The unstoppable Angela Rayner
Also on the podcast today: Jake Berry, former Conservative party chairman, defected to Reform last night. But how much of a coup is that really for Nigel's gang?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Tim Shipman and James Heale.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
For tickets to our Coffee House Shots live podcast next week, go to: spectator.co.uk/toast
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Daily Record
43 minutes ago
- Daily Record
NHS in Scotland 'stuck in analogue age' as health boards shell out millions on pagers
Labour claimed the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century. Scotland's NHS is " stuck in an analogue age" after it was revealed that health boards have shelled out millions of pounds on pagers in recent years. The devices were widely used in the 1980s and 1990s for instant communication before being replaced long ago by smartphones. Scottish Labour said the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century. Data obtained by the party found health boards had spent at least £4,596,608 on pagers since 2018/19, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spending almost £1.8 million and NHS Lothian spending close to £1 million. But the total figure is expected to be higher as some health boards failed to respond to a freedom of information request. Spending on pagers increased in at least seven health boards, while rising by 8 percent overall between 2018/19 and 2024/ Labour is now calling for improvements to hospital WiFi to reduce reliance on outdated technology like pagers and improve service delivery. At least 13 fax machines — used for sending messages instantly before emails — are still in use in Scottish hospitals. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said: "The UK Labour government is setting out a blueprint for NHS England's digital future, but the SNP, Scotland's NHS is still stuck in an analogue age. "The SNP has been in power for as long as the iPhone has existed, yet all analogue John has invented is excuses. Getting reliable WiFi in Scottish hospitals is the bare minimum the Scottish Government should do to bring our NHS into the 21 st century. "While English patients will soon be able to book appointments by app, the SNP can only promise a pilot for dermatology appointments in Lanarkshire. "Only Scottish Labour can take our NHS out of the SNP's analogue age — that's the new direction Scotland needs." It comes after Wes Streeting last week branded John Swinney an "analogue politician". The UK Health Secretary took a swipe at the First Minister as plans were announced to expand the NHS app available for patients in England. The Scottish version has yet to launch. Streeting said: "The UK Labour government is embracing technology to deliver a better NHS for patients and their families, giving them more control and transparency over their treatment. "In John Swinney the SNP have an analogue politician in a digital age and patients in Scotland are missing out. The SNP have record funding and complete control of the NHS in Scotland. "There are no excuses for [not having an app in place] and it just shows why Scotland can't afford a third decade of the SNP." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'This spend of £4.6 million since 2018/19 must be seen in the context of an NHS budget that was more than £100 billion over the same period. 'While innovation and use of digital technology is essential to ensure the health and social care system's long-term sustainability, health boards should deploy the technology that enables NHS staff to best serve the needs of patients. "We expect health boards to embrace the latest tools, but also understand that pagers may be more practical and preferred in some cases. 'We have already taken significant steps through our Operational Improvement Plan and Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework to set out clear actions to harness digital innovation, improve access to treatment, shift the balance of care into the community and strengthen prevention.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
New proposals to cut PIP and disability benefits ahead of full review
The Centre for Social Justice has called for emergency measures to be brought in to reduce the number of people currently on the benefit New plans to slash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been put forward, aligning with a forthcoming Government review of the benefit. Currently, Labour has paused any steps regarding PIP within its welfare overhaul due to a backlash from MPs and activists for disability rights. Originally, there was a move to impose a four-point rule to tighten PIP accessibility. This would've meant claimants needing at least one tally of four points in assessed daily living activities to qualify. However, modifications to PIP are now set to follow only after Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, conducts a thorough examination. READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' Slated for completion by Autumn 2026, the 'Timms Review' vows to be "co-produced with disabled people, along with the organisations that represent them, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard." The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a centre-right think tank, is urging for an expedited review and argues for a significant reform of PIP to "redirect funding from long-term cash payments." In the updated 'Change the Prescription' report, the CSJ outlines several proposals concerning eligibility for PIP and the health component of Universal Credit, reports Birmingham Live. Amongst their suggestions is the ceasing of PIP and Universal Credit health benefits for individuals experiencing slighter forms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD - a change that could impact over a million beneficiaries, including those currently receiving standard-rate PIP for such conditions. For those who continue to be eligible due to receiving the enhanced rate of PIP, their payments would be cut by roughly £80 a week to match the standard rate. The report estimates this would save £7.4 billion annually by 2029/2030 and suggests that £1 billion of this could be reinvested in frontline mental health services such as NHS Talking Therapies, local support groups, work coaches and community interventions. The think tank suggests that limiting eligibility for PIP and the UC health element to the most severe cases of anxiety, depression and ADHD would save approximately £8.8 billion. Joe Shalam, policy director at the CSJ, said: "Liz Kendall deserves credit for tackling the perverse incentives that have crept into the welfare system since Covid. "People who cannot work due to sickness or disability must always be protected, but as our research shows, too many people are trapped in a cycle of dependency and wasted potential. "By tightening eligibility for mental health benefits and investing in therapy and employment support, ministers can save public money and transform lives. The Timms Review must be brought forward to Autumn, there is no time to lose." Labour's welfare reforms bill was supported by MPs only after a £5 billion reduction to PIP was dropped. However, the CSJ argues that the rising number of PIP claims are contributing to a significant gap between welfare and work that needs immediate attention. The report suggests that a person who is economically inactive and on Universal Credit, including the average housing element to cover their rent, and also receiving PIP, would have a taxpayer-funded Government income of around £25,000 - this increases to £27,500 for those awarded the highest rate of PIP. However, this amount drops to £22,550 once the welfare bill's cut to the Universal Credit health element for new claimants is considered. In contrast, a full-time worker earning the National Living Wage (NLW) is projected to make £22,500 after paying income tax and National Insurance, creating a £2,500 disparity between work and welfare for existing claimants. The CSJ argues that the gap widens even further when additional benefits are factored in. For instance, an unemployed single parent, claiming PIP for anxiety and disability allowance for a child with additional needs such as ADHD, would receive £36,900, which is over £14,000 more than the net wages of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage.
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Rupert Lowe cleared of breaching MPs' rules over grooming gang inquiry donations
An investigation was opened into the independent MP after a member of the public raised concerns about the donations he had received through a crowdfunder launched in March to support a national inquiry into the scandal of children being groomed and abused by gangs across the UK. Mr Lowe claimed the complainant had a 'clear and evidenced connection to Reform', his former political party. The MP for Great Yarmouth set up his investigation before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced there would be a new Government-backed inquiry in June. The fundraiser has so far raised more than £600,000, and the standards commissioner launched the investigation over concerns that Mr Lowe was yet to declare the money on his register of interests. MPs are required to update their register of interests within 28 days once they receive a donation from a single source of more than £1,500, or more than £300 in gifts or earnings. Concluding his investigation, Daniel Greenberg, Parliament's standards commissioner, wrote: 'Following a complaint from a member of the public that Mr Rupert Lowe MP had failed to register donations made to a crowdfunder organised by him in connection with his parliamentary activities, I opened a formal inquiry on 10 July 2025. 'My inquiry sought to confirm whether these donations qualified as registrable interests and whether Mr Lowe had failed to register them within the 28-day window set by the House.' Mr Lowe 'provided evidence that a number of donations made to the crowdfunder did cross the threshold for registration' the commissioner said. But the MP also provided evidence they were not accepted until June 23, which is within the 28-day window. Mr Greenberg added: 'As such, the 28-day window set by the House for the registration of those interests has not passed and no breach of the Rules has occurred.' Writing on social media site X after the conclusion of the investigation, Mr Lowe said: 'This complaint was a malicious attempt to shut me down and undermine our inquiry. 'The complainant, who held the leaked details of the 'confidential' investigation, has a clear and evidenced connection to Reform – you can draw your own conclusions about how this information reached the media.' The MP said he had 'immediately provided undeniable proof that all was done within the rules' when asked by the parliamentary watchdog. The complaint against me and our Rape Gang Inquiry has been cleared by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. This complaint was a malicious attempt to shut me down and undermine our inquiry. The complainant, who held the leaked details of the 'confidential'… — Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) July 11, 2025 Mr Lowe added: 'It's a hit job. Another hit job. 'I do not think that it is a coincidence that this complaint has come just a few days before we are welcoming 40 rape gang survivors to Parliament.' Mr Lowe plans to welcome a group of women, who experienced abuse at the hands of grooming gangs, to Westminster next week. 'Every MP will be invited to come and speak individually with survivors. Hear their stories, understand what actually happened – and what is still happening,' the MP said on X. Mr Lowe was elected as a Reform UK MP, but was suspended by the party in March amid claims he had threatened then-party chairman Zia Yusuf. He denied the allegations, and the Crown Prosecution Service said no criminal charges would be brought against him in relation to alleged threats towards Mr Yusuf. Mr Lowe has since accused his ex-colleagues of engaging in a 'sinister' attempt to use the police to silence him, and called Reform's leader Nigel Farage a 'coward and a viper'. Not long after he was suspended, Mr Lowe launched his private investigation into the grooming gang scandal, amid pressure from the Government's opponents for a new inquiry.
