In her comments on Barbara Castle, Anne Perkins (Opinion, 21 December) fails to mention her introduction of home responsibility allowance for state pensions. This made a huge difference to the pensions of carers. I raise a glass to her every time my pension is paid.
Barbara Purvis
Winchester
• So everyone in the UK is to have a legal right to high-speed broadband (Report, 21 December). I think quite a few people would prefer a legal right to a decent income and somewhere to live.
Elizabeth Grist
New Barnet, Hertfordshire
• Professor Hugh Chignell describes Geoffrey Boycott as “undoubtedly a great broadcaster” (Letters, 20 December) but fails to acknowledge the huge part played by Jonathan Agnew, the BBC’s cricket correspondent and Test Match Special stalwart, in helping to soften Boycott’s sharp edges, thus making his often spiky opinions palatable. Aggers’ on-air pranks and gentle ribbing help to keep Boycott under control and for this Geoffrey (and the radio audience) should be grateful. It is no coincidence that Agnew and Boycott regularly tour theatres as a double act, Boycott alone would be too one-dimensional. Without Aggers, Boycott would be media history.
Toby Wood
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
• To Pauline Wilson (Letters, 21 December), for the answer to my clue: you require gross mixture, well, its nickname (5). Your letter delighted those in my family who also queried the answer!
Charlotte Rigby
Surbiton, Surrey
• Thank you, Giles Fraser, for your article (Tidings of comfort and joy can’t take the pain out of life, 22 December) from one who lives more in hope than in faith. And thank you, Guardian, for publishing it.
Rowena Rowlands
Wigan
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