大象传媒

Belfast City Council is set to spend more than a million pounds a year on bonfire related funding schemes. Last night, councillors voted to increase the amount of money allocated to a controversial fund aimed at so-called "diversionary" activities in loyalist and republican areas. Supporters of that scheme - which is backed by the DUP and Sinn Fein - say it helps to reduce anti-social behaviour and prevent illegal bonfires. But other parties say there's too much secrecy around how the funding is spent. So is this a good use of ratepayers' money? Rates are going up this year. Vinny got the views of Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister is on the line, SDLP Councillor Tim Attwood, Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie and loyalist community worker Phil Hamilton.

Also on the programme, police are investigating abuse hurled at the Conservative MP Anna Soubry outside Westminster. Ms Souby was accused of being a 鈥淣azi" and a liar while being interviewed on the 大象传媒's news Channel. She was later shouted and jostled as she tried to re-enter parliament. Ms Soubry said the police needed to "do their job." She called on officers to prosecute the protestors under public order legislation for intimidating and threatening behaviour. Vinny got reaction from Luke Gittos, legal editor of Spiked Online, and associate editor of the Daily Mirror Kevin Maguire.

And, posting on their Facebook page yesterday the police said that "Sadly, evidence indicates that money given to those begging is often spent on drugs - making problems worse. Give instead to the various charities..." Do you give to those who beg on the streets? Should you? And is it fair to link those who ask for your spare change with drug use? Vinny spoke to Phil Kelly from the Labour Party and commentator Heidi McAlpin.

All that and more on the biggest show in the country...