Even Japan has been forced to accept it needs more migrant workers – why not Britain?

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I’m very pleased to see the report by Jon Sharman (Japan votes to advance unprecedented bill accepting more migrant workers). This is a topic I have frequently commented on for many years; the announcement caught me out slightly, as I thought they would continue to prevaricate on what could be an economy-reviving policy.

It must be nearly 30 years since the Japanese economy ground to a halt and, surely, it cannot be an option to remain moribund going forward. They have experienced a continuing fall in the birth rate for years now, along with an increasing aged population and virtually zero migration.

There is one possible issue, however. The government will require a good level of Japanese from immigrants, which I see as rather self-defeating. Hopefully common sense will prevail on that one.

Likewise, let us hope our politicians come to their senses and eliminate xenophobic policies which, if continued, will see us suffering the same dire consequences – or maybe even worse ones – than Japan.

Robert Boston
Kingshill

The Brexiteers have won

Xenophobic Brexit voters have had their way (EU migration to UK hits six-year low in wake of Brexit vote, figures show), so why bother going through the pain of leaving the EU?

What sensible European would now want to live in the hostile environment that the UK has become?

Let’s stay in, and devise a humane, skills-based immigration system for migrants from non-EU countries. If we’d done that years ago, people wouldn’t have mistakenly blamed the EU in 2016.

Patrick Cosgrove
Shropshire

Too many people, usually Brexiteers, have been saying for some time that we need to “just get on with it”. I assume that’s because they are either bored with Brexit or fear it won’t get done.

If they were selling a car, or worse their house, and they were offered one poor deal and relatives kept demanding that they move, would they “just get on with it”?

Then, of course, when the sale was done and they had to find another house, do you think they would be offered favourable terms if those offering to make a deal with them knew they were now desperate for one?

Calling every argument “project fear” is just a simplistic, lazy reply.

Name supplied
Waverton

Climate change and public health

I laud The Independent for elucidating the link between climate change and public health. The indispensable right to health is enshrined on the first page of the Paris climate agreement, and in the charter of the World Health Organisation.

Climate change is increasingly having an adverse impact on the health of our planet, and it is time to marshal our energy, goodwill and resolve to build modern and resilient health systems that are more agile, and capable of withstanding the wrath of nature.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London NW2

Is Margaret Thatcher really fit to be on the £50 note?

If the Bank of England still have problems finding worthy names to adorn their banknotes, seek no more. Harry Smith is worth a thousand Margaret Thatchers!

John Wess
Malvern

Some scientists have been hijacked by the absurdities of the nine entities of the “Tuftocracy”.

Margaret Thatcher, who’s been suggested as a suitable candidate for a bank note because she had a chemistry degree – used to manufacture ice cream! – is a darling of those malign influencers of 55 and 57 Tufton Street.

Thatcher knew and spoke publicly about the greenhouse effect of CO₂ pollution but did little to push through policy to control the inevitable atmospheric warming – the consequences of which are now so apparent. Such impotence demonstrates contempt for her chemistry degree, as she preferred a highly destructive philosophy. Her image must not be on UK currency.

Robin Le Mare
Allithwaite