Letters: Labour’s attack on landlords puts growth even further out of reach

SIR – Successive governments have introduced measures to attack private landlords. These include higher taxation, greater regulation, restriction of a landlord’s right to take possession of their property, and now rent controls by the back door ( “Furtive rent controls will worsen housing crisis”, Business, October 29 ). Landlords are entitled to “market rent” as determined by the First Tier Tribunal in cases where tenants are challenging a landlord’s proposed increase.

In the case quoted in your report, the tribunal determined that the market rent had fallen by 15 per cent in a 12-month period. This is totally at odds with local indexes, which report annual increases of 4.5 to 5.5 per cent, with demand boosted by strong employment and the need for student accommodation. Tribunals are dominated by lawyers, though they sometimes include a surveyor. If there was one in this case, he or she should be shamed for putting a name to a valuation “without visiting the flat”, as reported.

As rents will surely continue to rise, the Government will be pressured to introduce a restricted (“fair”) rent system in place of market rent. This will take us back to the 1970s when, in the face of full security of tenure for tenants, and with tribunals setting rents at a fraction of market value, the private letting market couldn’t function and mobility of labour was severely restricted, with dire consequences for economic growth. The 1970s were, according to our Prime Minister, halcyon days – to which he wants to return the UK.

Really? Michael Hodgson Petersfield, Hampshire SIR – It is staggering how little the Government seems to understand basic economics. Targeting landlords means fewer rental properties and higher rents. Meanwhile, house building is slowing down. The way to fix the housing crisis is to do the exact opposite of what this Government is doing: encourage investment in property with attractive tax relief. Increased competition would lead to lower rents and better housing.

William Burgess Peterborough Get in touch: send a letter to dtletters@telegraph.co.uk Chance of nuclear war SIR – Regrettably, I believe that Janet Daley’s dismissal of the possibility of nuclear war is wrong ( “Free-market economics has made World War III vanishingly unlikely”, Comment, October 25 ). She argues that not even “a psychotically delusional national leader” would start such a war, as they “would be stopped by whatever means necessary”.

How can Ms Daley have confidence in that assertion? Our world is full of leaders, many of whom are murderous tyrants, who are utterly selfish. They care nothing about killing people, and simply seek to protect themselves and their power. Ms Daley is correct that a nuclear war could put an end to human life on our planet. The truth is that the dice are being rolled constantly, and one day the fateful numbers will come up – unless nuclear weapons are consigned to history.

John Twitchen Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SIR – Arguing for a National Resilience Service, John Kelly ( Letters, October 29 ) writes that the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) and the Civil Defence Corps (CDC) were eventually disbanded because they did not have a clear role, and therefore became meaningless. I would point out that these bodies played important roles in Britain’s preparations for a nuclear attack. The ROC was responsible for reporting nuclear detonations and monitoring radioactive fallout, while the CDC was tasked with coordinating the emergency response, including rescue, welfare and first aid, and liaising with the military and emergency services.

Whatever National Resilience Service emerges (and there does need to be one), post-nuclear strike reporting and monitoring to aid the military and civil authorities will be crucial. Sqn Ldr David Tisdale (retd) Ryde, Isle of Wight Art in schools SIR – Dame Elaine Page rightly draws our attention to the importance of music in the school curriculum ( Letters, October 23 ). Another vital subject under threat is History of Art, which is currently taught in as few as 80 institutions in England, amounting to just 2.3 per cent of the country’s state-funded and independent secondary schools.

An even more grim statistic is that only 19 state schools offer History of Art as a qualification at A-level. The problem, I suspect, is that History of Art is seen by many as an elitist subject, suitable only for the children of the rich and privileged. Nothing could be further from the truth. Art has a civilising impact on young people’s minds. It provides a portal through which they can learn about the creative genius of great men and women, and helps them to appreciate this country’s extraordinary artistic heritage.

The Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars, a City of London livery company, is spearheading a new initiative called Treasure Chest. We visit schools in London and beyond and show the children boxes containing a range of everyday objects – a pre-decimal penny, an antique pocket watch, an old bunch of steel keys, a brass candlestick, a pewter plate or a tea caddy. The impact is truly remarkable: freed from their phones, children respond with immense enthusiasm and interest.

Their hunger to learn more about their heritage is truly uplifting to behold. The arts have always helped make life worthwhile. We turn our backs on them at our peril. John C Benjamin Master, The Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Disjointed NHS care SIR – I couldn’t agree more with Dr Mark Durling’s observations about the fragmented nature of NHS hospital care ( Letters, October 25 ). When my wife was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer, we were subjected to constant requests regarding her medical condition from different doctors.

This was highly upsetting and frustrating. Forever repeating her symptoms and medical history was devastating and demoralising. Under the old consultant-led firm system that Dr Durling describes, this would not have happened, as the patient’s conditions would have been known by the team. Peter Rosie Ringwood, Hampshire London’s delights SIR – I disagree with Sandra Crawley’s depressing assessment of modern London ( Letters, October 25 ).

While it is easy to lament the loss of independent 1970s stores, we should not overlook the vast improvements in the capital’s infrastructure, connectivity and global appeal over the past half-century. My children were raised in quiet, sheltered Louth, yet they both now live and work in London. They love it there, precisely because it is one of the world’s most dynamic capital cities. Ramesh Nayak Louth, Lincolnshire SIR – I have lived a commutable distance from the centre of London for 40 years, and in the past 20 have grown to love our capital, with all its museums, parks, monuments and hospitality.

Last weekend, I organised a walk from Borough Market to Soho, taking in 10 pubs with rich histories and terrific ale, and finishing in a reasonably priced French restaurant. My fellow walkers were school friends from Bolton who, despite the torrential rain, loved every minute and delighted in a mixture of sights, beer and exercise. We never felt that our beautiful capital was a threatening place to be. I’m sure London was terrific in the 1970s, but it still has much to offer today.

Dave Turner Watford, Hertfordshire SIR – Some months ago my retired husband had a moment similar to that experienced by Paul Whitehouse ( “Whitehouse sees off credit card mugger”, report, October 23 ). He confronted two young men who were riding their bicycles recklessly and rudely through the crowds at Trafalgar Square. When he stood in the path of one of the youths, the rider wobbled and fell off; his associate then sped over, swearing angrily, and faced up to my husband, who stood his ground.

Then, from nowhere, four other men appeared in support, and one said, “Leave the old guy alone”. The situation was diffused. My grey-haired 70-year-old’s pride was slightly dented by this, but he was nevertheless glad others helped, unlike in the case of poor Mr Whitehouse. Teresa Sutherland Henfield, West Sussex Somme footballs SIR – I read with interest your report ( October 25 ) about football during truces in the First World War. Football also featured during hostilities.

My great uncle, Captain Wilfred (Billie) Nevill of the East Surrey Regiment, was the originator of the famous “football charge” on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1 1916. The idea was to give his men a focus as they crossed no-man’s land, using a reassuringly familiar symbol. The two footballs were marked up, one with “The Great European Cup-Tie Final. East Surreys v Bavarians. Kick off at zero”; the other with “No Referee”.

Billie made it to the German trench, but sadly was shot at that point. The one surviving football is held at the museum in Dover Castle. The other was destroyed in the fire at Clandon House in 2015. Billie is buried at Carnoy Cemetery and his grave is regularly marked by visitors with footballs. Simon Nevill Sheffield, South Yorkshire Canine companion SIR – Your article ( “Dog missing for a month in Yellowstone reunited with owners”, News, October 15 ) reminded me of a walking tour I did in Iceland.

Our leader, Thor, asked if he could bring his dog along. With some misgivings, we agreed, but we need not have worried. The dog had been trained to find people buried in snow drifts, and was incredibly obedient. Thor would put food down in front of the dog, who wouldn’t eat it until he was told that he could. He was no trouble at all on the walks, trotting along happily behind the leader. On one occasion, Thor told the dog to sit, while we carried on walking.

We were about a quarter of a mile away when he was given the signal to join us, and he came at once. Throughout the 10-day tour, he took no notice of us whatsoever, but was totally focused on his master. Luckily, we didn’t get buried in any snowdrifts, but I’m sure we would have been in good paws if we had. Margaret Keep Radbourne, Derbyshire The downsides to owning a historic home SIR – I have to disagree with Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, Co-CEOs of Historic England, about the experience of owning a historic home ( Letters, October 25 ).

I have spent the past 18 months trying to sell my 16th-century Grade II listed cottage. Nearly all viewers took fright when the ownership responsibilities were explained to them. Conversation with other owners of listed buildings, and with our agents, confirmed this as a common problem. I finally found a builder, experienced in such properties, to take it on but only after considerable discounting of the asking price. I thoroughly enjoyed my years of ownership, though planners and conservation officers sometimes made life hard.

I am a huge supporter of heritage building but the rules and regulations should be simplified, and there needs to be greater acceptance of modern technology. Peter Gray Sturminster Newton, Dorset Letters to the Editor We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters @LettersDesk