Melissa Hayhurst says the government should ensure children are getting the support they need instead of attacking the lawyers helping parents

The claim by the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, that lawyers are “exploiting” parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is not only wrong, it is deeply insulting to the thousands of families who are forced to rely on legal advice simply to secure the support their children are already entitled to under the law ( Report, 13 March ).

I am one of those parents. My daughter Jessica has complex needs and is unable to speak or communicate. Like many families across the country, we depend on the legal protections within the Send framework to ensure that she receives the education, care and support she requires.

Melissa Hayhurst says the government should ensure children are getting the support they need instead of attacking the lawyers helping parents

The claim by the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, that lawyers are “exploiting” parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is not only wrong, it is deeply insulting to the thousands of families who are forced to rely on legal advice simply to secure the support their children are already entitled to under the law ( Report, 13 March ).

I am one of those parents. My daughter Jessica has complex needs and is unable to speak or communicate. Like many families across the country, we depend on the legal protections within the Send framework to ensure that she receives the education, care and support she requires.

Melissa Hayhurst says the government should ensure children are getting the support they need instead of attacking the lawyers helping parents

The claim by the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, that lawyers are “exploiting” parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is not only wrong, it is deeply insulting to the thousands of families who are forced to rely on legal advice simply to secure the support their children are already entitled to under the law ( Report, 13 March ).

I am one of those parents. My daughter Jessica has complex needs and is unable to speak or communicate. Like many families across the country, we depend on the legal protections within the Send framework to ensure that she receives the education, care and support she requires.

Sue Morgan of SongBird Survival warns of dangers such as fur left out for nesting birds by well-meaning pet owners

I was pleased to read Stephen Moss’s account of blue tits starting to sing in his garden as they gear up for nesting season ( Birdwatch: Blue tits are feisty and fascinating but often taken for granted, 11 March ). But while blue tits remain a familiar sight, they, along with many other garden birds, now face a growing number of hidden threats in the very place we imagine them to be safest: our gardens.

Scientific research funded by SongBird Survival has shown how everyday gardening choices can have serious consequences. Around a third of UK gardeners use pesticides, and our studies found that house sparrow numbers, for example, were nearly 40% lower in gardens where the pesticide metaldehyde was used.

Sue Morgan of SongBird Survival warns of dangers such as fur left out for nesting birds by well-meaning pet owners

I was pleased to read Stephen Moss’s account of blue tits starting to sing in his garden as they gear up for nesting season ( Birdwatch: Blue tits are feisty and fascinating but often taken for granted, 11 March ). But while blue tits remain a familiar sight, they, along with many other garden birds, now face a growing number of hidden threats in the very place we imagine them to be safest: our gardens.

Scientific research funded by SongBird Survival has shown how everyday gardening choices can have serious consequences. Around a third of UK gardeners use pesticides, and our studies found that house sparrow numbers, for example, were nearly 40% lower in gardens where the pesticide metaldehyde was used.

Sue Morgan of SongBird Survival warns of dangers such as fur left out for nesting birds by well-meaning pet owners

I was pleased to read Stephen Moss’s account of blue tits starting to sing in his garden as they gear up for nesting season ( Birdwatch: Blue tits are feisty and fascinating but often taken for granted, 11 March ). But while blue tits remain a familiar sight, they, along with many other garden birds, now face a growing number of hidden threats in the very place we imagine them to be safest: our gardens.

Scientific research funded by SongBird Survival has shown how everyday gardening choices can have serious consequences. Around a third of UK gardeners use pesticides, and our studies found that house sparrow numbers, for example, were nearly 40% lower in gardens where the pesticide metaldehyde was used.

Baby lies | Fuel price fairness | Gut feelings | Fifa fiasco | Human connection | Cooking instructions

When gently asked about a pen scribble in a picture book “Goodness, I wonder who did that?”, 27-month-old Emily confidently retorted “Nancy!” – our miniature dachshund ( Little liars: babies younger than one practise deceit, study suggests, 16 March ).
Dianne Ball
Nottingham

• The government’s fuel duty is set, but the VAT element is a percentage of the retail price. Reducing VAT, perhaps to zero, could be a way to show an intent for fuel price “fairness” and avoid accusations that the government is profiteering, as it is suggesting that others might be ( Watchdog puts UK fuel retailers ‘on notice’ over profiteering from Iran war, 12 March ).
Mic Porter
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

Baby lies | Fuel price fairness | Gut feelings | Fifa fiasco | Human connection | Cooking instructions

When gently asked about a pen scribble in a picture book “Goodness, I wonder who did that?”, 27-month-old Emily confidently retorted “Nancy!” – our miniature dachshund ( Little liars: babies younger than one practise deceit, study suggests, 16 March ).
Dianne Ball
Nottingham

• The government’s fuel duty is set, but the VAT element is a percentage of the retail price. Reducing VAT, perhaps to zero, could be a way to show an intent for fuel price “fairness” and avoid accusations that the government is profiteering, as it is suggesting that others might be ( Watchdog puts UK fuel retailers ‘on notice’ over profiteering from Iran war, 12 March ).
Mic Porter
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

Baby lies | Fuel price fairness | Gut feelings | Fifa fiasco | Human connection | Cooking instructions

When gently asked about a pen scribble in a picture book “Goodness, I wonder who did that?”, 27-month-old Emily confidently retorted “Nancy!” – our miniature dachshund ( Little liars: babies younger than one practise deceit, study suggests, 16 March ).
Dianne Ball
Nottingham

• The government’s fuel duty is set, but the VAT element is a percentage of the retail price. Reducing VAT, perhaps to zero, could be a way to show an intent for fuel price “fairness” and avoid accusations that the government is profiteering, as it is suggesting that others might be ( Watchdog puts UK fuel retailers ‘on notice’ over profiteering from Iran war, 12 March ).
Mic Porter
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear