Drug seizures in 2024: record volumes
Drug seizures in 2024 reached record-breaking levels, latest figures reveal. In total, law enforcement agencies confiscated 12.8 metric tons of illegal substances, up from 11.4 metric tons the previous year. The most significant rise was seen in Class A drugs, with cocaine accounting for 6.1 metric tons of the total haul – a 15% increase […]
NHS waiting lists fall for fourth consecutive month but backlog remains
NHS waiting lists have fallen for the fourth consecutive month. As NHS staff delivered a record 18 million treatments in the year of 2024, waiting lists have fallen from 6.28 million to 6.24 million patients awaiting treatment in the month of December. However, a significant backlog still remains, with 7.3 million people still waiting to […]
NHS reveals stark cancer waiting times statistics
74,000 people did not start their cancer treatment on time last year, according to latest data from NHS England. The NHS has confirmed that the majority of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) did not meet targets set for cancer waiting times. This is measured according to three standards: the Faster Diagnosis Standard, which calls for 75% […]
Tooth decay in 5-Year-Olds drops, but regional disparities remain stark
New data released on Tuesday by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) highlights persistent inequalities in dental health among England’s 5-year-olds, despite a slight national improvement. The survey for 2023/24 revealed that 22.4% of children experienced obvious dentinal decay – down from 23.7% in 2021/22. The North West and London recorded the highest […]
National apprenticeship week: Apprenticeship starts rise
New figures released by the Department for Education during National Apprenticeship Week show a 1.3% rise in apprenticeship starts, with 132,560 new apprentices embarking on their training between August 2023 and October 2024. The figures indicate a growing interest in vocational careers, with overall apprenticeship participation increasing by 2.1%, bringing the total number of learners […]
Social care receipt rates on the rise
As of June 2024, 662,320 people in England were receiving long-term social care—an increase from the previous year. While the number of individuals in residential and nursing care remained steady, community-based social care saw a rise. Figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) last Thursday indicate that for every 100,000 adults […]
Local authorities to receive an increased boost in public health grants
Local public health services have been given a £200 million boost in public health grants for the financial year of 2025/2026. This increased source of funding is said to strengthen family and school nurses, sexual health clinics and other public health services. The new development comes as part of the government’s Plan for Change, in […]
Alcohol deaths reach record high
The numbers of deaths due to alcohol reached a record high, latest data shows. A total of 10,473 people died due to diseases known to be a direct consequence of alcohol in 2023. Figures from the Office for National Statistics, released on Wednesday, revealed alarming rates of alcohol deaths per 100k people in multiple UK […]
Councils in England set to receive £69 billion
Councils in England set to receive £69 billion in 2025-26 funding, but concerns remain. Local councils in England will have access to more than £69 billion in funding for the 2025-26 financial year, according to a government announcement on Monday. The Local Government Finance Settlement, unveiled by Angela Rayner, is part of an effort to […]
Average property prices in rural and urban areas
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), properties in ‘predominantly rural’ areas in England cost on average £7,000 less than those in ‘predominantly urban’ areas. In England, house prices average at £323,471 per house. The local authority which registered the highest average price across the board was Kensington and Chelsea at […]