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Sir, Daniel Finkelstein’s article highlights an interesting political dynamic: Rachel Reeves is making cuts to benefits but avoiding the term “austerity”, even as some liken her policies to those of George Osborne (“Austerity Reeves is at one with Osborne”, comment, Apr 2). Perhaps part of the issue is that the meaning of austerity has shifted. The word once evoked the simplicity and self-denial of figures like John the Baptist, whose austere lifestyle was defined by necessity rather than policy. Today it is a term of political contention, associated not with personal discipline but with government-imposed hardship. Reeves’s reluctance to use it suggests that, while fiscal restraint remains in practice, its branding is as important as its execution.
The word itself carries political weight. In Scottish politics, “Tory austerity” became a rhetorical weapon, its rolling Rs and repeated vowel sounds giving it a particular bite when deployed by opponents of Conservative economic policies. The fact that Reeves avoids the term, even while implementing similar measures, underscores how much the politics of language matter. As Finkelstein highlights, the political ramifications of such austerity measures are significant. By adopting policies that prioritise fiscal restraint, the government risks creating an environment in which spending cuts become politically normalised, potentially leading to further reductions in support for those in need. What begins as a necessary financial correction can, if unchecked, harden into an ideological stance that erodes social protections.
If austerity is to avoid becoming synonymous with hardship it must be implemented with a clear commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable. Otherwise, the political vacuum left by fiscal tightening may not lead to an alternative vision of compassion but to a deeper entrenchment of policies that diminish social support in the name of economic necessity.
Ronald Lansdell
St Helier, Jersey
Sir, “Austerity”, as conventionally used, refers to significant public spending cuts. It is debatable whether Rachel Reeves embarked on such a course in her spring statement. However, the experience of her predecessors as Labour chancellor suggests that she (or her successor) may be left with little option within a couple of years. Austerity followed the chancellorships of Philip Snowden (1929-31) when the gold standard collapsed; Hugh Dalton (1945-47) after the failure of his ultra-cheap money policy; and Jim Callaghan (1964-67) after the pound was devalued; while Denis Healey (1974-79) was obliged to reverse his own “highly irresponsible spending and borrowing policy”, as Daniel Finkelstein describes it, in 1976.
The sole exception to the rule that austerity follows first-term Labour chancellors was Gordon Brown (1997-2007), who stuck to the public spending limits he inherited. Reeves clearly did not do the same in her October budget. Whether present levels of public spending prove sustainable remains to be seen, but the portents are not encouraging.
Michael Nevin
Edinburgh
School arrests row
Sir, The Hertfordshire chief constable’s defence of his force’s arrest of two parents over a school dispute is unconvincing (“Police chief: Parents’ arrest was lawful but over the top”, Apr 2). Your report says that the police formally recorded their report of harassment “after a further 20 emails were sent to the school”. In this era of spam, recipients of emails can simply block unwanted messages. Moreover, if the police are now sending six uniformed officers to arrest every sender of unsolicited emails, it is no wonder that burglars and shoplifters no longer fear the likelihood of having their collar felt.
Vijay Lee
London NW4
Sir, I read with interest Andrew Watts’s article (“I was sacked as a school governor after I tried to fight a child’s exclusion”, Times2, Apr 1). As head teachers we are enormously grateful to our governors, who give their time and expertise generously. Fixed-term suspensions and permanent exclusions are at an all-time high and consequently governor panels are being convened with increasing regularity to hear head teachers’ cases. There has also been a marked increase in independent review panels, the process whereby parents appeal against a permanent exclusion, often supported by a professional advocate.
However, Mr Watts’s assertion that the only grounds for permanently excluding a child are “serious or persistent breaches” of the school’s rules is incorrect. The second limb of the Department for Education’s guidance must also always be met. This is “where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others such as staff or pupils in the school”. While there is understandably a high bar for a permanent exclusion to be upheld, the right of all children to learn and to do so in a safe environment must be paramount.
Mariella Ardron
Principal, Chelsea Academy
Flawed dying bill
Sir, We share your concerns about the “dangerously flawed assisted dying legislation” (“Kill Bill”, leading article, Mar 27). As it stands, the bill poses serious risks to marginalised groups. One overlooked issue is the committee’s rejection of Amendment 441, which would have allowed hospices and care homes to opt out of providing assisted deaths on their premises. This raises serious ethical and practical concerns for institutions founded on the principle of care.
More importantly, it risks deepening mistrust. Disadvantaged ethnic minority communities consulted on the bill have expressed deep fears — of pressure, losing choice and being abandoned. Some said they would avoid hospitals or hospices even if seriously unwell. These communities already face poorer access to palliative care. This bill risks making that worse, limiting choice, not extending it. Legislation that aims to offer dignity in death must not deepen inequality in life.
Dr Jamilla Hussain, consultant in palliative medicine, Bradford; Dr Rees Johnson, Essex Law School; Dr Syed Qamar Abbas, consultant in palliative medicine, Essex; Dr Nadia Khan, consultant in palliative medicine, Birmingham; Dr Karon Ornadel, staff grade physician in palliative care, London; Dr Sunitha Daniel, consultant in palliative medicine, York; Dr Amarjodh Landa, resident palliative care doctor, Leeds; Dr Amaal Weli, resident palliative care doctor, London; Dr Jasmine Lee, consultant in palliative medicine, London; Dr Bhajneek Grewal, consultant in palliative medicine, Bradford
Welby’s resignation
Sir, I disagree that Justin Welby’s resignation was marked by “a contrition and personal sense of responsibility” (letter, Apr 2), given that he initially refused to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury, and only did so when the pressure exerted by various bishops made his position untenable. Further, his shocking valedictory speech in the House of Lords, for which he was forced to apologise, was redolent with self-pity while overlooking the suffering of the real victims. The “humiliating price” he is paying is as nothing compared with their suffering, which could have been avoided, had he done more to ensure that police were investigating.
Roslyn Pine
London N3
Sir, Richard Collier (letter, Apr 1) is mistaken in his belief that “only those offended against can forgive … and that otherwise forgiveness belongs to God”. When the Bishop of London ordained me as a priest 47 years ago he said: “Whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained.” The power to forgive sins was delegated by Christ to his apostles (Gospel of John, xx, 23), since when it has remained the privilege and responsibility of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. It is a privilege and responsibility Mr Collier himself enjoys.
Dr Jim Wellington
Newark, Notts
National park cuts
Sir, National parks have always been miserably underfunded (“‘Body blow’ to national parks as funding is set to be cut by tenth”, Apr 2), so a cut of one tenth of their funding is going to do little to address the problems faced by the economy and the chancellor. Why bother with such a pitiful saving?
Roger Bush
Author, The National Parks of England and Wales
Grovel diplomacy
Sir, Matthew Parris’s description (Notebook, Apr 2) of the recent meeting in the Oval Office with the US president as a “sustained grovel” by the prime minister strikes me as being incontestable. However, when one trawls through the five men and two women who have held the same office this century, I find it difficult to think of one who would have declined to perform as did Sir Keir Starmer.
Mick Wharton
Wenhaston, Suffolk
Sir, The imposition of tariffs by the US provides an opportune time to impose reciprocal tariffs on McDonald’s, Burger King and other transatlantic purveyors of ill health that pervade our high streets.
Dr John Disney
Ret’d GP, Lower Hampen, Glos
Sardine solution
Sir, After finding I had high cholesterol 30 years ago I started having sardines on toast each day, and estimate that I have since opened more than 10,000 cans without incident or injury (letters, Mar 31 & Apr 2). Any stubborn ring-pull is easily raised with a teaspoon. My cholesterol dropped and has stayed low, and my joints don’t squeak. I recommend the fish be in olive or sunflower oil, ideally with a little black pepper; those in tomato sauce are an insult to the humble sardine.
Joe Wheatley
Chiddingly, E Sussex
Early-years support
Sir, Matthew Parris (Apr 2) mentions the Princess of Wales’s belief in the importance of early-years development and parental support. As health visitors this is what we offered. Now, however, developmental checks, including speech and hearing and general behaviour, are not seen as a priority, as expertise concentrates on child abuse and neglect. This is laudable, but by visiting homes from an early stage both can be assessed together. I remember visiting a family where the mother was cowering in the corner while her two-year-old hurled Dinky toys at her while laughing. I managed to encourage both parties to behave more acceptably.
Anne Smith
Caversham, Berks
Wine with gelato
Sir, In your leading article on pairing ice cream with wine (“How Sweet It Is”, Mar 31), you mentioned several major historical figures. However, you omitted Napoleon, who consumed Vin de Constance every evening of his later life. Napoleon rightly considered it the emperor of pudding wines in preference to Château Yquem, and Sauternes in general. Indeed, his death in exile on Saint Helena was thought by some to have been caused by overindulgence in Vin de Constance the evening before.
Andrew Knight
Compton Scorpion, Warks
Left-handed genius
Sir, As a fellow left-hander, David Handley does not speak for me (letter, Apr 2). While left-handers comprise only 10 per cent of the population, artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo and Van Gogh, sportsmen such as McEnroe and Pele, thinkers such as Aristotle, Einstein and Darwin, and musicians such as Mozart, Hendrix and Bowie, were all left-handed. Moreover, were I to suffer a stroke there is potentially an increased chance that I would not be left aphasic as a result. Admittedly, using a can opener can be frustrating, but if the cost of all this is to be called “cack-handed”, that’s fine with me.
Dr Ben Timmis
Emsworth, Hants
Sir, David Handley rightly objects to being called cack-handed. Left-handed folk in the Scottish Borders may be called “kerr-fisted”, reflecting an ancient belief that members of Clan Kerr are predominantly left-handed.
David Jeffrey
West Malvern, Worcs
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