Letter: Tax burden

Sir: Looking after one's own children is a reasonable way of life, approximately half of parents of under fives do it.

They already suffer financially. They lose a wage, a tax allowance and pension entitlement. Their tax bills can be pounds 1000 more than dual-earners on the same joint income. At low-income levels they are ignored by Family Credit and the new Working Family Tax Credit.

This is Social engineering on a grand scale. Until there is a reverse in these policies the decline in family life will continue.

Other countries, eg Germany, France & Finland split incomes for tax purposes. In addition they give allowances to parents who then decide whether they wish to use it themselves or pay for childcare.

FRANCES SAVIN

Full Time Mothers

London E14