Ministers launched a new Road Safety Strategy and the “NHS Online” service, alongside updates on immigration enforcement and regional investment. The Department for Transport outlined measures to reduce road casualties, while the Department of Health and Social Care focused on digital access and prescription costs. The Home Office announced new powers regarding device seizures at the border. The post with the highest engagement was Ed Miliband’s statement on energy bills and the Budget.
Three Major Themes
- Road Safety Strategy: The Department for Transport and Heidi Alexander launched a strategy including “tougher action on drink driving” and mandatory eye tests for older drivers. Wes Streeting expressed support for the “proposal on alcohol and drink driving.”
- NHS and Public Health: The Department of Health and Social Care launched “a new online hospital” and confirmed prescription charges are “staying under a tenner.” Wes Streeting noted that ambulance handovers are “more than 14 minutes quicker than last year.”
- Immigration and Borders: The Home Office stated that law enforcement can now “seize the devices” of small boat arrivals suspected of smuggling. They also reported that almost “50,000 illegal migrants have been removed or deported.”
The Wales Office announced that a new AI Growth Zone in South Wales “will create more than 5,000 jobs,” a sentiment echoed by Jo Stevens. The Department of Health and Social Care launched “a new online hospital” intended to cover nine health conditions. Meanwhile, the Department for Transport promoted the “Great British Rail Sale,” and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government warned that cold weather “poses serious dangers to people sleeping rough.”
Ed Miliband stated that the government “raised taxes on the wealthiest” to address energy costs. The Home Office reported that deportation figures are at a “near decade high.” Later, Yvette Cooper stated that “Greenland belongs to its people.”
Wes Streeting urged the public to “get your flu jab” and noted that despite improvements, the NHS is “still facing a challenging January.” Heidi Alexander and the Department for Transport launched a new Road Safety Strategy, which includes “minimum learning periods for learner drivers” and mandatory eye tests for older drivers. Concurrently, the Home Office announced that law enforcement can now “seize the devices” of those suspected of people-smuggling. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed they are “keeping costs down” by maintaining current prescription charges.
Outlook / Emerging Trends
The Department for Transport stated the new Road Safety Strategy is “aiming to cut deaths and serious injuries… by 65% by 2035.” Wes Streeting encouraged the public to “take part in” the associated consultation. The Wales Office stated the new AI Growth Zone “will create more than 5,000 jobs,” and the Department of Health and Social Care noted the new online hospital “will initially cover nine health conditions.”
