Why stop the boats? Asylum seekers bolster our great nation

We receive relatively small numbers of asylum seekers in the UK compared to other European countries, and those we do receive offer us many opportunities. Many are highly skilled, and the vast majority can make much-needed contributions to our economy and society.

To fully realise these benefits, though, we need to be much better at integrating asylum seekers and refugees. We can do this by processing claims quicker, offering more English lessons, and providing more help to find work when people are eligible. Doing so would bring us all increased tax revenues and other economic and social benefits.

We are a sensible, as well as a compassionate nation. Surely, we can do better and make the most of our opportunities.

Simon Milward

Stroud

The more I hear the news, the more depressed I become. It is obvious that the majority of our society’s ills stem from inequality, principally from inequality of wealth. But such often comes hand in hand with inequalities in education, work opportunities, lifestyles, and access to health care.

We hear today that, shamefully, 4 million children in our society are living in poverty. Four million! More food banks are opening than high street banks!

How can that be acceptable when at the same time the rich are getting richer?

We clearly need economic growth in this country, but if that doesn’t come with better wages, better workplace conditions, and more opportunities to progress, then nothing changes. We can already feel the winds of change around the world blowing in the direction of populist right-wing policies. Our own Conservative Party risks being pulled apart by Reform UK, and the prospect of that is truly scary. It’s a shame that leveling up just hasn’t happened, and it seems that in all these years the Tory party hasn’t been able to address the concept of sharing wealth.

Why not? We would all be better off if we appropriately taxed the 1 per cent.

Raising the tax on capital gains to match income tax bands would be a good start. Surely no one can argue against that.

Such a bold move would send a very powerful message to the electorate.

Simon Watson

Worcestershire

Since joining the Republican presidential race in February of last year, Nikki Haley spent most of her campaign aggressively warning the GOP against embracing Donald Trump, whom she thought would turn people away from the party.

Yet Trump appears to have done the opposite. Voters seem to favour the former president over Haley, even in South Carolina, her home state.

During her resignation, Haley desperately announced that “our conservative cause badly needs more people”. She came out of Super Tuesday with no chance though, having only taken Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

Some people have remarked, however, that Haley spoke fondly of serving under former president Donald Trump for two years as US ambassador to the United Nations. Mike Pence, Trump’s former VP, has denied himself a chance to run on the ticket once again. Now he is out, would Haley ever consider it?

I highly doubt it. Haley is not the sort of politician I could see following on the heels of a traditional, sometimes misogynistic, potential convict. It is sad to see her go, particularly for those of us who would have liked to have seen a second female vice president.

Angus West

Address provided

The Independent’s recent article regarding the resignation of Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, shows that at least some politicians have integrity... unlike our own prime minister. Rishi Sunak is soldiering on regardless of the consequences to the country and community he is supposed to represent.

Putting the party first is an understatement. The Tories just seem to look after their wealthy donors, Russian friends, and everyone else who has cash to spend on their self-interests – never mind the state of our country!

If the Conservatives have any decency they would call a general election and give us a new way forward, with a party that can provide fresh ideas for the people.

Paul Atkins

Burntwood

I’m enjoying the spectacle of the Garrick Club wriggling in their bucket. It takes me back to my time in 1970s Oxford when the beneficiaries of an all-male college made the same indefensible arguments – come to think of it, they’re probably the same men...

Jennifer Willan

Devon