Tag: planning

SAVE calls for national debate on demolition of Scottish heritage

SAVE Britain’s Heritage has launched a public petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to host a national debate to bolster safeguards for threatened listed buildings

The petition, validated on 6th June 2024 by the Scottish Parliament, calls for an urgent Parliamentary debate to address a gap in legislation that leaves listed buildings across the country vulnerable to demolition.  

The current loophole allows councils to demolish listed buildings under emergency public safety powers without providing evidence to justify their actions.

The case follows the highly controversial demolition of Category B listed Ayr Station Hotel by South Ayrshire Council which is still on going.  

It has been carried out due to public safety concerns, following a major arson attack last year, but without the reports or surveys to justify the decision being made public and without providing evidence that alternatives to total demolition were robustly explored. 

While fully recognising the paramount importance of making dangerous buildings safe, enhanced guidance is needed to address this policy gap, setting out the minimum structural evidence and process before undertaking demolition works to listed buildings on public safety grounds, including when consulting national heritage advisor Historic Environment Scotland. This will ensure only the minimum demolition necessary takes place to make the building safe, avoiding excessive or total demolition. 

SAVE’s petition is calling for policy safeguards to ensure that listed buildings like Ayr Station Hotel cannot be demolished without robust and transparent justification.

We are specifically calling for the following policy controls to be introduced alongside existing public safety legislation:   

1. Enhanced policy guidance setting out the minimum evidence and processes required by local planning authorities before making decisions on demolition of listed buildings under emergency powers 

2. A mandatory policy requirement for local planning authorities to engage conservation-accredited engineers in all cases involving listed buildings  

Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “We see a huge opportunity in bringing this national issue to the attention of MSPs and opening a much-needed debate on the protection of listed buildings across the country.

“These buildings are gifts to the nation from the past – and we should be taking every step necessary to ensure they are protected from unnecessary demolition – as is intended by the legislation.” 

Paul Sweeney MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow, said: “This petition addresses a glaring loophole in existing policy. It is not acceptable that councils can demolish listed buildings in Scotland – using so-called public safety powers – without providing evidence to show that there is no alternative to demolition.

“It is my hope that the Scottish Parliament’s petitions committee backs this petition so that we can strengthen protections of listed buildings in Scotland.” 

Jocelyn Cunliffe, acting chair of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, said: “The AHSS supports SAVE’s petition to the Scottish Government to provide enhanced safeguards for listed buildings across Scotland. 

“Local authorities are empowered to act timeously to save listed buildings and it is imperative that all options be considered and that there are adequate checks and balances before demolition, which should be a last resort, takes place.” 

Joe Traynor, director of The Scottish Civic Trust, said: “The Scottish Civic Trust endorses SAVE’s petition which encourages policy makers to respect and boost the protection of Scotland’s historic buildings. 

“These need to be protected, reused and celebrated as unique to the make-up of our communities and places.” 

Current conflict of interest  

In cases involving the use of emergency powers on grounds of public safety, current legislation creates a potential conflict of interest for Local Authorities between the legal duty of Planning Departments to protect listed buildings under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1997 and the duty of Building Control Departments to make any dangerous building safe, including via demolition, under Section 29 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.  

The drawn-out demolition of large parts of Ayr’s Category B listed Station Hotel by South Ayrshire Council following an arson attack which damaged the building in September 2023, has brought this issue into the national spotlight.

Following the fire, the Council assumed legal responsibility for the site, with Building Control proceeding to demolish the south wing of the building, without publishing detailed evidence to justify its actions, and no requirement to gain approval from Historic Environment Scotland before doing so.  

SAVE has remained consistently opposed to the council’s decision to pursue demolition and raised these issues of national heritage importance at a specially convened cross party round table at the Scottish Parliament in November 2023.

A joint letter was subsequently sent to the chief executive of South Ayrshire Council on 23rd November 2023 expressing concerns about listed buildings at risk of demolition across Scotland, including Ayr Station Hotel.  

Photos published with this press release show the devastating impact of the demolition of the Station Hotel’s highly ornate south wing – and subsequently much more of the building.  

In February, SAVE called for the retention of the listed building’s surviving north wing and tower as a key priority in South Ayrshire Council’s emerging vision for Ayr Town Centre which went out for public consultation in January 2024. These sections of the listed building were far less extensively impacted by the fire in September 2023 and could have formed the foundation for a refurbished modern railway station without tearing the heart out of the town.  

However, South Ayrshire Council began demolition of the tower and a substantial portion of the north wing in April 2024, on the grounds of public safety. Yesterday, the council announced that this demolition is “on target” to be complete by 17th June 2024. A Dangerous Buildings Notice has been issued by South Ayrshire Council requiring the owner of the building to make the surviving section of the north wing safe. 

SAVE’s petition, which addresses this loophole in legislation which allows councils to demolish listed buildings under emergency public safety powers without providing robust justification, was published on 6th June 2024 by the Scottish Parliament and is now open to signatures.  

The next stage will be consideration at an upcoming Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee (CPPPC) meeting, at which point the committee will decide on what action will be taken.

This can include asking for a debate about the petition in the chamber or recommending actions for the Scottish Government. SAVE’s petition has called for an urgent Parliamentary debate. 

What is Power of Attorney?

A few places still available at LifeCare’s free info event to help local people simplify the future

Thinking about what would happen in the future if our, or our loved ones, faculties deteriorated can be stressful and worrying. How would someone manage our affairs, access our accounts to set up the right care for us, or pay the bills? Without the right processes in place, an already very emotional situation can be made worse with often very serious consequences.  

Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh understands how daunting and complex these situations can be and will next month host a free information giving event to help debunk the complexities and help people put the right practical support in place to ensure someone trusted can quickly make decisions on behalf of a loved one if they’re not able, or no longer able, to make them themselves.  

Power of Attorney is a legal document where someone – while they still have mental capacity – nominates a trusted friend or relative to look after their affairs if they later lost capacity in the event of an emergency, illness or accident.

It is not limited to people who are older or unwell, everyone needs to consider setting up a Power of Attorney at any stage of life to avoid any future complications. For example, due to having a stroke, serious accident or dementia.  

Delivered in partnership with experts from Lindsay’s Legal Services team, LifeCare will host its first information giving event designed to encourage people to stop and think about what they need to put in place to help simplify the future.  

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said “Unfortunately at LifeCare we are well aware of how stressful life can be when people don’t have the right documents in place.  No one can predict when they may face an unforeseen illness, accident or other debilitating event that may render them incapacitated.  

“As one of Edinburgh’s leading charities providing practical care support we know how emotional these situations can be at the best of times but we also know how much worse they can be when family members and loved ones are locked out of helping access the support for the people they care for. 

“Relatives can’t just walk into a bank and access your money, even if it is to pay for your care. Unless you’ve a Power of Attorney, loved ones would need to apply through court, which can be long and costly. 

“We understand that thinking about the future can be upsetting and frightening. Our free and informal information giving event delivered in partnership with Lindsays is designed to simplify matters; there will be no jargon and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions and an opportunity to discuss any concerns with legal experts for free.”

LifeCare’s ‘What is Power of Attorney’ event, delivered in partnership with Lindsay’s, will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 1st May in the charity’s fully accessible community café, CafeLife at 2 Cheyne Street, EH4 1JB. 

Free tea and coffee will be available along with the opportunity to find out more about LifeCare’s vital services for older people and the community overall.  

The charity is encouraging people to register via Eventbrite in advance of the meeting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lifecares-power-of-attorney-information-event-tickets-856970821797?aff=oddtdtcreator

or visit the LifeCare website https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

or call 0131 343 0940 to register interest.

Scrap Student Flats: Living Rents to hold public meeting in Leith

10th MAY at 6.30pm in DUNCAN PLACE COMMUNITY HUB

Got concerns about purpose-built student accommodation and luxury developments in your local community?

Join Living Rent for a public forum on the redevelopment of Dalton Scrapyard, where you can bring your questions and concerns directly to your local representatives.

Hold councillors accountable and bring local planning back to the people!

Support for Edinburgh’s growth plans

Edinburgh’s new local development plan has received support from the Scottish Government.

City Plan 2030 – which sets out the strategy for development, proposals, and policies to shape development and inform planning decisions in the coming years – was subject to a 15 month-long examination by the Scottish Government Reporter.

In the report on the examination, published this week, the Reporter supported significant elements of the Plan – including affordable housebuilding targets, mixed used commercial development, and ambitious and sustainable development plans for West Edinburgh.

Planning Convener Cllr James Dalgleish said: “Our ambitious City Plan 2030 meets the needs of the Capital’s growing population, making better use of land across all neighbourhoods, and supporting our commitment to be net zero by 2030. I welcome the news that the Reporter has recognised and endorsed these ambitions, with only minor changes required to the Plan. 

“We want to strengthen communities and make sure that our policies focus on the health and wellbeing of our residents. We want to build sustainable places where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, walk, or wheel to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access public transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.

“Following today’s report, we can move forward with positive changes to our affordable housing policy, with developments now having to include 35% affordable homes. This will help address the housing emergency in Edinburgh. We can also take forward policies on student housing and reducing carbon emissions from new buildings, while our mixed-use approach for commercial developments is also supported.

“We won backing for our plans around creating new sustainable neighbourhoods with a new vision for the west and for sites elsewhere in the city to be transformed into net zero neighbourhoods fit for the 21st Century. This is all consistent with our 20-minute neighbourhood approach as well as directing development to and maximising the use of brownfield land rather than allocating new greenfield housing sites.

“I’d like to thank all those residents, community groups and businesses who contributed to this Plan and acknowledge the hard work of Council officers who’ve spent years preparing this complex submission. The fact that so few changes were made as a result of the Examination is testament to all the dedicated individuals who contributed to this Plan.

“I’m looking forward to final approval and implementation of City Plan 2030 – contributing to the ongoing success and sustainability of our great Capital City.”

A final version of City Plan 2030 will be considered by the Council’s Planning Committee and Council in June before being submitted to Scottish Ministers as the Plan the Council wants to adopt.

MPs call for new regulatory approach to secure thriving future for defined benefit pension schemes

Changes to proposed regulation and improvements in governance standards are urgently needed to ensure private sector defined benefit (DB) pension schemes remain an active and thriving part of the pensions landscape and work in the best interest of scheme members, MPs say today.

The Work and Pensions Committee report concludes that despite a steady decline in number in recent years, DB pension schemes are still of critical importance to both savers and the UK economy.

It warns however that two decades of regulatory and policy caution from DWP and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) have led to a low-risk approach to investment that threatens to inadvertently finish off the few remaining DB schemes still open to new members.

With an improvement in funding levels over the past decade presenting new challenges and opportunities for schemes, the report calls for a fresh approach both to funding regulation and the treatment of surpluses in pension and compensation schemes.

Among recommendations on the latter, the report calls for DWP and TPR to look at ways of ensuring the reasonable expectations of scheme members for benefit enhancement are met where there has been a history of discretionary increases.

On the new funding regime proposed by the Government to come into force in September, the Committee’s inquiry heard concerns that open schemes would be forced to de-risk unnecessarily, potentially leading to premature closure.

The Committee calls for the Government to address such concerns in the final version of the Funding Code and for TPR’s objective to protect the Pension Protection Fund to be replaced with a new duty to protect future, as well as past, service benefits.

PPF reserves now stand at £12 billion and the report calls for legislation to allow the levy to be reduced to zero and for compensation levels to be improved.

To encourage better governance, the Committee welcomes the introduction of a trustee register to improve TPR oversight. The report notes TPR’s view that consolidation, including through pension Superfunds, is one of the main ways to improve governance, and calls for the required legislation as soon as possible.

Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, said: “Defined benefit pension schemes are hugely important to savers planning for a comfortable retirement and for the UK economy.

“The improvement in scheme funding levels presents opportunities for both to benefit, but a new approach to regulation and governance is needed to protect the best interest of scheme members and allow still open schemes to thrive.

“The flexibility afforded by the much-improved financial position of the PPF, which we applaud, gives the Government an opportunity to ensure open schemes are not hindered by overly cautious restrictions imposed by regulations.

“While many trustee boards operate to high standards, new standards for trustees can foster confidence that this is the case across DB schemes.”

The report follows up on some of the points raised during the Committee’s previous inquiry into DB pensions with Liability Driven Investments, which examined the events of autumn 2022. The Committee heard that a repeat of the events was now unlikely given the steps taken to improve resilience.

A full list of the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations is available on Pp 54–58 of the report.

Police issue travel advice issued ahead of Storm Jocelyn

The Met Office has issued a new Amber warning for wind across parts of western and northern Scotland.

The warning is in place between 6pm tonight (Tuesday, 23 January) and 8am tomorrow – Wednesday, 24 January.

The following areas are expected to be affected by the Amber warning:

  • Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray)
  • Highlands and Eilean Siar
  • Orkney
  • Strathclyde (Argyll & Bute and North Ayrshire)

A Yellow warning for wind affected all of Scotland is also in place between 1600hrs today (Tuesday, 23 January) and 1300hrs Wednesday, 24 January.

Additionally, a Yellow warning for rain is in place and is valid between 0700hrs and 1800hrs on Tuesday (23 January).

Further information about the weather warnings and flood information is available on the Met Office and SEPA websites.

General advice for road users:

  • Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
  • All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
  • Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
  • If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
  • Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
  • Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
  • Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
  • Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
  • Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland or visit Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
  • Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, X or their website
  • Other information can be found on the Met Office and Ready Scotland websites. For public transport information visit www.travelinescotland.com
  • Follow @trafficscotland on X for up-to-date travel information.

Wind

HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.

Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.

Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.

Rain / Surface Water

Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.

Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.

Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.

Green light for Ocean Terminal planning application

CITY Councillors have today (10 January) given their unanimous approval for a major planning application redeveloping the Ocean Terminal centre at Leith waterfront. 

The Ocean Terminal Masterplan has been in development and consultation with the local community since 2020, and promises to deliver a sustainable new neighbourhood on Leith’s waterfront with the provision of new homes in addition to community amenities, health and leisure facilities for people from all over the Capital and further afield. 

Planning consent for the first phase of the masterplan, for part-demolition of the multi-storey car park and former Debenhams retail unit, was received in autumn 2022. Phase 2, which has received approval from councillors today, will deliver the full Masterplan with the provision of a pedestrian-centred waterfront, new mixed-use community amenities comprising residential, retail and commercial spaces, and high-quality public realm spaces. 

During the hearing of City of Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee, councillors commended the developer’s attention to detail and incorporation of key Council and national priorities including housing provision, green space provision, community amenity and sustainability. 

Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investment Management, the Scottish owner of Ocean Terminal, said: ““Having worked closely with residents, businesses, locally-elected representatives and planning officers at the City of Edinburgh Council since 2020, we are delighted to have received approval for our Masterplan today.

“The result of our collaborative engagement with local stakeholders is a development which puts community front and centre.

“Our plans will meet Edinburgh’s housing needs during a housing emergency, support the vibrancy of Leith waterfront with the creation of new commercial units, serve our community through various amenities including a supermarket and medical centre, and embed sustainability. 

“With planning approvals in place, we look forward to delivering this vision for a new neighbourhood on Leith’s waterfront.”

The plans amount to a £250 million investment in Leith’s waterfront, retaining and creating over 600 local jobs, with further job opportunities during the construction phase, and had won the support of neighbouring businesses and community groups.

Brendan Reilly, President of Leith Chamber of Commerce said: “We at the Leith Chamber of Commerce are delighted to hear that the proposed transformation of Ocean Terminal has gained consent.

“The redevelopment of this area will improve and add significant enjoyment value to the cosmopolitan and European feel that visitors and residents alike already experience when spending time in this thriving area that is Leith.”

Over 530 new homes with multiple tenure options will be constructed under the Masterplan, with a key focus being residential amenity with secure courtyard gardens and raised terraces. 

Opening up access to the waterfront and The Royal Yacht Britannia via an extension to Ocean Drive, the project will re-connect the new neighbourhood back to Leith. Together with the re-imagined retail centre, the high-quality public realm spaces will create a safe, vibrant neighbourhood and new waterfront destination for the wider community.

Neil Whatley, Associate Director at Keppie Design which developed the architectural design of the proposals, said: “Keppie is delighted that the City of Edinburgh Council has approved the proposals for Phase 2 of the re-imaging of the existing retail centre, securing its future retention and operation as a key local amenity and introducing a new, residential-led, mixed-use neighbourhood.

“Ambassador Investment Management’s bold and determined vision will allow the Ocean Terminal project to buck the current trend for whole-scale retail demolition – instead retaining and reimagining the existing asset, creating an outward looking development, integrated into a wider, residential-led urban environment that embodies the rich history, character and vibrant spirit of Leith.”

Colin Smith, Director, Head of Planning Scotland at Turley, acting for Ambassador Investment Management said: “This approval marks a significant milestone in Ocean Terminal and Leith’s regeneration, completing the strategic reshaping of Ocean Terminal from an inward-looking, retail and leisure driven commercial centre, to an outward-looking, mixed-use town centre.

“The dynamic neighbourhood will enhance the quality of living, working and leisure space for all, including new public realm next to the waterfront.

“Key sustainability and climate change objectives from the National Planning Framework 4 – which supports the recycling of assets, such as brownfield land, promotes local living and compact urban growth – are delivered by this development, providing convenient, accessible, mixed-tenure living, well connected to the wider city.”

Council to consider framework to shape development in west Edinburgh 

Following consultation with residents and interested organisations in and around the west of the city a final framework for development will be considered by the Planning Committee on 19 December.

Development in the west of Edinburgh forms part of the draft City Plan 2030, currently being considered by the Scottish Government. Therefore, if approved by committee, The West Edinburgh Placemaking Framework and Strategic Masterplan (WEPFSM) will be implemented when City Plan 2030 is adopted. The masterplan would then be used as a material consideration as non-statutory guidance for future planning applications. 

The framework was informed by previous work on this area and a 12-week consultation from July to October last year for land extending from Eastfield Road in the west to Maybury junction in the east, with Edinburgh Airport and Turnhouse Road to the north.

There are a range of new opportunities for new homes and other uses in this area as set out in City Plan 2030. The aim is to create new 20 minute neighbourhoods to help Edinburgh toward its housing and net zero ambition, with a range of facilities which people will need to live well locally such as schools and medical centres. 

Hundreds of people took part in the consultation either online or in person at drop in sessions or focus groups we held. Meetings also took place with key developers and landowners. 

A major theme from the consultation was having excellent transport links in the area including active travel routes and public transport. These objectives are all at the core of the proposed WEPFEM and tie in with the wider  Broxburn to Maybury Transport Improvements – a major transport improvement project for area.

The project is funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The plan is to have better connected communities with major employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities easily accessible. This will also make it easier for more people to make a greater number of journeys by bus or by cycling, walking or wheeling. 

An overarching vision on how the west of the city could be developed over the next 30 years – Towards West Edinburgh 2050 –  was also published for discussion last year. 

Planning Convener Cllr James Dalgleish said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation last year. The feedback was really valuable in helping us to finalise our draft framework for committee to consider next week. 

“When City Plan 2030 is adopted developers will be able to use this framework as a guide to help us create new thriving 20 minute neighbourhoods to the north of Gogarburn.

“We’re hoping to see more than 3,500 quality energy efficient affordable homes delivered. This will help us address the city’s housing emergency as well as significantly contributing to Edinburgh achieving net zero. The development will have a mix of uses such as retail, schools, healthcare and office space.

“Like other neighbourhoods in west Edinburgh these new communities will need to be well connected to the rest of the city, the wider region and beyond through improved public transport links.

“To help to reduce car use the high density 20 minute neighbourhoods created will need to be supported with a number of new bus and active travel routes and as well as the existing tram line which runs through the area.”

Health and Social Care Secretary sets out priorities for system in England

Victoria Atkins aims to make health and social care system faster, simpler and fairer for patients

  • Health and Social Care Secretary sets out intention to make the system faster, simpler and fairer for patients
  • Victoria Atkins thanks staff for a week of delivery, in which two manifesto commitments were met

Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins has thanked health, social care and research staff for delivering on patients’ priorities, as she set out her commitment to make the health and social care system faster, simpler and fairer for patients.

The Secretary of State has paid tribute to NHS, social care and research staff for their hard work in a week the government delivered 50,000 additional nurses, delivered 50 million more GP appointments – both manifesto commitments – and rolled out lifesaving HIV opt-out testing to 46 areas across England.

Her words came days after pharmacies across the country began offering new contraceptive services and additional blood pressure checks, and after a breakthrough in talks to end consultant strikes, which saw the British Medical Association Consultants committee agree to put an offer on contract reform to its members.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: “Since joining the department, I have been bowled over by the way health and social care staff just keep on delivering for patients. The important milestones we’ve reached this week – reaching 50,000 additional nurses and 50 million more GP appointments – demonstrate real progress. 

“I have spent the past few weeks meeting doctors, nurses, GPs, pharmacists and other health workers and heard wonderful stories about how they have gone above and beyond to deliver outstanding care for patients and cut waiting lists.

“But I have also heard about their frustrations and where they feel they are not able to deliver the best possible care or where prevention or early intervention could have made a real difference. That is why I am committed to making health and social care services faster, simpler and fairer.

“We face a difficult winter ahead. And though our early winter planning is seeing some results we know there is much more to do. But having seen what our excellent staff can do I am confident that with the government’s support we can continue to deliver for patients over the coming months.”

The Health and Social Care Secretary has committed to making health and social care services:

  • Faster for patients, by making it easier to get treatment locally, improving A&E performance and cutting waiting lists
  • Simpler for patients, with joined up, integrated care, and simpler for staff, by reducing bureaucracy and giving them the latest technology to free up their time to care for patients
  • Fairer, ensuring children are protected from health harms, that health outcomes are not determined by where you live, that government supports older people to maintain their independence for longer, and that government delivers a more productive NHS that is fairer for taxpayers.

She added that she would continue to work with the NHS to manage the ongoing winter pressures. The government prepared for winter earlier than ever before and data released by the NHS on Thursday shows the government is making good progress.

Compared to the same time last year, ambulance handover delays have fallen by 28%, thousands more 111 calls are being answered within 60 seconds, and there were nearly 1,500 more hospital beds available.

The Secretary of State said: “We face a difficult winter ahead. And though our early winter planning is seeing some results we know there is much more to do.

“But having seen what our excellent staff can do I am confident that with the government’s support we can continue to deliver for patients over the coming months.”

The Health and Social Care Secretary was appointed on 13 November. She has now set out her priorities in a week in which the government and NHS hit a number of major delivery milestones:

  • NHS England data published on Thursday showed there were 51,245 additional nurses in September 2023 compared to 2019 – hitting the government’s manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 50,000 nurses six months early.
  • NHS England data also showed that for the year to October 2023, there were 51 million additional general practice appointments delivered when compared to October 2019, meeting another manifesto commitment.
  • On Monday the government announced that it had put forward an offer that will modernise the consultant contract and reform consultants’ pay structure, paving the way to end consultant strikes. The British Medical Association and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association will put the deal to their memberships in the coming weeks. 
  • On Wednesday the Secretary of State announced funding for a research project to evaluate the rollout of the hugely successful HIV opt-out testing programme to 46 new sites across England.
  • On Friday 1 December pharmacies across England began offering the new contraceptive services announced recently as part of Pharmacy First. This is part of the NHS and government’s Primary Care Recovery Plan, announced by the head of the NHS and the Prime Minister in May, which committed to making it quicker and easier for millions of people to access healthcare on their high street.