He says...

I am obviously in favour of higher taxes for those with houses in the £1million-plus bracket.

But I do not agree that it sould be applied across the board.

If a couple have lived in a property for some time and find themselves equity rich and cash poor, then this should be taken into account.

There are schemes to let themtap into their property equity, whereby firms will advance you cash in exchange for a share in your house when you die.

Perhaps there is a case for the state to operate such a scheme, so that in fact you pay no council tax if you cannot afford it and the local authority reclaims any debts from your estate.

This, in my opinion, would be the fairest way. The populus would then be able to enjoy the fruits of their labours and then the wealth left over on their death could be redistributed for the good of the community.

It has always struck me as unfair that if a person works hard and buys their own house, they are taxed on their wages, taxed on their property and taxed on its value when they die.

Whereas the layabout who contributes very little to society, gets taxed once and then just drinks and smokes his money away.

A two-tier tax system is the answer. Just income tax while you are working and then the complete confiscation of all assets on your death. These could then be redistributed for the benefit of all.

Tom Hall

She says...

o let me get this right. Here you have some 70-year-old claiming he bought his house for £15,000 in 19-oh-crunch and because it is now worth zillions he should not have to pay more council tax, seeing as he is a poor pensioner and cannot afford it.

What rubbish. If one cannot afford to live in a house then the answer is simple. Move out to somewhere you can afford to live.

Why should everyone else be penalised because you did not make adequate provision for your old age?

The very same old people who are bleating the loudest would be the first to gloat at first-time buyers finding it so hard to get a first step on the property ladder.

Now that the steep rise in property prices is coming back to haunt them in terms of council and inheritence taxes they do nothing but moan.

It is time they woke up to the fact that they are old and have had their time.

Move over, move out and let those who can afford it have their place in the sun for a while.

One should not expect the state or anyone else to look after you, whether young or old.

Count yourselves lucky that you have been able to live in such luxurious surroundings for as long as you have.

If you cannot afford to live in the style to which you have become accustomed then you have nobody else to blame but yourself.

Polly Reed