Health chiefs have revealed plans to downgrade Bridlington hospital so that it will no longer treat heart patients or medical emergencies - reports the BBC.
The site will become a community hospital under proposals announced by the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT).
Cardiac and acute patients will instead be treated at Hull or Scarborough.
Elsewhere in East Yorkshire, the NHS received news of a £20m funding boost, including a new hospital in Beverley.
However, this extra money - while welcome - is little more than a day's worth of money the government now pays into the EU's audit-failing budget at £115 million every single week.
The government investment will also fund a new healthcare facility in Hornsea and major refurbishment work at Driffield's Albert Bean Hospital.
So imagine what could be achieved with the equivalent of just one more day's payment to the EU, if our massive financial contribution to that audit-failing organisation were diverted instead to essential health services.
The investment is the largest single award in the latest wave of the Department of Health's £750m capital investment programme for community hospitals and services (NHS improvements being worth only six and a half weeks' worth of our payments to the EU, in the government's eyes).
On the future role of Bridlington Hospital, the Scarborough and North Yorkshire PCT said: "During the public consultation run by the trust earlier this year the support and passion for Bridlington Hospital was extremely well voiced by local people.
"Whilst recognising the level of public interest and concern...it would be neither prudent clinically, professionally nor financially to maintain services in their current format in the long term.
"Overall the number of patients served by both hospitals [Bridlington and Scarborough] is relatively small and having services duplicated across sites affects future sustainability of those services."
In September, health union officials warned that if the cardiac unit at Bridlington was closed, lives would be put at risk as patients would have to travel further for treatment.
Earlier this year, the trust revealed it intended to cut 600 jobs in an attempt to reduce its £20m deficit and cut costs.
But the losses were averted at the last minute after an agreement was reached between the trust and the strategic health authority to write off the debts.
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Police to vote on right to strike
Every police officer in the UK is to be balloted over whether they want to lobby for the right to strike, reports the BBC.
Officers are furious at Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision not to backdate a 2.5% pay rise for police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
At a meeting, Police Federation members also passed a vote of no confidence in Ms Smith and demanded she resign.
Chairwoman Jan Berry said: "I don't remember such a call by the Police Federation being made previously but I also don't remember a home secretary who has betrayed the police service in the way that this home secretary has."
The 2.5% pay deal was decided through the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal.
But officers say if it is introduced this month and not backdated to September, an entry level police constable will lose £131, and a sergeant will lose £206.
Critics say that without backdating, it amounts in real terms - due to inflation - to an increase of only 1.9%.
The retail prices index, on which many pay deals are based, puts the current level of inflation at 4.2%.
Some 78 MPs have signed a motion tabled by the home affairs select committee chair, Keith Vaz, urging a rethink on the issue.
The BBC's Julian Joyce said the decision to call on the home secretary to resign appeared to be popular among the rank and file.
Neil Cratchley, general secretary of the Police Federation's largest branch - the Metropolitan Police, said: "This is a process that has gone on for seven months and it's now crystal clear that she never had any intention of honouring the agreement.
"We are dealing here with matters of trust and the home secretary has breached that trust."
Jacqui Smith said the move would save £30 million, equivalent to 800 police officers, and was justified by a general policy towards controlling public sector pay.
This is another example of our government's misplaced priorities, lavishing £2.5 billion a year extra on the fraud-ridden EU while hitting the pay of hard-pressed police officers in a bid to save £30 million.
That's not even two days worth of the extra money they're gifting the EU, whose auditors haven't been able to explain how it spends the "majority" of the public money it is given for thirteen years running.
Every single MP who voted to approve the European Communities (Finance) Bill is responsible for public money shortfalls like this for essential services. See the updated list of those MPs here.
What's the betting plenty of those 78 MPs who have signed the EDM urging the government to 'think again' on police pay also voted to waste billions extra on the EU?
Officers are furious at Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision not to backdate a 2.5% pay rise for police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
At a meeting, Police Federation members also passed a vote of no confidence in Ms Smith and demanded she resign.
Chairwoman Jan Berry said: "I don't remember such a call by the Police Federation being made previously but I also don't remember a home secretary who has betrayed the police service in the way that this home secretary has."
The 2.5% pay deal was decided through the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal.
But officers say if it is introduced this month and not backdated to September, an entry level police constable will lose £131, and a sergeant will lose £206.
Critics say that without backdating, it amounts in real terms - due to inflation - to an increase of only 1.9%.
The retail prices index, on which many pay deals are based, puts the current level of inflation at 4.2%.
Some 78 MPs have signed a motion tabled by the home affairs select committee chair, Keith Vaz, urging a rethink on the issue.
The BBC's Julian Joyce said the decision to call on the home secretary to resign appeared to be popular among the rank and file.
Neil Cratchley, general secretary of the Police Federation's largest branch - the Metropolitan Police, said: "This is a process that has gone on for seven months and it's now crystal clear that she never had any intention of honouring the agreement.
"We are dealing here with matters of trust and the home secretary has breached that trust."
Jacqui Smith said the move would save £30 million, equivalent to 800 police officers, and was justified by a general policy towards controlling public sector pay.
This is another example of our government's misplaced priorities, lavishing £2.5 billion a year extra on the fraud-ridden EU while hitting the pay of hard-pressed police officers in a bid to save £30 million.
That's not even two days worth of the extra money they're gifting the EU, whose auditors haven't been able to explain how it spends the "majority" of the public money it is given for thirteen years running.
Every single MP who voted to approve the European Communities (Finance) Bill is responsible for public money shortfalls like this for essential services. See the updated list of those MPs here.
What's the betting plenty of those 78 MPs who have signed the EDM urging the government to 'think again' on police pay also voted to waste billions extra on the EU?
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Councils turn backs on care for older people
In the same week as MPs voted in favour of gifting the audit-failing European Union a massive and unjustifiable increase in funding of £7bn, it has been revealed that nearly three-quarters of local authorities in England are rationing social services to exclude tens of thousands of vulnerable people from help with the basic tasks of daily living.
The Guardian reports today that official figures obtained by the charity Mencap reveal the worsening plight of people who cannot wash, dress, prepare a meal or go to the shops unaided - a growing problem this blog has been recording now for more than a year.
It said the problem affected older people and adults with learning disabilities in areas where cash-strapped councils have decided they can no longer afford to provide services to everyone in need.
The information, from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), found 73% of local authorities were planning to refuse care to everyone whose needs were not considered to be "substantial".
The government's definition of substantial covers people who "cannot carry out the majority of their personal care or domestic routines" and do not have anyone available to provide voluntary help.
It excludes people with "moderate" needs who may not be able to carry out several daily routines such as getting up in the morning, bathing and doing the washing up.
The CSCI found four local authorities intending to ration services even more tightly to provide care only to people whose needs are "critical".
Under this definition, people would not get support unless their life was in danger or they were at risk of serious abuse or neglect.
The four were Northumberland, Surrey, West Berkshire and Wokingham councils. They are about to be joined by the London borough of Harrow, which yesterday defended plans to tighten its eligibility criteria at a judicial review in the high court.
Dame Jo Williams, chief executive of Mencap, said: "These figures show the true extent of the crisis in social care. It is unacceptable in the UK in the 21st century that local authorities are refusing support to very vulnerable people with a learning disability who have no one else to turn to.
"Last month the government gave an increase of less than 1% for social services. Given rises in demand, we will just see more and more cash-strapped councils cutting back."
The tightening up of council funding means the number of households across England receiving local authority care fell from 528,500 in 1991 to 345,000 this year, despite growing numbers of older people.
The CSCI data showed rationing has become much tighter over the past two years. In 2005-06, 54% of authorities restricted services to people whose needs were deemed "substantial".
This increased to 62% in 2006-07 and - according to councils' official plans - would reach 73% by the end of March.
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Chronic under-funding of home care services means people are being deprived of the help they need until they reach crisis point ... We need a better system for paying for care to end the postcode lottery and the unfair way people on low and modest incomes are charged."
The Local Government Association said: "Councils want to provide the services vulnerable people need but are increasingly unable to do so because central government funding has not kept pace with the demands of an ageing population."
David Rogers, chairman of the association's community wellbeing board, added: "Ministers need to turn with urgency to the long-term overhaul of the future funding of adult care services ... It is unjust that people have to wait until their life is threatened, or suffer from a serious mental and physical illness, before they receive care.
"If society is to meet people's needs and aspirations, the social care system needs root and branch reform, giving individuals choice, independence, dignity and control over their lives."
Harrow council last night defended its decision to save £2m by withholding services from people in substantial need. Chris Mote, the leader, said it received less from the government than other London boroughs and had to concentrate support on the most vulnerable.
"We were forced to take action ... to balance the budget" he said.
The Guardian reports today that official figures obtained by the charity Mencap reveal the worsening plight of people who cannot wash, dress, prepare a meal or go to the shops unaided - a growing problem this blog has been recording now for more than a year.
It said the problem affected older people and adults with learning disabilities in areas where cash-strapped councils have decided they can no longer afford to provide services to everyone in need.
The information, from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), found 73% of local authorities were planning to refuse care to everyone whose needs were not considered to be "substantial".
The government's definition of substantial covers people who "cannot carry out the majority of their personal care or domestic routines" and do not have anyone available to provide voluntary help.
It excludes people with "moderate" needs who may not be able to carry out several daily routines such as getting up in the morning, bathing and doing the washing up.
The CSCI found four local authorities intending to ration services even more tightly to provide care only to people whose needs are "critical".
Under this definition, people would not get support unless their life was in danger or they were at risk of serious abuse or neglect.
The four were Northumberland, Surrey, West Berkshire and Wokingham councils. They are about to be joined by the London borough of Harrow, which yesterday defended plans to tighten its eligibility criteria at a judicial review in the high court.
Dame Jo Williams, chief executive of Mencap, said: "These figures show the true extent of the crisis in social care. It is unacceptable in the UK in the 21st century that local authorities are refusing support to very vulnerable people with a learning disability who have no one else to turn to.
"Last month the government gave an increase of less than 1% for social services. Given rises in demand, we will just see more and more cash-strapped councils cutting back."
The tightening up of council funding means the number of households across England receiving local authority care fell from 528,500 in 1991 to 345,000 this year, despite growing numbers of older people.
The CSCI data showed rationing has become much tighter over the past two years. In 2005-06, 54% of authorities restricted services to people whose needs were deemed "substantial".
This increased to 62% in 2006-07 and - according to councils' official plans - would reach 73% by the end of March.
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Chronic under-funding of home care services means people are being deprived of the help they need until they reach crisis point ... We need a better system for paying for care to end the postcode lottery and the unfair way people on low and modest incomes are charged."
The Local Government Association said: "Councils want to provide the services vulnerable people need but are increasingly unable to do so because central government funding has not kept pace with the demands of an ageing population."
David Rogers, chairman of the association's community wellbeing board, added: "Ministers need to turn with urgency to the long-term overhaul of the future funding of adult care services ... It is unjust that people have to wait until their life is threatened, or suffer from a serious mental and physical illness, before they receive care.
"If society is to meet people's needs and aspirations, the social care system needs root and branch reform, giving individuals choice, independence, dignity and control over their lives."
Harrow council last night defended its decision to save £2m by withholding services from people in substantial need. Chris Mote, the leader, said it received less from the government than other London boroughs and had to concentrate support on the most vulnerable.
"We were forced to take action ... to balance the budget" he said.
MPs have a moral obligation to be far more responsible with scarce public money than gifting it to EU, which has a terrible reputation for waste, fraud and mismanagement.
They must choose to stand up for properly-funded care for vulnerable people and vote against the European Communities (Finance) Bill at its final reading in a few weeks time.
Labels:
council cuts,
elderly care,
harrow,
social services
'Cost-cutting' a factor in loss of data
The Government has today been accused of putting cost-cutting ahead of security as the fall out from the HM Revenue and Customs scandal continues to escalate - reports the Daily Telegraph.
Internal HMRC emails show that officials were concerned about incurring additional costs after receiving a request by the National Audit Office for details of its child benefit database.
In an email dated 13 March, with all named blanked out, an NAO official said: "I do not need address, bank or parent details in download - are these removable to make the file smaller?"
However, a subsequent internal HMRC email stated: "I must stress we must make use of data we hold and not over burden the business by asking them to run additional data scans/filters that may incur a cost to the department."
According to the Daily Telegraph, the procedure to delete the details - which would have removed much of the threat of identity fraud - would have cost just £5,000.
When the NAO asked for further copies of the files for an audit in October, an official wrote: "Last time we had 100 zipped files on 2 CDs. Please could you ensure that the CDs are delivered to the NAO as safely as possible due to their content."
The CDs were then sent by a 23-year-old junior official from HMRC through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered.
Following the release of the emails, Liberal Democrat acting leader Vince Cable accused the Government of putting "minor cost-cutting" ahead of security.
"IT experts point out it is possible to strip out data for a modest sum but the Government's short-sightedness has led to millions of personal details getting lost in the post. This is simply unacceptable," he said.
The news that this administrative disaster rested on a desperation by the Customs & Revenue service to save a matter of £5,000 puts the decision of MPs to lavish an extra £7bn of public funds on the audit-failing European Union in stark context.
MPs simply cannot justify giving such vast sums to an organisation - the "majority" of whose annual spending remains unverifiable by auditors - while witnessing these catastophic results of drastic cost-cutting at home.
Each MP who now exhibits such misplaced priorities and votes to approve the European Communities (Finance) Bill at its final reading in Parliament in a few weeks time will have to shoulder the blame for the consequences of public money running out, like those we've seen this week.
Internal HMRC emails show that officials were concerned about incurring additional costs after receiving a request by the National Audit Office for details of its child benefit database.
In an email dated 13 March, with all named blanked out, an NAO official said: "I do not need address, bank or parent details in download - are these removable to make the file smaller?"
However, a subsequent internal HMRC email stated: "I must stress we must make use of data we hold and not over burden the business by asking them to run additional data scans/filters that may incur a cost to the department."
According to the Daily Telegraph, the procedure to delete the details - which would have removed much of the threat of identity fraud - would have cost just £5,000.
When the NAO asked for further copies of the files for an audit in October, an official wrote: "Last time we had 100 zipped files on 2 CDs. Please could you ensure that the CDs are delivered to the NAO as safely as possible due to their content."
The CDs were then sent by a 23-year-old junior official from HMRC through courier TNT, neither recorded nor registered.
Following the release of the emails, Liberal Democrat acting leader Vince Cable accused the Government of putting "minor cost-cutting" ahead of security.
"IT experts point out it is possible to strip out data for a modest sum but the Government's short-sightedness has led to millions of personal details getting lost in the post. This is simply unacceptable," he said.
The news that this administrative disaster rested on a desperation by the Customs & Revenue service to save a matter of £5,000 puts the decision of MPs to lavish an extra £7bn of public funds on the audit-failing European Union in stark context.
MPs simply cannot justify giving such vast sums to an organisation - the "majority" of whose annual spending remains unverifiable by auditors - while witnessing these catastophic results of drastic cost-cutting at home.
Each MP who now exhibits such misplaced priorities and votes to approve the European Communities (Finance) Bill at its final reading in Parliament in a few weeks time will have to shoulder the blame for the consequences of public money running out, like those we've seen this week.
Norfolk: Bed crisis sparks hospitals alert
Hospitals across the east of England have been placed on "black alert" as staff and wards are overwhelmed by high patient numbers - reports the BBC.
Non-urgent cases have been sent home after up to 10 ambulances were left queuing outside one hospital.
Few or no beds are free at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, and the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, both in Norfolk.
People with minor injuries have been urged not to attend A&E.
The alert status means plans designed to enable staff to cope with major incidents, such as terrorist attacks and train crashes, are put into action.
At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), which announced it had reached the emergency status on Wednesday afternoon, managers worked with other agencies to discharge non-urgent patients from the 1,000-bed hospital to create space.
However, the hospital said that between 60 and 70 beds were still being blocked because patients who were medically fit to leave had no where to go.
Paramedics treated patients in ambulances outside the NNUH on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "Most things we can manage - it only becomes critical to get someone out of the ambulance and into the hospital if someone is bleeding to death or in full cardiac arrest needing resuscitation.
"There were serious condition patients but they were being treated at the NNUH by hospital staff."
NNUH spokesman Andrew Stronach said there was no single incident that brought on the beds crisis.
"It's just general run of the mill problems, like chest pains, collapses, diarrhoea and vomiting."
The James Paget hospital and the Queen Elizabeth in Kings Lynn said there were sufficient beds, but a sudden change in the weather was putting extra pressure on them.
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, said the hospital was regularly well above the safe occupancy level of 85%.
He said: "If there was to be a flu epidemic this winter then we've got a major crisis.
"Across the country we're seeing occupancy rates increasing. There's also evidence that you run an increased risk of hospital acquired infections if you've got a hospital that's literally full.
"This is a serious problem and yet there appears to be nothing being done to increase the capacity to ensure that there's enough beds to treat patients."
Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire health officials have said they are not on alert, but Bedford Hospital has been on red alert since Friday.
In Suffolk, Ipswich Hospital said it had very few beds but was managing the situation and a spokesman for the West Suffolk Hospital said its alert had been caused by sickness bugs.
Norfolk MPs Norman Lamb and Henry Bellingham can fairly claim to be doing their best to ensure local hospital services have the facilities and resources they need to avoid situations like this developing - by opposing the payment of an extra £7bn to the audit-failing European Union.
However, Tony Wright MP for Great Yarmouth and Ian Gibson MP for Norwich North both voted on Monday to approve this unjustifiable extra multi-billion-pound spending on the wasteful EU, so can hardly claim to be doing their best for essential local services.
Local voters need only wait a likely 18 months for the next general election, to let them know what they think of such irresponsible decision-making.
Non-urgent cases have been sent home after up to 10 ambulances were left queuing outside one hospital.
Few or no beds are free at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, and the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, both in Norfolk.
People with minor injuries have been urged not to attend A&E.
The alert status means plans designed to enable staff to cope with major incidents, such as terrorist attacks and train crashes, are put into action.
At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), which announced it had reached the emergency status on Wednesday afternoon, managers worked with other agencies to discharge non-urgent patients from the 1,000-bed hospital to create space.
However, the hospital said that between 60 and 70 beds were still being blocked because patients who were medically fit to leave had no where to go.
Paramedics treated patients in ambulances outside the NNUH on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "Most things we can manage - it only becomes critical to get someone out of the ambulance and into the hospital if someone is bleeding to death or in full cardiac arrest needing resuscitation.
"There were serious condition patients but they were being treated at the NNUH by hospital staff."
NNUH spokesman Andrew Stronach said there was no single incident that brought on the beds crisis.
"It's just general run of the mill problems, like chest pains, collapses, diarrhoea and vomiting."
The James Paget hospital and the Queen Elizabeth in Kings Lynn said there were sufficient beds, but a sudden change in the weather was putting extra pressure on them.
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk, said the hospital was regularly well above the safe occupancy level of 85%.
He said: "If there was to be a flu epidemic this winter then we've got a major crisis.
"Across the country we're seeing occupancy rates increasing. There's also evidence that you run an increased risk of hospital acquired infections if you've got a hospital that's literally full.
"This is a serious problem and yet there appears to be nothing being done to increase the capacity to ensure that there's enough beds to treat patients."
Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire health officials have said they are not on alert, but Bedford Hospital has been on red alert since Friday.
In Suffolk, Ipswich Hospital said it had very few beds but was managing the situation and a spokesman for the West Suffolk Hospital said its alert had been caused by sickness bugs.
Norfolk MPs Norman Lamb and Henry Bellingham can fairly claim to be doing their best to ensure local hospital services have the facilities and resources they need to avoid situations like this developing - by opposing the payment of an extra £7bn to the audit-failing European Union.
However, Tony Wright MP for Great Yarmouth and Ian Gibson MP for Norwich North both voted on Monday to approve this unjustifiable extra multi-billion-pound spending on the wasteful EU, so can hardly claim to be doing their best for essential local services.
Local voters need only wait a likely 18 months for the next general election, to let them know what they think of such irresponsible decision-making.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
'Inadequate care' in half of A&E trauma cases
Less than half the patients admitted to accident and emergency departments with severe injuries get adequate care - according to the Daily Telegraph.
A Government-funded report has found that 20% of hospitals have no dedicated trauma team and that care standards drop significantly at night, adding that trauma patients are being treated by inexperienced staff who display little urgency and make incorrect clinical decisions.
The Government is expect to seize on the findings to support a White Paper published last year advocating centralising trauma care in specialist regional centres, at the price of local A&E departments.
Critics suspect the proposals are more about cost-cutting than patient care and say the move could see 29 hospitals closed. They argue this will jeopardise the survival of patients, who will be put at risk by travelling the extra distance to a trauma centre.
Their fears are backed by recent research which suggested that mortality rates increase by 1% for every extra six miles travelled.
Commenting on the report, Dr Jonathan Fielden, of the British Medical Association, said: "It must not be taken to support closing local units, it should be used to improve patient care. There need to be more consultants employed in the NHS to lead trauma teams."
The report, "Trauma: Who Cares?", published today by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, says hospital trusts must ensure a trauma team is available 24 hours a day with an experienced consultant as leader.
Sadly this is unlikely to be affordable while MPs splash so much public cash on the audit-failing European Union.
On Monday, MPs voted to approve a massive £7bn increase in funds, taking our annual EU payments to an astonishing £10.5bn gross every year.
But while the "majority" of the EU's spending remains unverifiable by auditors, and reports of EU waste and fraud continue, there is absolutely no justification for rewarding the EU with such a huge increase in payments.
No wonder the government is having to consider centralising trauma care in regional centres, instead of properly equipping local A&E departments. Where are our MPs' priorities?
A Government-funded report has found that 20% of hospitals have no dedicated trauma team and that care standards drop significantly at night, adding that trauma patients are being treated by inexperienced staff who display little urgency and make incorrect clinical decisions.
The Government is expect to seize on the findings to support a White Paper published last year advocating centralising trauma care in specialist regional centres, at the price of local A&E departments.
Critics suspect the proposals are more about cost-cutting than patient care and say the move could see 29 hospitals closed. They argue this will jeopardise the survival of patients, who will be put at risk by travelling the extra distance to a trauma centre.
Their fears are backed by recent research which suggested that mortality rates increase by 1% for every extra six miles travelled.
Commenting on the report, Dr Jonathan Fielden, of the British Medical Association, said: "It must not be taken to support closing local units, it should be used to improve patient care. There need to be more consultants employed in the NHS to lead trauma teams."
The report, "Trauma: Who Cares?", published today by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, says hospital trusts must ensure a trauma team is available 24 hours a day with an experienced consultant as leader.
Sadly this is unlikely to be affordable while MPs splash so much public cash on the audit-failing European Union.
On Monday, MPs voted to approve a massive £7bn increase in funds, taking our annual EU payments to an astonishing £10.5bn gross every year.
But while the "majority" of the EU's spending remains unverifiable by auditors, and reports of EU waste and fraud continue, there is absolutely no justification for rewarding the EU with such a huge increase in payments.
No wonder the government is having to consider centralising trauma care in regional centres, instead of properly equipping local A&E departments. Where are our MPs' priorities?
Cash crunch will stop Forces doing their job, says ex-Army chief
The former head of the Army has warned that the Armed Forces are facing a cash "crisis" - reports the Daily Telegraph.
The news comes as, just two days ago, MPs voted to approve the government's pledge of an extra £7bn to the EU's budget, despite last week's revelation that the EU Court of Auditors has been unable to verify the "majority" of the EU's spending for the 13th year in a row.
Gen Sir Mike Jackson said recent spending commitments by the Chancellor were likely to prove insufficient to ensure the country's "national insurance policy", raising doubts over whether the military will be able to pay for future operations or major equipment projects.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "I detect, I fear, some crisis ahead in defence spending, if things go on as they are in terms of what we do, what we might have to do and the money allocated"
He hinted that there might be bad news ahead for one of the military's main procurement projects, such as new destroyers or submarines.
Since resigning, Sir Mike has also criticised the MoD's treatment of soldiers, particularly the standards of pay and living accommodation.
The MoD is currently battling with the Treasury over funding of equipment projects and "urgent operational requirements" of kit needed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There are also worries that without proper funding the military is going to continue to lose substantial numbers of troops who are fed up with poor pay, accommodation and constant operations.
MPs need to think again about whether gifting the EU billions of pounds extra is either affordable or justifiable while a "majority" of its spending cannot be verified, in advance of the Third Reading of the European Communities (Finance) Bill.
Those who vote for such large-scale waste of public funds will then have to bear personal responsibility for the consequences of shortfalls of funds elsewhere, many examples of which are already in evidence.
The news comes as, just two days ago, MPs voted to approve the government's pledge of an extra £7bn to the EU's budget, despite last week's revelation that the EU Court of Auditors has been unable to verify the "majority" of the EU's spending for the 13th year in a row.
Gen Sir Mike Jackson said recent spending commitments by the Chancellor were likely to prove insufficient to ensure the country's "national insurance policy", raising doubts over whether the military will be able to pay for future operations or major equipment projects.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "I detect, I fear, some crisis ahead in defence spending, if things go on as they are in terms of what we do, what we might have to do and the money allocated"
He hinted that there might be bad news ahead for one of the military's main procurement projects, such as new destroyers or submarines.
Since resigning, Sir Mike has also criticised the MoD's treatment of soldiers, particularly the standards of pay and living accommodation.
The MoD is currently battling with the Treasury over funding of equipment projects and "urgent operational requirements" of kit needed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There are also worries that without proper funding the military is going to continue to lose substantial numbers of troops who are fed up with poor pay, accommodation and constant operations.
MPs need to think again about whether gifting the EU billions of pounds extra is either affordable or justifiable while a "majority" of its spending cannot be verified, in advance of the Third Reading of the European Communities (Finance) Bill.
Those who vote for such large-scale waste of public funds will then have to bear personal responsibility for the consequences of shortfalls of funds elsewhere, many examples of which are already in evidence.
London: Health summit paves way for abolition of traditional hospitals
A major health summit is taking place today will change the face of the NHS in London, reports the Evening Standard.
Senior managers and doctors are meeting to draw up plans that will abolish traditional hospitals.
They are finalising a major consultation document that asks every Londoner to decide if GPs should move into big polyclinics.
Patients will be asked a series of crucial questions - signed off at today's meeting - that will lead to the massive changes next year.
They will be asked about the centralisation of services such as trauma care, treatment of children and the care of stroke victims should be centralised away from local hospitals into so-called "specialist" centres.
And whether more maternity departments should be run by midwives instead of doctors.
The consultation will be launched at the end of the month and is likely to trigger battles to
save local services.
Bosses have refused to name the hospitals and surgeries that should close and are consulting on "ideas" first.
Robert Creighton, chief executive of Ealing primary care trust, and one of the leaders of the consultation, said: "We want to get people's views about the proposals and we intend genuinely to listen to what the public have to say."
But doctors have warned that the plan is being driven through. Dr Stewart Drage, head of Londonwide Local Medical Committees, said: "We have reservations about this whole process. We are concerned that the local input is going to be very limited."
It comes as campaigners find out the results of a consultation to downgrade Chase Farm hospital in north Enfield.
Thousands have been fighting plans to move A&E and maternity services to Barnet and North Middlesex and make Chase Farm a community hospital.
The summit meeting into changes across the capital - taking place at the Sofitel hotel near St James's Park - could mean the plans for Barnet and Chase Farm change again.
The proposals are based on plans drawn up in the summer by junior health minister Lord Darzi, who is now leading a nationwide review of the NHS.
Questions must be asked as to whether these changes are being driven more by attempts at cost-cutting than to enhance patient care.
With MPs voting an extra £7bn to the European Union completely without justification on Monday of this week, public funds for essential services are becoming increasingly tight.
It's time MPs looked again at the real priorities of those they represent, before they give final approval to this multi-billion-pound funding increase to an organisation that has failed its annual audit for 13 years and is beset by reports of needless extravagance, waste and fraud.
Come next year, it'll be no good MPs posturing in protest against hospital closures in their constituencies if they've voted to waste such vast sums of public money on the EU. They will be personally responsible for the money running out, and themselves can expect to pay the price at the ballot box.
Senior managers and doctors are meeting to draw up plans that will abolish traditional hospitals.
They are finalising a major consultation document that asks every Londoner to decide if GPs should move into big polyclinics.
Patients will be asked a series of crucial questions - signed off at today's meeting - that will lead to the massive changes next year.
They will be asked about the centralisation of services such as trauma care, treatment of children and the care of stroke victims should be centralised away from local hospitals into so-called "specialist" centres.
And whether more maternity departments should be run by midwives instead of doctors.
The consultation will be launched at the end of the month and is likely to trigger battles to
save local services.
Bosses have refused to name the hospitals and surgeries that should close and are consulting on "ideas" first.
Robert Creighton, chief executive of Ealing primary care trust, and one of the leaders of the consultation, said: "We want to get people's views about the proposals and we intend genuinely to listen to what the public have to say."
But doctors have warned that the plan is being driven through. Dr Stewart Drage, head of Londonwide Local Medical Committees, said: "We have reservations about this whole process. We are concerned that the local input is going to be very limited."
It comes as campaigners find out the results of a consultation to downgrade Chase Farm hospital in north Enfield.
Thousands have been fighting plans to move A&E and maternity services to Barnet and North Middlesex and make Chase Farm a community hospital.
The summit meeting into changes across the capital - taking place at the Sofitel hotel near St James's Park - could mean the plans for Barnet and Chase Farm change again.
The proposals are based on plans drawn up in the summer by junior health minister Lord Darzi, who is now leading a nationwide review of the NHS.
Questions must be asked as to whether these changes are being driven more by attempts at cost-cutting than to enhance patient care.
With MPs voting an extra £7bn to the European Union completely without justification on Monday of this week, public funds for essential services are becoming increasingly tight.
It's time MPs looked again at the real priorities of those they represent, before they give final approval to this multi-billion-pound funding increase to an organisation that has failed its annual audit for 13 years and is beset by reports of needless extravagance, waste and fraud.
Come next year, it'll be no good MPs posturing in protest against hospital closures in their constituencies if they've voted to waste such vast sums of public money on the EU. They will be personally responsible for the money running out, and themselves can expect to pay the price at the ballot box.
State borrowing to rise as Treasury left with little 'wiggle room'
The Government is on course to exceed its borrowing targets by as much as £4bn this year, as public finance data came in much worse than had been expected - reports The Times.
Analysts said that the public sector net surplus was £993 million in October, compared with expectations of £3 billion, putting a dampener on the health of Alistair Darling's forecasts as the economy enters the second half of the fiscal year.
The Chancellor forecast in his Pre-Budget Report that public borrowing over the year as a whole would reach £38 billion. But the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said yesterday that the figure could reach £42 billion if present trends continued.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers predicted that the State would borrow £40 billion this year and next.
The IFS said that the overshoot in borrowing was because capital spending was growing twice as quickly as the Treasury forecast.
John Hawksworth, head of macroeconomics at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, said: "At this point in the economic cycle, the public finances should be improving in order to provide some 'wiggle room' in the event of a future cyclical downturn."
"The fact that they are getting worse will be of concern to the Treasury, since it suggests possible structural weakness and a potential need for further tax increases or greater spending restraint looking ahead."
In this context, the apparent enthusiasm of the government and many MPs to spend an extra £7bn on paying the European Union's extravagant and largely unverified bills looks particularly ill-advised.
Those MPs who vote approve these extra payments when the final vote in Parliament on the European Communities (Finance) Bill comes will consequently have to bear major responsibility for the tax increases or other public spending restraints impacting on their constituencies that analysts are now saying will have to come if the public finances continue to worsen.
Such irresponsible decisions to throw billions more pounds every year into such a black hole of waste, extravagance and fraud cannot possibly come without a price.
Analysts said that the public sector net surplus was £993 million in October, compared with expectations of £3 billion, putting a dampener on the health of Alistair Darling's forecasts as the economy enters the second half of the fiscal year.
The Chancellor forecast in his Pre-Budget Report that public borrowing over the year as a whole would reach £38 billion. But the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said yesterday that the figure could reach £42 billion if present trends continued.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers predicted that the State would borrow £40 billion this year and next.
The IFS said that the overshoot in borrowing was because capital spending was growing twice as quickly as the Treasury forecast.
John Hawksworth, head of macroeconomics at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, said: "At this point in the economic cycle, the public finances should be improving in order to provide some 'wiggle room' in the event of a future cyclical downturn."
"The fact that they are getting worse will be of concern to the Treasury, since it suggests possible structural weakness and a potential need for further tax increases or greater spending restraint looking ahead."
In this context, the apparent enthusiasm of the government and many MPs to spend an extra £7bn on paying the European Union's extravagant and largely unverified bills looks particularly ill-advised.
Those MPs who vote approve these extra payments when the final vote in Parliament on the European Communities (Finance) Bill comes will consequently have to bear major responsibility for the tax increases or other public spending restraints impacting on their constituencies that analysts are now saying will have to come if the public finances continue to worsen.
Such irresponsible decisions to throw billions more pounds every year into such a black hole of waste, extravagance and fraud cannot possibly come without a price.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Norfolk: Third of crimes not investigated
Police chiefs have defended their screening policy after it emerged that a third of crimes reported in Norfolk are not investigated by officers - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
Figures released by Norfolk Constabulary show thousands of crime reports get no further than civilian call-handlers, under the supervision of an officer, who are trained to decide whether or not an incident is serious or solvable enough to warrant further investigation.
Opponents of the policy claimed the figures proved the force was under-resourced and under too much pressure to chase government targets.
However, senior officers defended the system, saying it helped it to make the most of limited resources, and that no category of crime was risk-free for the culprits.
During 2006-07, 20,739 crimes were screened out from a total of 62,626 reported - a rate of 33%, which is just below the national average of 39%. Of those, 9,375 thefts and 8,819 cases of criminal damage were not investigated.
Other crimes not probed included burglaries, violent crimes and drug offences.
Det Supt Julian Gregory, of Norfolk police, said: "As with any public sector body we have a budget and finite resources and it is vitally important to target those resources to where we get the best benefit for the community. It is common sense."
Norwich North MP Ian Gibson said 33% seemed to be a very high number and called for an explanation.
"The police force needs to explain in more detail about why these crimes are not being investigated, because I think members of the public really need to know," he said.
Norman Brennan, chairman of the Victims of Crime Trust and a serving police officer, said: "The sad reality is that police numbers have not kept pace with the huge rise in crime across the spectrum.
"The public are our masters and have a right to know why we don't turn up to every call and investigate every crime."
Screened out offences are still counted in official crime figures, and victims are issued with reference numbers for insurance purposes.
Norfolk was one of 12 English and Scottish forces which released the figures under Freedom of Information laws. Suffolk Constabulary does not operate a screening policy.
Figures released by Norfolk Constabulary show thousands of crime reports get no further than civilian call-handlers, under the supervision of an officer, who are trained to decide whether or not an incident is serious or solvable enough to warrant further investigation.
Opponents of the policy claimed the figures proved the force was under-resourced and under too much pressure to chase government targets.
However, senior officers defended the system, saying it helped it to make the most of limited resources, and that no category of crime was risk-free for the culprits.
During 2006-07, 20,739 crimes were screened out from a total of 62,626 reported - a rate of 33%, which is just below the national average of 39%. Of those, 9,375 thefts and 8,819 cases of criminal damage were not investigated.
Other crimes not probed included burglaries, violent crimes and drug offences.
Det Supt Julian Gregory, of Norfolk police, said: "As with any public sector body we have a budget and finite resources and it is vitally important to target those resources to where we get the best benefit for the community. It is common sense."
Norwich North MP Ian Gibson said 33% seemed to be a very high number and called for an explanation.
"The police force needs to explain in more detail about why these crimes are not being investigated, because I think members of the public really need to know," he said.
Norman Brennan, chairman of the Victims of Crime Trust and a serving police officer, said: "The sad reality is that police numbers have not kept pace with the huge rise in crime across the spectrum.
"The public are our masters and have a right to know why we don't turn up to every call and investigate every crime."
Screened out offences are still counted in official crime figures, and victims are issued with reference numbers for insurance purposes.
Norfolk was one of 12 English and Scottish forces which released the figures under Freedom of Information laws. Suffolk Constabulary does not operate a screening policy.
Blackpool: Campaign to save post offices
Campaigners were out in force in the Fylde at the weekend amid fears rural post offices in the borough could be shut down, according to the Blackpool Citizen.
Government plans could see up to 2,500 rural post offices closed across the country, with the full list due to be announced in January.
Fylde borough currently has 24 post offices open, but eight have been closed since 1999.
Campaigners took to the streets of St Annes over the weekend, and were collecting signatures to fight any proposed closures.
Post office campaigner, Coun Cheryl Little, who represents the Fairhaven ward, said: "We had a remarkable day with much support from the people of St Annes and the sub post master at Wood Street.
"I strongly feel that post offices are a vital lifeline in many people's day to day lives and shutting them does not make sense."
Post Office Ltd managing director, Alan Cook, said: "Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
Government plans could see up to 2,500 rural post offices closed across the country, with the full list due to be announced in January.
Fylde borough currently has 24 post offices open, but eight have been closed since 1999.
Campaigners took to the streets of St Annes over the weekend, and were collecting signatures to fight any proposed closures.
Post office campaigner, Coun Cheryl Little, who represents the Fairhaven ward, said: "We had a remarkable day with much support from the people of St Annes and the sub post master at Wood Street.
"I strongly feel that post offices are a vital lifeline in many people's day to day lives and shutting them does not make sense."
Post Office Ltd managing director, Alan Cook, said: "Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
Wales: Councils warn on funding figures
Local councils in Wales have criticised their £3.8bn budget settlement for next year from the assembly government.
The assembly, which receives its funding from the UK government and Europe, last week set out its spending plans.
Ministers admitted funding was "tight", saying local government funding would rise by 2.3% next year and by 2.6% and 2.8% in the following two years.
Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons called it a "realistic" deal and said councils must make efficiency savings.
But the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), which represents council leaders, called this year's settlement "appalling" and warned of public services cuts, jobs losses and rising council taxes.
Derek Vaughan, leader of the WLGA, said: "The assembly government seems to think that council tax payers are the solution to their budgetary problems - they can't balance the books, so the people of Wales are expected to cough up."
WLGA education spokesman John Davies, a Pembrokeshire councillor, said education authorities faced "cuts in service, redundancies and school closures" without extra cash or council tax rises.
Liberal Democrat Jenny Randerson said AMs had passed on a "very tight budget" to local authorities "knowing that with local elections next year, people are going to blame their local council, not blame the assembly government".
"I can assure you, they [AMs] wouldn't have been doing this to themselves if it had been an election year in the assembly."
The assembly, which receives its funding from the UK government and Europe, last week set out its spending plans.
Ministers admitted funding was "tight", saying local government funding would rise by 2.3% next year and by 2.6% and 2.8% in the following two years.
Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons called it a "realistic" deal and said councils must make efficiency savings.
But the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), which represents council leaders, called this year's settlement "appalling" and warned of public services cuts, jobs losses and rising council taxes.
Derek Vaughan, leader of the WLGA, said: "The assembly government seems to think that council tax payers are the solution to their budgetary problems - they can't balance the books, so the people of Wales are expected to cough up."
WLGA education spokesman John Davies, a Pembrokeshire councillor, said education authorities faced "cuts in service, redundancies and school closures" without extra cash or council tax rises.
Liberal Democrat Jenny Randerson said AMs had passed on a "very tight budget" to local authorities "knowing that with local elections next year, people are going to blame their local council, not blame the assembly government".
"I can assure you, they [AMs] wouldn't have been doing this to themselves if it had been an election year in the assembly."
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Manchester: Long wait for a dentist
People suffering toothache in Greater Manchester are still being forced to join long queues for treatment - three years after a government minister pledged to improve NHS dental treatment in the region - according to the Manchester Evening News.
Many are being forced to wait in hospital after failing to find an NHS dentist who can give them an appointment.
In September 2004, health minister Rosie Winterton promised dental care would improve after we showed her the queues of desperate patients outside the dental hospital.
But the lines of desperate patients are still there, and an exclusive survey conducted by the MEN this month has revealed that only a quarter of NHS dentists in Greater Manchester are offering NHS treatment to patients who say they have a painful dental problem.
Despite the freezing weather yesterday morning, patients had chosen to queue at the hospital on Oxford Road rather than face the expensive fees of their dentists who have converted to private practice.
Terrible toothache Alani Mosharaf, 31, a student from Chorlton upon Medlock, was first in the queue, he said: "I've got terrible tooth ache, I don't know what is wrong, I've had problems for the last four months and I've been here several times.
"I've tried to get a dentist near my home since I arrived in the city three years ago but they are all private, they are not interested in NHS patients - it seems like there is no NHS any more where I live."
Ben Cousins, 21, a restaurant manager, from Hulme, was also in agony but he queued for more than an hour because his last visit to his - now private - dentist cost him more than £100.
He said: "I can't afford it in November with Christmas coming up, I'm not looking forward to having a tooth removed and I don't want to pay that much to have it done.
"They say it costs £14.50 here for an appointment and depending on what you have it can go up to £48, which is a lot better value."
Last year we reported how two new full-time dentists had been recruited to work at the hospital enabling the clinic to see up to 80 extra patients a day but it still hasn't reduced the queues.
Patients are supposed to be able to get dental treatment on the NHS without being registered with a dentist. But when an MEN reporter rang 50 dental surgeons complaining about a chipped tooth just 13 said they would offer an NHS appointment within a month.
Our reporter was told by 21 of the dentists that he could have treatment privately.
The remaining 16 dentists could not offer an appointment at all, either privately or on the NHS.
The dentists were registered in the "find a dentist" section on the government's NHS Choices website.
The findings of the MEN's study are to be presented to a committee of MPs later this week by Dr Anthony Halperin, the chairman of the Patients' Association who is also a dentist.
He believes lack of funding for NHS dentistry from Primary Care Trusts is at the root of the problem and said: "It does show there are problems gaining access to NHS dentists.
"That is not necessarily because dentists are choosing to treat private patients before NHS patients, but because they are not getting funding from the PCT to take on new NHS patients.
"Under the old system, dentists could take on as many NHS patients as they liked and then fill out forms for funding. But now the funding must already be in place from the PCT and that is causing problems.
"That is what has come across to the Patients' Association. It is the lack of funding, rather than a lack of space or capability.
"These are interesting findings and I'll mention the survey when I speak to MPs next week at a select committee."
All dentists now work on a self-employed basis, and receive funding from the Manchester PCT for treating NHS patients. As more dentists turn from treating NHS patients to private work, many are now branching out into cosmetic dentistry.
When our reporter rang the same 50 dentists and asked whether they could do teeth whitening - a private cosmetic service costing between £190 and £550 - more than two thirds (34) of them said they did and offered an appointment.
A spokesman for the Manchester Health Watchdog said it was a concern that most NHS dental practices are still running a registration system despite the new guidance from the Department of Health. The watchdog was also aware practices were asking patients to sign up to monthly direct debits to receive treatment.
Martin Rathfelder, member of the Manchester Health Watchdog, said: "It is a difficult situation because dentists are self-employed and there isn't any way of preventing them doing cosmetic work, but I think questions should be asked of Manchester PCT about the level of capacity of NHS dentistry in the city.
"Based on the information collected by the MEN, the PCT should be ensuring that all NHS dentists in the city are meeting their dental unit targets and if they are not, why not?
"Is capacity the issue or is it about the money.
"Most of the dental practices in Manchester seem to be running a practice list system. Is that lawful?"
Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley, said: "It seems since the new system was introduced more dentists are choosing to take on more private work.
"The current system isn't delivering what it promised to in many parts of the country, although the situation in my constituency isn't as bad as in other parts of Greater Manchester and elsewhere.
"It needs to be looked at again because the tax paying public is not getting value for money and there are real flaws in the new arrangements.
"The balance is not there. Dentists are choosing to take on more private work and this is limiting the number of NHS patients they can treat."
Many are being forced to wait in hospital after failing to find an NHS dentist who can give them an appointment.
In September 2004, health minister Rosie Winterton promised dental care would improve after we showed her the queues of desperate patients outside the dental hospital.
But the lines of desperate patients are still there, and an exclusive survey conducted by the MEN this month has revealed that only a quarter of NHS dentists in Greater Manchester are offering NHS treatment to patients who say they have a painful dental problem.
Despite the freezing weather yesterday morning, patients had chosen to queue at the hospital on Oxford Road rather than face the expensive fees of their dentists who have converted to private practice.
Terrible toothache Alani Mosharaf, 31, a student from Chorlton upon Medlock, was first in the queue, he said: "I've got terrible tooth ache, I don't know what is wrong, I've had problems for the last four months and I've been here several times.
"I've tried to get a dentist near my home since I arrived in the city three years ago but they are all private, they are not interested in NHS patients - it seems like there is no NHS any more where I live."
Ben Cousins, 21, a restaurant manager, from Hulme, was also in agony but he queued for more than an hour because his last visit to his - now private - dentist cost him more than £100.
He said: "I can't afford it in November with Christmas coming up, I'm not looking forward to having a tooth removed and I don't want to pay that much to have it done.
"They say it costs £14.50 here for an appointment and depending on what you have it can go up to £48, which is a lot better value."
Last year we reported how two new full-time dentists had been recruited to work at the hospital enabling the clinic to see up to 80 extra patients a day but it still hasn't reduced the queues.
Patients are supposed to be able to get dental treatment on the NHS without being registered with a dentist. But when an MEN reporter rang 50 dental surgeons complaining about a chipped tooth just 13 said they would offer an NHS appointment within a month.
Our reporter was told by 21 of the dentists that he could have treatment privately.
The remaining 16 dentists could not offer an appointment at all, either privately or on the NHS.
The dentists were registered in the "find a dentist" section on the government's NHS Choices website.
The findings of the MEN's study are to be presented to a committee of MPs later this week by Dr Anthony Halperin, the chairman of the Patients' Association who is also a dentist.
He believes lack of funding for NHS dentistry from Primary Care Trusts is at the root of the problem and said: "It does show there are problems gaining access to NHS dentists.
"That is not necessarily because dentists are choosing to treat private patients before NHS patients, but because they are not getting funding from the PCT to take on new NHS patients.
"Under the old system, dentists could take on as many NHS patients as they liked and then fill out forms for funding. But now the funding must already be in place from the PCT and that is causing problems.
"That is what has come across to the Patients' Association. It is the lack of funding, rather than a lack of space or capability.
"These are interesting findings and I'll mention the survey when I speak to MPs next week at a select committee."
All dentists now work on a self-employed basis, and receive funding from the Manchester PCT for treating NHS patients. As more dentists turn from treating NHS patients to private work, many are now branching out into cosmetic dentistry.
When our reporter rang the same 50 dentists and asked whether they could do teeth whitening - a private cosmetic service costing between £190 and £550 - more than two thirds (34) of them said they did and offered an appointment.
A spokesman for the Manchester Health Watchdog said it was a concern that most NHS dental practices are still running a registration system despite the new guidance from the Department of Health. The watchdog was also aware practices were asking patients to sign up to monthly direct debits to receive treatment.
Martin Rathfelder, member of the Manchester Health Watchdog, said: "It is a difficult situation because dentists are self-employed and there isn't any way of preventing them doing cosmetic work, but I think questions should be asked of Manchester PCT about the level of capacity of NHS dentistry in the city.
"Based on the information collected by the MEN, the PCT should be ensuring that all NHS dentists in the city are meeting their dental unit targets and if they are not, why not?
"Is capacity the issue or is it about the money.
"Most of the dental practices in Manchester seem to be running a practice list system. Is that lawful?"
Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley, said: "It seems since the new system was introduced more dentists are choosing to take on more private work.
"The current system isn't delivering what it promised to in many parts of the country, although the situation in my constituency isn't as bad as in other parts of Greater Manchester and elsewhere.
"It needs to be looked at again because the tax paying public is not getting value for money and there are real flaws in the new arrangements.
"The balance is not there. Dentists are choosing to take on more private work and this is limiting the number of NHS patients they can treat."
Norfolk: Warning over the cost of care
Old people face having to pay more for their care and some will miss out completely as Norfolk social services prepares to make millions of pounds of cuts - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
The department is trying to make £13m of savings from the adult social services budget next year alone, a figure which rises to £37m over the next three years.
It is part of what County Hall chiefs described as a “difficult” picture for all the council's services. Although the county council will not hear about its government funding settlement until next month, it is expecting to receive an extra £16m from Whitehall - but faces paying an extra £38.7m in inflation costs and to meet rising demand for services, leaving it to make £22.7m of savings next year.
Paul Brittain, the council's head of finance, said: “There are savings right across the board in adult services, children's services, planning and transport and so on. It is a very difficult financial situation.”
Harold Bodmer, director of adult social services, said: “It is a tough situation. We have to set this on the context of a very difficult budget.”
The most severe cutbacks proposed are reducing the number of people who receive care by 1,084 over the next three years, saving £3m next year and more than £19m in all.
Hilary Macdonald, chief executive of Age Concern Norfolk, said that some people might choose to do without services if they were faced with having to pay more.
She said: “Inevitably the burden is going to fall on family and other carers.
“We are very concerned that with the need for cuts - and this is across the board, in health services as well as social services - preventative services will fall off the agenda. It is vitally important that older people receive the support they need”.
Chris Mowle, cabinet member for adult social services, said: “Quite clearly the government is underfunding social care by a massive amount, therefore if county councillors hold to their pledge and keep council tax down, services for vulnerable adults are at extreme risk.”
The department is trying to make £13m of savings from the adult social services budget next year alone, a figure which rises to £37m over the next three years.
It is part of what County Hall chiefs described as a “difficult” picture for all the council's services. Although the county council will not hear about its government funding settlement until next month, it is expecting to receive an extra £16m from Whitehall - but faces paying an extra £38.7m in inflation costs and to meet rising demand for services, leaving it to make £22.7m of savings next year.
Paul Brittain, the council's head of finance, said: “There are savings right across the board in adult services, children's services, planning and transport and so on. It is a very difficult financial situation.”
Harold Bodmer, director of adult social services, said: “It is a tough situation. We have to set this on the context of a very difficult budget.”
The most severe cutbacks proposed are reducing the number of people who receive care by 1,084 over the next three years, saving £3m next year and more than £19m in all.
Hilary Macdonald, chief executive of Age Concern Norfolk, said that some people might choose to do without services if they were faced with having to pay more.
She said: “Inevitably the burden is going to fall on family and other carers.
“We are very concerned that with the need for cuts - and this is across the board, in health services as well as social services - preventative services will fall off the agenda. It is vitally important that older people receive the support they need”.
Chris Mowle, cabinet member for adult social services, said: “Quite clearly the government is underfunding social care by a massive amount, therefore if county councillors hold to their pledge and keep council tax down, services for vulnerable adults are at extreme risk.”
Labels:
council cuts,
elderly care,
norfolk,
social services
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Swindon: Hospital's £600k cuts to cleaning
The Great Western Hospital in Swindon is to make £600,000 of cuts to its cleaning and catering service, reports the BBC.
Health workers' union Unison said the cuts would reduce standards and could lead to higher rates of hospital infections such as MRSA.
Joanne Kaye-Smith, of Unison, said: "These cuts cannot be justified."
"The government and the Department of Health say they are committed to improving the cleanliness of all our hospitals," she said.
But the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, claim the changes would not reduce the quality of cleaning or catering.
In a statement, the trust said: "It is part of our responsibility as a trust to get the best value for taxpayers' money that we can alongside providing quality patient care.
The Great Western Hospital has 464 in-patient beds, 87 day-care beds, 10 operating theatres, two maternity theatres and 3,500 staff.
Health workers' union Unison said the cuts would reduce standards and could lead to higher rates of hospital infections such as MRSA.
Joanne Kaye-Smith, of Unison, said: "These cuts cannot be justified."
"The government and the Department of Health say they are committed to improving the cleanliness of all our hospitals," she said.
But the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, claim the changes would not reduce the quality of cleaning or catering.
In a statement, the trust said: "It is part of our responsibility as a trust to get the best value for taxpayers' money that we can alongside providing quality patient care.
The Great Western Hospital has 464 in-patient beds, 87 day-care beds, 10 operating theatres, two maternity theatres and 3,500 staff.
North West: 65 post offices to close
Post Office bosses have unveiled plans to axe 65 branches in parts of the North West - reports the Manchester Evening News.
A six-week consultation will now be held before a final decision is taken to axe the branches in Merseyside, the Wirral, Cheshire, Wigan, Leigh and Makerfield.
Some 371 post offices are set to remain open in the area and new outreach services - where post office services are operated from pubs or village shops - will be created in Malpas, Crewe and Tarporley.
Post Offices bosses insist that more than 99% of people in the affected area will see no change to their service or be within one mile of another branch.
Jane Briginshaw, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for the North West, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
"Post Office Ltd's aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access set by the Government."
Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley said: "It is deplorable that this government, which was elected on a devolution platform, is now sounding the death knell to local communities throughout Liverpool.
"Post offices are a crucial public service and once again Labour is forcing through cuts."
Post Office branches in the following parliamentary constituencies are included in this area plan: Altrincham and Sale West, Birkenhead, Bootle, City of Chester, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Crosby, Eddisbury, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Halton, Knowsley North and Sefton East, Knowsley South, Leigh, Liverpool Garston, Liverpool Riverside, Liverpool Walton, Liverpool Wavertree, Liverpool West, Derby, Makerfield, St Helens North, St Helens South, Tatton, Wallasey, Warrington North, Warrington South, Weaver Vale, Wigan, Wirral South and Wirral West.
A six-week consultation will now be held before a final decision is taken to axe the branches in Merseyside, the Wirral, Cheshire, Wigan, Leigh and Makerfield.
Some 371 post offices are set to remain open in the area and new outreach services - where post office services are operated from pubs or village shops - will be created in Malpas, Crewe and Tarporley.
Post Offices bosses insist that more than 99% of people in the affected area will see no change to their service or be within one mile of another branch.
Jane Briginshaw, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for the North West, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
"Post Office Ltd's aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access set by the Government."
Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley said: "It is deplorable that this government, which was elected on a devolution platform, is now sounding the death knell to local communities throughout Liverpool.
"Post offices are a crucial public service and once again Labour is forcing through cuts."
Post Office branches in the following parliamentary constituencies are included in this area plan: Altrincham and Sale West, Birkenhead, Bootle, City of Chester, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Crosby, Eddisbury, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Halton, Knowsley North and Sefton East, Knowsley South, Leigh, Liverpool Garston, Liverpool Riverside, Liverpool Walton, Liverpool Wavertree, Liverpool West, Derby, Makerfield, St Helens North, St Helens South, Tatton, Wallasey, Warrington North, Warrington South, Weaver Vale, Wigan, Wirral South and Wirral West.
Norfolk: Flagship hospital at full capacity
Norfolk's flagship hospital last night reassured patients that it was open for emergency admissions and routine operations, despite reaching maximum capacity - according to the Eastern Daily Press.
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was yesterday placed on the highest state of alert following a large volume of admissions over the weekend.
Three other East of England hospitals, including the West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St Edmunds were also classed as being on “black alert” following an unusually high number of patients being transferred to Accident and Emergency and Emergency Assessment Units.
Officials at the Norfolk and Norwich yesterday urged local GPs to look into alternative treatment plans for their patients and to avoid referrals as much as possible, whilst the hospital aimed to speed up discharge arrangements for those medically fit to leave in a bid to address the “critical” bed capacity issue.
However, the hospital confirmed that scheduled operations would continue as usual and there were currently no plans to turn away emergency admissions to the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston and Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Lynn, which are at amber and green alert levels respectively.
Hospitals at Hinchingbrooke, Cambridgeshire, and Peterborough were also placed on black alert, whilst Ipswich and Addenbrooke's, in Cambridge, were on red alert - the second highest pressure score.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital spokesman Andrew Stronach said it had been an “extremely busy” weekend for emergency admissions and equally busy yesterday with GP referrals, which had no link to bonfire night celebrations or any winter bugs.
“We are full. There is no more room in the inn, so we make sure that we can discharge as many patients as we can and free up beds for emergencies. If GPs can manage their patients without admitting to hospital, that would be much appreciated.
“There is no rhyme or reason to it. It was just a high volume of medical illnesses and surgery cases over the weekend and today (Monday),” he said.
Mr Stronach added that it was “not particularly unusual” for the flagship hospital to be on black alert and had been in the same situation 27 times last year.
Hospitals can be placed on black alert for a variety of reasons such as a rapid rise in emergency admissions, severe lack of beds, low staff numbers, or system failure and can be resolved in the most extreme cases by stopping new admissions, routine operations and transferring new patients elsewhere.
Jonathan Cook, director of corporate services for Norfolk Primary Care Trust, said: “We are confident that we have robust procedures in place to ensure that we deal with these emergency admission problems appropriately and assist the Norfolk and Norwich by avoiding non-urgent GP referrals.
We continue to work with our colleagues at the hospital and will monitor the situation extremely closely.”
A spokeswoman from the West Suffolk Hospital added: “We are on black alert because of an unusual high volume of A&E admissions, but these things happen and we are coping with it.”
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital was yesterday placed on the highest state of alert following a large volume of admissions over the weekend.
Three other East of England hospitals, including the West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St Edmunds were also classed as being on “black alert” following an unusually high number of patients being transferred to Accident and Emergency and Emergency Assessment Units.
Officials at the Norfolk and Norwich yesterday urged local GPs to look into alternative treatment plans for their patients and to avoid referrals as much as possible, whilst the hospital aimed to speed up discharge arrangements for those medically fit to leave in a bid to address the “critical” bed capacity issue.
However, the hospital confirmed that scheduled operations would continue as usual and there were currently no plans to turn away emergency admissions to the James Paget Hospital at Gorleston and Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King's Lynn, which are at amber and green alert levels respectively.
Hospitals at Hinchingbrooke, Cambridgeshire, and Peterborough were also placed on black alert, whilst Ipswich and Addenbrooke's, in Cambridge, were on red alert - the second highest pressure score.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital spokesman Andrew Stronach said it had been an “extremely busy” weekend for emergency admissions and equally busy yesterday with GP referrals, which had no link to bonfire night celebrations or any winter bugs.
“We are full. There is no more room in the inn, so we make sure that we can discharge as many patients as we can and free up beds for emergencies. If GPs can manage their patients without admitting to hospital, that would be much appreciated.
“There is no rhyme or reason to it. It was just a high volume of medical illnesses and surgery cases over the weekend and today (Monday),” he said.
Mr Stronach added that it was “not particularly unusual” for the flagship hospital to be on black alert and had been in the same situation 27 times last year.
Hospitals can be placed on black alert for a variety of reasons such as a rapid rise in emergency admissions, severe lack of beds, low staff numbers, or system failure and can be resolved in the most extreme cases by stopping new admissions, routine operations and transferring new patients elsewhere.
Jonathan Cook, director of corporate services for Norfolk Primary Care Trust, said: “We are confident that we have robust procedures in place to ensure that we deal with these emergency admission problems appropriately and assist the Norfolk and Norwich by avoiding non-urgent GP referrals.
We continue to work with our colleagues at the hospital and will monitor the situation extremely closely.”
A spokeswoman from the West Suffolk Hospital added: “We are on black alert because of an unusual high volume of A&E admissions, but these things happen and we are coping with it.”
Monday, 5 November 2007
Norfolk: Cash cuts for children’s services
Key services for children and young people in Norfolk could be under threat due to painful cuts being considered in order to fill a predicted £11m black hole in funding - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
Dozens of jobs face the axe over the next three years as financial experts try to make ends meet. And Norfolk's 450 schools face having to meet the bills for numerous services that have until now been provided free.
The expected cash crisis comes at a troubled time for the county, as growing numbers of schools are being judged "not good enough" by Ofsted inspectors, the numbers of children in care continue to spiral and GCSE achievement is falling further behind the national average.
Lisa Christensen, director of children's services, pledged that these three key areas would not be touched by any cuts. But they are putting pressure on the children's services department, and senior officers are being urged to come up with ways to save money through "efficiency savings".
The flurry of activity has come amid predictions that the government's 2008/9 settlement would only amount to a 2.3% increase in funds for Norfolk. A high-profile delegation has been to London from Norfolk to put pressure on the government in a bid to secure more money before the final amount is announced.
But at the moment all heads of department are working on the basis of the 2.3% rise, which barely covers the cost of inflation in key areas like transport and the price of providing care.
Rosalie Monbiot, cabinet member for children's services, admitted she was "frustrated" at the prospect of another tight financial settlement.
She said: "We deliver some marvellous services in Norfolk. If the worst comes to the worst we will be reduced to only delivering statutory services and that will not be of benefit to the children of the county. We don't have many areas where we can make the savings."
The possible cuts are outlined in a report to Wednesday's review panel.
It includes a proposal to save more than £2m in staffing costs over three years - the equivalent of at least 60 people losing their jobs or not being replaced. Other suggestions include saving £1m on special educational needs transport by more strictly enforcing the rules.
Dozens of jobs face the axe over the next three years as financial experts try to make ends meet. And Norfolk's 450 schools face having to meet the bills for numerous services that have until now been provided free.
The expected cash crisis comes at a troubled time for the county, as growing numbers of schools are being judged "not good enough" by Ofsted inspectors, the numbers of children in care continue to spiral and GCSE achievement is falling further behind the national average.
Lisa Christensen, director of children's services, pledged that these three key areas would not be touched by any cuts. But they are putting pressure on the children's services department, and senior officers are being urged to come up with ways to save money through "efficiency savings".
The flurry of activity has come amid predictions that the government's 2008/9 settlement would only amount to a 2.3% increase in funds for Norfolk. A high-profile delegation has been to London from Norfolk to put pressure on the government in a bid to secure more money before the final amount is announced.
But at the moment all heads of department are working on the basis of the 2.3% rise, which barely covers the cost of inflation in key areas like transport and the price of providing care.
Rosalie Monbiot, cabinet member for children's services, admitted she was "frustrated" at the prospect of another tight financial settlement.
She said: "We deliver some marvellous services in Norfolk. If the worst comes to the worst we will be reduced to only delivering statutory services and that will not be of benefit to the children of the county. We don't have many areas where we can make the savings."
The possible cuts are outlined in a report to Wednesday's review panel.
It includes a proposal to save more than £2m in staffing costs over three years - the equivalent of at least 60 people losing their jobs or not being replaced. Other suggestions include saving £1m on special educational needs transport by more strictly enforcing the rules.
Friday, 2 November 2007
Northampton: Funds loss threat to youth group
One of the largest youth support groups in Northamptonshire is facing closure unless it raises £75,000 to fund its activities by the end of the month - reports the BBC.
The Lowdown, based in Northampton, offers information, counselling and support to young people.
The group has been trying to raise enough money to stay open but still faces a budget shortfall.
The charity said it has been struggling financially since funding cuts to youth services in the county last year.
The Lowdown, based in Northampton, offers information, counselling and support to young people.
The group has been trying to raise enough money to stay open but still faces a budget shortfall.
The charity said it has been struggling financially since funding cuts to youth services in the county last year.
Blackpool: Famous seafront trams face axe
Blackpool's trams will stop running for five months on Monday - and could disappear from the seafront for good - reports the Manchester Evening News.
The 11-mile-long line will be shut until Easter for an £11m programme of essential maintenance.
But the resort's transport chief has warned that if it doesn't get another £66m in funding from the government for a complete upgrade of the tracks and trams, the famous machines could stop running for good.
The first tram appeared in the resort in 1885 and they run every day apart from December 25 and 26 and January 1.
Blackpool Transport managing director Steve Burd said: "If we fail to get the money then there is a chance that the trams could stop running in Blackpool."
The council hopes transport minister Tom Harris will make a decision by Christmas.
The 11-mile-long line will be shut until Easter for an £11m programme of essential maintenance.
But the resort's transport chief has warned that if it doesn't get another £66m in funding from the government for a complete upgrade of the tracks and trams, the famous machines could stop running for good.
The first tram appeared in the resort in 1885 and they run every day apart from December 25 and 26 and January 1.
Blackpool Transport managing director Steve Burd said: "If we fail to get the money then there is a chance that the trams could stop running in Blackpool."
The council hopes transport minister Tom Harris will make a decision by Christmas.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Lewisham: Rally against cuts to hospitals' A&E
A call has been made for South-east Londoners to join a protest against cuts and changes in hospital and health services - reports icSouthLondon.
Greenwich Unison and campaign group Keep Our NHS Public are urging people to join a national march and rally on Saturday.
Proposals for the region have provoked widespread anguish and have been slammed by MPs for being "a step too far".
In the past year the hospitals have made millions of pounds worth of savings and cut hundreds of jobs.
Last month, recommendations that emergency and critical care should be axed from two of the region's four cash-strapped hospitals were revealed.
The proposal came out of a review of health services in Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley led by the boroughs' primary care trusts.
In the document A Picture of Health, the trusts outlined their aim to save cash and improve services by relocating some hospital treatments to centres closer to people's homes and by concentrating specialist services in fewer hospitals.
No firm decisions have been made but a key consideration is likely to be the economic argument to keep full services at the hospitals with the biggest private finance debts - Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich and Princess Royal in Bromley.
Greenwich Unison and campaign group Keep Our NHS Public are urging people to join a national march and rally on Saturday.
Proposals for the region have provoked widespread anguish and have been slammed by MPs for being "a step too far".
In the past year the hospitals have made millions of pounds worth of savings and cut hundreds of jobs.
Last month, recommendations that emergency and critical care should be axed from two of the region's four cash-strapped hospitals were revealed.
The proposal came out of a review of health services in Greenwich, Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley led by the boroughs' primary care trusts.
In the document A Picture of Health, the trusts outlined their aim to save cash and improve services by relocating some hospital treatments to centres closer to people's homes and by concentrating specialist services in fewer hospitals.
No firm decisions have been made but a key consideration is likely to be the economic argument to keep full services at the hospitals with the biggest private finance debts - Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich and Princess Royal in Bromley.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Salford: Closing unit safest for babies
A hospital where maternity care is soon to be axed has become the first in the country to achieve the highest ratings for emergency and baby safety - reports the Manchester Evening News.
Staff at Hope Hospital in Salford have been given the coveted 'level three' safety ratings from the NHS Litigation Authority after a series of tough risk assessments.
They had to prove they have good safety policies in place, can deal with medical and maternity emergencies quickly and have improved care.
The unit is set to close by 2011 as part of a controversial shake-up of regional maternity care, but managers say staff decided to go for the gold standard to show local people the decision was not a reflection on the care they provide.
Politicians who fought to save the service commended staff for proving the unit was one of the best in Greater Manchester to have a baby - and say it makes the closure decision all the more disappointing.
Deborah Carter, the associate director of women's and child services, said: "I have to congratulate our staff, who have been working with uncertainty for years and - more recently - the knowledge their department will close.
"They made a huge effort to drive up standards to reach this very difficult target. They want people to understand the closure does not in any way reflect the level of care here."
Salford council leader John Merry, who led the campaign to save the unit, said: "I would like to congratulate staff for working hard to meet this very difficult target and demonstrating to local people they are receiving the very best care.
"This news makes the closure decision a bit more disappointing, but the skills the staff have built up will not be lost."
Almost 3,000 babies are born at Hope each year and its 12-bed special care baby unit and nine-bed neo-natal intensive care unit is one of the largest in the region.
Salford PCT is now considering funding a midwifery-led unit at Hope. Having level three status also means the trust is likely to save around £1m over the next three years - by paying lower premiums to cover itself against legal claims.
In the shake-up, maternity and children's inpatient care will be cut from 14 to eight sites at North Manchester, Stepping Hill, Tameside, Wythenshawe and Wigan, with super-centres providing intensive care for the sickest babies in Manchester, Oldham and Bolton.
Staff at Hope Hospital in Salford have been given the coveted 'level three' safety ratings from the NHS Litigation Authority after a series of tough risk assessments.
They had to prove they have good safety policies in place, can deal with medical and maternity emergencies quickly and have improved care.
The unit is set to close by 2011 as part of a controversial shake-up of regional maternity care, but managers say staff decided to go for the gold standard to show local people the decision was not a reflection on the care they provide.
Politicians who fought to save the service commended staff for proving the unit was one of the best in Greater Manchester to have a baby - and say it makes the closure decision all the more disappointing.
Deborah Carter, the associate director of women's and child services, said: "I have to congratulate our staff, who have been working with uncertainty for years and - more recently - the knowledge their department will close.
"They made a huge effort to drive up standards to reach this very difficult target. They want people to understand the closure does not in any way reflect the level of care here."
Salford council leader John Merry, who led the campaign to save the unit, said: "I would like to congratulate staff for working hard to meet this very difficult target and demonstrating to local people they are receiving the very best care.
"This news makes the closure decision a bit more disappointing, but the skills the staff have built up will not be lost."
Almost 3,000 babies are born at Hope each year and its 12-bed special care baby unit and nine-bed neo-natal intensive care unit is one of the largest in the region.
Salford PCT is now considering funding a midwifery-led unit at Hope. Having level three status also means the trust is likely to save around £1m over the next three years - by paying lower premiums to cover itself against legal claims.
In the shake-up, maternity and children's inpatient care will be cut from 14 to eight sites at North Manchester, Stepping Hill, Tameside, Wythenshawe and Wigan, with super-centres providing intensive care for the sickest babies in Manchester, Oldham and Bolton.
Suffolk: Massive council cuts proposed
A multi-million-pound round of cuts in services, from buses and road maintenance to care for older people and transport for sixth-formers, are in store for Suffolk residents - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
Older people also face paying more for council-run care homes, while support for extra-curricular dance, drama and sport could also be axed.
The proposed cuts were unveiled yesterday by Suffolk County Council at the start of its budget process. The plans will be discussed at scrutiny meetings over the next month before the budget is set in February.
Under fire from opposition councillors yesterday, council leader Jeremy Pembroke stressed the proposals were subject to change, and the council did not yet know what grant it would get from the government.
However, the council is expecting to have to save £16m, though it says it is also spending £10m on extra services.
Fifty-seven jobs will be lost, on top of the nine to 31 already planned for next year.
Mr Pembroke said the most unpopular decision was likely to be £950,000 of cuts to bus subsidies, which would spell the end to 15 bus services providing 150,000 passenger trips.
Likely to be equally unpopular is a proposal for the end of free transport for 16 to 18-year-olds to sixth form or college from next September.
Old people with savings may also be charged more if they move into one of the 15 council-run care homes.
Currently, the cost is capped at the amount the council pays for private sector homes, even though the true cost of a council-run home is higher.
Those entering council-run homes who are deemed able to afford the fees face having to pay upwards of £200 a week extra, but those already in them will not be affected.
Other proposals include: Cutting the roads maintenance budget by 40pc (£1.6m), meaning unclassified roads will be left to develop potholes rather than get preventative work. Axing support services for school dance, drama, and extra-curricular sport unless schools pay for them, saving £80,000 a year for three years.
Older people also face paying more for council-run care homes, while support for extra-curricular dance, drama and sport could also be axed.
The proposed cuts were unveiled yesterday by Suffolk County Council at the start of its budget process. The plans will be discussed at scrutiny meetings over the next month before the budget is set in February.
Under fire from opposition councillors yesterday, council leader Jeremy Pembroke stressed the proposals were subject to change, and the council did not yet know what grant it would get from the government.
However, the council is expecting to have to save £16m, though it says it is also spending £10m on extra services.
Fifty-seven jobs will be lost, on top of the nine to 31 already planned for next year.
Mr Pembroke said the most unpopular decision was likely to be £950,000 of cuts to bus subsidies, which would spell the end to 15 bus services providing 150,000 passenger trips.
Likely to be equally unpopular is a proposal for the end of free transport for 16 to 18-year-olds to sixth form or college from next September.
Old people with savings may also be charged more if they move into one of the 15 council-run care homes.
Currently, the cost is capped at the amount the council pays for private sector homes, even though the true cost of a council-run home is higher.
Those entering council-run homes who are deemed able to afford the fees face having to pay upwards of £200 a week extra, but those already in them will not be affected.
Other proposals include: Cutting the roads maintenance budget by 40pc (£1.6m), meaning unclassified roads will be left to develop potholes rather than get preventative work. Axing support services for school dance, drama, and extra-curricular sport unless schools pay for them, saving £80,000 a year for three years.
Labels:
bus services,
council cuts,
elderly care,
suffolk
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Lincoln: Talks on county's police funding
The police minister Tony McNulty has agreed to hold further talks about giving Lincolnshire Police more money, reports the BBC.
Police officials said the force was one of the lowest-funded nationally and expects to overspend by £7m next year.
Senior officers have warned average council tax bills could rise by up to £100 per year if it does not get an increase in funding.
It is hoped further discussions will be held within the next few weeks and involve all of the county's MPs.
South Holland & the Deepings MP John Hayes said: "The Police Authority have said that this could mean cutting 364 members of police staff.
"In an establishment of something like 1163 that would, in their words, be perilous. It could mean the closure of police stations, it could mean less officers on the beat. We already have a big problem in our rural area."
Police officials said the force was one of the lowest-funded nationally and expects to overspend by £7m next year.
Senior officers have warned average council tax bills could rise by up to £100 per year if it does not get an increase in funding.
It is hoped further discussions will be held within the next few weeks and involve all of the county's MPs.
South Holland & the Deepings MP John Hayes said: "The Police Authority have said that this could mean cutting 364 members of police staff.
"In an establishment of something like 1163 that would, in their words, be perilous. It could mean the closure of police stations, it could mean less officers on the beat. We already have a big problem in our rural area."
Friday, 26 October 2007
Watford: Doubt raised over super hospital
Health campaigners have asked where the money to rebuild Watford General is going to come from following another damning report into the state of local NHS services and the resignation of the man in the charge - reports the Watford Observer.
The new report comes just days after health chief David Law resigned as chief executive of West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust.
Mr Law, the man who was in charge of Watford General for three years, quit his £120,000-a-year post last Friday evening after a report, by the Healthcare Commission, slammed the state of local health services.
The trust has been dogged by poor hospital standards and huge debts and last week was given a double "weak" rating when it came to the quality of service it provided - putting it in the bottom 5% in the country.
This week, another official health report, this time by the Audit Commission, found the trust remains £11 million in debt - one of just ten trusts across the country more than £10 million in the red.
The annual review graded trusts on a range of financial measures, including value for money and financial management.
The trust was given a "one", the lowest possible grade, meaning its finances are "inadequate".
Health campaigner Jean Brett has questioned whether the trust can now attract investment to pay for the £300million redevelopment of Watford General.
She said: "With problems like those highlighted in the Audit Commission, do they really think anybody is going to put forward the money for that trust as part of a PFI development?
"This is one more nail in the coffin for the PFI."
Watford MP Claire Ward said: "I have indicated to the Strategic Health Authority that I will not support the appointment of any chief executive who does not give full support to Watford Health Campus. This project is essential to the future development of the NHS in my constituency."
However the hypocritical Ms Ward herself is not giving all the support she could to the potential development, given she intends to quietly approve a £7bn increase in funding to the audit-failing EU when the European Communities (Finance) Bill comes before Parliament for approval.
Ms Ward can hardly claim to be standing up for local public services if she plans to support the waste of vast sums of public money on an organisation that hasn't been able to explain how the "majority" of its budget has been spent for thirteen years running.
Waste in one area of public spending - especially of sums as large as £7bn - inevitably means consequences elsewhere. If Ms Ward supports the EC (Finance) Bill, only she will be to blame for insufficient health services in Watford.
The new report comes just days after health chief David Law resigned as chief executive of West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust.
Mr Law, the man who was in charge of Watford General for three years, quit his £120,000-a-year post last Friday evening after a report, by the Healthcare Commission, slammed the state of local health services.
The trust has been dogged by poor hospital standards and huge debts and last week was given a double "weak" rating when it came to the quality of service it provided - putting it in the bottom 5% in the country.
This week, another official health report, this time by the Audit Commission, found the trust remains £11 million in debt - one of just ten trusts across the country more than £10 million in the red.
The annual review graded trusts on a range of financial measures, including value for money and financial management.
The trust was given a "one", the lowest possible grade, meaning its finances are "inadequate".
Health campaigner Jean Brett has questioned whether the trust can now attract investment to pay for the £300million redevelopment of Watford General.
She said: "With problems like those highlighted in the Audit Commission, do they really think anybody is going to put forward the money for that trust as part of a PFI development?
"This is one more nail in the coffin for the PFI."
Watford MP Claire Ward said: "I have indicated to the Strategic Health Authority that I will not support the appointment of any chief executive who does not give full support to Watford Health Campus. This project is essential to the future development of the NHS in my constituency."
However the hypocritical Ms Ward herself is not giving all the support she could to the potential development, given she intends to quietly approve a £7bn increase in funding to the audit-failing EU when the European Communities (Finance) Bill comes before Parliament for approval.
Ms Ward can hardly claim to be standing up for local public services if she plans to support the waste of vast sums of public money on an organisation that hasn't been able to explain how the "majority" of its budget has been spent for thirteen years running.
Waste in one area of public spending - especially of sums as large as £7bn - inevitably means consequences elsewhere. If Ms Ward supports the EC (Finance) Bill, only she will be to blame for insufficient health services in Watford.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Shropshire: Council faces services overspend
Shropshire County Council is facing serious financial pressure in funding adult social care, reports the BBC.
It is forecasting an overspend of £638,000 in its budget for looking after people with learning difficulties in the current financial year.
Director of resources, Laura Rowley, said a review was under way and some vacancies were not being filled to help reduce costs.
She said as carers got older they needed more help to cope.
Financial pressure is set to increase further to meet demands for improving care for autistic people and those suffering Asperger's Syndrome, she said.
Barry Brown, whose son Stephen has Asperger's, said the current situation was unacceptable.
"When we got the diagnosis he had got Asperger's Syndrome that was the good news, because previous to that we had nowhere to turn," said Mr Brown.
"Then they said there's no services for Asperger's either in Telford or Shropshire and that's still the situation."
It is forecasting an overspend of £638,000 in its budget for looking after people with learning difficulties in the current financial year.
Director of resources, Laura Rowley, said a review was under way and some vacancies were not being filled to help reduce costs.
She said as carers got older they needed more help to cope.
Financial pressure is set to increase further to meet demands for improving care for autistic people and those suffering Asperger's Syndrome, she said.
Barry Brown, whose son Stephen has Asperger's, said the current situation was unacceptable.
"When we got the diagnosis he had got Asperger's Syndrome that was the good news, because previous to that we had nowhere to turn," said Mr Brown.
"Then they said there's no services for Asperger's either in Telford or Shropshire and that's still the situation."
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
NHS repairs 'backlog' hits £4bn
NHS trusts have a £4bn backlog of key maintenance repairs which range from fixing heating to meeting fire safety rules, reports the BBC.
Government figures suggest the backlog is eight times this year's much-heralded NHS surplus, which was achieved by making a variety of cuts.
"Backlog" repairs are those needed to bring NHS property in line with various standards.
They include repairing roofs and fixing drainage, but do not cover painting wards or replacing furniture.
It is large city hospital trusts which have the greatest backlog, according to Hospital Doctor, which first reported the details.
"The truth is that the NHS surplus, which the government enjoys boasting about, is a sham," shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said.
"Public health budgets, education and training budgets and now the basic maintenance and upkeep of our hospitals have been laundered to produce this surplus."
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said urgent maintenance work that will affect patient care "is always prioritised", but he added that making this decision was up to the local NHS trust concerned.
Government figures suggest the backlog is eight times this year's much-heralded NHS surplus, which was achieved by making a variety of cuts.
"Backlog" repairs are those needed to bring NHS property in line with various standards.
They include repairing roofs and fixing drainage, but do not cover painting wards or replacing furniture.
It is large city hospital trusts which have the greatest backlog, according to Hospital Doctor, which first reported the details.
"The truth is that the NHS surplus, which the government enjoys boasting about, is a sham," shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said.
"Public health budgets, education and training budgets and now the basic maintenance and upkeep of our hospitals have been laundered to produce this surplus."
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said urgent maintenance work that will affect patient care "is always prioritised", but he added that making this decision was up to the local NHS trust concerned.
Suffolk: Student bus cut fears
Students in Suffolk could become the latest victims of budget cuts after it emerged that secret discussions to cut school transport subsidies for 16 to 18-year-olds are under way - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
About a quarter of the 10,345 students of that age group in education in the county are likely to be left forking out hundreds of pounds in travel every year if the policy gets the go-ahead.
Currently, 2,200 students across Suffolk pay about £300 a year for school transport, with the remaining £300 being met by Suffolk County Council, but as part of ongoing budget cuts the council is trying to reduce its £16m school transport budget.
Sources have revealed "substantial" further savings need to be made and council chiefs are holding confidential meetings to discuss the possibility of axing post-16 travel subsidies.
Axing subsidies could save in excess of £600,000, with teenagers and parents footing the bill.
The Labour group has slammed the "tax on A-levels".
Graham Manuel, Labour's roads and transport spokesman, said: "Every parent wants their children to have the opportunity to study hard and get on in life."
A council spokesman said: "In February we reviewed home-to-school transport as part of the budget process. A policy development panel was set up to look at all aspects of the transport service provided to pupils, particularly areas of expenditure due to budget restraints. The findings will be going to cabinet in April 2008."
About a quarter of the 10,345 students of that age group in education in the county are likely to be left forking out hundreds of pounds in travel every year if the policy gets the go-ahead.
Currently, 2,200 students across Suffolk pay about £300 a year for school transport, with the remaining £300 being met by Suffolk County Council, but as part of ongoing budget cuts the council is trying to reduce its £16m school transport budget.
Sources have revealed "substantial" further savings need to be made and council chiefs are holding confidential meetings to discuss the possibility of axing post-16 travel subsidies.
Axing subsidies could save in excess of £600,000, with teenagers and parents footing the bill.
The Labour group has slammed the "tax on A-levels".
Graham Manuel, Labour's roads and transport spokesman, said: "Every parent wants their children to have the opportunity to study hard and get on in life."
A council spokesman said: "In February we reviewed home-to-school transport as part of the budget process. A policy development panel was set up to look at all aspects of the transport service provided to pupils, particularly areas of expenditure due to budget restraints. The findings will be going to cabinet in April 2008."
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Lincoln: MS therapy centre faces closure
A Lincolnshire centre for sufferers of multiple sclerosis could close due to a lack of funding, reports the BBC.
Managers at the Lincoln Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, which has been running for 20 years, say they have three months to find the money.
The facility offers physical therapy and emotional support.
Chairman Paul Wilkinson said the financial problems began when a lottery grant was stopped. He is urging the public to come forward with donations.
"We're raising money every week but it's as serious as that within three months there's a strong possibility we could lock our doors," Mr Wilkinson said.
Users of the centre say it is a lifeline to them. Joanne Elam said: "It has given me a boost just speaking to people here.
"I ended up in this centre first of all in a wheelchair and the physiotherapist couldn't believe how bad I was.
"With having treatment, I've been able to get out of the wheelchair and walking on my own two feet, so it's done a lot for me."
Managers at the Lincoln Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, which has been running for 20 years, say they have three months to find the money.
The facility offers physical therapy and emotional support.
Chairman Paul Wilkinson said the financial problems began when a lottery grant was stopped. He is urging the public to come forward with donations.
"We're raising money every week but it's as serious as that within three months there's a strong possibility we could lock our doors," Mr Wilkinson said.
Users of the centre say it is a lifeline to them. Joanne Elam said: "It has given me a boost just speaking to people here.
"I ended up in this centre first of all in a wheelchair and the physiotherapist couldn't believe how bad I was.
"With having treatment, I've been able to get out of the wheelchair and walking on my own two feet, so it's done a lot for me."
Worcestershire: Council chiefs’ funding fears
Worcestershire County Council chiefs have echoed the warnings of the Local Government Association (LGA) in the wake of what has been called the worst financial settlement for 10 years - reports the Redditch Advertiser.
The Government's Comprehensive Spending Review was recently announced, which details public sector funding and in particular how much money local councils will receive for running day-to-day services.
The LGA has warned the settlement would mean above-inflation increases in council tax and potential funding black holes for services for older people.
The county council has already been working to shave £25 million off its revenue budget before 2010. And with the county having an above average older population, the effects could be felt even more acutely.
Councillor George Lord, county council leader, said: "This latest announcement is not good news for counties like Worcestershire. We're already amongst the poorest funded in the country and as the amount that the Government generally provides for local authorities continues to fall, we'll be hardest hit once again."
Councillor Adrian Hardman, cabinet member for finance, added: "We've been able to be amongst the top performing councils in the country in terms of efficiency and value for money in recent years and this has been the main reason why we've been able to balance the budget.
"It does get increasingly difficult however and we face some tough decisions for next year and beyond because there's simply insufficient money available to continue to provide services at their current and improved levels and to meet all the additional demands being placed upon us."
Full details of the implications of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review are due to be unveiled in early December when the precise impact on the budget for the county can be calculated.
What has Redditch MP Jacqui Smith have to say about this, while she intends to vote £7bn of evidently scarce government money away to the audit-failing EU?
The Government's Comprehensive Spending Review was recently announced, which details public sector funding and in particular how much money local councils will receive for running day-to-day services.
The LGA has warned the settlement would mean above-inflation increases in council tax and potential funding black holes for services for older people.
The county council has already been working to shave £25 million off its revenue budget before 2010. And with the county having an above average older population, the effects could be felt even more acutely.
Councillor George Lord, county council leader, said: "This latest announcement is not good news for counties like Worcestershire. We're already amongst the poorest funded in the country and as the amount that the Government generally provides for local authorities continues to fall, we'll be hardest hit once again."
Councillor Adrian Hardman, cabinet member for finance, added: "We've been able to be amongst the top performing councils in the country in terms of efficiency and value for money in recent years and this has been the main reason why we've been able to balance the budget.
"It does get increasingly difficult however and we face some tough decisions for next year and beyond because there's simply insufficient money available to continue to provide services at their current and improved levels and to meet all the additional demands being placed upon us."
Full details of the implications of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review are due to be unveiled in early December when the precise impact on the budget for the county can be calculated.
What has Redditch MP Jacqui Smith have to say about this, while she intends to vote £7bn of evidently scarce government money away to the audit-failing EU?
The £25 million the council needs to maintain services is not even two days worth of the money Ms Smith plans to gift the EU.
Approving the waste of such vast sums on an organisation with a terrible record for waste, corruption and mismanagement will mean she must take personal responsibility when funding shortfalls such as these inevitably occur.Monday, 22 October 2007
Basildon: Basildon Council cash crisis
Basildon Council is facing a serious cash crisis next year which could lead to service cuts - reports the Basildon Recorder. Council tax may also rise by five per cent
The financial difficulties have come about because the council must find up to £500,000 to subsidise pensioners' free bus travel next year.
Basildon Council is the only authority in Essex yet to pay £100,000 from last year.
Terri Sargent, cabinet councillor responsible for community services, said consultants were trying to work out ways to meet rising costs as more elderly people take up passes.
Mrs Sargent said: "Our bill for last year is late. We expect it to be even higher this year.
"We have no idea what it will be when the scheme goes national, but uptake is always increasing.
"A report will go to cabinet next month." Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "A review of services has identified a number of savings, but this does not take into account bus pass cost increases.
"The problem is we have to set our budget before knowing the actual cost of passes when they go nationwide."
Meanwhile, Phil Turner, the council's cabinet member for resources, warned there would be little scope for investment. He said: "Basildon's grant from the Government is already the lowest possible and well below the national average.
"The amount we are likely to get will not cover all the costs of inflation, new legislation and the extra responsibilities."
Mr Turner added: "The burden of making up the balance will fall upon the council tax payer."
The financial difficulties have come about because the council must find up to £500,000 to subsidise pensioners' free bus travel next year.
Basildon Council is the only authority in Essex yet to pay £100,000 from last year.
Terri Sargent, cabinet councillor responsible for community services, said consultants were trying to work out ways to meet rising costs as more elderly people take up passes.
Mrs Sargent said: "Our bill for last year is late. We expect it to be even higher this year.
"We have no idea what it will be when the scheme goes national, but uptake is always increasing.
"A report will go to cabinet next month." Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "A review of services has identified a number of savings, but this does not take into account bus pass cost increases.
"The problem is we have to set our budget before knowing the actual cost of passes when they go nationwide."
Meanwhile, Phil Turner, the council's cabinet member for resources, warned there would be little scope for investment. He said: "Basildon's grant from the Government is already the lowest possible and well below the national average.
"The amount we are likely to get will not cover all the costs of inflation, new legislation and the extra responsibilities."
Mr Turner added: "The burden of making up the balance will fall upon the council tax payer."
'Good schools' to hand back £85m savings
Good schools could be forced to hand back thousands of pounds every year under a new Government "tax" on prudent head teachers, the Daily Telegraph reports today.
For the sake of grabbing back an amount of money equivalent to less than a week of what the government plans to hand to the audit-failing EU under the new EU budget deal, head teachers at some of the best-performing state schools in the country may be forced to axe staff or raid library budgets to finance improvements to facilities rather than tapping into their savings.
The little-noticed move could affect as many as 20,000 primary, secondary and special schools and would require any school with extra money at the end of the year to hand a share back to local authorities.
Schools are set to lose 5% of outstanding balances, even if it has been set aside to fund new buildings, playground improvements, sports facilities or drama studios.
Mick Brookes, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said "Schools are going to have to find that five per cent additional money from somewhere else.
''This includes the money schools use to buy books for the children, teaching materials and sports equipment.
"If schools have to give back £25,000 or more, it could mean losing a teacher."
Pauline Cox, the head teacher at Tiffin Girls' Grammar School, Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, which came top in the country in one GCSE league table this summer, said: "We have a 1950s school which is falling to pieces and needs repairs, which cost money.
''We already have to scrimp and save to do this, and now whatever we manage to pull together for the next year will be taxed. I feel robbed. The fury among teachers is remarkable."
In a Parliamentary answer to the Liberal Democrats, the Government admitted that £988 million of last year's surplus – almost 63% of the total – had been "committed for specific purposes", which may include buildings.
David Laws, the Liberal Democrat children's spokesman, said: "This Government plan is a tax on good schools. It is taking from the prudent head teachers that are about to fund major capital projects and giving to less prudent ones and those who have already spent their money."
Andrew Baker, the head of Westcliff High School for Boys, Essex, said: "I have never heard a proposal that is so devious and unprincipled as this.
''It will encourage schools to make irresponsible expenditure to avoid the taxman."
Terry Molloy, the head of Claremont High School, Brent, north London, said: "This money is meant for my children, to make their education better. Why should they be punished like this?"
Under the new EU budget deal, Britain is set to pay the audit-failing EU £6bn (net) a year - that's £115m every week until 2013.
This deal is expected to come before MPs for approval sometime in the next session of Parliament, starting next month.
Can MPs really justify voting billions of pounds extra a year to such a wasteful organisation as the EU, while the government has to resort to clawing back fractions of that amount from prudent schools seeking to improve their facilities?
Has the EU now usurped 'Education, Education, Education'? MPs will confirm their real priorities with their votes on the European Communities (Finance) Bill.
For the sake of grabbing back an amount of money equivalent to less than a week of what the government plans to hand to the audit-failing EU under the new EU budget deal, head teachers at some of the best-performing state schools in the country may be forced to axe staff or raid library budgets to finance improvements to facilities rather than tapping into their savings.
The little-noticed move could affect as many as 20,000 primary, secondary and special schools and would require any school with extra money at the end of the year to hand a share back to local authorities.
Schools are set to lose 5% of outstanding balances, even if it has been set aside to fund new buildings, playground improvements, sports facilities or drama studios.
Mick Brookes, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said "Schools are going to have to find that five per cent additional money from somewhere else.
''This includes the money schools use to buy books for the children, teaching materials and sports equipment.
"If schools have to give back £25,000 or more, it could mean losing a teacher."
Pauline Cox, the head teacher at Tiffin Girls' Grammar School, Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, which came top in the country in one GCSE league table this summer, said: "We have a 1950s school which is falling to pieces and needs repairs, which cost money.
''We already have to scrimp and save to do this, and now whatever we manage to pull together for the next year will be taxed. I feel robbed. The fury among teachers is remarkable."
In a Parliamentary answer to the Liberal Democrats, the Government admitted that £988 million of last year's surplus – almost 63% of the total – had been "committed for specific purposes", which may include buildings.
David Laws, the Liberal Democrat children's spokesman, said: "This Government plan is a tax on good schools. It is taking from the prudent head teachers that are about to fund major capital projects and giving to less prudent ones and those who have already spent their money."
Andrew Baker, the head of Westcliff High School for Boys, Essex, said: "I have never heard a proposal that is so devious and unprincipled as this.
''It will encourage schools to make irresponsible expenditure to avoid the taxman."
Terry Molloy, the head of Claremont High School, Brent, north London, said: "This money is meant for my children, to make their education better. Why should they be punished like this?"
Under the new EU budget deal, Britain is set to pay the audit-failing EU £6bn (net) a year - that's £115m every week until 2013.
This deal is expected to come before MPs for approval sometime in the next session of Parliament, starting next month.
Can MPs really justify voting billions of pounds extra a year to such a wasteful organisation as the EU, while the government has to resort to clawing back fractions of that amount from prudent schools seeking to improve their facilities?
Has the EU now usurped 'Education, Education, Education'? MPs will confirm their real priorities with their votes on the European Communities (Finance) Bill.
Sunday, 21 October 2007
'Cash crisis' for science centres
Science education centres around the UK face serious financial threats and some have already closed, reports the BBC.
MPs on the House of Commons science and technology select committee want the government to give centres at risk short-term funding.
Two of the centres which were funded by the Millennium Commission - Doncaster's Earth Centre and Ayrshire's Big Idea - have already closed, its report says.
The loss of such centres is a threat to science education, it says. Ministers say they will respond "in due course".
The report, the Funding of Science and Discovery Centres, says that these centres make a valuable contribution to the public's engagement with science - but there are serious financial problems.
After initial funding, these centres are unable to pay for themselves - and the report says that without a change in their financial support, they will be closed before their value has been properly assessed.
The Eden Project is an example of a successful science centre, say MPs.
The Earth Centre and Big Idea have both closed and another, At-Bristol, has had to close two of its three attractions and has made 45 staff redundant.
The report says the government should not be obliged to fund loss-making centres on a regular basis, but as a short-term measure it should make cash available.
It also recommends that "steps are taken to reduce the tax burden on science and other educational centres".
The report says that the science centre concept has been around for about 20 years - representing a place for people to explore science often in an interactive setting.
The biggest injection of funding came in the form of £450m for 18 centres from the Millennium Commission.
But the report says that in terms of earning revenue, science centres - apart from examples such as the Eden Project in Cornwall - have struggled to raise more than 80% of their running costs.
This leaves them with a recurrent funding problem, says the MPs' report, which proposes they should be given a reduced rate of VAT - and it urges the government to consider supporting science centres in the way it subsidises museums.
A Department for Innovation, Universities and Science spokesman said that the government is "keen to encourage young people and the broader community to get involved with science".
He said they would respond to the report more fully "in due course".
MPs on the House of Commons science and technology select committee want the government to give centres at risk short-term funding.
Two of the centres which were funded by the Millennium Commission - Doncaster's Earth Centre and Ayrshire's Big Idea - have already closed, its report says.
The loss of such centres is a threat to science education, it says. Ministers say they will respond "in due course".
The report, the Funding of Science and Discovery Centres, says that these centres make a valuable contribution to the public's engagement with science - but there are serious financial problems.
After initial funding, these centres are unable to pay for themselves - and the report says that without a change in their financial support, they will be closed before their value has been properly assessed.
The Eden Project is an example of a successful science centre, say MPs.
The Earth Centre and Big Idea have both closed and another, At-Bristol, has had to close two of its three attractions and has made 45 staff redundant.
The report says the government should not be obliged to fund loss-making centres on a regular basis, but as a short-term measure it should make cash available.
It also recommends that "steps are taken to reduce the tax burden on science and other educational centres".
The report says that the science centre concept has been around for about 20 years - representing a place for people to explore science often in an interactive setting.
The biggest injection of funding came in the form of £450m for 18 centres from the Millennium Commission.
But the report says that in terms of earning revenue, science centres - apart from examples such as the Eden Project in Cornwall - have struggled to raise more than 80% of their running costs.
This leaves them with a recurrent funding problem, says the MPs' report, which proposes they should be given a reduced rate of VAT - and it urges the government to consider supporting science centres in the way it subsidises museums.
A Department for Innovation, Universities and Science spokesman said that the government is "keen to encourage young people and the broader community to get involved with science".
He said they would respond to the report more fully "in due course".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
