YP Letters: Poll tax was not among Margaret Thatcher's mistakes

THERE has been more criticism of Margaret Thatcher’s desire to bring in the poll tax, which is by far the fairest method of local taxation.

My husband and I are pensioners, paying the same council tax as the five employed occupants of a nearby identical house.

We brought up our two children in this house, full of recollections that keep us in touch, as our memories fail.

The advice to move to a one- bedroom bungalow in some strange area shows what a ridiculous blunt instrument the council tax is.

Of course Mrs Thatcher made mistakes, including putting single young mothers to the top of the housing list, but the poll tax was not one of them.

From: Peter Asquith-Cowen, First Lane, Anlaby, Near Beverley.

NOWHERE in the debate about the chaotic state of the public finances has there been any mention of taxing the richest one per cent and raising Corporation Tax or similar.

I suggest the richest few should be made to dig deep and for starters let’s follow Jeremy Corbyn’s idea of abolishing tax havens, and crack down heavily on tax avoiders and evaders.

These unscrupulous people could help us run the NHS, the public sector and maintain the infrastructure. What this Government wants to do is an old trick... make the poor look after the poor. That won’t do in today’s world, Chancellor Philip Hammond. Those with the most should contribute the most.

From: Shaun Kavanagh, Morley.

THE excessively parking charges levied on staff, patients and visitors at hospitals within our region is disgraceful. There is absolutely no justification in such charges and they add unnecessary stress and anxiety to everyone concerned. Leeds is as bad as it can be and it cannot be claimed all income is ploughed back into maintenance issues.

Staff are already in short supply within the NHS and parking charges simply eat into their salary for providing necessary care for patients, the more so when parking is free in the private sector and salaries higher. Hospital Trusts need to wise up if NHS staffing is to increase.

Parking charges add pressure to those visiting family and friends in hospital, visits which are much needed by the patient.