Bold action or slow decay? The state of NHS dentistry and future policy actions

NHS-funded dental services in England are in near-terminal decline: nearly six million fewer courses of NHS dental treatment were provided last year than in the pre-pandemic year; funding in 2021/22 was over £500m lower in real terms than in 2014/15; and there are widespread problems in accessing a dentist.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LIVING STANDARD IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY

High inflation pushed the cost of raising a child to £166,000 for a couple and £220,000 for a lone parent in 2023 but the enduring impact of benefit cuts and ongoing price rises have left many parents unable to give their children what the public says is a minimum acceptable living standard, new research shows.

Hunger in The UK

Food bank managers and volunteers have known for years what is pushing people towards hunger in their communities and have been working tirelessly to support the growing number of people facing hardship who are forced to their doors. But for the first time, we now know the breadth and depth of hunger in the UK, as well its causes, impacts and who is most likely to be affected.

People with learning disabilities and autism in inpatient mental health care

This briefing examines the NHS long term plan target to reduce the number of people with learning disabilities and autism in inpatient mental health care. It provides an overview of the government’s approach to achieve the goal, examines the progress that has been made and provides a range of further reading on the issue.

Inequalities amplified: The alarming rise of child poverty in the UK

More than 4.2 million children in the UK are growing up in poverty, a number that has been rising over the last decade and is forecast to grow even further. Failure to disrupt and reverse this trend will have profound impacts on individual life chances, have intergenerational effects and exacerbate structural racialised inequalities.