How to spend £18 billion?

You're in government, and someone (the taxpayer) give you a cheque for £18 billion pounds, to spend wisely in order to improve the general well being and security of the populous, what do you do?

You could, as seems likely under the current government introduce a ID CARD, mmmm doesn't that sounds impressive, sounds like something that terrorists and naughty people wouldn't like, and might even stop them carrying out their awful acts, but that's not likely, as admited by the home secretary soon after the London bombings.

Alternatively you could put the money towards improving people living environments, regenerating run down areas, developing a community spirit, across social, racial and religious boundries. It's been proved through various projects that if you improve people localities, and get them involved in the work needed, then crime, violence and vandalism is reduced.

You could put some extra money towards local policing, I think I'd feel saver seeing a couple of bobbies walking down Kilburn High Road, compared to the feeling I'd have if I had an extra card in my wallet.

It's all about cause and effect. For politicans they too often ignore the cause, and look for something that's gonna be seen as effective, a vote winner, and the cycle of lost oppotunities will continue and nothing will improve.

It appears the London bombers came from England, and although I'm sure a nice communal garden and decent lighting wouldn't necessarily have made them think twice about what they did, it's more than likely that frustration with their situation, combined with global political issues and some seriously fucked up guidance, would have contributed to decisions.

A simple metophor. You're living in a flat share, with 5 other people who ignore you, but seem to get along together fine, plus the place is a shithole. You're going feel down, depressed, angry, and bitter. But lets say the other 5 people change, and start talking to you, and you find you're not very different, and you all start getting on as a group, and then you decide you're tired of living in filth, so you all tidy up the house, and keep it neat, you're ALL gonna feel a lot better, positive and united.

Imagine that house in the UK, a few more complications, especially when it comes to what colour to paint the bathroom, but it's possible and logical and something that needs to be done soon before the situation gets any worse.