The final straw

One of the difficulties with council tax referendums (Analysis, June 25) is the difficulty for taxpayers in understanding the relationship between council expenditure decisions and tax levels. The distortions caused by the imbalance between central and local funding can mean that a 1% increase in spending translates into a 6% or more rise in council tax. That is why the LGA welcomes the government's intention to review the balance between central and local funding.
Cllr Jeremy Beecham
Local Government Association

Higher interest rates are needed to cool the housing market; all other sectors need low interest rates. Why not tax mortgage interest payments and use the proceeds to build affordable homes?
Kip Bennett
Hayes, Middx

How to buy wine (Consumer, G2, June 25)? Join the Wine Society. If you are going to mention the Sunday Times, you ought to refer to this distinguished cooperative.
John Fear
Newcastle upon Tyne

After all of the preaching we Scots have had to endure about supporting our neighbours in the World Cup, can I take it that English fans will be supporting Germany in the final (Sport, June 26)?
Dr John Gordon
Edinburgh

The shrewdest comment I've heard since the fateful Friday, was from a fan of about four in an England shirt, with his mother in a shop queue. "They didn't do very well did they?" I said. He thought about this, then replied: "I've got a balloon."
C Rudland
North Ferriby, E Yorks.

I assume that if Tim Henman reaches the quarter finals, Tony Blair will hold a reception for him at No 10.
Colin Lewis
Blackwood, Gwent