On the ball

That inimitable Liverpudlian sense of humour is in evidence at Liverpool John Moores University, which claims this week to have found a novel use for the cash it extracted from the pay packets of staff who absented themselves for the unions' day of action last November. The loot is being used for two years' funding for a Money Advice Worker. Sad to relate, this person is intended to advise students, not staff. Perhaps they have no need of such a figure and simply use the same financial advisers as the Moores family patronise.