Stemming the loss of small businesses | Letters

Margaret Morris says the rate of VAT should be reduced. Alison Hayes thinks lifelong learning centres would draw people back to town centresOne way to help stem the loss of small businesses from our high streets (Retail property values to dive and more high-street jobs to go, experts say, 21 January) would be to raise the level at which businesses have to register to pay VAT from £85,000 to £250,000 and reduce the rate, currently 20%, which adds to the cost of living for all working