Times letters: Purpose and timeline of the Covid-19 inquiry

He notes: "Sir, The government must engage in constructive consultation with the legal and professional service sectors before it considers this change (“Chancellor plans £2bn tax raid on middle class”, 22 October). What business — including the legal sector — needs is certainty, and this sort of speculation is unhelpful for those who already contribute huge sums to the exchequer."

"This government has said repeatedly that it wants to focus on growth, but this sort of short-sighted tax change for limited liability partnerships would negatively affect London’s competitiveness and status as a global hub for law. The sector has long been a critical motor of the economy, generating billions in economic value and a trade surplus through legal exports. We must ensure it remains a global leader in the face of aggressive competition from other jurisdictions, not disincentivise growth through a piecemeal approach to tax reform".