Cost of Living crisis

‘When the NHS goes private, we’ll be paying for ambulances’

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/when-the-nhs-goes-private-we-be-paying-for-ambulances

Image of Accident and emergency

MORE than 25,000 ambulance workers walked out on strike today as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that it would be “lovely to wave a magic wand” and give them the pay rise they want and deserve.

His pathetic response to the mounting NHS crisis was in stark contrast to the determination and courage displayed by tens of thousands of health workers intent on winning pay justice and on defending the NHS from destruction at Tory hands.

On freezing picket lines across England and Wales, ambulance workers told their own stories of the life-saving jobs they do and the tragic, unnecessary deaths caused by the deliberate run-down of ambulance and health services in what is increasingly believed to be preparation for the Tories’ ultimate privatisation — the NHS.

Members of three unions — Unison, GMB and Unite — took strike action together.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/when-the-nhs-goes-private-we-be-paying-for-ambulances

Continue Reading‘When the NHS goes private, we’ll be paying for ambulances’

Anti-poverty campaigners call on government to ban forced prepayment meter instillations

Spread the love

https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/anti-poverty-campaigners-call-on-government-to-ban-forced-prepayment-meter-instillations

Image of cash and pre-payment meter key
Image of cash and pre-payment meter key

FUEL poverty campaigners staged “warm up” demonstrations across Britain at the weekend, calling on the government to ban the forced instillation of prepayment meters.

The government has come under increasing pressure to outlaw the imposition of these meters since an investigation by the i newspaper revealed that energy companies have secured half a million court warrants to enter people’s homes and install them since July 2021.

Citizens Advice also reported that 3.2 million people were disconnected in 2022 over their inability to top up the meters, more than in the previous 10 years combined.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps promised today to “name and shame” energy suppliers that force such meters on their customers, revealing that he has written to companies to demand that they voluntarily end the practice.

…

https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/anti-poverty-campaigners-call-on-government-to-ban-forced-prepayment-meter-instillations

Continue ReadingAnti-poverty campaigners call on government to ban forced prepayment meter instillations

Ambulance performance times reach record new low

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/ambulance-performance-times-reach-record-new-low

Image reads Accident & Emergency, A & E

Union brands crisis a ‘national shame made in Downing Street’

AMBULANCE performance times are now the worst on record, the latest data revealed today, with unions branding it a “‎national disgrace made in 10 Downing Street.”

One in 10 people were left waiting for ambulances for more than three-and-a-half hours last month after falling seriously ill with the likes of hearts attacks, strokes and sepsis, according to NHS England.

…

Downing Street, which has refused to call the situation in the NHS a crisis, said the figures are “obviously unacceptable” and the government was “very focused” on improving NHS performance.

But Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the government “must carry the can” for excessive deaths caused by the problems highlighted in last month’s statistics.

She said: “The blame for this tragedy lies with years of underfunding and poor pay. It is a national disgrace delivered by Downing Street.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/ambulance-performance-times-reach-record-new-low

Continue ReadingAmbulance performance times reach record new low

Aslef set to reject same 8% pay offer rejected by RMT

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/aslef-set-to-reject-same-8-pay-offer-rejected-by-rmt

TORY ministers and rail industry bosses will be “incredibly disappointed” if they think the sector’s workforce will accept more real-terms pay cuts, train drivers’ union Aslef said today.

The warning came after reports in the Sun newspaper suggested that the union, which is holding another 24-hour strike across 15 train operating companies on Thursday, will soon be offered an 8 per cent deal, spread over two years.

The offer, amounting to 4 per cent in both 2023 and 2024, has already been rejected by fellow transport union RMT, which is launching its second 48-hour walkout this week at Network Rail and several train operators tomorrow.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan told the Morning Star that if Tory Transport Secretary Mark Harper thinks, after “no pay rises since 2019, a further below-inflation deal will be backed by my members, he’ll be incredibly disappointed.

…

Continue ReadingAslef set to reject same 8% pay offer rejected by RMT

NHS needs practical and urgent action, not Sunak’s ‘false promises and hollow boasts,’ RCN warns

Spread the love

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/nhs-needs-practical-and-urgent-action-not-sunak-false-promises-and-hollow-boasts-rcn-warns

NHS sign

RISHI SUNAK’S first speech of the year was more “false promises and hollow boasts” while the NHS needs practical and urgent action, a leading nurse warned today.

The Prime Minister said in his first public address of the new year that one of his five promises was to cut NHS waiting lists and ensure that people “get the care they need more quickly.”

His other promises were to “halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, and stop the [refugee] boats”.

The PM did not specify a timeframe for his pledges and spent most of his speech discussing tackling increasing strike actions, including by nurses and ambulance staff, and immigration levels.

In a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, Royal College of Nursing chief executive Pat Cullen said the PM’s language “appeared detached from the reality of what is happening and why.”

…

Continue ReadingNHS needs practical and urgent action, not Sunak’s ‘false promises and hollow boasts,’ RCN warns