Evaluating Government Performance
Gillian Keegan’s Assessment
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan refrains from giving the Government top marks, rating its performance as “Good” based on Ofsted’s grading scale. She highlights achievements such as the increase in Good or Outstanding schools from 68% to 89% and the establishment of an apprenticeship system training 5.7 million people.
Rishi Sunak’s Admission
Chancellor Rishi Sunak admits shortcomings in delivering on promises, particularly in reducing NHS waiting lists. Despite the Prime Minister’s pledge to address the backlog by January 2023, waiting lists continue to rise. Sunak attributes the delays to NHS strikes and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Challenges and Excuses
While acknowledging the increased investments in the NHS leading to more staff and resources, Sunak points to industrial action and pandemic-related shutdowns as contributing factors to the backlog. He recognizes the impact of these events on the healthcare system’s functioning and service delivery.
Legal Setback and Policy Adjustments
The Government’s initiative to deter small boat arrivals, a key pledge, faces uncertainty following a Supreme Court ruling against its lawfulness. Efforts to address this issue by designating Rwanda as a safe country are underway in Parliament, aiming to navigate around legal obstacles.
Current Political Landscape
Amidst debates and challenges in meeting key promises, the Government grapples with evaluating its performance across various sectors, from education to healthcare. Public scrutiny and officials’ acknowledgments of shortcomings underscore the complexities of governance and policy implementation.
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