You report (9 August) that Bridget Phillipson has stated that “universities in England should not expect a government bailout, arguing they are autonomous institutions that should rely on their own resources”. Will this hardline attitude be applied to the water, rail and banking industries?
Pete Lavender
Woodthorpe, Nottinghamshire
• Speaking of the union flag, John Mathews describes the lyrics of a song as longing “for a day when all English people … can stand under their flag proudly” (6 August). But the union flag is the flag of the UK, not England. If we are going to talk about flags, wouldn’t it be advisable to agree on what they stand for? Or let’s perhaps just get rid of them all?
Jim Grozier
Brighton, East Sussex