Part 1: Hellos & Menu
Parts 2 & 3: No Council Houses In Rich Areas
First up: no council houses in rich areas. One think tank’s urged the government to sell off its properties in the priciest areas as, according to them, social housing tenants don’t deserve a home better than most people can afford. They’ll use the cash to fund building new houses. But critics say the plan will create rich and poor ghettoes. Is that preferable to leaving millions waiting for somewhere to live?
We’ll take plenty of calls on that before it’s over to Dr Rosemary for the rest of the day’s news.
Part 4: Today’s Papers
Part 5: Give 16-Year Olds The Vote?
After which we’re going to ask if we should give 16 year olds the vote? The government’s considering letting teens help decide whether Scotland should become independent in 2014, and experts reckon that’ll open the door for general elections too. But would you be happy letting someone who the law deems not responsible enough to have cigarettes and alcohol help make such an important decision?
Part 6: Who Should Foot Bill For Policing Matches?
After your calls on that we’ll discuss who should foot the bill for policing football matches? Currently clubs cover just a third of the cost, taxpayers pay the rest. And Leeds United have just won a court case that could see clubs paying even less. Can we afford to carry on like this? If not, who should stump up more? All taxpayers, football fans or not? The clubs? The TV companies and advertisers? You tell me.
Part 7: Do You Have To Booze To Enjoy University?
And finally: Do you have to drink alcohol to enjoy university? Researchers reckon students who regularly go on the lash are happier and more popular than party poopers. How did your boozing or abstaining affect your time at uni?
Comments (5)
9 months ago
Ruth
What about the money the government is paying private landlords to subsidise social housing currently? And what about the empty council houses that are being auctioned off to private sellers? The government is the cause of this problem!!!!
9 months ago
Anon
16yr old voter?? The more the merrier I say. It's difficult enough to get people of any age to vote!!! If a 16 year old can got to Afghanistan and have their legs blown off, I think the least we can do is give them the vote!! They can work, pay taxes, get married and have children, they ARE allowed to drink at ANY age, so that doesn't wash either!! 16 year olds SHOULD have the vote, no doubt about it!!!
9 months ago
Lisa
The nub of the social housing problem is the selling off of council property, which has led to unscrupulous private property owners exploiting both the social housing system, and those with no other housing choices. The subsequent drive for profit has led to cramped, poor quality housing and the health problems noted by Dr. Rosemary Leonard. The UK has one of the lowest rates of social mobility in Europe. Tracey-Ann and Neil's points about communities with a wide mix of society is the only way out. Corporations (and Tory MPs) need to develop a social conscience and work toward improving society for all. As alluded to in the show, banks such as Barclay's and the Friendly Societies began against usury, funding philanthropic ventures in the belief that "those who do well, must also do good." Dispense with the likes of Bob Diamond for good, and bring back bankers of that calibre!
9 months ago
ann
The government should requisition the large amount of empty homes all over the country, as they did after the war,
9 months ago
George, Glasgow
By definition that would be the case!! The real question is, what happened to the money pumped into local government over the years?? For example, I have been campaigning for months to have the lights in my cul-de-sac turned off because they have been turned on 24/7 for well OVER a year!!!! My personal belief is that corruption within local government would make the Commons expenses scandal look like an episode of "The Archers"