The BBC’s longest running debate show Any Questions? celebrated its 60th anniversary show with a live broadcast from one of Winchesters prestigious secondary schools.

 

The Henry Beaufort School was chosen to host the special programme which coincided with the shows return to the city where it was first aired at the Guildhall in 1948. 

 

Barry Lipscomb a male audience member started the discussion asking the panel: “Should charities with deposits at risk in failed foreign, British based and regulated banks receive compensation from the UK Government”? Harriet Harman, Labour MP replied that the cabinet will be conducting meetings with the charitable sector one action taken has been: “freezing the assets of Icelandic banks” to try and save some money. She insisted: “we won’t leave them on their own.”

 

Charities have invested a reported £25 million in failed banks after being given advice by the government; many are now facing the horrifying reality that they could lose all the money they have invested.

 

Harman who is also Minister for Women and Equality announced a new equality bill that will make transparent how much men and women are paid in the workplace. This was revealed after a question about equal rights for women was asked by another audience member. “Women are looking after the family, the elderly and the home”, said Baroness Williams, until they come out of this role “we can whistle for equality as it won’t happen!”