Grimsdale's Ire: 30/10/08

New skills service for prisoners 'has failed' 30/10/08
“Prisoners are not being provided with opportunities to take qualifications and improve their basic skills, the chair of a cross-party group on MPs claimed today.

Edward Leigh, chairman of the public accounts committee, said the Offenders' Learning and Skills Service (Olass) - which was set up to help deliver skills and learning for offenders has "failed in almost every respect".” [Guardian]

You're wrong Jack Straw, our prison system is a disgrace 30/10/08
Mary Riddell draws comparisons between more and less successful prisons, focusing especially on the rehabilitative element offered by prisons. [Telegraph]

Government warned not to backslide on equal pay 30/10/08
“The government was warned today not to "backslide" on taking measures to close the gender pay gap after a new poll showed widespread public support for tackling the issue.

Nine out of 10 of those questioned by the Fawcett Society campaign group and the Unison trade union said the government should do more to tackle the pay gap.” [Guardian]

Much at stake for Sinn Féin when army war veterans parade through Belfast 30/10/08
“In the centre of Belfast this Sunday there will be two parallel political struggles taking place on the street.

The first is the conflict between the city's republican community and the pro-British unionist one. The former are turning out in force to protest against a homecoming parade in honour of local troops who have served in British army regiments in Afghanistan and Iraq. The latter are expected to travel from all over Northern Ireland in defiance of those protests and demonstrate their support for the British soldiers.” [Guardian]

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