I cannot let the letter from Ms Elms on behalf of the Quakers pass (‘Equal societies’, Your Views, March 19).

Whilst she is welcome to her opinions, they are not based on fact. She says that the UK is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world. On what basis? Has she travelled to any of the other countries in the developed world? If she had she would find that we are on a par with or better than most. It is why so many asylum seekers want to come to the UK rather than almost any other country in Europe.

She says that we need a fairer, more progressive tax system. The UK Government currently collects £650billion in tax every year. The problem is not squeezing even more tax out of the populace and business, but how it is spent.

I can agree with her desire to raise the minimum wage, but until the Government (left, right or centre) decides to remove the tax on jobs, called Employers National Insurance, then it will take some time.

Melvin Haskins

Lyonsdown Avenue, New Barnet