Letter: Unfair equation

Even if he mistakes legal tax avoidance for illegal evasion, I can't believe Trevor Rigg (Letters, 17 August) is seriously equating the "free-for-all" of rich people benefiting from lawful tax regulations with the recent "smash and grab" criminality he associates with his "under-class".

Which of these sections of society indulged in looting, arson, petrol-bombing and destruction of property - not to mention murder?

People of ordinary means take advantage of tax avoidance; a simple example is a man placing his earned savings in his wife's account if she pays no tax on the interest. On the other hand, our system penalises wealth earned through successful work while rewarding gamblers, including multi- million pound lottery winners, who are not taxed at all.

If extra tax is imposed above a certain income level it should be accompanied by a quid pro quo privilege, such as having a say on how it is spent.

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent