Sunak should seize the chance to take the economy in a new direction

sir – Hats off to Rishi Sunak: a serious politician who tells it straight and seems on top of his brief.

He has the opportunity to become the most reforming Chancellor in years. He should simplify the tax system, lose stamp duty forever, encourage the green agenda with tax incentives, take away the pensions triple lock and encourage saving for long-term social and healthcare.

It’s time to let individuals keep more of their hard-earned income – and watch the country prosper.

Mike Metcalfe Glastonbury, Somerset

sir – According to your front page (report, July 9), Mr Sunak will “pay half the cost of a meal out for everyone”.

It is not, of course, the Chancellor but the taxpayer who will pick up the tab. But, strangely, this temporary, gimmicky, bribe to persuade us to go out is comforting, replacing the horrible “stay at home” mantra of previous months. The pictures of Mr Sunak serving meals in a restaurant are powerfully symbolic of his views about lockdown – and, together with his hopefully permanent stamp duty cut, give hope that he will never allow such damage to be voluntarily wrought on our economy again.

Tim Coles Carlton, Bedfordshire

sir – All credit to Mr Sunak in his attempt to lure customers back into restaurants. But then he ruins it all by serving a meal sans mask, sans gloves – sans common sense.

Andrew Mccabe Beedon Hill, Berkshire

sir – It is nice that the Chancellor wants to buy me dinner. But I worry about what he might be expecting from me afterwards.

Anthony Tanney Wickham Bishops, Essex

sir – Until all restrictions are done away with in pubs and restaurants, many of their regular customers, no matter what incentives the Chancellor comes up with, will not frequent them – for the simple reason that there is no atmosphere whatsoever.

Martin Thurston Midhurst, West Sussex

sir – The Chancellor has done little to encourage the public to visit town centres. Businesses need customers.

A simple way of attracting people would be for parking in, and public transport to, towns and cities to be made free at weekends.

Tony Ellis Northwood, Middlesex

sir – It is an indication of the poor state of the British economy that the Government has decided to support the hospitality industry in preference to the manufacturing sector.

John Catchpole Beverley, East Yorkshire

sir – Could someone please remind me how to spend cash?

Graham Winter Orpington, Kent