Letters: Top of the class

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The total spend on supply staff was £821m last year (PA)

David Cameron insists that academies perform better than state schools but the evidence for this is weak at best and fails to take into account the fact that academies are able to cherry-pick their pupils. While this may produce slightly better results for institutions that are being run as businesses, it clearly isn't focused on the true purpose of schools, which is the benefit of pupils. Are we really happy to outsource our children’s futures in the name of free-market economics?

Julian Self

Wolverton

Brexit

I live in Edinburgh. One of my sons lives in Dundee. Neither of us has received the government's pro-EU leaflet, supposedly sent to all households. Could it be that, because Scotland is likely to have a majority in favour of remaining in the EU, the government has saved money by not sending us the leaflet?

Jill Stirling

Edinburgh

McLovin’ it

'Moderate' Labour MP Ian Austin continues with his faction's campaign to oppose Corbyn's existence as LP leader (Banning McDonalds was a juvenile piece of gesture politics by Corbyn - we can't afford to alienate people like this, 20 April, Independent Voices). His attitude to companies with poor records on union membership reflects the Blairite acceptance of funds from anyone as being just dandy. Greed 5, principles 0.

Eddie Dougall

Bury St. Edmunds

SNP

The SNP manifesto begs the question of whether Scotland is better today than when they came to power nine years ago? Evidence of shortfalls against their own targets in so many critical public services suggest far from a ringing endorsement.

Yet, as they plan to restart the independence debate in the summer, there is one undeniable achievement for the SNP. Scotland today is more divided than ever before.

As platforms for the future go, that is a pretty shaky one.

Keith Howell

West Linton, Scottish Borders

We know that politicians open bazaars and kiss babies. They also visit schools. But which politician visits a nursery class, joins in painting with the kids and paints on a plate… an SNP logo? Does Nicola Sturgeon have such narrow vision that she could not think of anything else to paint? Or is this another attempt by the SNP leader to politicise children?

Jill Stephenson

Edinburgh

Happy Birthday Ma'am

Her Majesty's birthday is a historic milestone, a testament of her selfless dedication, unerring grace, dignified leadership and unswerving sense of duty. These exemplary qualities have earned her unparalleled admiration that transcends the shores of this island to reach the most remote corners of the world. She has also managed assiduously to adapt and conform with modernity in style and deed. Most importantly, over the past years, she has been the bedrock of stability and serenity in a world fraught with crises, dangers and uncertainties.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London