Chris Smyth
@Smyth_Chris
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Public Policy Editor @ft Previously Whitehall Editor @thetimes. DMs open
Joined September 2009
New planning rules in England to stop councils blocking developments https://t.co/3ZMjUU3Oro via @ft
ft.com
Government aims to drive ‘densification’ and revive push to build 1.5mn homes
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UK to push for nudity-blocking software on devices to protect children
ft.com
Home Office expected to encourage companies to introduce controls
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But ultimately a question about welfare reform also looms Government sources say the review can't ignore the the costs and rising numbers of young people off sick This could lead to imaginative ideas - or be used to draw a line below which people will no longer get help 6/7
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Some argue that there is still huge underdiagnosis of these conditions - at the same time as some people are being over-diagnosed Review will look at whether private clinics are contributing to this 5/7
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ADHD and autism haven't got more common in reality, by contrast (and as they are neurodevelopmental conditions v different to mental health issues review will have to treat them a bit differently) But diagnosis has exploded, for reasons not fully understood 4/7
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A more interesting argument on this runs like this: Misery which may have many causes - from housing to relationships - can only be addressed by the state when medicalised. Through pills or benefits Are there better options? 3/7
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There has definitely been a rise in depression and anxiety Smartphones one possible culprit, cost of living another. But it does seem to be happening around the world The question of whether normal emotions are being needlessly pathologised will definitely be asked 2/7
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Wes Streeting has ordered a review of rising diagnosis of mental health problems, and ADHD and autism It is striking that we don't actually know what's going on, given huge and rising demand on the NHS and welfare system But expert view seems to be... 1/7
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Why? Because about 1-in-5 large families will hit up against the separate household cap which limits their total income from benefits Who is exempt from the cap? Those claiming disability or incapacity benefits.. Unintended consequences hard are to avoid in welfare reform
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Keir Starmer said this morning that the benefits system is "trapping people" and needs reform as those with health problems get stuck in a "cycle of worklessness and dependency" But in scrapping 2-child cap he has created a whole new incentive to claim sickness benefits...
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Medicines spend will rise to 12% of NHS budget, which is estimated to cost about £3bn No sign yet of where the money is coming from
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NICE value-for-money thresholds will be increased by £5,000 along with other technical changes. But sounds like this is a one-off, not the inflation-linked deal the industry was asking for
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Drug price deal with the US is finally due to be announced today Britain will promise to increase medicines spending by 25% in exchange for US tariff exemption - and hope of increased investment by industry
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OBR confirms that tax rises were almost entirely about Reeves choices on spending* - the "black hole" was never larger than £2.5bn and had gone entirely by October 20 Another unusual OBR release the chancellor could have done without... *and increasing headroom, to be fair
BREAKING The OBR says it informed Rachel Reeves as far back as ***September 17*** that the downgrade in productivity forecasts was offset by 'increases in real wages and inflation'. The deficit was in fact just £2.5billion By October 31 that deficit had turned into net positive
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Routine NHS prostate screening set to be rejected via @FT
ft.com
Committee recommends limited programme for thousands of men with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
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OBR forecasts on SEND spending are... bad. Deficit estimated at £2.5bn this year. £6.3bn within 3 years. £9.2bn by 2030 Govt is in position where if it claims it will deal with this by reform, it is effectively setting a savings target for vulnerable kids Welfare mk2?
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For all the tax rises, it was the choices Reeves didn’t make - on welfare and SEND - which may yet be the most painful. Analysis via @FT
ft.com
OBR sounds alarm on special needs and sickness spending
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