Nurses are skipping meals to feed and clothe their children, and staff are finding it hard to make the journey to work due to rising living costs, a new survey (weblink) reveals.
Every trust that responded reported concerns about the mental, physical, and financial wellbeing of staff as a result of the cost of living, a release from NHS Providers has said.
One trust leader said, "For some staff this is the final straw psychologically after two years of Covid.”
Food banks and debt counselling are among ways trusts are helping staff to cope with financial hardship.
Responses from trust leaders, published by NHS Providers which represents every NHS hospital, mental health, community, and ambulance service in England, also show the direct impact the cost of living is having on demand for care and support, with some patients struggling with the increasing costs of managing their conditions.
More than half (54 per cent) of trusts responded to the survey, covering every region of England.
Published as the cap on typical household energy bills rises to £2,500 on 1 October, the survey found that:
71 per cent of trust leaders reported that many staff are struggling to afford to travel to work;
69 per cent said the cost of living is having a ‘significant or severe’ impact on their ability to recruit lower-paid roles such as porters and healthcare assistants;
61 per cent reported a rise in mental health sickness absence;
81 per cent are ‘moderately or extremely’ concerned about staff’s physical health;
95 per cent said that the cost of living increases had significantly or severely worsened local health inequalities;
72 per cent said they have seen more people coming to mental health services due to stress, debt and poverty;
51 per cent said they have seen an increase in safeguarding concerns as a result of people’s living conditions.
With a staggering 132,000 vacancies already across trusts, two in three trust leaders reported a ‘significant or severe’ impact from staff leaving to work in sectors such as pubs, restaurants and shops for better pay.
Soaring prices and bills have dented morale and are making it harder for them to recruit and retain staff, say trust leaders.
The trusts fear that cost-of-living increases will make a challenging winter even harder as they face more demand for care exacerbated by the cost of living, alongside increased staff shortages due to stress, illness and turnover -- heaping more pressure on overstretched services.
Alongside workforce pressures, the trusts are worried about the impact on public health of the rising cost of living, especially on older people and children in less affluent communities.
Three in four trusts are seeing a rise in mental health need related to stress, debt or poverty, and half said they had seen a rise in safeguarding concerns as a result of people’s living conditions.
The government’s recent intervention on rising energy costs for households, the public sector, and business was welcome. Now trusts leaders are asking for more co-ordinated national action.
Miriam Deakin, director of Policy and Strategy at NHS Providers, said, “The rising cost of living is harming people’s health and widening health inequalities. Our survey reveals just what NHS staff are going through, on top of the psychological impact of the pandemic and high levels of work-related stress.
“Trusts have called it a ‘tipping point’ for the workforce. All NHS staff have been given below-inflation pay awards this year by the government, leaving them worse off in real terms.
“Trusts are vital hubs at the heart of their communities, ‘go to’ institutions where people seek help in difficult times, and are doing everything they can to support staff, patients and the public.
“But the cost of living pressures are too big and wide-ranging to be left to local NHS trusts to solve on top of everything else they are grappling with.
“We need realism from government and national leaders, and recognition of the scale of the challenge. The rising cost of living is adding to pressures as the NHS seeks to reduce care backlogs and trust leaders fear it will have long lasting impacts on the health of the most deprived communities.”
THE UK has recorded its first increase in births since 2021, with a notable rise in babies born to fathers over 60 helping to lift the numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In 2024, there were 594,677 live births in England and Wales, up 0.6 per cent from the previous year. While this is a modest increase, it marks a change after several years of decline.
The ONS highlighted that the number of births to fathers aged 60 and above jumped by 14.2 per cent compared with 2023, rising from 942 to 1,076.
This group of older fathers has played a key role in pushing up the birthrate, even as the number of younger parents continues to fall, reported the Times.
The data also showed that almost a third of all babies born last year had mothers who were born outside the UK. In 2024, 33.9 per cent of live births were to non-UK-born women, the highest proportion since records began in 2001.
Despite this small increase, the overall number of births remains historically low. Last year’s total was the third-lowest since 1977, reflecting a long-term trend of fewer young people having children.
The average age of both mothers and fathers continues to rise. The number of babies born to mothers under 20 fell by 4.6 per cent, and there was also a drop for mothers aged 20 to 24. Births to fathers under 20 also fell slightly, while the biggest increases were seen in parents aged 35 and over
Regional differences were also clear. While England saw a small overall rise in births, some areas, such as the North East, East Midlands, East, South East, and South West, actually experienced a decline. The West Midlands and London saw the biggest increases, with birthrates up 3.4 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively. In contrast, Wales recorded a two per cent fall in live births compared to 2023.
Bridget Phillipson, secretary of state for education, has urged young Britons to consider starting families sooner, warning about the “worrying repercussions” of a falling birthrate. She pointed to the rising cost of housing and childcare as reasons why many young people are putting off having children, saying, “Young Britons are thinking twice about having a family because of the rising costs of housing and childcare,” The Times reported.
Greg Ceely, head of population monitoring at the ONS, said, “In 2024, the annual number of births in England and Wales reversed the recent trend of declining births, recording the first increase seen since 2021. Despite this overall rise, the number of births to mothers under 30 fell as people continue to put off having children until later in life. The largest decrease is seen amongst those under 20 years old, which fell by almost five per cent, while the number of mothers aged 35 to 39 grew the most.
"A couple of other long-term trends are continuing, such as seeing around half of live births within marriage or civil partnership, and an increase in births to non-UK-born mothers.”
Experts have warned that if the birthrate continues to fall, the UK could face long-term challenges, including a shrinking workforce and rising national debt. The Office for Budget Responsibility has previously said that without a recovery in the birthrate, government debt could soar over the next 50 years.
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The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year. (Photo credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)
THE QUAD grouping has called for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the Pahalgam terror attack to be brought to justice without delay. The group also urged all UN member states to cooperate in the process.
The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year.
In a joint statement, the ministers condemned the April 22 attack in strong terms and called for firm action against cross-border terrorism. The statement did not mention Pakistan or the four-day military conflict between Indian and Pakistani forces in May.
Condolences and call for justice
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and extend our heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery to all those injured,” the ministers said.
“We call for the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard,” they said.
The meeting was attended by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
Concerns over maritime security and China’s actions
The ministers also expressed serious concern over growing military activity in the East China Sea and South China Sea. Without naming China directly, they said, “We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.”
They referred to “dangerous and provocative actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of the freedoms of navigation and overflight, and the dangerous manoeuvres by military aircraft and coast guard and maritime militia vessels.”
In this context, they pointed to “unsafe use of water cannons and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea”, saying such actions threaten peace and stability in the region.
“We are seriously concerned by the militarisation of disputed features. We emphasise the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and unimpeded commerce consistent with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the ministers said.
They said that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully and in line with international law. They also underlined the 12 July 2016 ruling by the Arbitral Tribunal, calling it a “significant milestone and the basis” for settling disputes between the parties. The tribunal had ruled against China’s claims in the South China Sea in a case filed by the Philippines.
Supply chain reliability and critical minerals
The Quad ministers also raised concern about the “abrupt constriction and future reliability” of global supply chains for critical minerals, referring to China’s role in the sector.
“This includes the use of non-market policies and practices for critical minerals, certain derivative products, and mineral processing technology,” the statement said.
They stressed the need for diversified and reliable supply chains. “Reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation, and supply chain disruptions, which further harms our economic and national security,” they said.
The Quad also announced plans to launch a “Quad Ports of the Future” partnership in Mumbai later this year.
Myanmar crisis and regional stability
The foreign ministers expressed concern over the “worsening crisis” in Myanmar and its regional impact.
“We call on the regime to adhere to its commitment to a ceasefire, and call on all parties to implement, extend and broaden ceasefire measures,” they said.
“We reaffirm our strong support for ASEAN’s efforts, including calling for the full and effective implementation of the Five Point Consensus in seeking an inclusive, durable, and peaceful resolution to the crisis,” they said.
The statement also called on all sides to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance. “We are also concerned about the impact of the crisis on regional security and the spread of transnational crimes,” the ministers added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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FILE PHOTO: Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso
A FIRE that shut London's Heathrow airport in March, stranding thousands of people, was caused by the UK power grid's failure to maintain an electricity substation, an official report said on Wednesday (2), prompting the energy watchdog to open a probe.
The closure of Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, cost airlines tens of millions of pounds. It also raised questions about the resilience of Britain's infrastructure.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband called the report "deeply concerning", after it concluded that the issue which caused the fire was identified seven years ago but went unaddressed by power grid operator National Grid. Energy regulator Ofgem said it was "a preventable, technical fault".
As a result of the report, Ofgem launched an enforcement investigation into National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), which owns and maintains the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales.
Heathrow said via email that it was considering whether it wanted to pursue legal action, and that it expected National Grid to take "accountability for these failings." Heathrow itself, along with airline companies, could potentially face a hefty compensation bill for the disruption caused to travellers.
The report said a "catastrophic failure" on one of the transformer's high-voltage bushings at NGET's 275 kilovolt substation caused the transformer to catch fire, most likely due to moisture entering the bushing, sparking an electrical fault.
Despite detecting an elevated moisture reading in one of the bushings in 2018, which indicates an imminent fault that requires the component to be replaced, the company did not fix the issue, the report said.
The controls in place were not effective and failed to identify that no action had been taken, including during an opportunity in 2022 when NGET decided to defer basic maintenance, letting the issue go unaddressed, it added.
A National Grid spokesperson said that the company had a comprehensive asset inspection and maintenance programme in place and that it had taken further action since the fire.
"There are important lessons to be learnt about cross-sector resilience and the need for increased coordination," the spokesperson said.
Ofgem plans to review whether National Grid complied with the relevant legislation and licence conditions relating to the development and maintenance of its electricity system close to Heathrow.
The regulator will also commission an independent audit into National Grid assets to review whether the failings were a one-off or systemic, it said.
In an earlier response to the report, Heathrow blamed the incident on a "combination of outdated regulation, inadequate safety mechanisms, and National Grid’s failure to maintain its infrastructure".
Its own review found in May that the airport had responded well to the power outage, saying alternative choices would not have materially changed the outcome on the day.
TRIBUTES have poured in for a 'kind-hearted' mother who tragically lost her life last week after being attacked in Leicester.
Nila Patel, 56, a British Indian woman described as a "beautiful, vibrant soul," died in hospital two days after suffering a head injury during an assault on Aylestone Road.
She was attacked shortly after a BMW overturned nearby at around 5.30pm last Tuesday (24). The incident left her with severe injuries, and despite medical efforts, she passed away in hospital. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the provisional cause of her death was a head injury.
Her children, Jaiden and Danika Patel, have spoken movingly about their mother’s life and the deep impact she had on those around her.
In a heartfelt statement, they described Patel as “one of the most kind-hearted people you could ever meet” and “a loyal friend, and an incredibly hard worker.”
They said: “We are heartbroken, but we want the world to know who our mum truly was - a beautiful, vibrant soul who deserved so much more.
“Mum was one of the most kind-hearted people you could ever meet. Her love was quiet but powerful - shown through warm meals, thoughtful words, and a smile that could light up any room. She always put others before herself, offering comfort without ever asking for anything in return. Even when life was hard, she carried on with strength, dignity and a smile on her face.
“She was a devoted mother, a loyal friend, and an incredibly hard worker. At home and in her career, she gave everything she had - never complaining, always giving. She raised us with patience, love, and unwavering support, and our greatest wish was always to make her proud.
“Mum’s life was full of love, and the stories we’ve heard from those who knew her have reminded us of just how deeply she touched the lives around her. She was truly rich in love and generosity. We will miss her more than words can ever express. We didn’t get the chance to say goodbye, and that pain is something we carry every day. But we will continue to speak her name with pride, honour her memory, and live by the values she taught us.
“Mum’s story matters. Her life mattered. We ask that anyone who hears her story helps us keep her name and memory alive.”
Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police have charged 23-year-old Michael Chuwuemeka, of Dover Street in Leicester, with the murder of Patel.
He appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court last Saturday (28). Chuwuemeka is scheduled to attend a plea and trial preparation hearing at Leicester Crown Court on September 26. A provisional trial date was set for February 23 next year.
He has also been charged with dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, attempted grievous bodily harm related to an earlier incident on Welford Road, and assault of an emergency worker following his arrest.
Additionally, he faces a charge of causing actual bodily harm in connection with a separate victim in London in the early hours of last Tuesday.
Following the crash and subsequent attack, police cordoned off the area on Aylestone Road and launched an investigation. The force has since set up an online portal to encourage anyone with further information about the incident to come forward.
The death of Patel has deeply affected the local community. Friends and neighbours have remembered her as a warm and generous person who was always ready to help others.
(with inputs from PTI)
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington. (Photo: Reuters)
THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) has completed the fourth review of Sri Lanka’s USD 2.9 billion bailout programme, allowing the country to access the next tranche of USD 350 million from the four-year facility.
The IMF had approved the nearly USD 3 billion bailout in March 2023 to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to restore macroeconomic stability, including fiscal and debt sustainability, during an unprecedented economic crisis.
The programme has helped Sri Lanka rebuild its foreign reserves and carry out debt restructuring negotiations with external creditors.
“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the fourth review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw SDR254 million (about USD 350 million),” the IMF said in a statement.
With this latest disbursement, the total financial support provided so far under the facility stands at SDR1.27 billion (about USD 1.74 billion).
Economic reforms required under the IMF programme have resulted in widespread hardship, which the global lender has said is necessary to ensure long-term growth and stability.
The measures have been unpopular and contributed to the change of government in 2024.
The current administration, led by the National People's Power—which had earlier criticised the IMF's reform conditions and promised to review them—continues to adhere to the IMF-supported programme.