Letters: Starmer and co aren't changemakers – they're change-talkers 

A Big Issue reader is still waiting for the ‘change’ promised by Labour; another suggests that the government could find the positive change they need by reading our Changemakers issue.

Where are the changemakers in power?

Funny that Starmer and co were not among the 100 Changemakers, given all the noise they made pre election about ‘change’. Then I remembered the list wasn’t changeTALKERS. Perhaps if they set out to reduce inequality by taxing the super-rich, they might make it next year? No, dream on…

John Bishop, Wolverhampton

What Changemakers can teach the government

Each year I look forward to the Changemakers issue, because it is so inspiring to read how ordinary people have given their time to make a positive difference to people’s lives. It gives you hope for humanity. I believe you should send an issue to every MP in Westminster, so they read what these incredible Changemakers are doing for the benefit of their communities and in most cases, costing very little. Therefore, just think of what impact they could have with a little bit of government funding. 

Come on Labour, stop trying to reinvent the wheel, when the solutions are contained in this issue. If you can help, care for and raise up the most vulnerable within our communities, then it benefits everyone in society in so many ways. Thank you Changemakers.

Mark Pointer, Norwich

Adopt a standard

Thank you very much for the very encouraging and positive interview with James O’Brien. Like James I was lucky enough to be adopted early in life by two brilliant parents – Rene and Don in my case. Like James, I too have sometimes been irritated by negative references in news articles to adoption when a child gets into trouble. 

I was unaware of the charity Coram which helps build families through adoption until I read your article, so thank you very much.

Tony Rowe, Sudbury, Suffolk

Bully for you

I write in response to Mrs J Jenkins’ letter about school uniform. She argues there isn’t really a need for it or much benefit. My personal experience growing up in a low-income family was that it was something that most certainly saved me from at least some bullying. Every aspect of your personality and appearance was up for grabs by bullies. If my clothes had been added to the list along with how I spoke, my school meals tickets, etc, I know I would have suffered more. As would my learning. On costs; the uniform actually saved us money. My parents wouldn’t have been able to afford to send me to school in something different every day. Fortunately they didn’t have to. Please don’t ignore bullying in this debate, or assume all families can afford to dress their kids in something different every day. 

A Crossley, London

Sweet spot

I am writing to say how much I enjoy Lucy Sweet’s column, which never fails to entertain and inform. Her review of The Traitors confirmed my choice not to watch it but you could say the show is not entirely without merit if it inspired such a funny article. Thank you Lucy for bringing a smile to my face on a cold, grey and miserable day. 

Bobby Child, Mid Wales

• Introducing the Big Issue 100 Changemakers of 2025
• ‘This is definitely a pinch-me moment’: Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025 react to being honoured
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Housing and homelessness

RE: Employer personality tests

I went freelance last year not out of choice but because tests like these locked me out of jobs. I couldn’t even get to the interview stage.

@ellenjones

I got screened out by the Aldi psychometric test with honest answers, and then again with what I thought they wanted. Applying for jobs while autistic is fucking impossible.

@dizzee-ragdoll

Someone is finally covering this! I am great at making money for companies. I cannot for the life of me “pass” a psychometric test, and I failed various graduate recruitment assessments due to it.

@ashley.rolfmore

I’ve failed multiple personality tests. How can you fail them? When they are used as a reason to do something, or worse an excuse to justify.

@johnwards

I used to not disclose that I had autism because I knew I wouldn’t be hired, but now I wouldn’t even be able to do that.

@cocoafox023

This is such a nonsense thing to do. I wonder is the discrimination the point of using them. It’s a convenient way to ditch whole groups of people.

@bows4crows

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