Costly cosmetics

The Justice Minister intends to make convicted criminals pay up to £600 towards court costs. Even those who plead guilty will have to pay the charge. It’s a noble ambition, but given the courts’ lamentable record for extracting cash from criminals; like letting them pay off huge sums at 50p/week so they don't run short of cigarette money; any cash raised is likely to be more than swallowed up by the admin costs.