The UK faces a debate over its military budget, with critics arguing that increased defence spending is prioritized over essential services like healthcare and welfare. This 'welfare vs. warfare' narrative is fueled by political rhetoric and think tank reports, despite the financial realities suggesting that welfare cuts alone won't fund defence goals.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has indicated he would prioritize transforming the UK's social care system if he became Prime Minister, criticizing Westminster's reluctance to address difficult policy issues. He proposes accelerating the Casey review and exploring funding mechanisms like a 'care levy' to address the crisis.
The UK government claims a new NHS modernisation bill could save £20m annually and reduce A&E visits by 20,000 by enabling secure sharing of patient health data across providers, creating single patient records.
Wes Streeting has launched a shadow campaign for Labour leadership, vowing to win over the party's left and beat the odds. He criticized Keir Starmer's leadership following poor election results, warning of a "Reform government" and a "Joe Biden situation." Streeting outlined plans for housing, a national care service, and a wealth tax, positioning himself as an underdog ready to challenge frontrunner Andy Burnham.
A man found an abandoned newborn in a NYC subway station in 2000 and, after a court hearing, adopted him with his partner. They named him Kevin and navigated parenthood, later marrying and raising him.
Andy Burnham's team is reportedly planning his first 100 days in government, should he win a crucial by-election and potentially replace Labour leader Keir Starmer. The plans include reforms to social care and tackling energy bills.
A new Fabian Society collection urges the UK government to establish a "national care service" funded similarly to the NHS, addressing the long-standing failure to reform social care. The article details past failed attempts by Conservative and Labour governments, highlighting the political challenges and voter reluctance to fund the system. It suggests potential solutions like a "care levy" and centralized funding, emphasizing the need for action before the next general election.
Wes Streeting's 22-month tenure as UK Health Secretary, marked by claims of NHS recovery, is criticized for lacking substance in addressing key challenges like cancer treatment waits, social care, and implementation of a 10-year health plan.
Louise Casey, head of the UK's adult social care commission, criticizes the outdated social care system for heavily relying on unpaid carers, mostly women, leading to enormous emotional burdens and unsustainable pressures.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to resign after more than 80 lawmakers in his Labour Party said he was not the right person to lead the country and win the next national election. He has vowed to stay on as no formal leadership challenge has yet been triggered. If Labour were to choose a new leader, here is a list of those in the frame to replace Starmer: Wes Streeting, 43 Streeting has served as health and social care minister since Labour came to power in July 2024 – a...
Athlete and sport bodies call for rethink after health and education departments each propose £60m funding cutsMo Farah and more than 70 leading UK sporting bodies have demanded the government rethink potential £120m cuts to school sports in England, after a clash between two departments over the funding.The Guardian reported earlier this year that the Department of Health and Social Care had intended to cut its entire £60m contribution to school sports, though ministers have since said they intend to rethink the level of cuts. Continue reading...
Research by 50:50 Parliament and Democracy Club reveals women make up only about one-third of candidates across UK local, mayoral and devolved elections on 7 May. In local elections in England, 34% of candidates are female, while mayoral contests have just 18% women. No party has achieved gender parity, with Labour closest at 42%. The 20 most common candidate first names are all male except Sarah at number 20, with 516 Davids compared to just 137 Sarahs. Campaigners warn women's views on issues from social care to bin collections will be sidelined.
Kirsty Parsons became an unpaid carer for her husband Jim after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 44. She fought for 11 years to get additional support as his condition worsened, waiting 5-6 months each time she applied for increased care through Trafford Council. Jim finally received full-time care in December 2025 but died a week later. The article highlights broader issues with England's adult social care system, where 372,000 adults were still waiting to access care as of March 2025, despite councils spending about 40% of their net service budget on adult social care.
A woman's husband died a week after finally receiving full-time care, highlighting England's adult social care crisis. Kirsty Parsons cared for her husband Jim for 11 years after his Parkinson's diagnosis at age 44, giving up her job and fighting for support. He died in December 2025, a week after getting full-time care. Official figures show 372,000 adults in England were waiting to access social care as of March 2025, with experts warning the system remains broken and underfunded.
Labour's plan to extend the wait for indefinite leave to remain to 15 years for social care workers has drawn criticism for being unfair and economically questionable, potentially forcing essential staff to leave the UK.
Exclusive: Vulnerable children being placed in caravans and Airbnbs when Ofsted-inspected homes cannot be found‘It’s soul-destroying’: the struggle to house vulnerable childrenMinisters must get to grips with the “national scandal” of England’s shadow child social care system, the children’s commissioner has warned, as a report reveals the number of children in unregulated settings has increased by more than 370% in five years.Some of the most vulnerable children in England are being temporarily placed in unregulated caravans, Airbnbs and holiday camps, which risk the “accumulation of increasing levels of harm for children who have already faced enough distress for several lifetimes”, according to the report. Continue reading...
Vulnerable children placed in caravans, Airbnbs and holiday camps, with children’s commissioner saying practice must stopMinisters must get to grips with the “national scandal” of England’s shadow child social care system, the children’s commissioner has warned, as a shocking new report reveals the number of children in unregulated settings has increased by more than 370% in five years.Some of the most vulnerable children in England are being temporarily placed in unregulated caravans, Airbnbs and holiday camps, which risk the “accumulation of increasing levels of harm for children who have already faced enough distress for several lifetimes”, according to a new report. Continue reading...
