'Ministers ignored the concrete time bomb - their arrogance is breathtaking'
The emergency evacuation of hundreds of schools epitomises the dire state of the country after 13 years of Tory misrule.
Every aspect of this scandalous situation is a reflection on how poorly they have governed. Instead of investment in schools they chose austerity. When alarms sounded that buildings were dangerous they ignored them. And when the crisis hit they took no responsibility.
Ministers were first told in 2018 of the serious risk posed by lightweight concrete. Councils, heads and the unions begged the Department for Education for funds to make buildings safe. It was to no avail. As recently as June, the National Audit Office sounded the alarm about the critical risks posed by crumbling school buildings.
Ministers ignored this time bomb until the last few seconds remained on the clock. Then, as if to underline their ineptitude, they failed to confirm how many schools are affected and appear to have no plan to support pupils whose education has been disrupted. The incompetence and arrogance is breathtaking. A Government that cannot even carry out its most basic duties shouldn’t be in office.
Disaster diets
This week we shone a light on diets dominated by ultra-processed food. These highly manufactured products, responsible for around 60% of our average energy intake, pose a major risk to life. As we report today, the NHS faces a tsunami of obesity that threatens to overwhelm it.
Within 10 years we will be spending more treating type 2 diabetes, just one condition caused by poor diet, than on cancer care. Taxpayers should not have to pick up the bill for an epidemic caused by profit-hungry multinational food giants.
Tough Material
Madonna is rehearsing and ready for her new tour just months after she was rushed to intensive care. The 65-year-old Material Girl is clearly made of strong stuff.
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