Statement signed by 13 former senior officials condemns ‘unprecedented’ assault on Fed’s independence

• Trump’s attempts to influence Fed risk ‘70’s-style inflation and global backlash’

• Nils Pratley: US bond markets should be in revolt. Fed independence matters

Every living former head of the Federal Reserve condemned an “unprecedented” attempt by the Trump administration to weaken the US central bank’s independence, after the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into its chair, Jerome Powell.

Ex-Fed chairs Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen warned similar prosecutorial attacks in other countries had led to “highly negative consequences” for the cost of living – and argued they had “no place” in the US.

Statement signed by 13 former senior officials condemns ‘unprecedented’ assault on Fed’s independence

• Trump’s attempts to influence Fed risk ‘70’s-style inflation and global backlash’

• Nils Pratley: US bond markets should be in revolt. Fed independence matters

Every living former head of the Federal Reserve condemned an “unprecedented” attempt by the Trump administration to weaken the US central bank’s independence, after the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into its chair, Jerome Powell.

Ex-Fed chairs Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen warned similar prosecutorial attacks in other countries had led to “highly negative consequences” for the cost of living – and argued they had “no place” in the US.

Statement signed by 13 former senior officials condemns ‘unprecedented’ assault on Fed’s independence

• Trump’s attempts to influence Fed risk ‘70’s-style inflation and global backlash’

• Nils Pratley: US bond markets should be in revolt. Fed independence matters

Every living former head of the Federal Reserve condemned an “unprecedented” attempt by the Trump administration to weaken the US central bank’s independence, after the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into its chair, Jerome Powell.

Ex-Fed chairs Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen warned similar prosecutorial attacks in other countries had led to “highly negative consequences” for the cost of living – and argued they had “no place” in the US.

Readers respond to Prof Shitij Kapur’s argument that having a UK university degree is no longer a ‘passport to social mobility’

Prof Shitij Kapur’s argument that the UK has a “surfeit” of graduates and that degrees have shifted from a “passport” to a mere “visa” for social mobility is misleading ( UK university degree no longer ‘passport to social mobility’, says King’s vice-chancellor, 3 January ).

Social mobility is not solely about having a degree. It is rooted in class, region, race, prejudice, discrimination and socioeconomic status, a consequence of which is what Daniel Laurison and Sam Friedman’s research shows as a “class ceiling” in action. This concept privileges those from higher socioeconomic groups when graduates are seeking employment. A good job is central to increasing social mobility. If access to this is barred by prejudice and discrimination, social capital reduces, and this strangles social mobility.

Readers respond to Prof Shitij Kapur’s argument that having a UK university degree is no longer a ‘passport to social mobility’

Prof Shitij Kapur’s argument that the UK has a “surfeit” of graduates and that degrees have shifted from a “passport” to a mere “visa” for social mobility is misleading ( UK university degree no longer ‘passport to social mobility’, says King’s vice-chancellor, 3 January ).

Social mobility is not solely about having a degree. It is rooted in class, region, race, prejudice, discrimination and socioeconomic status, a consequence of which is what Daniel Laurison and Sam Friedman’s research shows as a “class ceiling” in action. This concept privileges those from higher socioeconomic groups when graduates are seeking employment. A good job is central to increasing social mobility. If access to this is barred by prejudice and discrimination, social capital reduces, and this strangles social mobility.

Readers respond to Prof Shitij Kapur’s argument that having a UK university degree is no longer a ‘passport to social mobility’

Prof Shitij Kapur’s argument that the UK has a “surfeit” of graduates and that degrees have shifted from a “passport” to a mere “visa” for social mobility is misleading ( UK university degree no longer ‘passport to social mobility’, says King’s vice-chancellor, 3 January ).

Social mobility is not solely about having a degree. It is rooted in class, region, race, prejudice, discrimination and socioeconomic status, a consequence of which is what Daniel Laurison and Sam Friedman’s research shows as a “class ceiling” in action. This concept privileges those from higher socioeconomic groups when graduates are seeking employment. A good job is central to increasing social mobility. If access to this is barred by prejudice and discrimination, social capital reduces, and this strangles social mobility.

Stripping her of British citizenship set a dangerous precedent, argues Dr Alexander Smith

Peter Walker’s analysis of the stakes in the Shamima Begum case before the European court of human rights gives voice to fears I and no doubt many other dual nationals living in the UK harbour ( Ministers cannot go on ignoring the Shamima Begum case, for two important reasons, 2 January ).

I am an Australian citizen who has lived in the UK for half my life and was naturalised as a British citizen almost 20 years ago. I obey the law, work, pay taxes and do not claim any benefits. For people in my position, stripping Ms Begum of her British citizenship set a dangerous precedent.

Stripping her of British citizenship set a dangerous precedent, argues Dr Alexander Smith

Peter Walker’s analysis of the stakes in the Shamima Begum case before the European court of human rights gives voice to fears I and no doubt many other dual nationals living in the UK harbour ( Ministers cannot go on ignoring the Shamima Begum case, for two important reasons, 2 January ).

I am an Australian citizen who has lived in the UK for half my life and was naturalised as a British citizen almost 20 years ago. I obey the law, work, pay taxes and do not claim any benefits. For people in my position, stripping Ms Begum of her British citizenship set a dangerous precedent.

Stripping her of British citizenship set a dangerous precedent, argues Dr Alexander Smith

Peter Walker’s analysis of the stakes in the Shamima Begum case before the European court of human rights gives voice to fears I and no doubt many other dual nationals living in the UK harbour ( Ministers cannot go on ignoring the Shamima Begum case, for two important reasons, 2 January ).

I am an Australian citizen who has lived in the UK for half my life and was naturalised as a British citizen almost 20 years ago. I obey the law, work, pay taxes and do not claim any benefits. For people in my position, stripping Ms Begum of her British citizenship set a dangerous precedent.