Union Warns Thousands Of NHS Jobs At Risk

Thousands of jobs could be at risk in the NHS in England because of spending cuts.

The Royal College of Nursing has estimated that between 5,000 and 35,000 jobs could be axed if the NHS pushes ahead with spending cuts.

The union has said the loss of posts would put the health service under "real strain".

The NHS has been asked to find between £15bn and £20bn pounds in efficiency savings over the next three years.

Dr Carter from the Royal College of Nursing said it was "disingenuous" to suggest you could remove £20bn from the £100bn NHS budget and "nothing changes".

"I really can't see that you can take £20bn out and expect everything to carry on as is it is."

He said that losses from redundancies and posts not being replaced on retirement would be felt across the health service, not solely nursing staff.

He continued that staff cuts would have a real impact on patient care.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham promised that frontline jobs would be protected under Labour.

"It would not be right to guarantee every job. But Labour will protect frontline services, which we can't do without protecting frontline staff."

Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb, said: "It's incredibly short-sighted to think the only way to save money in the NHS is to slash and burn services."

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "We know that by cutting bureaucracy and the tick-box targets, we can free nurses to care."

"Because we will increase the NHS budget, savings will be reinvested in frontline care and improvements."

In data collected by the Royal College Of Nursing from 180 trusts in April, nearly all health care workers believed they were already short staffed at least several times a month.

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One Thousand Primary Schools 'Failing Pupils

Nearly 1,000 primary schools across the country are underperforming in English and maths, according to official figures.

New primary school league tables based on 11-year-olds' performances in tests show many schools would be classed as failing under targets announced by the Government last month.

The coalition said schools would fail to meet targets if less than 60% of pupils reached Level Four in English and Maths.

They would also fail if the number of children making two levels of progress between the ages of five and 11 (Key Stages 1 and 2) was lower than the national average.

According to the results 926 schools, out of around 11,500 for which results are known, fail to meet this threshold.

Those that have failed to reach the targets risk being taken over or closed.

    Currently half of all 10 and 11-year-old boys who qualify for free school meals are being let down by our education system.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb

The national average for reaching a level four in English this year was 87%, and for maths it was 86% - much higher than the national target.

However, data for a quarter of schools is missing due to a boycott by the National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Headteachers which would have affected the results.

It means each table shows gaps in results for schools that did not sit the tests, making it harder for parents to compare results.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the statistics show many primaries were providing a "first-class education".

But he added: "Currently half of all 10- and 11-year-old boys who qualify for free school meals are being let down by our education system.

Primary Schools Failing - Exam

The league tables are based on English and Maths results

"It is unacceptable that after seven years of primary school these children are not at the standard in English and maths that they need to flourish at secondary school.

"Ministers are focused on improving reading ability and raising behaviour standards.

"We are introducing new fair but firm floor standards to identify under-performing schools."

Manuden Primary School in Bishop's Stortford was the best-performing school, with Pilgrim School in Kent the most improved school.

Starks Field primary school, in Enfield, north London, performed the worst, according to the figures.

For the first time this year, results for science tests were not included, because they were scrapped by former Schools Secretary Ed Balls.

:NEWS BY:http://news.sky.com/home

Robert Pattinson, Sarah Palin And “Prometheus” In New TRAILER PARK

Three trailers have reached the Web as people attempt to scurry away from their laptops and enjoy the holidays with friends and family. But they are worth watching, so take a moment and enjoy the cinematic teases.

First, Ridley Scott has dropped our first look at “Prometheus,” a sci-fi adventure with a stellar cast (Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace) that most thought would be a prequel to his seminal “Alien” (and many still believe will be connected somehow). Either way, Scott’s return to science-fiction heralds attention no matter what he’s attempting, and so “Prometheus” is high on our radar heading into 2012.

Next up is “Bel Ami,” Robert Pattinson’s steamy period romance that finds the “Twilight” heartthrob sleeping his way through Europe in search of wealth and power. Now that sounds like a tough task for the young actor, don’t you think? “Bel Ami” opens in March. The trailer is an MSN exclusive.

Finally, Julianne Moore and Ed Harris tackle real-life politicians Sarah Palin and John McCain in HBO’s “Game Change,” the adaptation of the best-selling book about their failed presidential campaign. “So find me a woman,” Harris’ McCain says when looking for a game-changing running mate. And Moore’s impersonation of Palin is a game changer, indeed.

I take it back. That’s not an impersonation. That’s the spitting image of Palin. It’s scary. And the movie looks scary good, no matter what side of the political fence you fall on. All three films will be out next year.


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