Public Services
Miliband attacks “shoddy” fees scheme
Ed miliband responded to David Cameron on tuition fees today, attacking the "shoddy scheme" the government is proposing. Yesterday, the prime minister, in a column in the Standard, defended the trebling of fees, and said that "before protesting, students need to get the facts straight". Today, the Leader of the Opposition said "universities and students deserve better" than what the government is offering.
Has the SNP given up on its school sports pledge?
MPs will this afternoon get the chance to debate education secretary Michael Gove’s decision to end the ring fencing of the schools sports budget. Today, the House of Commons will debate a motion tabled by the Opposition critical of a decision which could see drastic cuts to funding for school sport in the in the run up to the Olympics.
Thin end of the wedge? Private firm to run NHS hospital
Imagine the letters “NHS” were removed from your local hospital’s name. Would that worry you as a prospective patient? This scenario has not happened yet - but is getting closer. Last week saw the announcement of England’s first district hospital where all clinical services will be run by a private company. With the coalition’s Health Bill imminent, concerns about NHS local care becoming a franchise for big private operators are moving centre stage.
Double debt bombshell of Cable’s HE reforms
The OBR yesterday showed that the Higher Education reforms will increase net debt by £13bn. The findings contradict Vince Cable's claims that the policy switch was motivated by the "current economic climate".
The devastating effect of Gove’s desire to take an axe to school sport
A petition has been launched, that will result in 2,012 children taking part in a peaceful demonstration in Westminster against the savage cuts to school sport.
Pontius Clegg: Lib Dem abstentions won’t stop tuition fees rising
Nick Clegg and Vince Cable are considering abstaining in the crucial tuition fees vote before Christmas. But a Lib Dem abstention is equivalent to a vote for the reforms.