Azeem Rafiq’s experience of racism is not an appalling exception – if only

We are shocked at periodic news stories of racism in sport, in the police, in social services and many other areas, as if they were something that we no longer expect in society today. But these revelations are not appalling exceptions, they are symptomatic of continuing racism and discrimination in wider society, notwithstanding all the race relations legislation.

The fact that there are now prominent black and Asian achievers in many walks of life has lulled white people into believing that the problems are now largely a thing of the past – while knowing nothing of the struggles that often lie behind these individual achievements. The experiences of British figures like rapper Akala, barrister Hashi Mohamed, Barbara Mills QC, and many more, give the lie to this complacency.

Moreover, as English cricketer Azeem Rafiq and others have pointed out, many white people who would be shocked to be called racists are simply unaware of the thoughtless remarks that they and their associates make in their occasional or even frequent daily intercourse with members of ethnic minority communities.

We have made great progress, but have a long way still to go.

Gavin Turner

Gunton, Norfolk

The shameful story of Ben Ashcroft being forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor because of bed shortages illustrates the serious lack of investment in mental health.

Given financial commitments to date have been lamentably out of sync with unprecedented demand on services, it’s vital that we receive additional investment to build new mental health facilities, expand community services and to address workforce gaps to staff them. Without this, the government won’t meet its promises in the NHS long-term plan or its pledges to stop sending people out of their area for mental health treatment.

Dr Adrian James

President, Royal College of Psychiatrists

The moggy (Jacob Rees-Mogg) has fallen on the sword of his own incompetence to draw fire away from the hand that feeds him. I for one will keep my eyes peeled for his reward, though sadly, I suspect not his just desserts.

Oh come on Moggy, who honestly believes that Boris pays the slightest bit of attention to anything you say?

Alan Mackay

East Lothian

Well done Boris Johnson for listening to the people yet again by proposing big changes to outside work for MPs.

The way the system operates at present is crying out for change.

MPs should have a simple choice. Either put their constituents first and do away with outside interests or continue to enjoy your outside interests but, in the interests of the taxpayers, get another job and give somebody else a chance.

Geoffrey Brooking

Havant, Hampshire

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Be it in England, America or India, you don’t have to be an economist to feel the pulse of the market economy and the sharp sting of price rises. Take a trip to your local grocery stores and check out how far your budgeted money goes for the weekly shop to put food on the table.

In fact, the price tags of essential commodities seem to be on an escalation spree across the world. Unfortunately, people struggling don’t have the luxury of time to figure out the nitty gritty of how the economy works, the intricacies of the consumer price index or the wild economic dance of increasing demand and the vanishing supply-chain curves.

Most folks are in no position to figure out what has caused the world’s supply chains to stagnate and inflate the prices that hurt their pockets badly. The bottom line is that even increased income levels cannot cope up with the outgoing expenses, as rising prices nullify any home budget manoeuvres or planning.

Oblivious to the political blame game, what every average person across the world living from paycheck to paycheck hopes for is that the measly wages earned are enough to cover the bare necessities of life which, in my opinion, is the most basic expectation of any citizen in the world.

Nevertheless, the biggest question remains: how can the respective governments fulfil their obligation toward all citizens caught in the throes of inflation?

Atul M Karnik

Woodside, New York, USA