On the one hand we have the minister for the DWP, Iain Duncan Smith, capping benefits for vulnerable people to, as he says, save money for the taxpayer (Thousands plunged into poverty by benefit cap, 30 May), and then the chancellor, George Osborne, selling off shares in RBS at a knockdown price, losing taxpayers’ money (Osborne plans to sell public stake in RBS, 2 June). Now we know what the Conservatives mean by “balancing the books”! No growth, no productivity plans; what happens when there’s nothing to sell off?
Margaret Peplow
Sennen & Lands End, Cornwall
• I was delighted to see so many women break through the glass ceiling in secondary education (How to beat discrimination, Bristol-fashion, 2 June). I can certainly relate to Sally Apps’ comments about how your “perceptions of yourself” are affected by being knocked back for promotion. However, I was struck by the fact that there wasn’t a single black, Asian or any other ethnic minority face in the picture that accompanied the article. Discrimination beaten? I think not.
Ailsa Harris
Luton
• After spending Sunday afternoon cheering on all the triathletes in Hyde Park, and sharing the joy of Alistair Brownlee’s win – and Jonny Brownlee’s frustration – with thousands of others, I eagerly looked forward to reading all about it in Monday’s Sport section. There was plenty of comment and analysis on pretty much every other sport, but not even a mention of our Olympic-winning men and women. Very disappointing.
Jacquie Duffield
Gorleston, Norfolk
• Oh dear! Maybe dungarees look fresh and cute in a metro environment (Style, G2, 27 May) but on the over-20s (except Alexa Chung), and especially as worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, they are simply awful, stupid, ugly and unflattering! Who wants to look like an extra in Rosie the Riveter or someone digging vegetable plots in a gardening programme?
Frances Swallow
Southport
• I’m wondering how long it will be until Sepp Blatter develops sudden-onset Alzheimer’s of a severity sufficient to prevent him from standing trial for anything, ever (Downfall: Blatter walks away, 3 June).
Margaret Farnworth
Liverpool
