Publish tax returns to flush out dodgers
Re your article (UK's 50 richest families hold more wealth than 50% of population, analysis finds, 19 May), we would all see how little the super‑rich pay in taxes if we adopted the Scandinavian system of putting all tax returns in the public domain. Nosy neighbours would soon flush out tax dodgers.Anthony StollLondon
Reading the comment on benefit cuts by Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary (Our £5bn disability benefits cut will stop welfare state collapsing, says Kendall, 20 May), brought to mind the notorious remark from the Vietnam war that 'it became necessary to destroy the town to save it'.Dr Richard CarterPutney, London
As a Manchester United supporter, the only bright spot for me in their 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final (Sport, 21 May) was that I knew John Crace would be happy. It has been a hard season for both of us and we hope for better times.Helen EvansRuthin, Denbighshire
Would Adrian 'Impossible to find the next Gary Lineker' Chiles (21 May) and Kieran 'Jamie Carragher No 1 football pundit' Morris (22 May) make good candidates for a future Dining Across the Divide column?Carol WalkerSheffield
Perhaps artificial intelligence could be tasked with constructing fairer copyright law (Elton John calls UK government 'absolute losers' over AI copyright plans, 18 May).Alan WorsleyHull
Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Eradicating child poverty must become Labour's central mission
It is much more than a flip rhetorical cliche to say that if a nation thinks that fighting child poverty is costly, then it should try the alternative. It really should not be a matter of great controversy. The broadly warm welcome given to the government's expansion of the free school meals programme has been marred only by some noisy mumblings about how the policy will be funded. Of course, any item of public spending must be accounted for – but in the case of this and similar measures to alleviate child poverty, both sides of the ledger should be taken into account. Experience in Scotland, Wales and London – where free and nutritious meals are already available more widely – suggests that pupils perform better on a full stomach; something that surely accords with common sense. Academic studies go further, linking higher educational achievements with higher productivity and thus better living standards for those lifted out of poverty – with an obvious dividend for the nation as a whole. Official support for children, including the new breakfast clubs, a wider availability of free school meals, childcare, access to libraries, affordable housing and of course their education itself, should be treated less as 'current' spending and more like an investment. These are the kind of arguments The Independent has long put forward, as part of an award-winning campaign, and are compatible with fiscal sustainability. In essence, though it is not meant to be mercenary, money spent on rearing a healthier, more literate, more numerate and more intellectually able generation is, in the long run, as valid an investment as, say, building a new tramway or bolstering the national grid. 'Human capital' is, ironically, more precious than ever in a world where artificial intelligence will take over so many of the tasks currently undertaken by human beings. For people to enjoy socially useful and economically viable lives in the future, they will need to be smarter than the machines that will surround them. Soon enough, chancellor Rachel Reeves will be able to go further and faster, as the current ministerial catchphrase goes, in the Labour government's newfound mission to reduce child poverty. After years when the party seemed to be undeclared disciples of the austerity school of economics, Labour's conscience, albeit prompted by some shocking electoral setbacks, has been awoken. Eradicating child poverty by 2020 was the noble objective set by Tony Blair early in the last Labour government, enshrined in law during the last days of Gordon Brown's administration, revived in Jeremy Corbyn's time, but frankly neglected, beyond some necessary lip service, in more recent years. Now, it has rightly become a priority, and one that has lodged itself high on the long list of social challenges facing the chancellor. It now seems inevitable that the two-cap limit on child benefit, imposed by a Tory chancellor almost a decade ago, will be lifted, sooner or later, and perhaps 300,000 children in larger families lifted out of poverty immediately. That it will be partly under populist pressure from Nigel Farage does not make it a bad idea. Extending child benefit, like school meals, is not a total cure for child poverty. Where the Tories had a point as they downgraded the poverty targets in the past (which, to be clear, was a mistake) was when they stressed the importance of a healthy economy creating well-paid jobs. Child poverty is linked to general levels of poverty, obviously, and the creation of wealth still counts as the essential basis for a fairer society – and human capital is part of that. Even with these latest measures, continuing care will need to be taken to make sure the free school meals are nutritious and promote good physical and mental health. Other policy areas also need to be attended to. No level of child benefit or childcare will entirely compensate for being brought up in a cramped, overcrowded, mouldy, cold home. Other policies will thus have to contribute to giving every British child the best opportunities in life. In that context, the government's child poverty task force might consider how the SureStart centres could be restored. Arguably the most serious misjudgement of the coalition government of 2010 to 2014 was to scrap them. In any case, without much in the way of conscious effort, indeed almost by accident, Sir Keir Starmer's government has found itself endowed with a new, invigorating mission to pursue. For all the problems, disappointments, gaffes and missteps in their first year out of the wilderness, the Labour Party has rediscovered its raison d'etre.
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
Glinton development of 24 homes refused a second time by council
A new proposal for a housing development in a village has been refused by planners at a plan for 24 new homes in Glinton, near Peterborough, was put forward by the Rutland-based developer, Hereward Homes Ltd. Peterborough City Council refused the new scheme on Wednesday, following an initial application that was declined in to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the case officer report stated the latest proposal was "near identical" to the last and would have a "detrimental impact" on the village's rural setting. The fresh application was put forward in March, which Hereward Homes Ltd said addressed the previous developer argued the proposed development demonstrated a "high quality of design" and would use materials appropriate to the character of the application received objections from the council's conservation officer, urban design officer and five local residents. 'Unstainable development' The area has been the subject of three applications for new homes in the of them were refused for reasons including insufficient visitor parking and highway safety. In May, plans for 250 homes submitted by Gladman Developments were refused, which raised concerns with the parish council and application by Larkfleet Group for 95 homes was refused in February following opposition from Randall, the vice-chairman of Glinton Parish Council, previously told the LDRS of the village's concerns about the proposed allocation of 355 homes in the council's draft Local said: "Glinton is getting a big chunk of the development that's being proposed for rural villages and that is really unsustainable." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Thelwell says recruitment at Rangers will be a collaborative effort... with new boss Martin given final say on transfers
Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell insists the club would never sign any player without the approval of new head coach Russell Martin. Martin was formally unveiled yesterday after agreeing a three-year deal to take charge. It's the start of a bold new era under American ownership, with investment of around £20million set to be made on and off the pitch over the summer. Fans are keen to see how the dynamic between sporting director and head coach plays out with regards to recruitment. With such a massive rebuild on the cards, Thelwell insisted, though, that any new signings will be made as part of a collaborative process. And he claimed it will be very much a team effort where both he and the scouting department will help identify possible targets, before Martin gives the final seal of approval. 'Put very simply, the way in which we will be organised is we've got a head coach and a sporting director,' said Thelwell, who will also be assisted by new technical director Dan Purdy in recruitment. 'The head coach is responsible for the most important bit; the preparation of the team, performance of the team, results. 'My role is to try and make sure all the support services that sit around Russell are as strong as they possibly can be to give us the best chance of winning. When we talk about recruitment, clearly, it is going to be a collaborative approach. 'I've never been in this role ever where I have signed a player for the first-team that hasn't been supported by the head coach or manager. We'll talk a lot about how we want to play, a lot about profiles we need and what positions we need. 'Between Russell, myself and the recruitment team, we will sit down and identify players that we think could make us better very quickly. Between us, we will decide about what we do next.' Having left his role at Everton at the end of last season, Thelwell started his duties at Rangers earlier this week as the club ramped up their search for a head coach. During his time in England with Wolves and at Goodison Park, he watched from afar as Martin carved out a reputation as a bright young coach whose teams played modern and possession-based football. Describing the 39-year-old as the outstanding candidate, Thelwell said: 'We've got exactly the right candidate that's a perfect fit for Rangers FC. From my perspective, I've seen Russell's team play for many years. Particularly, if I look back at his Championship season — and also the Premier League season with Southampton — there was a lot to be proud of. 'There's a lot that fits Rangers going forward. Russell's explained quite clearly about what he thinks Rangers need in games. 'We need to be dominating in all moments of the game. I'm delighted that we were able to have those conversations and pleased that he's now sat next to me getting ready to work. 'We wanted to make sure we made as strong a decision as we possibly could. But we also appreciate there's now a pre- season on the horizon and European games coming thick and fast. 'It was clear to all of us from the start that Russell was the outstanding candidate, so we're delighted he's joined us. He's had a strong career, over 250 games both as a manager or head coach. Over the course of that journey, he has sharpened his approach, from a technical and tactical perspective — but also from a personal perspective. 'I'm very excited to see what he's going to bring to Rangers and the team is very much looking forward to working with him.' Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart added: 'Our criteria for our next coach were clear: we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches. Russell was the standout candidate. 'This appointment is about building a winning team and a strong culture. He is no stranger to our club. We expect success and Russell knows that. We are excited for his leadership.' Club chairman Andrew Cavenagh added: 'I am delighted to welcome Russell to Rangers. This was a thorough, rigorous process and Russell impressed throughout. 'His appointment embodies the club's goal of attracting top talent, empowering them, and supporting them. 'We believe that Russell can improve on-pitch performance while also helping build the culture and infrastructure necessary for consistent and long-term success.'
