UK towns that saw rioting last summer have ‘torn social fabric’, report claims

A majority of towns that saw rioting last summer have a “torn social fabric” and have been bearing the brunt of economic deprivation, according to a new report.The report was published by the charitable trust Power to Change, using a “social fabric index” produced by the Onward thinktank which looks at the changing nature of community in different parts of the UK.It found that 23 of the 27 places that experienced disorder last summer have a social fabric score that was far below the median.Some of the areas where violence broke out, such as Hull, where windows of a hotel that was used to house migrants were smashed and three police officers were injured, and Middlesbrough, where a 1,000-strong riot saw police attacked, as well as homes, cars and public buildings vandalised, had the lowest social fabric score in the UK.The Social Fabric Index, which has been produced by Onward every year since 2020, looks at an area’s economic value, such as employment rates; relationships, such as rates of volunteering; positive norms, such as the levels of education in the area; civic infrastructure, such as trust in government; and physical infrastructure, looking at data on local assets and green spaces

Radical planning reform needed to hit 1.5m housebuilding target in England, Labour warned

Labour will miss its manifesto target of building 1.5m homes in England before the end of this parliament without more radical reform to the planning system, the thinktank the Centre for Cities has warned.Keir Starmer put tackling housing affordability at the heart of his pitch to voters, promising to “get Britain building again”.However, the thinktank says the actions the government has taken so far – including re-establishing local housing targets and boosting funding for social housing – do not go far enough.In a report, the Centre for Cities analyses housebuilding data stretching back to 1947, when the Town and Country Planning Act was introduced, laying the groundwork for the system in place today

Over-60s who live apart from partners have better wellbeing, study finds

It’s known as living apart, together. Being in a serious relationship while remaining at separate addresses has long been a lifestyle more associated with people starting out in life.But those aged 60 and above who date like people in their 20s enjoy better mental wellbeing, the largest study of its kind has found.Couples who meet in later life and decide against moving in together experience mental health benefits comparable to marriage or cohabiting – but without the “frictions”, “intense day-to-day interactions” and care commitments that come with those relationships, the research showed.They also avoid the “legal obligations and institutional binding” that make it harder to get out of an unhappy marriage, according to the study from Prof Yang Hu at Lancaster University and Dr Rory Coulter at University College London

Counselling charity Relate goes into administration

Britain’s biggest relationship counselling charity is on the verge of insolvency after failing to overcome financial difficulties caused by a collapse in funding from NHS, school and local authority contracts.Relate has been put into administration, with staff told that it has four to six weeks to find a buyer or merger partner if it is to stay afloat. The 26 local branches of the charity, which are each independent, are not affected.There are fears hundreds of clients could have sessions cancelled after 80 staff – a third of the workforce at Relate’s central arm – including 40 counsellors were made redundant with immediate effect.The crisis facing the central charity comes amid growing concern about the future of many charities that are struggling to balance the books in the face of rising costs and demand, and declining donations and contract income

Whistleblowing reform must include GPs | Letters

As a whistleblower within general practice, I share the concerns many of us have about confidentiality. I have faced retribution and detrimental treatment (NHS bosses who silence whistleblowers face sack under government plans, 24 November).Both I and a colleague reported serious patient safety concerns and witnessed dishonesty. Unfortunately, we have experienced what is known in whistleblower circles as the “playbook” of mistreatment, while authorities slowly gather the evidence needed to act on our reports. This abuse has included the spreading of false rumours, slurs on our character and professional work, false referrals to regulatory bodies and bullying

NHS bosses reportedly worried about Starmer’s pledge to cut waiting lists

NHS bosses are said to be privately concerned about Keir Starmer’s ambitious targets to cut waiting lists for routine operations, set to be announced later this week, which will also include specific targets on living standards and housebuilding.The prime minister is expected on Thursday to set a target for 92% of routine operations and appointments in England to be carried out within 18 weeks by March 2029 – a goal that has not been achieved in almost a decade – the Times has reported.At Rachel Reeves’s October budget, the chancellor promised an extra £22bn for the NHS over the next two years to help cut waiting times. A source at the Department of Health and Social Care denied any specific concerns had been raised yet by NHS England leadership over the planned targets.No 10 insiders have said the new numerical targets, although risky, were a necessary recognition that Starmer’s “missions” which he set out in the run-up to the election were too conceptual for most people