Gavin Kelly is right that decent wages cannot on their own combat in-work poverty and that tax credits are still needed (Report, 17 February). However, he ignores child benefit, which avoids the problems associated with means-tested tax credits. One reason for the introduction of its precursor family allowances was that wages cannot take account of family size. Child benefit also replaced child tax allowances and therefore should be part of Nick Clegg's strategy of increasing the tax-free income of the low-paid. Unlike an increase in tax allowances, this would help families with children below the tax threshold. I hope that he will prioritise an end to the freeze of child benefit in his budget negotiations.
Ruth Lister
Labour, House of Lords
• In coverage of 29 February birthdays (A first birthday – at four years old, Family, 25 February), I haven't yet seen a mention of the most famous "leapling" of them all: Frederic, the hero of The Pirates of Penzance. This hapless youth had been apprenticed to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday, which would not occur until 1940. (Gilbert and Sullivan fans were unable to celebrate when the occasion did arrive, since most people's minds were on other things that year.)
Sue Jenkins
Thame, Oxfordshire
• Any chance of a free magnifying glass so that we can see the quick crossword clues please?
Maisie Johnson
Nottingham
• Skylark singing, high over Dawlish Warren (Letters, 24 February)!
Rob Parrish
Starcross, Devon