Children need to understand the dangers of playing near water

I do feel strongly that the government should provide the resources so that the fire service can go into local schools to explain to young people the dangers of water – be it in the summer to cool down or in the icy winter to skate on.

A practical demonstration of the risks would help young people to understand the dangers and reduce the likelihood of the tragedy in Solihull that has meant three young people have lost their lives.

Kartar Uppal

Sutton Coldfield

There was no word from government ministers about affordability when Liz Truss announced her £45bn tax reduction. Can anyone explain why a £28bn pay award to public workers is now “unaffordable”?

Andrew McLauchlin

Stratford upon Avon

Yes, both Boris de-Brexit Johnson and Lizzy the Lettuce could no more resist the lure of publicity and attention than lemmings can resist a cliff edge, But seriously, where is low-wattage Rishi Sunak?

He seemed to want the job so very much. We all understand that when you are in a position based on ambition alone, the reality can be shocking.

He must (surely) know that the whole non-dom wife thing, plus building a private swimming pool during a climate crisis and when your voters can’t swim in the sea for raw sewage dumped by the companies your party privatised, and refusing talks with the folk we clapped for during the pandemic, is not a good look.

But, you know – either do something or call a general election.

Amanda Baker

Edinburgh

James Macintyre believes that David Miliband would “slot easily into Starmer’s top team” and asks “Could he be back to help save the party?” I’d venture that he’s badly mistaken.

Might I suggest that James needs to investigate Miliband’s record in government before jumping to such conclusions?

Your readers will be aware that a much-vaunted element of Keir Starmer’s latest policy platform is removing tax benefits from public schools. Eton, Harrow and others could lose millions as a consequence.

In 2004, David Miliband was minister for schools. At the party’s National Policy Forum, I proposed the abolition of charitable status for public schools. I was accused of being a Marxist, advocating the politics of envy. When I put the proposal directly to Miliband, he dismissed it as anti-aspirational. My proposal was roundly defeated when put to the vote.

So whilst I now warmly welcome Starmer’s commitment to the policy, I doubt this could be squared with Miliband’s policy views making it extremely unlikely that they might be reconciled anytime soon.

George McManus

Hull

I have always found Mary Dejevsky to be an accurate and perceptive observer of the Soviet Union. On this occasion, however, having read Christopher Ousey’s analysis with great interest, I agree that the red line in question has no legal (or moral) justification.

What can we take from this? Simply that the more we sit on the fence about the business, the longer and the harder the road is for Ukraine. So let us not pander to Russian sensibilities and justificatory excuses, but call them out quickly and loudly in our media so that no one is in any doubt about where the red line of bulls*** really lies.

R G Mathers

Address supplied