Police cash turned down again THE government has again turned down Merseyside police's bid for extra funding to provide proper protection for Capital of Culture. Home Office minister Joan Ryan shrugged off demands for £9m to deploy an extra 200 officers to deal with the expected influx of visitors. She said the city region's force, like others across England and Wales, has received extra funding since 1997 and it is "for those responsible for hosting 2008 to plan for security." The minister was grilled by Wirral South MP Ben Chapman who fears the refusal will lead to a policing squeeze across the region. He said later: "Frankly this is an inadequate response and we shall continue pressing for more resources. "The decision to withhold any kind of support, unlike similar major events in the past, is outrageous. “The fact is that Liverpool is representing the whole of the UK and it is unfair that cash for neighbourhood policing across Merseyside should be put under severe pressure as a result." Last month another Home Office minister, Baroness Scotland, told the Bishop of Liverpool and peers that they had no chance of winning the extra money. The issue is fast turning into a major political row as MPs and Lords highlighted the contrast with extra policing costs, picked up by the Treasury, incurred during last year's Labour conference in Manchester and during the 2004 Commonwealth Games in the same city. Earlier this year police authority chief Bill Weightman said local council taxpayers should not be penalised. Business urged to cough up for culture LIVERPOOL businesses have been accused of not doing enough to make Capital of Culture a success. Council leader Warren Bradley urged the business community to help make the city ready for 2008 by putting their hands in their pockets. But many businesses said they were reluctant to contribute to Capital of Culture coffers because they had been “left out of the loop” and were already paying enough. Cllr Bradley said: “Everybody is going to benefit from Capital of Culture; businesses already have but many of them have not made a contribution. “Put simply, if you want to come to the party, bring a bottle. Businesses each need to play their part in making Capital of Culture successful.” | 
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