THE fact that £6.5 million has been paid out in compensation to prisoners in British jails is a disgrace.
While decent, law-abiding families are struggling to make ends meet, lags are cashing in by milking the system.
The money was paid out over the past two years for claims ranging from unlawful detention to sports injuries.
Paying out for the for
mer can be justified. Handing over cash for the latter most certainly cannot.
What ludicrous values system is in operation which allows those who have committed crimes to be awarded money for injuring themselves while playing sport?
No doubt there are other, even more scandalous claims being made but the Prison Service, likely as not bound by misguided privacy laws, is unable to tell us what they are.
How despicable that the amounts being claimed by convicted criminals dwarf those awarded to soldiers who have lost limbs fighting for their country.
It is mad that there is a system in place which allows these payments to be made.
And sad that there are those in the legal profession who make a living out of pursuing such claims.
Pool plan hopesWHEN plans to transform the eyesore that is the Leeds International Pool bit the dust it amounted to a major blow.
The Spiracle, a bold, eyecatching residential tower that was soon dubbed The Poppadom Tower on account of its unusual design, would have been a great addition to the city.
So news that a revised deal between the council and developers is on the cards is most welcome.
The scheme could see a 160-bedroom hotel, restaurant and offices replace the Sixties hell of disgraced architect John Poulson's design.
A new footbridge over the ring road would help join this key site to the rest of the city.
As one of the gateways to Leeds city centre it is essential that whatever is put there improves the appearance of this distinctly shabby part of town.
We may not be getting The Poppadom Tower, but it would be crackers if something worthwhile was not built on this important site... and quickly.
On right roadTRANSPORT bosses in Leeds are banking on new buses to increase passenger numbers.
They hope their investment in 17 new vehicles will lead to at least a five per cent rise in those using the guided bus route on the Scott Hall Road link.
It's a start but there is still a long way to go. We need continuous – and substantial – investment to solve Leeds's transport woes.
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