Random concerns

The government's UK Border Agency plans to increase the number of immigrant detention places by between 1,300 and 1,500 according to immigration minister Liam Byrne.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7408121.stm

At the moment, businesses around the West End of Princes Street are having a hell of a time doing any trade, due to the closure of the road and the fencing along the pavement.

Although 'business is open as usual', no number of posters saying so can make up for the reduction in passing traffic and pedestrians which are crucial to these businesses' success.

I propose that the businesses that need it are in some way subsidised in order that they can survive the tram works.

UPDATE: Leith Walk firm World of Gas has announced that it has to close its doors as a result of lost business due to the tram works. Delivery drivers have been unable to reach the business' premises, and the parking the firm provides is all but useless because of the restricted access.

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/12445/Firm-blames-tram-work-chaos.4191413.jp

The Chancellor Alistair Darling is planning to increase road tax for older, more polluting cars.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7421171.stm

The Government has announced plans to spend £140m providing free swimming to over 60s and under 16s, becoming available before the 2012 London Olympics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7439182.stm

As seen in the news over the past few days, the UK government intend to extend detention without charge for terrorist suspects to 42 days.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7207659.stm

'The Lord' is milking weekend evening TV for all its worth, and it's about time this was stopped.

We've had Joseph and now Nancy, and I reckon that's probably about enough.

According to the BBC Trust, the Beeb's governing body, the BBC's stars are not paid more than the market rate.

The Trust's chairman Sir Michael Lyons said "[t]he BBC doesn't pay more than others and indeed there has been a firmer grip on talent costs in recent years... [t]his is not a green light for the BBC to pay whatever it wants."

Reportedly, BBC employee Jonathan Ross is currently under a 3-year contract for £6m per year. Other BBC employees with leaked salaries include Chris Moyles, paid £630,000 per year, Sir Terry Wogan, paid £800,000 per year and Jeremy Paxman, paid £940,000 per year.

Labour propose to use patient experiences to gauge hospitals' performance, which will affect the amount of money received from the government.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7400454.stm