It would be helpful to local democracy, if councils could retain the business tax already levied.

Peter York, Tonbridge, Kent

This may be controversial: it is also necessary. Much has been made of the huge city bonuses given out to the hot young things who haven't the faintest interest on spending their money, except on themselves. This is unfair. I gather that getting individuals to cough up for the salary of even one day's work is very difficult. Businesses are or seem much more willing to "pay back". However their "interests" may also over -colour how the funds are spent. I know that in the art world that how an exhibition is presented to the public can depend on the corporation's sponsership. That is not as it should be. It should be with no strings attached: let the art institution decide. Then we would not have the anomily of free headsets (super-duper ones with pictures) at Tate Modern and the mess that was the Rodin Exhibition at the RA. Maybe the RA did have freedom: if it did it made bad choices! I was castigated for having the large print labels booklets on me: there were at least 2 to lug about!

Carlyle Braden, Croydon, U.K

What are we paying for now if it is not infrastructure? Health, NHS, welfare, etc. are paid for by personal taxes.

R Mason, London, UK

Are there any accountants in the treasury that can help to get us out of this one way street.Some one that can think outside the box so that more can be achieved for less.Did I read that £60bn was being wasted per annum or was that a dream?

Pete, Berkshire,

This government has given us a huge increase in red tape, tax increases (Employers NI and Corporation Tax for example), they want us to pay into our employees pension schemes (after they themselves have plundered pensions) and now they want this as well? You already get nothing for your business rates (not even waste disposal). How many people will give up running businesses with employees in the first place and become a consultant of some kind working from home? Sounds like you have a better chance of survival that way.

Lee Taylor, Southend,

The current business rates are already a huge burden on small business. This government seems intent on putting all small business out of business!

Keith, Diss, Norfolk

Good idea arriving none too soon. Given that business is the basis of our society, it is right that business should underwrite, directly, the costs of doing business, including the cost of getting people to and from work,keeping them healthy while in work, and enticing more people to come to work in a given area.

David, Birmingham, UK

Are there any accountants in the treasury that can help to get us out of this one way street.Some one that can think outside the box so that more can be achieved for less.Did I read that £60bn was being wasted per annum or was that a dream?

Pete, Berkshire,

Oh look,the Labour parties solution to every problem, more tax that they can waste.

A Hunt, Wisbech, Cambs

What's this ? Another Tax ? surprise, surprise ! If the Governent spent the tax they collect already, more efficiently, there would be billions left over, which would allow for a tax REDUCTION !

steve fisher, Brisbane, Australia

Could be a sensible move ! This would be a great opportunity to tax those people (private equity and buy-to-let) who have made obscence amounts of monies in recent years to the detriment of society as a whole). Tax them and use the monies to improve the country.

Tom, Belfast,

WE really do need a big input into up-to-date transport systems-a really bold step forward (like the Victorians made).I was in Bordeaux recently and enjoyed several days of hopping on and off the three interconnecting trams(only 3 years old ,clean,cheap and punctual)and then came back to the traffic mayhem of my nearest city of Bristol.Oh dearie me!

H.D, W.s.Mare, N.Somerset

Yet another tax that will crush the small business and push the margina over the edge. Then, we will have headlines in your paper wondering why we have so few small businesses...

A Mattinson, Leicester, England