear that it is not all drinking and parties, rather managing their finances is a daily struggle, even without there being a local nightclub to tempt them to part with the meagre income they survive on.

I for one would not quibble about additional funds being raised for our young people trying to further themselves as, after all, it will be the taxes in years to come that will pay for our pensions.

While we have all read with increasing horror and concern about the closure of St Richard's A&E department, the point was starkly made clear by the comparison with the time it takes to deliver a pizza, being quicker than an ambulance to the next nearest hospital. Simple and to the point.

This is then followed up with a different contributor asking the question how much we would be prepared to pay in additional taxes to ensure the local service and the additional cost of sending ambulances over a greater distance, and going on to point out the political dilemma involved when raising additional funds.

A valid and serious opinion.

Clearly health is a big issue for us all. With the advancement in medical science we are all living longer and therefore all need treatment for a longer period. Add that to the ageing population and you not only end up with a pensions crisis looming but also an NHS budget that will continue to grow.

We have to pay for this somehow, but the question is where are we going to find the money?

Maybe we need to ensure the money they already have is spent wisely but I am sure this is not the long-term resolution, so maybe a larger share of GDP is the answer as the author of the column suggests.

However, if taxes are not to rise, then where will the savings be made? I'm sure there are plenty of candidates, but I will leave others to make suggestions.

I commend the new talent being given this opportunity to expose their opinions and discuss local issues with their own unique insight. More please.

Phil Shields, Chichester

I agree whole-heartedly with James Haigh's comments about raising tax to get our health service out of debt.

We are so blessed in this country to have a National Health Service '“ we often forget what our lives would be like without it.

I would be more than willing to pay more tax to get the NHS back on its feet again '“ income tax seems the fairest way to me.

We are all so rich in this country, compared to most of the world, and even if we haven't got a job we get help from the state '“ very few countries help their citizens in this way.

We could pay a lot more in income tax before we get anywhere near the poverty line, so let's start being grateful instead of whinging and convince all the political parties that they won't lose our vote if they make us pay a bit more for our basic services.

Well done, James '“ you'd get my vote any day.

Sarah Page, Arnold Way, Bosham

n This week's Youth Matters appears on Page 15.