New figures show big increase in NHS waiting times since election
There has been a 33 per cent increase in the number of patients waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment in the 12 months from May 2010 to May 2011.
Public Services
The NHS needs reform and accountability – not the opening up of the market
The health bill will be a disaster for the NHS. What the NHS needs is appropriate reform and proper accountability – but definitely not the opening up of the market.
Ignore the Tory spin – pension liabilities and the NHS are affordable
Statistics out today show the NHS and public sector pensions are entirely affordable, contrary to what George Osborne and the Conservatives are spinning.
How the Cable/Willetts market in higher education ended up inflating fees
Left Foot Forward’s Daniel Elton reports on how the coalition’s higher education market ended up inflating prices and introduced pressures to increase government debt.
Southern Cross closure highlights risks of private health mismanagement
The beleaguered care home provider Southern Cross today announced it is to shut down as its shares were suspended at 6.25p by the Financial Services Authority.
The NHS, Ozzy Osbourne and universal welfare reform
When rejecting universal welfare reforms, we need to consider the impact on solidarity between citizens, writes the Fabian Society’s James Gregory.
A ‘protect the NHS’ clause needs to be introduced into Lansley’s bill
Cllr Joseph McManners, a GP in Oxford, looks at where-now for competition and the market in the NHS reforms; the views expressed are his own.
Scotland – home to the most expensive degrees?
SNP education secretary Mike Russell has announced plans that could see students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who study in Scotland being charged £9,000.
Scotland losing nurses as public sector shrinks
Official figures show that, between September 2010 and March this year, the number of Scottish nursing and midwifery staff in post fell by 1.2% (just over 700).
We need to make sure all young people know the true facts about higher education
Simon Hughes MP, the government’s Advocate for Access to Education, writes on the need for everyone to be honest, and not to put people off higher education.