IoS letters, emails & online postings (23 February 2014)

I read with dismay the article "Mothers priced out of the UK workforce by high childcare costs" (16 February). There are countless reasons why mothers of small children do not return to paid employment, not least their desire to be the primary carer of their own children.

Government research published in January "Childcare & early years survey of parents 2012-2013" shows that parents who have not used childcare in the past year would rather look after their children themselves (71 per cent) while the cost of childcare was cited by 13 per cent as the main reason for being at home.

A fairer taxation policy would allow families better choice with regards to how to care for their children. Tax relief would allow parents flexibility to spend on registered childcare or to supplement a single salary in cases where a second income has been sacrificed.

Instead of comparing Britain unfavourably on maternal employment rates, we could be standing up proudly to announce that British parents put the needs of the next generation before their own for the relatively short time they are young children.

Imogen Thompson

Stockport, Lancashire

The wanton destruction of wild animals (particularly for their ivory) is abhorrent ("Prince William wants 'all royal ivory destroyed'," 16 February). But the wanton destruction of any works of art that already exist is equally abhorrent.

Indeed, the wanton destruction of any thing of beauty, be it animal, art or artefact, is abhorrent to civilised people. This "culture" must confront the criminal "economy" of the illegal trade. Only when it becomes financially "unattractive" to the criminals will the poaching of animals and trading in ivory cease.

Malcolm Morrison

via email

The credibility of the Duke of Cambridge might save an elephant or two if he and his trigger-happy brother crushed their own weapons and stopped slaughtering other wildlife. A life is a life, with or without tusks.

EJ Cooper

Barnes, London

I loved the story of hope and recovery ("New start for the homeless that saves lives – and money" 16 February). Fair play to all those involved. We in Edinburgh have Leap (Lothian Edinburgh Abstinence Programme) and it provides a similar service for those once considered hopeless and/or helpless. When you consider that the families and loved ones of addicts and alcoholics may, upon seeing recovery work, finally get some peace of mind, the societal benefits are far-reaching.

Andrew shaw

Edinburgh

I was surprised to note that "children and dogs" were described as being welcome at the holiday rental home reviewed last week (16 February). Perhaps this couplet speaks volumes about British attitudes to childhood?

Nick Frost

Professor of social work (childhood, children and families), Leeds Metropolitan University

I agree with Rob Edwards (Letters, 16 February). I was born in 1952. In my lifetime the world's population has tripled. A high proportion of global (and local) issues are a direct consequence. Yet population is rarely treated as critical by government or individual. Why do so few acknowledge the herd in the room?

Pete Butchers

Meldreth, Cambridgeshire

A big issue with the NHS data-sharing scheme, now delayed for six months, has been flaws in the communications campaign. There appears to be a question mark over whether the information in a leaflet enabled people to make an "informed decision". And, of greater concern, is the fact that many patients claimed not to have received this information.

Much has been made of the fact that the data will be anonymised but it remained very unclear how this would work. One way to address these concerns would be to carry out a managed trial, before rolling out the plans across the entire NHS.

Dr Martyn thomas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

London WC2

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Letters to the Editor, The Independent on Sunday, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Email: sundayletters@independent.co.uk. Online: independent.co.uk/dayinapage/2014/February/23