SIR – When Victorian England tried to build the London Underground, the private sector wasn’t interested – there were no commercial profits.

Far-sighted politicians pointed out that the long-term, wider economic/social profits would far exceed the costs, so Government intervened.

Sadly, modern UK companies are obsessed with short-term commercial profits. We need to ditch the Quick Quid, Wonga approach.

Instead, we need to borrow to invest in science research and development, and a massive infrastructure programme. We need to increase taxes on the better-off and reduce our bloated aid budget by half, releasing £5.5 billion every year.

The British capitalist model of bankers and big business crooks needs a massive overhaul by an inspired political leader.

Trevor Hope, Harrogate Road, Eccleshill