Good to see the Guardian championing a rise in public sector pay (Gaby Hinsliff, 30 June). But why do columnists rarely mention the real losers at the bottom of the public sector pay cuts – refuse collectors, street sweepers, park staff? These essential service sector workers are on far lower pay than teachers and nurses, and rarely have any pay grades to climb up. Many have already seen their pay cut through privatisation of these services. It is time they were treated with the respect they deserve.
Allan Brigham
Cambridge
• A magnificent crop of letters (29 June) puncturing the flabby concept of social mobility on which the present government supposedly places such value. The letters page is one of the serious glories of the Guardian. With tabloidisation in the offing, guarantees from the editor that this great feature will not be attenuated would be of comfort to loyal readers.
RP Blows
London
• The boss of the eternally eccentric Sam Smith’s brewery gives the impression of being someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. The key point about excessive swearing is that it devalues the impact of the profanities. I don’t think Mr Smith’s heavy-handed approach will get that message across (Pub chain ban on four-letter words receives obvious response, 1 July).
Geoff Reid
Bradford
• Firkin ale.
Austen Lynch
Garstang, Lancashire
• David Lippiatt (Letters, 30 June) points out TSB’s inappropriate “local banking” adverts when his local branch has just closed. Here in Dulwich, where Lloyds is closing a branch next month, posters have been seen promising: “Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we have been and always will be by your side.” More a case of “here today, gone tomorrow”.
Richard Aldwinckle
London
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