Neglect is sickening
The NHS in England is suffering from more than a decade of neglect by this Conservative government.
Ambulance waits are at a record high, more than six million people are on the waiting list and mental health services are unable to cope.
She announced that patients will be able to see a GP within two weeks but this was an “expectation” rather than a cast-iron promise.
By comparison, when Labour was in power there was a 48-hour target for appointments.
Ms Coffey also announced £500million for more social care places for discharged patients.
While she is right to identify this as a crucial issue, the money is insufficient and will come from raiding NHS budgets elsewhere.
The British Medical Association called it “rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic”.
Instead of these short-term fixes, Ms Coffey should be addressing the long-term challenges of underfunding and staff shortages.
Gas gamblers
At the last election the Tories pledged they would only support fracking if it was scientifically proven to be safe.
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg yesterday tore up that promise by authorising a new round of drilling for shale gas.
He ignored valid concerns that fracking will cause earthquakes, increase pollution and damage the environment.
To the anger of many Tory MPs, he also signalled that he was prepared to override objections by local communities.
Instead of gambling on an unproven policy, the Government should invest in renewables that will create jobs and reduce emissions.
Braking points
Owners of petrol cars are reluctant to switch to electric vehicles because of the lack of charging points.
Drivers want to go green, not be driven round the bend with frustration.
