Prison regimes
A riot at Ford Open Prison in Sussex raised questions as to the regime in jails. This is some of what prisoners can expect:
— Category A (Whitemoor, Cambs): work opportunities in recycling, laundry and restoring computers for schools in Africa. Courses in thinking skills and anger management. Gym, sports hall and Astroturf. Prisoners may apply for two PE sessions within a working week, one in the evening and two at the weekends. Acupuncture for staff and prisoners. Visits Thur-Mon 1400-1600, must be booked 24 hours in advance.
— Category B (Wandsworth): courses include bricklaying/plastering, industrial cleaning. Multi-choice pre-select menu with halal and vegetarian options. Visits every morning and afternoon.
— Category C (Highpoint, Suffolk): workshops in tailoring, welding/fabrication. Courses include Streetworks: traffic lights and diversions. Visits seven days a week.
— Category D (Ford): single and two-man rooms. Four town visits a month once a prisoner has been resident nine months. Overnight home visits for up to five days.
Source: HM Prison Service
Value Added Tax
The main rate of VAT was increased to 20 per cent last Tuesday. How does this compare around Europe?
Denmark, Hungary, Norway, Sweden 25%
Greece, Poland, Portugal 23%
Belgium, Ireland, Lithuania 21%
Italy, Austria, Czech Republic 20%
France 19.6%
Holland, Germany 19%
Cyprus, Luxemburg 15%
Australia 10%
Switzerland 8%
Singapore 7%
Japan 5%
Canada (varies by province) 5%-15%
USA (set locally) 0%-11.
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