Local insight needed to tackle tax evasion

‘I remember, when I worked for HM Customs and Excise, visiting a retailer after a local paper had reported on an investigation into VAT evasion involving another retailer,’ says Ian Arnott. Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy

The billions lost to tax evasion by small retail businesses (Report, 9 September) could be addressed by reinstating the 100 or so local tax offices that were closed by the Conservatives. I remember, when I worked for HM Customs and Excise, visiting a retailer after a local paper had reported on an investigation into VAT evasion involving another retailer. He had on his desk a copy of the paper, and said to me on arrival: “I need to tell you something.”
Ian Arnott
Peterborough

• Aditya Chakrabortty refers to that rightwing set of Tories who “speak golf-club identity politics” (Opinion, 12 September). It’s a phrase I have often used too, adding “Surrey” as an adjective. But is this really fair? Are there no golfers for Labour? Ramsay MacDonald was a keen golfer – but perhaps that’s not a good example for the current government.
Dave Verguson
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire