How to suck eggs

The absence of any reference to tax evasion (or tax avoidance) in Cameron's populist attack on benefit fraud (Letters, 12 August) was not the only significant omission from his speech. No mention was made of the billions of pounds of benefits unclaimed by those entitled to them, notably council tax benefit, pension credits, and working tax credits for childless earners; nor was there any indication of what the government proposes to do to tackle the problem. I am raising this issue in a question for written answer in the House of Lords.

Cllr Jeremy Beecham

Newcastle upon Tyne

• A relatively tiny amount of money will be saved by Michael Gove's cuts to the Playbuilder scheme (Plans for hundreds of new playgrounds shelved, 12 August). David Cameron says he wants more "big society" community co-operation, yet is cutting schemes that embody that. Playbuilder's 3,500 playground schemes have been designed, set up, and are now being fought for, by communities themselves.

Stuart Jeffery

Green Party health spokesperson

• Pamela Stephenson Connolly (Sex after 50, G2, 7 August): "Where are the positive messages about the sex lives of people in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond?" Charlie Parsons (My word!, G2, 7 August): "viewers came on [Channel 4's The Word] and did unpleasant things such as snogging an old woman".

Liz Tucker (aged 64)


• Thank you for your very helpful sex tips for the over-50s. I now look forward to an article on how to suck eggs.

Carol Dunnett

Guildford, Surrey

• Rest assured they read the late departed Manchester Guardian in the hereafter: northern edition up above and southern edition down below (Letters, 12 August).

John McAndrew

Moira, County Down

• Newspapers in heaven? That's why they have Guardian angels.

Chris du Feu

Beckingham, Nottinghamshire

• So, apes ape (Orangutans' mime act, 11 August).

Frank Riley

Hexham, Northumberland

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