Norma Neal, 68, of Sedgefield, retired headteacher (last worked at Hartlepool's Catcote Academy and Manor Community Academy)

AS a former teacher, I am very concerned by governmental interference in education, largely to the detriment of day-to-day teaching and learning.

The morale of teachers seems to be hitting an all-time low, with young people disillusioned after a few years in the profession.

Cutbacks in funding and increases in tuition fees combine to store up problems for the future.

We need to invest in education, taking advice from experts within the world of teaching, rather than inflicting faddy ideas and costly innovations from above.

Similarly, the NHS and our emergency services are suffering from under-funding and government directives based on Whitehall-generated statistics.

Government, of whichever persuasion, needs to listen to people working in those areas, relying on focused expertise to make progress based on sound principles and knowledge.

The Brexit referendum has caused so much confusion and anxiety it is difficult to see a way ahead.

However, I believe that a clear focus on the needs of the people of this country is paramount.

All of us, not just the wealthy few. Fairness seems to have disappeared from the government agenda.

A simple system of taxation, bringing in revenue to support those in need, would restore equilibrium.

Foodbanks, homelessness, lack of affordable homes, diminution in dependable employment – these factors begin to define life in Britain today.

A caring government needs to face up to these problems, seeking solutions which help the country to move forward. Austerity is not the answer.