The government's response to evidence of inequality and disadvantage across the UK is troubling indeed

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EHRC shows there is evidence of the dire state of inequality from every imaginable quarter (Getty)

The damning new report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on disadvantage and inequality in Britain highlights the Orwellian world into which we have descended (“Disadvantaged groups trapped in poverty and excluded from society, human rights watchdog warns”). Flying in the face of evidence about the dire state of inequality from every imaginable quarter, our government (aka The Ministry of Truth) issues a statement saying, “This government is committed to tackling burning injustices and building a country that works for everyone, with equal opportunities for all … the UK has some of the strongest equalities legislation in the world.”

The culture of spin was bad enough under New Labour, but this blatant sophistry is a disgrace to any conceivable definition of democracy, and renders our government’s pronouncements little different from the propaganda spewed out by authoritarian regimes throughout human history. These are dark times indeed.

Richard House
Stroud, Gloucestershire

Never too late to have regrets

I am in my 70s and voted Leave. As I talk to others who also voted Leave they, like me, say that given another referendum they would vote to Remain. The main reason given is that anything is better that the self-seeking bunch of politicians who would be left to take over the reins. I could name names but it is not necessary. I am certain that a snap referendum would produce a resounding Remain vote.

Roland Marchal​
Runcorn

Government reassurances are hardly reassuring

I’m British and live in Germany with my German spouse and family. I have been asking two questions about Brexit. One is around the rights of my European family to return to Britain with me after the Brexit implementation period if we wanted/needed to.

The Department for Exiting the EU said in March this year that it will be subject to future immigration arrangements as a result of the negotiations.

The other reply received this week was from the Home Office, and it basically said the same thing, but added that they were considering the Migration Advisory Committee report recommendations, which seemed a strange thing to say and confused me, as the MAC report “has not gathered enough evidence to make specific recommendations on family migration”.

So although Mrs May claims the Brexit agreement has been 95 per cent agreed, it appears that me, my wife and our little one, and families like mine are in the other 5 per cent – in limbo and dreading what is to come.

I am luckier than most as I don’t wish or intend to return to the UK, but who knows what the future holds? Many families may not have that choice. Many British citizens could face being effectively barred from returning to the UK just because of who they chose to marry.

Name supplied
Germany

Brexit – at what cost?

I would like to comment on the article, “It’s too late to prepare UK borders for no-deal Brexit, National Audit Office tells Theresa May”.

As experience has shown, it takes time to come to an agreement in international relations. Still, the Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU are irresponsible. This is the case because both sides know about the catastrophic effects of a no-deal Brexit. These consequences will hit the UK way harder than the EU because the UK will be – as they wished – a sovereign nation without European support. People should appreciate that it’s highly questionable to risk national security in order to keep trade deals alive.

Stefanie Ulmer
Newcastle upon Tyne

I can’t imagine what you go through

After reading, “I knew what it was like being black and British – but when I moved to the US, I was called the N-word for the first time”, I thought about my time in the US. I’m a British/Canadian, white male pensioner. My daughter used to live in the US. I always felt anxious there. Walking around her neighbourhood, alone, simply exploring, I was always more worried about the police. If they approached me, and I made the wrong signals, like reaching for my passport the way a Canadian or Brit might do without thought – what could happen? I used to joke, in particular when my daughter lived in Oakland, that visitors should be able to rent a gun at the airport for protection, as visitors are the only people who can’t pack a gun. So I cannot imagine being a black person, in the US or even the UK. What a horror.

Name and address supplied

Trumpian hypocrisy

“The US president, who has labelled many reporters as ‘enemies of the people’, said the media has ‘a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility’ – POT, KETTLE, BLACK!?

Barbara MacArthur
Cardiff