Letters: we have let down white, working-class boys

The lost boys

Sir: The only statement in your powerful leading article (‘Boy trouble’, 17 August) which can be challenged is that ‘the plight of poor white boys is a new burning injustice’. It is certainly not ‘new’. Even 40 years ago when the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) produced policies designed to counter inequality affecting girls, it was obvious that the problem was no less serious for white working-class boys. But the subject was highjacked by those obsessing about girls, with the results described in your article 40 years later.

During the hijacking (for which he was not responsible), ILEA’s former leader Sir Ashley Bramall said to me: ‘Perhaps we should also be worried about the boys.’ We now have another female education secretary who herself overcame inequalities; she should give her urgent attention to white working-class boys.

David Woodhead

(Chief press officer ILEA, 1978-84)

Leatherhead, Surrey

Fighting talk

Sir: I found your various articles about the recent riots (‘Why Britain riots’, 10 August) sensible, fair and illuminating. I fear that the government’s response to the disorder is not going to make the problems go away. Rather than simply denying that there is a problem and cracking down hard on anyone who says otherwise, the government needs to stand up and declare that it abhors the violent reaction of a minority of mindless, misguided and too often racist thugs.

However, it also needs to accept that in many communities there is, at the very least, the perception of a problem regarding immigration. Ministers need to be clear that they will sit down with representatives of all communities to search for solutions.