'Second national lockdown caused untold damage across Essex and country'

If this was the only objective, we could say well done Boris and Matt.

Regrettably, what is not quantified and is probably too difficult to do so is the social damage.

What I find quite astonishing is making vendors of ‘non-essential goods’ close. What is essential is completely subjective. In a world that has always derived prosperity from trade, choking it off is at best counterproductive.

It is also a kick in the teeth for local shops who can only fret at seeing the supermarkets stealing their living.

Typically, the government’s next step is to impose a one size fits all policy.

This has produced a monumental number of anomalies such as in Kent where the west would qualify for Tier 1 while the east is a problem area.

How is it that when we have a multitude of local authorities who know their area best we allow central government to dictate and continue to deprive a vast number of people of their living?

DAVID STANSFIELD

Vernon Road, Leigh

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