... charge between 5 to 17% commission, for what I ask myself, how can that be justified!?
Disgusted...Joss Wakefield - UK.

... I used in the sale of my property was very good but I do not feel that the 5,000 commission was justifiable.   Susannah Trigg – Yorkshire, UK

My heart went out to the mother who recently informed on her own two sons to the police, for their crime of beating a man almost to death. Her tears and distress show just how hard it had been for her to do this, but in my opinion she defiantly did the right thing. It is a great shame that more parents don’t take the same responsible actions when unfortunately they find themselves in a similar situation. No matter how much you love your children, tough love is required, “especially” in such terrible life changing circumstances. Life will never be the same for all involved, the victim, their families and the perpetrators and their families, Doing what you feel is right, takes great courage and in time I hope that all concerned in this particular sad case, find peace and love again and that this courageous lady soon has positive contact from her other children and with her clearly loved, grandchildren.                 Linda Kemp. Hampshire, England.

Well said Michael Spears, discipline is the key, I agree bring back national service or an equivalent, get these vile hooligans of the streets and into a good working environment where discipline and respect is taught and that through this they learn to feel safe and worthwhile themselves. It is not only the public that would benefit from such actions, the children concerned could find a real sense of purpose and start to love themselves and in time turn their lives around making it happy and positive. Yes … discipline is the key!                            Brian Loft. Hampshire.

The answer to the previous writer regarding the youth knife crime culture in the UK is clear, bring back national service, it would teach these hooligans a bit of discipline, as they are not getting discipline from the people most at fault for this deplorable situation, their parents! True, there are some good responsible parents supplying stability for their children, but unfortunately for the communities that are subjected to the consequences of their unruly “offspring” it would appear there are not enough! Why is it that we are all expected to “pussy foot” around such children and be afraid to even speak to them for fear of saying or even looking at them “supposedly” in the wrong way, in case they decide to punch the living daylights out of you. What the hell is going on! What happened to respect of other human beings and of their rights?                          Michael Spears. Bristol.

The most upsetting news that we all seem to be faced with when turning on our T.V’s to catch up on the day’s news, is the horror of knife crime being reported and it’s regularity on our screens, with mostly children being the victim and the perpetrator. What on earth is happening to our society? How should this totally unacceptable and sad situation be addressed? Something has to be put in place to deal with this pronto, before the situation gets completely out of control. I must say, I’m at a bit of a loss to know what a workable answer is!                        Brian Golding. Berkshire.

The subject of the British news onslaught on the financial situation of the UK in particular, which so often is connected with the property market and resulting the mortgage problems we have to encounter when wishing to purchase a house, is certainly all doom and gloom. We must remember however, that this is a global problem and we are not the only nation to suffer from this massive down turn in our fortunes. Having said that, I find myself totally agreeing with Jane and Paul and whole heartedly wish that the “Media” would try and get some kind of balance in their broadcasting of so much misery!                                            Jon Gleest. Surrey UK.

I agree with Jane on the matter of the British press, it is a great shame that “good” news is not what the public seem to care much about or so we are led to believe! The British media have an important role to play in society, but we must remember that it is also a business and needs to make money and if the men at the top of such corporations, feel that the relentless pursuit of shocking headlines is their way forward, then who are we!? ... Just the people caught up in the misery that results from these decisions to keep repeatedly drumming home the “same” bad news in what seems to be a million times a day!      Paul Grimsby. Durham.

I don’t know about you, but I for one, am totally fed up with the British press continually banging on about our countries financial troubles, they have a bone between their teeth and just have to keep shaking it until we are all practically on our knees with worry … the BBC and ITV along with other major broadcasting networks just keep piling on the agony! … As if the UK citizens have not got enough to contend with! Why do these entities have to make such a big noise relentlessly, making everything appear even worse than it is! Yes we do need to be informed, but give us a break!         Jane Solly. Newcastle.