I, like Joan Bakewell, am in my 90s, and despair that my taxes are funding despicable and even unlawful government policies (My advice on inheritance? Give it away: it’s one of life’s last pleasures, 29 August).
These include, for example, giving Rwanda £120m for its stalled migrant deal; doubling financial support to MPs who will lose their seats in next year’s election; spending millions on arms manufacture and supporting genocidal and racist regimes, irrespective of their bad human rights records; and keeping thousands of traumatised asylum seekers in costly hotels, when most of them are desperate to work and contribute to our ailing economy.
This gross abuse of our taxes is depriving our most vulnerable citizens of their rights to healthcare, education, housing, access to justice, safety, doing serious harm to their quality of life.
Maybe we need to challenge this government’s shameful record, refuse to pay any taxes and explain our reasons why in court.
Margaret Owen
London
• I agree with Joan Bakewell that it would be great if inheritance tax was hypothecated and I knew it would help society become more equal. I also don’t want to see my tax going to fund a Tory list of things that I don’t approve of.
I also enjoy giving to charity – especially ones like Safe Passage, which engage with donors and make you feel involved. It is possible to avoid inheritance tax by giving to charities in your will. This way, you don’t have to give it all away before your death – useful, as none of us know how much we might need for care in old age.
Lorrie Marchington
Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
