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School admissions, Horse racing, Pensions

Consumer news and issues. Bookmakers and racecourse owners are locked in a battle that may threaten the future of smaller race meetings.

The union representing most headteachers says the primary school admissions system - under pressure because of a shortage of places - is at best "confusing" for parents and at worst "potentially harmful" to children's education. We report on the rise of so-called "titan schools" - those with more than 800 pupils - up from just 16 in 2010 to 88 today. Reporter Melanie Abbott will be live at the UK's biggest primary school. What's it like to teach and learn there? Why aren't successful academies following suit? We'll hear about parents who feel the system should be better organised and ask how that might be managed.

We'll be at the races to find out about a dispute over how bookmakers should fund horseracing is causing big name bookmakers to sever ties with major racing events. Racecourse owners want bookies to pay more to sponsor races. Its all about the 10.75% levy placed on profits in betting shops that goes to racing events. The figure handed over to racing is in decline as people go online or on the phone to bet where there's no such charge. Those running small race meetings say they're struggling to find alternative funding.

And new research suggests that those retiring this year are feeling the best off that retirees have felt for years. Can that really be true? And if it is, how did that come about?

Available now

45 minutes

Chapters

  • School Places

    What's being done to ease the squeeze on primary school places?

    Duration: 09:09

  • India E-Visas

    India's new e-visa system is resulting in frustrated British travellers.

    Duration: 05:17

  • Wikipedia

    Wikipedia is now 15 years old. But how reliable is it?

    Duration: 02:46

  • Housing

    Why is producing new homes so hard to achieve?

    Duration: 08:03

  • Racing

    Are the big high street bookies threatening the future of horse racing?

    Duration: 06:37

  • Pensions

    Why do those retiring in 2016 feel better off than retirees in other years?

    Duration: 06:52

Broadcast

  • Fri 15 Jan 2016 12:15

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