Polls open in Clacton, where Farage spent more than £10,000 in byelection against Count Binface – as it happened
The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelection The number of patients in England being cared for in hospital corridors or makeshift areas has remained above 3,000 a day for the second month in a row, as the NHS experiences a “summer surge” , the Press Association reports. This was happening as A&E attendance numbers reached 2.5m in July – higher…
Polls opened in Clacton on Thursday, where former Reform UK leader Nigel Farage poured more than £10,000 into a byelection campaign against his opponent, Count Binface. Meanwhile, the National Health Service (NHS) in England continues to grapple with unprecedented pressure during the summer months. Over the past two months, the number of patients being cared for in hospital corridors or makeshift areas has remained above 3,000 per day, marking the second consecutive month of this phenomenon.
This surge in demand has been attributed to the extreme heat, which has led to an increase in accidents and respiratory issues linked to dry weather, as well as the worsening of underlying medical conditions. NHS waiting times for treatment actually decreased slightly in June after rising for two months straight, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing challenges.
The health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has warned that the health service must start planning for summer pressures in the same manner as winter. However, the rising numbers prompt a critical question about the impact on local job markets, such as the 1,500 jobs in northern Scotland being affected by the shift towards offshore renewables.
Scotland's contribution to European energy security remains a significant concern for leaders across the continent.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
