For a number of years British researchers have been gathering statistical evidence of an increased possibility of mortality amongst patients admitted to hospitals at the weekend. Indeed, one study, with a sample size of 14 million, discovered a 16% increased probability of patient death outside of week days. The sheer size of this study makes… [Read More]
Immigration will be a hot topic in the upcoming election. Ukip, some Conservative MPs and the mayor of London advocate the ‘Australian points based system’ (PBS) for managing Britain’s borders, with that system applying to EU and non-EU arrivals alike. The Australian system is more restrictive than the free movement of persons policy maintained as… [Read More]
Today, Civitas has published a report which identifies 11 factors ranging from an ageing population to an inappropriately staffed NHS 111 phone line as being principle causes of so many A&Es missing their waiting targets, sometimes to the point of declaring major incidents, this winter. The report also holds the efficient running of emergency departments… [Read More]
After five years of the government’s strategy to rebalance the economy, manufacturing and construction continue to flounder. Yesterday’s GDP figures show 0.5 per cent growth – wholly driven by services. Low inflation and a fall in oil prices have created a small boon in consumer spending, plus households are borrowing more as credit controls have… [Read More]
Alexis Tsipras has been sworn in as prime minister in Athens. His Syriza party won 149 seats in Sunday’s election, forcing him to form a majority in coalition with the small Independent Greeks party (ANEL). At first this seems odd. ANEL, led by Panos Kammenos, have just 13 seats. They are firmly on the right–… [Read More]
While falling oil prices are good news for those buying fuel at the pumps, some economists fear that the slump in prices will keep dragging the eurozone towards deflation. Inflation in the eurozone is currently -0.2 per cent, compared with the European Central Bank’s target of 1.9 per cent. This is worrying; as prices keep… [Read More]
Today public health minister Jane Ellison announced that a new law imposing plain unbranded cigarette packaging in England (first proposed in 2010) will be voted on before the next general election, if successful coming into effect by 2016. Support from all large parties is one of the reasons that this law has finally been realised,… [Read More]
After lengthy talks which began in October the government has announced plans to devolve corporation tax powers to Northern Ireland before the next election. The Bill, introduced by Teresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, is due for its second reading next week. It has been rushed into parliament after cross-party agreement was reached with Stormont, the… [Read More]
British comedian Al Murray has announced that he will stand for MP, against UKIP leader Nigel Farage in South Thanet, Kent at the general election in May this year. Murray will stand as his character Pub Landlord, for his newly formed Free the United Kingdom Party, which shortens, somewhat conveniently, to FUKP. In his campaign video,… [Read More]
This week London became bigger than it has ever been before. The previous record was held in 1939, when the population peaked at 8.6 million. It is estimated we have surpassed this benchmark by next month’s Greater London Authority estimates. Coverage of this record high has been somewhat misleading in that it omits the reasons… [Read More]