Contrary to your report (Slug numbers appear to shrivel after UK heatwave, 27 September), either West Lothian has a particularly conducive microclimate or there has been a recent northwards migration of slugs, perhaps prompted by Kwasi Kwarteng’s bungled fiscal intervention. When I let Mabel, our border terrier, out first thing this morning, she was spoilt for choice, as among the veritable spaghetti junction of trails on the garden path, I counted 17 active slugs ready for her to investigate.
Phil Murray
Linlithgow, West Lothian
• I remember being taught at school as part of Tudor history that in the reign of Henry VII the penalty for speculating against the King’s currency was having your hand cut off (Report, 26 September).
Prof John Galloway
Croxley Green, Hertfordshire
• Using percentages rather than figures (Letters, 28 September) reminded me of the generous gift in the mid-1980s when Wales doubled the firefighting capacity of its twinned country, Lesotho. It sent a fire engine.
Stephen Bibby
Silchester, Hampshire
• Re catchphrases of the year, 2022 has delivered “special military operation”. I also recommend, for its brevity, the term mentioned in Aditya Chakrabortty’s article: “shitcoin” (This is Truss and Kwarteng’s crisis, not yours – but you’re already a lot poorer because of them, 28 September).
Val Mainwood
Wivenhoe, Essex
• I read that the Tory conference slogan this year is “Getting Britain Moving”. This may be difficult for those attending with rail strikes scheduled for 1 and 5 October.
Tony Meacock
Norwich
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