Episode 2

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05Did you know that where you live dictates what you get?

0:00:05 > 0:00:09Even one side of a street can be completely different to another

0:00:09 > 0:00:13because every part of our lives is affected by a line on a map

0:00:13 > 0:00:15and a few letters and numbers.

0:00:15 > 0:00:17Well, I'm here to get you a better deal

0:00:17 > 0:00:22and to reveal what is really going on in the postcode lottery.

0:00:22 > 0:00:25Today, size does matter when it comes to repairing

0:00:25 > 0:00:27the postcode lottery potholes.

0:00:27 > 0:00:31It seems to me there is one rule for one county and one rule for another

0:00:31 > 0:00:35and there doesn't seem to be any standard of when they'll do something about it.

0:00:35 > 0:00:37We meet a man who fought for his country across the globe

0:00:37 > 0:00:40and now can't have a home of his own

0:00:40 > 0:00:43because of the cruellest postcode lottery.

0:00:43 > 0:00:46It is hard to even get anywhere with the house.

0:00:46 > 0:00:50I'm just...hoping that everything turns out OK.

0:00:50 > 0:00:54And we meet the postcode losers who believe the big banks don't care

0:00:54 > 0:00:56their local branches are being axed.

0:00:56 > 0:00:59This community is totally and utterly devastated.

0:00:59 > 0:01:01I think it's downright rude!

0:01:01 > 0:01:05- ALL:- Come on, banks! Don't leave us out in the cold!

0:01:05 > 0:01:08Are you going to be a winner in a postcode lottery?

0:01:08 > 0:01:11Well, I'm here to help you get the right number.

0:01:26 > 0:01:29Hello. My Postcode Lottery team, busy little bees,

0:01:29 > 0:01:32have been roaming the country to find the most ridiculous

0:01:32 > 0:01:37and inexplicable decisions taken on your life based purely on where you live.

0:01:37 > 0:01:41And today we'll be bringing you Postcode Lottery stories from DE21,

0:01:41 > 0:01:47which is Derbyshire to you and me, LL14, which is Cefn Mawr in North Wales.

0:01:47 > 0:01:51But first, we're heading to pothole postcode lottery HP13.

0:01:51 > 0:01:53"Where on earth is that?", I hear you ask!

0:01:53 > 0:01:56It's High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

0:01:58 > 0:02:01Every council across the UK has a different rule

0:02:01 > 0:02:05for when a pothole becomes big enough to be a candidate for new tarmac.

0:02:05 > 0:02:08And no-one knows more about this postcode lottery

0:02:08 > 0:02:11than the residents of one holey road in High Wycombe.

0:02:11 > 0:02:16They send people out, they just patch the road, fill it up,

0:02:16 > 0:02:21and the minute you drive over it or rain comes, it's even worse.

0:02:21 > 0:02:25We are not third world country, we are England. We are British.

0:02:25 > 0:02:27We're supposed to have good things!

0:02:27 > 0:02:30You know, I pay my tax and I work!

0:02:30 > 0:02:35So I hope something will be done to our roads soon and very soon.

0:02:36 > 0:02:38Welcome to Brunel Road in High Wycombe,

0:02:38 > 0:02:43where the residents have more than their fair share in need of repair.

0:02:43 > 0:02:47Though just a short road, it's littered with over 200 potholes

0:02:47 > 0:02:50and it's making the lives of residents almost unbearable.

0:02:50 > 0:02:52Especially for this man.

0:02:52 > 0:02:56On our road, start avoiding the potholes.

0:02:56 > 0:02:58Good job I used to do slalom canoeing!

0:02:58 > 0:03:01All right. In, out, in and out.

0:03:01 > 0:03:05This is Richard Piercey. He lives on Brunel Road and he is convinced

0:03:05 > 0:03:08the potholes in this street are a potential death-trap for cyclists.

0:03:08 > 0:03:11It could lead to a serious accident in this road,

0:03:11 > 0:03:15the way the surface is deteriorating and the gravel also coming up

0:03:15 > 0:03:16from the road surface.

0:03:16 > 0:03:18Richard believes he and the road

0:03:18 > 0:03:21are both losers in this postcode lottery.

0:03:21 > 0:03:25It's very annoying to start off on this road first thing in the morning,

0:03:25 > 0:03:29you feel you're putting your life at risk before you've even got out of your house.

0:03:29 > 0:03:33So I feel very annoyed about the road situation.

0:03:34 > 0:03:38Richard's wife Kathleen has had more than enough of Brunel Road's holes.

0:03:38 > 0:03:41She is on a one-woman crusade

0:03:41 > 0:03:45to bring peace, quiet and super-smooth surfaces back to High Wycombe.

0:03:45 > 0:03:50The buses rattle along here and the potholes cannot help that!

0:03:50 > 0:03:53I don't know if you can hear me over the noise of the bus!

0:03:53 > 0:03:56But the buses certainly do rattle along here.

0:03:56 > 0:03:59I don't know what the garage bill is for these buses.

0:03:59 > 0:04:03Surely it must have an impact on the cost of running these buses.

0:04:03 > 0:04:07- It's the worst road I've ever come across and we travel quite a distance.- Yeah.

0:04:07 > 0:04:09This is the worst of the lot of them.

0:04:10 > 0:04:15Really is bad! Needs doing. Really does need doing.

0:04:15 > 0:04:19This road really and truly is not fit for purpose.

0:04:19 > 0:04:23And this is precisely why Kathleen's a one-woman campaign

0:04:23 > 0:04:27battling the council for a safer, quieter street for everyone.

0:04:27 > 0:04:31It's been almost two years since her campaign began

0:04:31 > 0:04:34and Kathleen won't quit until every ugly crater has been filled in.

0:04:34 > 0:04:39I e-mailed the council and got a standard sort of reply back.

0:04:39 > 0:04:43E-mailed again and they said, "No, they're just fretting."

0:04:43 > 0:04:47Apparently they're not deemed bad enough to be resurfaced

0:04:47 > 0:04:50so there is this "fretting" phrase. They also say things like,

0:04:50 > 0:04:54"We do not mean to be unhelpful or obstructive

0:04:54 > 0:04:57"but we do not want you or the residents you represent

0:04:57 > 0:05:01"to be any further frustrated by this situation than they currently are."

0:05:01 > 0:05:06Well...not being responded to, not having any more information certainly doesn't help that

0:05:06 > 0:05:09and I think we are quite frustrated about the whole situation.

0:05:09 > 0:05:15Part of the problem is that councils don't even agree on what makes a pothole a pothole.

0:05:15 > 0:05:19Your postcode really does determine whether your road gets repaired or not.

0:05:19 > 0:05:23It seems to me there is one rule for one county and one rule for another.

0:05:23 > 0:05:27And Kathleen's right. For example, in Gloucestershire,

0:05:27 > 0:05:32a pothole isn't classed as a pothole unless it's at least the width of a dinner plate

0:05:32 > 0:05:36and at least the depth of a golf ball.

0:05:36 > 0:05:41However, in Coventry, a golf ball is nowhere near big enough to be classed as a pothole!

0:05:41 > 0:05:43Here you are, Becky. Give that one to your dad.

0:05:43 > 0:05:47Oh, no! In Coventry, a pothole must be at least the depth

0:05:47 > 0:05:49of a tennis ball.

0:05:49 > 0:05:52Tennis balls! Golf balls! Dinner plates!

0:05:52 > 0:05:58Confusing?! Is it just me or does anybody else feel like they need a check-up from the neck up?!

0:06:00 > 0:06:02Information can be power in the battle of the potholes

0:06:02 > 0:06:05and there is something all of us can do.

0:06:05 > 0:06:08So back to High Wycombe, where we'll try and prove

0:06:08 > 0:06:10that the ruler can be used against the rulers.

0:06:10 > 0:06:14Armed with the dimensions of a Buckinghamshire Category 1 pothole,

0:06:14 > 0:06:18Kathleen sets out to see if her road qualifies for an urgent repair.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21According to the Bucks County Council,

0:06:21 > 0:06:27a pothole needs to be at least 300mm wide and have a depth of about 40mm.

0:06:27 > 0:06:32I consider this to be a pothole here that's worth fixing. So...

0:06:32 > 0:06:35..this pothole is...

0:06:35 > 0:06:39..well over 300mm wide. There's the 300mm mark.

0:06:39 > 0:06:42And I would say it's at least twice that.

0:06:42 > 0:06:48Width-wise...this is...at least 60mm deep,

0:06:48 > 0:06:53and the minimum requirement is 40. I would say it's well over there.

0:06:53 > 0:06:57So I consider that to be some pothole.

0:06:57 > 0:06:59OK, I am going to phone up the council now

0:06:59 > 0:07:04and report that pothole in Brunel Road that I looked at this morning.

0:07:04 > 0:07:08'Welcome to Buckinghamshire County Council, Transport for Buckinghamshire...'

0:07:08 > 0:07:11# There I was, digging this hole

0:07:11 > 0:07:14# Hole in the ground So big and sort of round, it was... #

0:07:14 > 0:07:16'Thank you for your patience.

0:07:16 > 0:07:20'Your call is important to us and an adviser will be with you as soon as possible.'

0:07:20 > 0:07:25- MUSIC PLAYS - This isn't getting anywhere. I think I'll just e-mail them.

0:07:26 > 0:07:31So, it was 600 plus...

0:07:31 > 0:07:34millimetres across,

0:07:34 > 0:07:40which I think constitutes a Category 1 pothole.

0:07:40 > 0:07:42Submit.

0:07:43 > 0:07:45See what happens now.

0:07:45 > 0:07:49# That's the place where the hole's gonna be... #

0:07:49 > 0:07:53And whilst Kathleen awaits action from Buckinghamshire Council,

0:07:53 > 0:07:57she sees it as her civic duty to warn other users of the dangers

0:07:57 > 0:07:59potholes can bring.

0:07:59 > 0:08:01They put their thumbs up. That's great.

0:08:03 > 0:08:07You should be able to find out the dimensions a pothole needs to be to be repaired

0:08:07 > 0:08:11from your local council and keep asking because it's your right to know.

0:08:11 > 0:08:15We approached Buckinghamshire Council on several occasions

0:08:15 > 0:08:19to comment on their potholes policy but they failed to get back to us.

0:08:19 > 0:08:23In the meantime, I can report a victory for Kathleen and the Postcode Lottery team

0:08:23 > 0:08:26because she's had 200 potholes in her street filled in.

0:08:26 > 0:08:31So you can do something about it. Get out there with your dinner plates or your balls -

0:08:31 > 0:08:34I'll need that one back, Becky, ever so sorry -

0:08:34 > 0:08:36tell the council I told you to call.

0:08:36 > 0:08:38# And that's that! #

0:08:44 > 0:08:47Thousands of men and women from this country

0:08:47 > 0:08:49leave the armed forces every year,

0:08:49 > 0:08:54some of them having served on a frontline tour of duty in Afghanistan.

0:08:54 > 0:08:58Our politicians have promised them homes for heroes when they return.

0:08:58 > 0:09:00But our team have travelled to Derby

0:09:00 > 0:09:05to uncover a postcode lottery scandal that is shaming a nation.

0:09:12 > 0:09:17They fight selflessly for Queen and country with no thought for their own safety.

0:09:17 > 0:09:21Many have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives but what happens to those left behind,

0:09:21 > 0:09:25those who have to live with the memories of war?

0:09:28 > 0:09:32Some return with physical scars, some with mental,

0:09:32 > 0:09:35but all are in need of support and rehabilitation.

0:09:35 > 0:09:39It's a sad truth that too many are not offered the promised home for a hero,

0:09:39 > 0:09:43often finding themselves without a roof over their heads.

0:09:45 > 0:09:49Brendan Ogden has completed two tours in Afghanistan,

0:09:49 > 0:09:53the first in Lashkar Gah, where he was assigned to protect civilians and keep the peace.

0:09:53 > 0:09:56Brendan's second tour was in 2009,

0:09:56 > 0:09:59where his missions included delivering weapons, ammunition,

0:09:59 > 0:10:02food and other supplies to the many bases in Helmand.

0:10:02 > 0:10:05He was constantly in the line of fire...

0:10:05 > 0:10:08EXPLOSIONS

0:10:08 > 0:10:11..and saw many of his friends and colleagues seriously injured.

0:10:11 > 0:10:14Brendan arrived home traumatised by his experiences of war.

0:10:14 > 0:10:19He's now been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

0:10:19 > 0:10:20He's on a heavy dose of medication

0:10:20 > 0:10:23and finds it difficult to function normally.

0:10:25 > 0:10:29I didn't really know I had it until me attitude started

0:10:29 > 0:10:34changing around people, towards people, as well.

0:10:35 > 0:10:38I get moody, anxious,

0:10:39 > 0:10:46start shaking and most of the time just flip out with someone.

0:10:46 > 0:10:49I changed in myself.

0:10:49 > 0:10:53I'm not lively any more, I used to be lively, and do stuff.

0:10:53 > 0:10:56There is no uniform policy across the country on providing

0:10:56 > 0:11:00homes for heroes, and there are massive variations.

0:11:00 > 0:11:04Like many of other authorities, the city of Derby,

0:11:04 > 0:11:08does not prioritise housing for returning soldiers.

0:11:08 > 0:11:09And so, after serving his country,

0:11:09 > 0:11:11Brendan is now living as a houseguest

0:11:11 > 0:11:15in very cramped conditions with members of his family.

0:11:15 > 0:11:18Without their support, he would very likely be homeless.

0:11:18 > 0:11:21I'm living with me sister,

0:11:21 > 0:11:25and her boyfriend, as well as their kid,

0:11:25 > 0:11:28and my brother as well.

0:11:28 > 0:11:32It's a two-bedroom flat, so it's pretty crammed in.

0:11:34 > 0:11:36This is the first room where Cody sleeps,

0:11:36 > 0:11:40and my sister and her boyfriend.

0:11:40 > 0:11:45This is my room, where I sleep with my brother. It's a bit cramped.

0:11:46 > 0:11:48Brendan has found the transition

0:11:48 > 0:11:52from life on the frontline to life on civvy street incredibly difficult.

0:11:52 > 0:11:56The council housing application process can feel long,

0:11:56 > 0:12:00drawn-out, and even intimidating for ex-servicemen like Brendan.

0:12:00 > 0:12:05I've been waiting for quite a bit now, but it is hard.

0:12:07 > 0:12:11It does take a long time to actually process,

0:12:11 > 0:12:13to even get anywhere with the house.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16While waiting for a flat,

0:12:16 > 0:12:20Brendan shares a small room with his twin brother, Matt.

0:12:20 > 0:12:23Having to sleep together on a small sofa bed.

0:12:23 > 0:12:26Matt has also had to become Brendan's carer.

0:12:26 > 0:12:29Just can't seem to split us up really.

0:12:29 > 0:12:32I look out for him, make sure he's getting up,

0:12:32 > 0:12:34because suffering from depression,

0:12:34 > 0:12:37keeping going, motivated throughout the day.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41The council have not been responding to him much at all, to be honest.

0:12:41 > 0:12:42We keep going back there,

0:12:42 > 0:12:46to let them know that he is desperate for a place of his own.

0:12:46 > 0:12:49But for the time being, we have to cope.

0:12:51 > 0:12:53All Brendan wants is a home of his own.

0:12:53 > 0:12:55Today he's travelling just 24 miles

0:12:55 > 0:13:00across the Midlands to Mansfield to see his old Army buddy Patrick,

0:13:00 > 0:13:04but he's also going to see how this postcode lottery can make winners and losers,

0:13:04 > 0:13:07for the reunion is taking place in Patrick's own council flat.

0:13:07 > 0:13:12The former comrades completed two tours of Afghanistan together.

0:13:12 > 0:13:17- How are you?- How you doing?- OK.- Have you been looking after yourself?

0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Yeah, good.- Got a job yet?- No.

0:13:20 > 0:13:24They shared many experiences on the front line and are now

0:13:24 > 0:13:28both facing a battle against post-traumatic stress disorder.

0:13:28 > 0:13:34I was part of a team training the Afghan army, and the Afghan police.

0:13:34 > 0:13:38This tool wasn't such a good tour really.

0:13:39 > 0:13:44I was blown up, and one of my close friends died in the explosion.

0:13:47 > 0:13:51When it's that close, it's a bit different, a bit hard to take on.

0:13:51 > 0:13:55I think that's part of why I have got post-traumatic stress.

0:13:55 > 0:13:59That's the main reason why I came out, really.

0:13:59 > 0:14:03But it helps to share memories, good and bad.

0:14:03 > 0:14:10- That was on a big op, that was. Can you remember that?- Yeah. Oh, my God.

0:14:10 > 0:14:16I look nice, don't I? Dead good, actually. I actually feel better.

0:14:16 > 0:14:19Talked a bit on the phone, internet and that.

0:14:19 > 0:14:22Yeah, it's good to actually see him after a year.

0:14:22 > 0:14:28For all they have in common, their experience of getting adequate housing couldn't be more different.

0:14:28 > 0:14:32With the help of Mansfield Council, Paddy was given his home

0:14:32 > 0:14:34within weeks of returning from Afghanistan.

0:14:34 > 0:14:37Little girl stays here when she comes.

0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Kitchen, normal everyday thing. - Nice and big, isn't it?

0:14:40 > 0:14:42There's a lot of space.

0:14:42 > 0:14:48Probably better than yours. Own space, time to yourself.

0:14:48 > 0:14:52Five people inside a real small flat, I can only fit two in anyway.

0:14:52 > 0:14:56Mansfield Council has only fairly recently changed its policy towards returning soldiers,

0:14:56 > 0:15:00recognising that they need greater priority and support.

0:15:00 > 0:15:04Jason Rathbone is Mansfield Council's veteran support officer,

0:15:04 > 0:15:07and himself fought in the Gulf War.

0:15:07 > 0:15:10He helps former soldiers to try and get their lives back together,

0:15:10 > 0:15:14and understands how post-traumatic stress can become a huge

0:15:14 > 0:15:16obstacle to them.

0:15:16 > 0:15:18PTSD means that you can't relax.

0:15:18 > 0:15:22So, being in a public environment, travelling on public transport,

0:15:22 > 0:15:25doing anything like that in a public environment can be very daunting.

0:15:25 > 0:15:29Actually coming to this environment to actually apply for housing,

0:15:29 > 0:15:31sometimes can be a very difficult proposition.

0:15:33 > 0:15:36The main crux of it is you need somebody like me

0:15:36 > 0:15:40as a centre point within the community, to engage with people.

0:15:40 > 0:15:43I think it has made all the world of a difference to Patrick

0:15:43 > 0:15:46to have me there really, to sort of, like, deal with everything

0:15:46 > 0:15:50to do with housing benefit, because he just has to go to one person

0:15:50 > 0:15:52who fully understands where he's coming from,

0:15:52 > 0:15:54and what he's been through,

0:15:54 > 0:15:56and it's made the process, for Paddy, painless.

0:15:56 > 0:15:59I thought I was stuck really, I thought I'd be homeless,

0:15:59 > 0:16:01stuck in a tent, or something like that.

0:16:01 > 0:16:04Everything got sorted out, the council were spot-on,

0:16:04 > 0:16:07helped in every way that they could.

0:16:07 > 0:16:11Otherwise I'd have been on the streets, without a doubt.

0:16:11 > 0:16:15Haley Barsby is head of housing in Mansfield Council, and admits

0:16:15 > 0:16:20that they needed someone like Jason to show them that they had to change their policy.

0:16:20 > 0:16:24Jason is very passionate about what he does, and listening to him,

0:16:24 > 0:16:28and then beginning to appreciate the set of circumstances

0:16:28 > 0:16:30that ex-veterans, who are returning,

0:16:30 > 0:16:34potentially from quite traumatic experiences, are facing.

0:16:34 > 0:16:38It was a bit of a light-bulb moment, where you do think, "My goodness,

0:16:38 > 0:16:43"these people do need more help than we're currently offering them."

0:16:45 > 0:16:49Having seen Brendan again, Patrick wishes that his friend

0:16:49 > 0:16:53could get all the help and support that he has received.

0:16:53 > 0:16:57I don't know why other areas can't be like Mansfield Council are being.

0:16:57 > 0:17:01You serve your country, you do what you can,

0:17:01 > 0:17:04then as soon as you leave, that's it.

0:17:04 > 0:17:06It's like you are chucked to one side.

0:17:06 > 0:17:08I just think it's pretty disgusting, really.

0:17:08 > 0:17:13Paddy told us about Brendan. How he had just come out as well.

0:17:13 > 0:17:17Paddy's quite a close friend of his, and is quite concerned about him.

0:17:17 > 0:17:20And to try and get him the help he needs,

0:17:20 > 0:17:22Jason has decided to take on his case.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24What I'd like to see is Derby City Council

0:17:24 > 0:17:27actually take notice of the legislation that exists.

0:17:27 > 0:17:30He is homeless, he is sofa surfing, that's not justified.

0:17:30 > 0:17:32If they dilly-dally he'll be lost to them.

0:17:32 > 0:17:35This is how people fall out of the system, and end up homeless.

0:17:35 > 0:17:39This is a real and constant danger in modern Britain.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42It's estimated that there are thousands of ex-servicemen

0:17:42 > 0:17:45and women sleeping rough on the streets.

0:17:45 > 0:17:48Back in Derby, after months of waiting,

0:17:48 > 0:17:51Brendan is still living in his family's overcrowded flat.

0:17:51 > 0:17:55Jason continues to pursue his case, but as yet there is still

0:17:55 > 0:17:57no sign of Brendan getting his own place.

0:17:57 > 0:18:05I hope to get better from PTSD,

0:18:05 > 0:18:07have somewhere to live,

0:18:07 > 0:18:14hopefully rely on myself, without other people trying to help me,

0:18:14 > 0:18:19which I don't like that a lot. I don't like being helped.

0:18:19 > 0:18:23I'm just hoping that everything turns out OK.

0:18:26 > 0:18:29It's now six months since Brendan applied to be housed,

0:18:29 > 0:18:32and he still sleeping on his sister's settee.

0:18:32 > 0:18:35So, we contacted Derby council, and asked them

0:18:35 > 0:18:39what their policy is regarding ex-service men and women,

0:18:39 > 0:18:40and they said:

0:19:12 > 0:19:15And as for Brendan, the council informed us that...

0:19:26 > 0:19:29Look, this postcode lottery isn't really about Derby,

0:19:29 > 0:19:33or the dozens of other councils who don't have a policy

0:19:33 > 0:19:36or priority in this area. It's a Government thing.

0:19:36 > 0:19:40So, come on, Mr Prime Minister, come on, Mr Minister for Defence,

0:19:40 > 0:19:42and come on, Mr Home Secretary.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45Attention, get your finger out!

0:19:46 > 0:19:49And finally, there's good news for Brendan.

0:19:49 > 0:19:52We have just heard that Derby has paid attention,

0:19:52 > 0:19:56pulled their finger out, and offered a Brendan a council flat.

0:19:56 > 0:19:58Good on you, Brendan!

0:20:03 > 0:20:06Every day this week we're going to bring you

0:20:06 > 0:20:10a bite-size list of postcode lottery fame and shame.

0:20:10 > 0:20:12You know, winners and losers.

0:20:12 > 0:20:16The choice of subjects is so wide, you wouldn't Adam and Eve it.

0:20:17 > 0:20:21So, you're sitting your driving test, you're very nervous,

0:20:21 > 0:20:25but at least all is fair in love and driving tests, right?

0:20:25 > 0:20:29Well, not quite. According to the Department for Transport's most recent figures,

0:20:29 > 0:20:34the average nationwide pass rate for cars is 47%.

0:20:34 > 0:20:37So, where do you need to live to improve your chances

0:20:37 > 0:20:38of passing your test?

0:20:38 > 0:20:42Well, the test centre with the highest pass rate is

0:20:42 > 0:20:45Norwich LGV, where everyone passed their test.

0:20:45 > 0:20:49OK, only two people took it, so maybe that explains it.

0:20:49 > 0:20:52And that is closely followed by the Isle of Mull,

0:20:52 > 0:20:55with a pass rate of 92%

0:20:55 > 0:20:58and the Isle of Tiree, with a pass rate of 87.

0:20:59 > 0:21:02So, where is the place that you really don't want to live

0:21:02 > 0:21:05if you are taking your driving test?

0:21:05 > 0:21:08And, they are in reverse order:

0:21:08 > 0:21:12The third most difficult place to pass Watnall LGV,

0:21:12 > 0:21:14where 33% of drivers passed.

0:21:14 > 0:21:17Second toughest is Wanstead, in Berkshire,

0:21:17 > 0:21:19with 32% pass rate.

0:21:20 > 0:21:22And the toughest... Drum roll, please. Drum roll, please.

0:21:22 > 0:21:23DRUM ROLL

0:21:23 > 0:21:27..is Heaton, in Bradford, with just over 31% passing.

0:21:27 > 0:21:29Now, the question I'm asking,

0:21:29 > 0:21:33and I'm sure you are, is exactly why pass rates are so different.

0:21:33 > 0:21:36As they say, we are carrying out a full investigation,

0:21:36 > 0:21:40but haven't quite yet got the full answer.

0:21:45 > 0:21:48It goes without saying that we would all want our kids to go to

0:21:48 > 0:21:50the best school possible, and let's be honest,

0:21:50 > 0:21:53we all know it's a postcode lottery.

0:21:53 > 0:21:56But wait till you meet the Nunn family from Suffolk,

0:21:56 > 0:22:00because they believe one tiny little millimetre on a council map

0:22:00 > 0:22:04has made them school lottery postcode losers.

0:22:04 > 0:22:07But wait till you see what they are thinking of doing about it.

0:22:09 > 0:22:11Many people move house to get into

0:22:11 > 0:22:14the catchment area of a particular school,

0:22:14 > 0:22:19but this family are contemplating moving 100 yards

0:22:19 > 0:22:21into their own garage to prevent a family split.

0:22:21 > 0:22:23Come on, girls, into your new house.

0:22:23 > 0:22:25For the time being, though,

0:22:25 > 0:22:29they are staying put in their house, and living with the consequences of a school nightmare.

0:22:29 > 0:22:31All they want is for their three girls

0:22:31 > 0:22:33to be in the same primary school.

0:22:33 > 0:22:36Ten-year-old Keeley, and six-year-old Shannon

0:22:36 > 0:22:38go to Burton End, their local school.

0:22:38 > 0:22:40Their sister, Four-year-old Demi,

0:22:40 > 0:22:44was refused a place in Burton End, and has just been forced to start

0:22:44 > 0:22:49at Place Farm school, 20 minutes away in the opposite direction.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52When their mum appealed against the decision, she was shown how

0:22:52 > 0:22:56her postcode made little Demi one of the youngest lottery losers.

0:22:56 > 0:22:59They send you a map to show your catchment area.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02When you look at the map, it does look like this

0:23:02 > 0:23:06thick black line goes through our house, basically.

0:23:06 > 0:23:08When I saw the map, I thought we was fine,

0:23:08 > 0:23:12everyone I have shown also thought we were in the catchment area.

0:23:12 > 0:23:16Once they scaled in this map, it shows that we're not.

0:23:16 > 0:23:18They said that the line was drawn too thick,

0:23:18 > 0:23:20because they have sent everyone the same map,

0:23:20 > 0:23:24they wanted to make sure everyone could see the catchment area.

0:23:24 > 0:23:27That black line on the postcode lottery map has changed

0:23:27 > 0:23:30family life in the first week of a new term.

0:23:30 > 0:23:32It's a brand-new frantic school run.

0:23:32 > 0:23:35Quite a hectic morning, really, now.

0:23:37 > 0:23:42By 8:50 Keeley and Shannon have reached their school.

0:23:42 > 0:23:45Demi also has to start at 8:50, but obviously I can't get there

0:23:45 > 0:23:50to two schools at once, so we had to walk from Burton End to Place Farm,

0:23:50 > 0:23:53which takes 20 minutes if we're walking fast,

0:23:53 > 0:23:56so she does have to start school 20 minutes late, every day,

0:23:56 > 0:23:59and then I had to pick up 20 minutes early.

0:23:59 > 0:24:01She misses 40 minutes a day of school,

0:24:01 > 0:24:03which is not good for her education.

0:24:03 > 0:24:07Suffolk County Council have suggested to me that my 10-year-old

0:24:07 > 0:24:11walks my six-year-old to school, and walks home everyday.

0:24:11 > 0:24:13I explained that Keeley starts 10 minutes before Shannon,

0:24:13 > 0:24:16she will be in the playground for 10 minutes on her own,

0:24:16 > 0:24:20they said, "can your six-year-old walk herself to school?" Which I replied "No,"

0:24:20 > 0:24:22because I think that's disgusting, to even suggest it,

0:24:22 > 0:24:24I just find that wrong.

0:24:26 > 0:24:31I feel quite upset really that Demi has been let down by Suffolk Council,

0:24:31 > 0:24:35really, because she is a shy little girl, and she doesn't settle great.

0:24:35 > 0:24:38It took me ages for me to get settled into playschool and nursery,

0:24:38 > 0:24:41and I explained all of this,

0:24:41 > 0:24:43but I just feel that they don't listen to you,

0:24:43 > 0:24:46and it is quite upsetting really to know that she can't go

0:24:46 > 0:24:52with her sisters, because they are very, very close. Who we getting first, Keeley or Shannon?

0:24:52 > 0:24:55The family divide has got so severe

0:24:55 > 0:24:58that Kelly has even considered breaking the law.

0:24:58 > 0:25:01The admissions team, when I contacted them,

0:25:01 > 0:25:04they basically said that if I don't send Demi to school,

0:25:04 > 0:25:08because I refuse to start with, that I wasn't going to send her to school.

0:25:08 > 0:25:11They said that I can face up to 12 weeks in prison

0:25:11 > 0:25:13for not sending her to school.

0:25:13 > 0:25:14They haven't been helpful at all.

0:25:14 > 0:25:17They keep telling me that she is fifth on the waiting list,

0:25:17 > 0:25:19and that there's nothing they can do.

0:25:21 > 0:25:24It's little Demi which is what it's really affecting,

0:25:24 > 0:25:26because it's so far to walk for a little one.

0:25:26 > 0:25:29Basically, she's coming home from school and she's flaking out.

0:25:32 > 0:25:34The family have been forensically examining

0:25:34 > 0:25:36a more detailed council map,

0:25:36 > 0:25:39making the school catchment area even clearer,

0:25:39 > 0:25:42and the postcode lottery even more frustrating.

0:25:45 > 0:25:49So, on the map, it actually comes into our garden.

0:25:49 > 0:25:55This is the borderline, on here, as the fence goes round.

0:25:55 > 0:25:59So, if we were the other side here, my hand is in the catchment area.

0:25:59 > 0:26:02- Isn't it?- Yes, because that goes like that.

0:26:02 > 0:26:06It actually follows the fence line around to here, doesn't it?

0:26:06 > 0:26:09If we could ask our friendly neighbour

0:26:09 > 0:26:14for a yard of their garden, we would be all right, wouldn't be?

0:26:14 > 0:26:17It's crazy isn't it? Absolutely crazy.

0:26:17 > 0:26:18Ian and Kelly though,

0:26:18 > 0:26:22have spotted one potential loophole in the bureaucratic

0:26:22 > 0:26:25insistence on the importance of that thin black line on the map.

0:26:25 > 0:26:31Right, you're on the line there, Kell, and It stops here.

0:26:31 > 0:26:33Takes in all the garages.

0:26:33 > 0:26:37Our garage is there, which is obviously in the catchment area.

0:26:37 > 0:26:41- All of them are in the catchment area.- Yeah, all of them.

0:26:41 > 0:26:42I find it really silly,

0:26:42 > 0:26:46because if our house isn't in the catchment area, fair enough,

0:26:46 > 0:26:48but our garage is, so we might move in there.

0:26:48 > 0:26:51Come on, girls, into your new house.

0:26:56 > 0:26:58We asked Suffolk County Council for their thoughts

0:26:58 > 0:27:02on the family's situation, and they gave us the following statement.

0:27:37 > 0:27:40So, there we are, Demi, you'll have to keep waiting.

0:27:46 > 0:27:50All of us value our local services - the corner shop,

0:27:50 > 0:27:54the post office, and of course, our local bank.

0:27:54 > 0:27:55Despite opposition,

0:27:55 > 0:28:00it's estimated that 10 banks a month are being closed down.

0:28:00 > 0:28:02Our postcode lottery team have discovered that

0:28:02 > 0:28:07the decision as to whether those banks remain open or closed

0:28:07 > 0:28:08is being made in EC4.

0:28:08 > 0:28:11THAT is the banking capital of London.

0:28:15 > 0:28:16Let's be honest,

0:28:16 > 0:28:20the City of London square mile is not the most popular of postcodes,

0:28:20 > 0:28:25and bankers are making decisions here that affect your local branch.

0:28:25 > 0:28:29To close, or not to close? That is the question.

0:28:29 > 0:28:32But, there is no set standard or figures which banks use

0:28:32 > 0:28:34to decide whether to keep yours open.

0:28:34 > 0:28:37And it's all done in secret, behind closed doors.

0:28:37 > 0:28:40For those living with the consequences, though,

0:28:40 > 0:28:43it feels like a lottery in which they don't even have a ticket.

0:28:43 > 0:28:47We've travelled to Powys, in mid Wales, where people are feeling like

0:28:47 > 0:28:51they are always the losers in this lottery, and they want some answers.

0:28:51 > 0:28:56The beautiful rolling countryside in mid Wales,

0:28:56 > 0:29:00a gorgeous place to live, but like all of us in these difficult economic times,

0:29:00 > 0:29:04a place where people still have to battle to make a living.

0:29:04 > 0:29:06Cefn Mawr is a village where the locals are

0:29:06 > 0:29:09working hard for a brighter future.

0:29:09 > 0:29:14It's just been earmarked for a multi-million pound regeneration scheme by the Welsh government.

0:29:14 > 0:29:17The regeneration plan will hopefully bring jobs

0:29:17 > 0:29:19and money into the local economy,

0:29:19 > 0:29:21but one thing is clouding their future -

0:29:21 > 0:29:24it's becoming the village with no bank.

0:29:24 > 0:29:28HSBC announced their plans to close the only bank left in town.

0:29:28 > 0:29:33It's a real blow to Cefyn Mawr, just ask Councillor Warren Coleman.

0:29:33 > 0:29:39We are a regeneration village, and there's no banks except for this one.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41So, for people to say, how can you regenerate a village

0:29:41 > 0:29:43if you haven't even got a bank?

0:29:43 > 0:29:47It's an integral part of a village. I feel it's a bit premature.

0:29:47 > 0:29:51They're judging Cefn on what it looks like now,

0:29:51 > 0:29:56before all the things which are in the pipeline can come to fruition.

0:29:56 > 0:30:00The locals in the village are just as confused and angry at the HSBC decision.

0:30:00 > 0:30:02So, once that shuts,

0:30:02 > 0:30:05we'll have to go right over to the next village to use their banking

0:30:05 > 0:30:09facilities, but they're in danger as well, that's a small place.

0:30:09 > 0:30:12You need to be able to speak to somebody face-to-face, not over the phone.

0:30:12 > 0:30:15Because it's a small community, isn't it?

0:30:15 > 0:30:18They probably don't think it's doing as well as it actually does,

0:30:18 > 0:30:20but that bank is always busy.

0:30:20 > 0:30:23After months of campaigning, and a carefully constructed case

0:30:23 > 0:30:26sent to her HSBC, the community's hopes were raised

0:30:26 > 0:30:29when they were invited to a meeting at the bank's HQ.

0:30:29 > 0:30:33So, surely they would get a fair and considered hearing?

0:30:33 > 0:30:35They were very selective at who they met.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37They met the chairman, and myself as vice-chairman,

0:30:37 > 0:30:41also the county council, the AM, and the member of Parliament.

0:30:41 > 0:30:43I thought, "Oh, we got a good chance here,"

0:30:43 > 0:30:45because it was a high-powered delegation.

0:30:45 > 0:30:47They didn't want to know.

0:30:47 > 0:30:51They wound up the meeting by saying, "Oh, we've made our mind up now.

0:30:51 > 0:30:53"I'm sorry, but we are going to close it."

0:30:53 > 0:30:55So, we all came out of the meeting a bit dejected,

0:30:55 > 0:30:58and said, "What on earth did we go down there just to hear that?

0:30:58 > 0:31:01"She could have told us that from the very beginning.

0:31:01 > 0:31:06So, what did the world's local bank have to say about this?

0:31:06 > 0:31:08"This branch is one of the most underused in the country,

0:31:08 > 0:31:11"and that is the main reason for the closure."

0:31:11 > 0:31:13So, we decided to put this to the test,

0:31:13 > 0:31:16using our state-of-the-art time-lapse camera.

0:31:16 > 0:31:19We're going to see if that's really the case.

0:31:19 > 0:31:21The bank is open for three and a half hours each day,

0:31:21 > 0:31:24and we are going to count every customer using the branch,

0:31:24 > 0:31:30to see if it is really as underused as HSBC says.

0:31:30 > 0:31:32So, by our account,

0:31:32 > 0:31:36in three and a half hours of opening 55 people entered the bank

0:31:36 > 0:31:39to use the over-the-counter facilities,

0:31:39 > 0:31:41and 98 people use the cash machine.

0:31:41 > 0:31:45Is that what HSBC call "underused?"

0:31:46 > 0:31:51Our search for that endangered species, the local bank,

0:31:51 > 0:31:54now takes us 26 miles to Llanrhaeadr - another village which was set

0:31:54 > 0:32:01to lose its only bank, and yes, another branch of HSBC.

0:32:01 > 0:32:04Sue Evans Hughes has been trying to get answers

0:32:04 > 0:32:07from HSBC's headquarters in London, EC4.

0:32:07 > 0:32:11She wants to know, why has her bank lost out in its postcode lottery?

0:32:11 > 0:32:13They haven't been coming up with any answers,

0:32:13 > 0:32:15and they're not going to budge over the closure,

0:32:15 > 0:32:18even after nearly everyone in the area signed a petition.

0:32:18 > 0:32:24So, let's just pray that it gets something done.

0:32:24 > 0:32:27This community is totally and utterly devastated.

0:32:27 > 0:32:30So much for this "Talk to your local bank."

0:32:30 > 0:32:32I'm sorry, but it's not a local bank

0:32:32 > 0:32:35if we've got to travel 30 miles round-trip

0:32:35 > 0:32:38to Oswestry, or even 12 miles round-trip to Llanethli,

0:32:38 > 0:32:41which, that's fine for someone who can drive,

0:32:41 > 0:32:43but not for someone that doesn't drive.

0:32:43 > 0:32:45I think it's downright rude.

0:32:45 > 0:32:48Where is the politeness, where is normal politeness?

0:32:50 > 0:32:52The closure of many banks has been attributed

0:32:52 > 0:32:55to the surge in online banking.

0:32:55 > 0:32:57But here is where people like Sue are victim

0:32:57 > 0:32:59to the postcode lottery double whammy.

0:32:59 > 0:33:03People in a significant number of rural areas

0:33:03 > 0:33:07don't have access to broadband, and even if you have got it,

0:33:07 > 0:33:08it can be a bit scary.

0:33:08 > 0:33:11See, when I'm doing this, I'm just too scared to

0:33:11 > 0:33:12go and press on anything.

0:33:12 > 0:33:16I don't know what I'm doing, I'm afraid to get locked into something.

0:33:16 > 0:33:19I want to go into a bank to speak to somebody face to face.

0:33:20 > 0:33:23And it's been a struggle for the village

0:33:23 > 0:33:25to keep its local post office open.

0:33:25 > 0:33:28Postmistress Jo Williams believes that if the bank goes,

0:33:28 > 0:33:32it could further jeopardise its future.

0:33:32 > 0:33:36It's going to be detrimental to every business, including ours.

0:33:36 > 0:33:38They're going to go to the next big town so one thing,

0:33:38 > 0:33:40then they'll do two things, etc.

0:33:40 > 0:33:42Over time, you do less and less within the village,

0:33:42 > 0:33:44it's not a good thing.

0:33:44 > 0:33:48Nationally the post office works with many high street banks,

0:33:48 > 0:33:53to provide a number of essential services on the bank's behalf.

0:33:53 > 0:33:58But HSBC, so far, have refused to get on board with this scheme.

0:33:58 > 0:34:03But it's not just HSBC that are closing local banks.

0:34:03 > 0:34:05Rhayader is 60 miles south.

0:34:05 > 0:34:09Friday morning, 14th January, 2011.

0:34:09 > 0:34:14Barclays decided to pack up and leave this rural community,

0:34:14 > 0:34:16leaving many customers devastated.

0:34:16 > 0:34:19Local residents didn't let them go quietly though,

0:34:19 > 0:34:23and took to the streets to protest against the proposed closure.

0:34:23 > 0:34:27We are handing over a petition with over 1,000 names on it

0:34:27 > 0:34:29objecting to the closure.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31Sadly their efforts were in vain,

0:34:31 > 0:34:33and the bank shut its doors anyway.

0:34:33 > 0:34:38All Barclays would say was that the bank was not a viable concern.

0:34:38 > 0:34:41Here though, like in many other communities across the country,

0:34:41 > 0:34:45local customers would like to know at least why they are being left bank-less?

0:34:45 > 0:34:48Here's a message to the decision-makers in EC4,

0:34:48 > 0:34:50from Disgusted of LD6.

0:34:50 > 0:34:54ALL: Come on banks, don't leave us out in the cold.

0:34:54 > 0:34:59When we approached HSBC, they gave us the following statement.

0:35:23 > 0:35:25Oh, yeah! Tell that to them!

0:35:25 > 0:35:28But it's not all bad news for the people of mid-Wales,

0:35:28 > 0:35:32because here is a crumb of comfort from HSBC.

0:35:32 > 0:35:37They say, "We are committed to leaving an ATM machine in Llanrhaeadr,

0:35:37 > 0:35:40subject, of course, to planning consent.

0:35:46 > 0:35:50Time for another example from the Postcode Lottery list of fame and shame.

0:35:53 > 0:35:57The number of car thefts recorded in an area can have a huge impact

0:35:57 > 0:36:00on your insurance premiums.

0:36:00 > 0:36:03It's one of the key indicators that insurers use when calculating

0:36:03 > 0:36:06how much car insurance you pay.

0:36:06 > 0:36:11So, what's the level of grand theft auto around your postcode?

0:36:12 > 0:36:18According to a recent survey, these are the UK's top six car-theft hotspots.

0:36:19 > 0:36:21In with a bang at number six,

0:36:21 > 0:36:24it might only have a population of 2,000,

0:36:24 > 0:36:26it's ML12, Biggar, in Lanarkshire.

0:36:28 > 0:36:32At number five it's the L10 postcode district of North Liverpool.

0:36:35 > 0:36:3940 miles east as the car flies and in at number four

0:36:39 > 0:36:41it's M9, Blackley, Manchester.

0:36:43 > 0:36:46It's handbrake turn for our number three,

0:36:46 > 0:36:50as we swing back west to CH64, Neston in Cheshire.

0:36:52 > 0:36:54Screeching in at number two,

0:36:54 > 0:36:57it's B94, Solihull, West Midlands.

0:36:59 > 0:37:03But stopping all traffic and the number one postcode

0:37:03 > 0:37:06for the highest incident of car theft...

0:37:06 > 0:37:11it's AB34, the tiny village of Aboyne in Aberdeenshire.

0:37:12 > 0:37:14Who'd have thought it?

0:37:21 > 0:37:25If there's one thing for certain in life, it's that we've all asked this question.

0:37:25 > 0:37:27HE SNIFFS

0:37:27 > 0:37:29Has someone stood in something unmentionable?

0:37:29 > 0:37:34We're off to Liverpool now to discover the truth behind the postcode lottery

0:37:34 > 0:37:36of canine excrement,

0:37:36 > 0:37:40and see how Liverpudlians might actually be the winners in this doggy tale.

0:37:42 > 0:37:45I think I'll stick that in the bin.

0:37:49 > 0:37:54Dogs are known as man's best friend. They're great companions, they're considered part of the family

0:37:54 > 0:37:58and they can even pick you up when you're feeling a little bit down.

0:37:58 > 0:38:02But they're not everyone's best friend, and this is why.

0:38:02 > 0:38:05There are an estimated eight million dogs in the UK,

0:38:05 > 0:38:11producing an unbelievable 1,000 tonnes of, ahem, dog mess

0:38:11 > 0:38:12every single day.

0:38:12 > 0:38:17It's no wonder this is a source of a great annoyance for people everywhere.

0:38:17 > 0:38:22I've seen a few people take the dogs for a walk and they haven't got the pooh dog-bags with them

0:38:22 > 0:38:23and they just leave them.

0:38:23 > 0:38:27If you own a dog you should look after it, and that includes cleaning up after it.

0:38:27 > 0:38:32I think they're selfish. They should go round with bags and pick it up.

0:38:32 > 0:38:33I mean, it's obvious.

0:38:33 > 0:38:37They should get fined, definitely. I thought they did do fines.

0:38:37 > 0:38:39They're not very strict on it, though, are they?

0:38:39 > 0:38:42And thereby hangs the tale.

0:38:42 > 0:38:48You dog-owners can receive an on-the-spot fine of £75 for not scooping the poop.

0:38:48 > 0:38:52But research has uncovered massive variations in poop punishments across the land.

0:38:52 > 0:38:58Derby's only issuing three tickets in a year and Exeter is issuing absolutely none at all.

0:38:58 > 0:39:04One council, though, issued more fines for dog fouling than anywhere else and that place was Liverpool,

0:39:04 > 0:39:09with some 590 fixed-penalty notices handed out.

0:39:09 > 0:39:15You may ask whether dogs in Exeter are just very well-behaved or have Liverpool stolen the march

0:39:15 > 0:39:19in the fight against incontinent canines with their zero-tolerance policy?

0:39:19 > 0:39:21We've come to Liverpool to find out.

0:39:21 > 0:39:25Meet Dean and Gemma, part of Liverpool's dog warden team,

0:39:25 > 0:39:29out to locate dog-mess hotspots around Merseyside.

0:39:29 > 0:39:33Yeah, we've got some dog foul outside 24, 26 Grosvenor Road.

0:39:34 > 0:39:37Yeah, just as soon as poss, please, mate. Cheers, over.

0:39:37 > 0:39:40We have caught residents letting their dogs foul in the area.

0:39:40 > 0:39:45But as a warden service, we've got no powers, so our next step is to educate them

0:39:45 > 0:39:48and what we do is tell them there's the implication of a fine

0:39:48 > 0:39:52and then obviously we get their address and pass on doggy-bags if necessary.

0:39:52 > 0:39:56Michael Bowles, of Riverside Housing is the brain behind this scheme,

0:39:56 > 0:39:59which is becoming an example to other councils across the country

0:39:59 > 0:40:02and he's got the awards to prove it.

0:40:02 > 0:40:05When we set the team up we were called the Clean Team

0:40:05 > 0:40:08and we rebranded in 2009-10 to the Your Place Team.

0:40:08 > 0:40:13Part of the rebrand was talking to local residents and finding out what their problems were.

0:40:13 > 0:40:16The main problem was dog fouling.

0:40:16 > 0:40:19But Dean and Gemma are only part of the team

0:40:19 > 0:40:22because when you've got a really bad poop problem, who you going to call?

0:40:22 > 0:40:25Pooh-busters, of course!

0:40:25 > 0:40:30With their high-tech vacuum packs, they locate and remove all the doody they can.

0:40:31 > 0:40:35It was a machine that we come across through Keep Britain Tidy,

0:40:35 > 0:40:38and for me it was a no-brainer for us to purchase these machines

0:40:38 > 0:40:42as it would make such a difference and it keeps the staff happy.

0:40:42 > 0:40:48Carl and Kevin are a crack team of cleaners who not only remove the mess from the pavements,

0:40:48 > 0:40:52they also leave their own special calling-card for guilty dog-owners to see.

0:40:52 > 0:40:55That team actually do a great job

0:40:55 > 0:40:59and the machine they brought out, I wish they had them everywhere.

0:40:59 > 0:41:03Each road could do with one of their own and that would solve the problem overnight.

0:41:03 > 0:41:07It's refreshing to see cos quite often I've been doing it myself

0:41:07 > 0:41:11and there's other things I could be doing with that time.

0:41:11 > 0:41:14And a final word of advice from the Pooh-busters?

0:41:14 > 0:41:18Just pick it up and help us to stop breaking our back doing this work.

0:41:18 > 0:41:21It's a heavy bit of equipment, this, for us, you know.

0:41:24 > 0:41:27Because of its success, Liverpool Council tell us

0:41:27 > 0:41:29that other councils are now looking at their methods.

0:41:29 > 0:41:34I've got to be honest. I'd like to secretly put one of those machines on reverse blow!

0:41:34 > 0:41:37Actually, no, that was really childish. Can we cut that out, guys?

0:41:41 > 0:41:42That's all we have time for today,

0:41:42 > 0:41:47but there are plenty more scandals out there and some are quite literally potty!

0:41:47 > 0:41:48And on tomorrow's programme...

0:41:48 > 0:41:51'Why should it make a difference where you live in the country'

0:41:51 > 0:41:54as to what treatments you're allowed to have?

0:41:54 > 0:41:59..we reveal the lottery of healthcare that has driven some postcode lottery losers

0:41:59 > 0:42:01to the edge of despair.

0:42:01 > 0:42:05I said to my family, "I just don't want to be here any more.

0:42:05 > 0:42:10"I would like you, please, to book a flight and I want to go to Dignitas."

0:42:10 > 0:42:16We'll be digging in with the guerilla gardeners fighting an allotment postcode lottery...

0:42:16 > 0:42:18People have got tired of waiting.

0:42:18 > 0:42:23We've started cultivating just out of desperation.

0:42:23 > 0:42:27..and we visit the town with no traffic wardens, to ask,

0:42:27 > 0:42:29is this a ticket heaven or hell?

0:42:29 > 0:42:32Stay lucky in the postcode lottery! And if you keep watching,

0:42:32 > 0:42:35you'll definitely improve your chances of winning.

0:42:39 > 0:42:42Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd