While I agree with the thrust of John Harris’s argument (In a town far from Whitehall, I saw how devastating Labour’s cuts will be. When will ministers wake up?, 23, March), did he have to point the finger at “spreadsheets drawn up by local bureaucrats”? Somebody in the much maligned “back office” has to allocate inadequate resources as best they can and draw up rotas for care staff using some form of administrative technology. Could they not just be referred to as local government officers?
David Griffiths
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
• So our cash-strapped government has still felt able to approve a £9bn road tunnel under the Thames between Tilbury and Gravesend (Report, 25 March), almost 12 months to the day since the centuries-old ferry ceased operation because Thurrock and Kent councils couldn’t agree the modest funding required to keep it going. Funny old world.
Graham Larkbey
London
• The line “Play one the drummer knows” (Letters, 26 March) is in fact from Half Man Half Biscuit’s song Rock and Roll Is Full of Bad Wools, on their 2011 release 90 Bisodol (Crimond). I would get out more, but I’ve heard that there’s going to be a riot in Trumpton tonight.
John Anzani
Musselburgh, East Lothian
• Please may I speak up for scatter cushions on behalf of short people (Letters, 24 March)? Ushered to a vast cushionless sofa, we are forced to choose between a priggish perch or an unseemly loll.
Sylvia Tillman
Egerton, Kent
• Beard transplants (G2, 25 March)? Are you practising for 1 April?
Pete Bibby
Sheffield
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