The Reader: Give mayors more power to lead the way

The North-South divide is getting deeper and has been exacerbated by Covid-19.

Among Boris Johnson’s many promises, levelling up was a priority. He is yet to articulate this vision of a new United Kingdom. How are we going to take advantage of our new independent status, free from the European Union? What policies will we put in place to encourage entrepreneurship and enterprise?

In the absence of this, giving more freedom and powers to local authorities may well be the answer. If national government won’t do anything then maybe our mayors can lead the way. They can manage the virus better, have a greater understanding of their local capabilities and it would create greater national competition.
Tony Howarth

Editor's reply

Dear Tony

Giving Mayors and council leaders more power and resources might help, but government investment to boost the spread of developing industries such as the tech sector seems necessary too, so that fewer talented northeners find it necessary to move south for jobs. I’m concerned that the isolation rules forcing pupils to miss large chunks of schooling will create unacceptable unfairness in next year’s exams and suspect they’ll have to be cancelled to prevent this happening and save the children concerned from lasting damage to their prospects.
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor

U-turn needed on school meals

I completely agree with George Osborne that the Government will have to make a U-turn on free school meals during the holidays. I mistakenly voted for Boris Johnson in the Tory leadership election but Marcus Rashford has put him to shame. Our children are our future and cannot thrive on half-empty stomachs at best.
Dominic Shelmerdine