Yes, some rises are inevitable. But they must be balanced by spending reductions elsewhere if economic policy is to be practicable and coherent.
“Using their own money would enable older people to take greater control over their care options.”
As I set out in my report, my challenge to the NHS is to move all GP surgeries and hospitals from being paper-first to digital-first organisations over the next 10 years.
It has fascinated me since growing up in a single parent family on the outskirts of Belfast – before attending the lowest-performing secondary school in Northern Ireland.
At the same time as putting in more money, there must be a credible plan to spend it effectively – including improvements to how care is delivered.
They want to know that their political leaders aren’t racist or judgemental or stuck in a 1950s parody – but they aren’t interested in hearing about these ideas primarily.
The political sting must be taken out of our healthcare debate. Conflicting ideas over privatisation, taxation and automation should be given serious, non-partisan review.
There is a suspicion that the Government wants to talk about other things – and a significant amount of attention is of course already being consumed by Brexit.
As a Kent MP, Iām delighted Canterbury is one of the sites chosen to host new training facilities.
The Health and Social Care Secretary presents his seven principles for reforming the struggling system, conceding “we need to do better.”
“We back aspiration and ambition. We want everyone, from every background, to be able to go as far as their talents and hard work can take them.”
Enforcing a pre-watershed ban is an important step towards the sort of cultural change we need for a healthier population.
“We didn’t wait until yesterday’s Spring Statement to announce more money for the NHS – we announced it in the Budget last autumn!”
Key voters include those who voted heavily to remain in the EU, and were decisive in the lost Tory seats of Battersea, Kensington, Kingston and Twickenham.
The social, medical and financial costs of excessive alcohol consumption are there for all to see. The answer is already known.