Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Commuter says no Poor lose out on uni places
Anger as traffic cops seize car because driver’s insurance does not cover them going to work
BRIGHT teenagers from poor families are treated unfairly in university applications, say researchers.
The system relies heavily on predicted grades – and they are often underestimated for less well-off students, according to the study by the Sutton Trust.
Chairman Sir Peter Lampl said: “The brightest disadvantaged students, given their grades, are under-represented at leading universities.”
The poor also get less help on personal statements, another key factor. ROMANCE is definitely on the menu as loved-up Rio Ferdinand and girlfriend Kate Wright enjoy a date in his restaurant.
The former footballer, 39, posted the image of his cuddle with ex-towie star Kate, 26, at Rosso in Manchester and captioned it: “Cheeky night out with this one.”
The couple have been dating since January. Rio lost wife Rebecca, who he had three children with, to cancer in 2015, aged 34. A COMMUTER stopped in a routine check had their car seized because their insurance did not cover them driving to work.
Roadside queries on the policy for the VW hatchback also revealed it had the wrong address on it.
West Yorkshire Police tweeted: “M62 West, Huddersfield – Driver commuting from work – insurance policy excludes commuting.
“Also an incorrect address on the policy. Seized and reported.”
The move on Saturday caused fury on social media. James Cowell said: “This guy probably just did his insurance through a website for the cheapest quote. Now you’ve stopped him going to work for a technicality.”
Jordan Carter added: “Jobsworth – an official who upholds petty rules even at the expense of humanity or common sense.” And Jack Snelgrove said: “My neighbour had an attempted burglary. How about catching ACTUAL criminals.”
Peter Saunders, of the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: “It is madness. A verbal warning would surely have been enough.”
And Tory MP Andrew Bridgen added: “There is a warning for all of us. But it does seem harsh.”
The Financial Ombudsman Service confirmed motor insurance is the most complained about of all, outside of PPI. In the last financial year, it had 11,844 gripes logged.
Seized cars can be sold at auction or crushed and sold for scrap.
A West Yorkshire Road Policing Unit spokesman said: “If using the vehicle for a class of use not covered, then the vehicle is uninsured.”
Neil Drane of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau added: “It’s clear many people don’t fully understand the cover they have purchased.”