“Earn or learn” declares George Osborne (Report, 9 July). Why is it that learning isn’t recognised as work that needs to be paid for, rather than as a leisure activity? Can we expect that before too long apprentices also will be expected to take out loans to pay for their keep and recompense their employers? What’s the essential difference? A student may end up earning more than they would have without going to university (though not necessarily by any means – consider Lord Sugar), but the same is true for an apprentice. The right way to deal with differences in earnings is through income tax.
Kevin McGrath
Harlow, Essex
• Why do people always think in terms of dichotomies? Dr Bruce Tofield (Letters, 7 July) suggests that “this government has maintained old people’s welfare at the expense of the young”. His suggestion that comfortably-off pensioners could donate the winter fuel allowance to charity is a good one. It is however the case that the government could provide well for young and old – and do a lot more besides – if they would tax the super-rich and businesses making huge profits more fairly. Let young and old stick together to promote a more equal, caring society.
Pat Greatorex
Derby
