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A total of 37 NHS trusts increased car parking charges at some point in the two years to March 2024.

Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “NHS trusts – most of whom are under huge financial pressure – just couldn’t afford to maintain car parks without charging people to use them.

“The last thing trusts want to do is have to divert money away from patient services.

“City centre and urban hospital car parks where spaces are in great demand are a particular challenge.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said in a statement to PA: “Hospital car park charges are the responsibility of individual NHS trusts, however any charges must be reasonable and in line with the local area.

“Free parking is available for all NHS staff who work overnight.”

Here’s a list of the NHS trusts where the charges have increased, based on figures obtained by the Press Association following a Freedom of Information request. Not all trusts reported the figures in the same way.

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Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Charges were increased from 1 February 2023. Up to 20 minutes remained free, while stays of up to two hours, two to three hours, three to four hours and four to five hours all increased by 50p to £4.50, £5.50, £6.50 and £7.50 respectively.

Stays of five to six hours and the weekly rate remained the same.

Charges for stays of more than six hours increased by £1 to £10.

File photo dated 18/01/23 of a general view of staff on a NHS hospital ward. Nurses have rejected the Government's pay award of a 5.5% rise, it has been announced. Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in England rejected the deal by two-thirds in a record high turnout of around 145,000. Issue date: Monday September 23, 2024.
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Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Charges were increased from 1 February 2023. Up to 20 minutes remained free, with charges for up to two hours, two to three hours, three to four hours and four to five hours increasing by 50p to £4.50, £5.50, £6.50 and £7.50 respectively.

The day rate of more than six hours increased by £1 to £10. Tariffs for five to six hours remained the same (£8), as did the weekly rate (£25).

Barts Health NHS Trust

Tariffs were increased for patients and visitors during the period at Newham Hospital only.

Up to one hour was a new charge at £2.

Up to three hours increased by 70p to £3.70, while up to six hours increased by £1 to £7.

Charges for an eight-hour stay and up to 24 hours remained the same at £8 and £16.50 respectively.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased prices on 1 July 2023. Stays of two hours, two to three hours and three to six hours all increased by 20p to £2.70, £3.20 and £4.20 respectively. Six to 24 hours increased by 30p to £6.30.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased primary care tariffs and charges at Ipswich Hospital in August 2022, followed by Colchester Hospital in January 2023.

Up to 30 minutes at both hospitals remained free, although charges for one, two and four hours increased by 20p, 30p and 50p respectively to £2.20, £3.30 and £4.50.

There was a £5.50 charge introduced for five hours and a £10 charge for 24 hours. The price of an eight-hour stay increased to £6.50 from £5.

However, a five-day pass was cheaper at £12, down from £15, while a seven-day pass was £4 cheaper at £14.

In primary care, one hour was free, with two hours costing 30p more at £3.30.

A stay of four hours increased by 50p to £4.50, eight hours was £1.50 more at £6.50 and 24 hours was £2 more at £12.

A five-day pass was £1 dearer at £16, although the price of a seven-day pass remained the same at £18.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Tariffs were increased from January 2024:

Up to one hour – Up by 20p to £2

One to two hours – Up by 20p to £3.60

Two to three hours – Up by 25p to £5.20

Three to four hours – Up by 35p to £7

Four to five hours – Up by 40p to £8.50

Five to six hours – Up by £1 to £10.2

Six to 12 hours – Up by £1.10 to £11.80

Twelve to 24 hours – Up by 85p to £18.30

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Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

In 2022/23, the trust increased charges for up to two hours from £3.30 to £3.50.

In 2023/24, the tariff for up to two hours increased to £3.80, while three to four hours went up from £5.50 to £6 and a four to five-hour stay increased from £6.50 to £7.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Up to 20 minutes remained free, with the charge for up to one hour increased from £1.10 to £1.50 in 2023/24. Elsewhere:

One to two hours – up by 80p to £3

Two to three hours – up by £1.20 to £4.50

Three to four hours – up by £1.60 to £6

Four to five hours – up £2 to £7.50

Five to six hours – up £2.20 to £10

After 6pm, charges for up to two hours increased by 40p to £1.50, while more than two hours is £1 dearer at £3.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

There was a change in durations and charges from 1 December 2022.

Up to 30 minutes remained free, while tariffs for up to one hour increased by 20p to £2.

The trust stopped charging on the half hour, instead charging on the hour. For example, there was no longer a £2.80 charge for one hour 30 minutes.

The tariff changed to one to two hours at a cost of £3. Elsewhere, the £10 eight-to-24-hour stay changed to 12 to 24 hours at a cost of £16.

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Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased its prices for visitors by 3.9%, which it said was in line with inflation.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

The trust increased the price of staff permits as well as tariffs for visitors.

The price of a standard £30 staff permit, for example, went up by 2.3% to £32.24.

Hourly charges were also increased across its sites, including Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital.

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Hourly tariffs were increased by a total of 2.6%, while concessions, including weekly passes, went up by 1.0%. There was no increase to charges for patients having chemotherapy.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Prices were increased from 2023. Up to 30 minutes remained free, with a charge of £2.50 introduced for 30 minutes to one hour.

Elsewhere, stays of two to four hours, four to six hours and six to eight hours previously cost £4, £6 and £8 respectively, but charges for stays of two to three hours (£4), three to four hours (£5), four to five hours (£6), five to six hours (£7) and six to seven hours (£8) were introduced.

The trust previously charged £10 for stays of eight to 10 hours. Now, a stay of seven to 10 hours costs £10, while 10 to 16 hours is £12 and 16 to 24 hours is £15.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The trust said it aligned its car parking tariffs for patients and visitors across all its hospital sites following the reinstatement of parking charges.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased charges for stays of up to two hours, two to three hours, three to four hours and four to five hours by 20p, 30p, 40p and 50p respectively to £2.20, £3.30, £4.40 and £5.50.

Stays of between five and 24 hours remained the same at £10.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Charges did not increase for patients during the period.

However, the trust did change its staff charging structure, meaning some worker tariffs increased and others were reduced. Band seven staff and above were charged more for permits.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

According to its disclosure log, the trust increased tariffs.

The charge for 15 minutes to one hour went up by 10p to £2.80, a three-hour stay increased by 20p to £3.70, up to six hours went up by 20p to £5, up to eight hours increased by 20p to £5.50, while up to 24 hours increased by 40p to £11.

A weekly ticket is now £21, up from £20, and a lost ticket costs £11, up from £10.60.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased the tariff at its long-stay car park at the University Hospital of North Tees from 1 December 2023. The rate had previously been £2 per 14 hours and was increased to £2.50 per 14 hours.

All other parking rates remained unchanged from 2022/23 to 2023/24.

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North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Tariffs increased by 20p per hourly session at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital, but charges were not increased at Stamford and Rutland Hospital.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased tariffs for staff and patients during the period.

For the public, up to one hour went from £2.40 to £2.70, one to two hours increased from £3.90 to £4.40, two to four hours went up from £4.40 to £5 and more than four hours increased from £4.90 to £5.50.

Off-site barrier charges for staff increased from £8.50 to £9.60, while off-site non-barrier charges increased from £9.45 to £10.60. The charge for on-site barrier car parks went up from £25.50 to £28.40.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased tariffs for patients and visitors at John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Churchill Hospital on 1 August 2023.

Up to 30 minutes remained free, although 30 minutes to one hour increased from £1.40 to £2.20.

A one to two-hour stay was 10p cheaper at £2.70, as well as a two to three-hour stay which went from £4.20 to £3.70.

Three to four hours increased from £5.60 to £6.20 and the cost for more than four hours went up by £1 to £8. Stays between 8pm and 8am were previously free but now cost £2.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

According to the trust, staff are charged 1.25% when they park on site. It added that a 10% increase in 2023 “was based on the fact that the patient tariff had not been increased for four years” and therefore “10% was a fair increase based on inflation”.

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The trust increased the costs of its staff permits and parking charges for visitors.

A multi-site pass and a pass for the Royal Free Hospital increased from £94.28 to £99.84 per month for full-time staff from 1 April 2023. Part-time staff are charged £49.82, up from £47.14.

Tariffs for off-peak and weekend parking also increased slightly.

The staff permit tariff at Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals is charged based on a percentage of salary.

These percentages increased from 0.84% to 0.89% for full-time staff and 0.42% to 0.45% for part-time staff at both sites.

For patients, hourly charges were increased across all three hospitals from 1 December 2023.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

One hour £3.70 increased to £3.90

Two hours £4.70 increased to £4.90

Three hours £5.30 increased to £5.60

Four hours £5.80 increased to £6.10

Six hours £6.80 increased to £7.10

Twenty-four hours £9.80 increased to £10.30

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

Charges were increased by 4%.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Tariffs for patients and visitors increased on 15 January 2024.

Stays of up to two hours, two to three hours, three to six hours and six to 10 hours all increased by 50p each to £5, £6, £7, and £8 respectively.

Stays of between 10 and 24 hours increased from £6 to £13.

For staff, charges were reintroduced on 1 June 2023 and are banded by annual salary.

Those earning £23,000 or below pay 50p a day, while those on between £23,500 and £47,600 pay £1.25 a day. Workers on the highest salaries of £48,000 or above pay £1.80 a day.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Tariffs were increased in October 2022. Up to 30 minutes is free, up from 15 minutes, although charges for up to one hour increased from £1.20 to £2.

One to two hours increased from £2.40 to £4, two to three hours increased from £3.60 to £6 and three to four hours increased from £4.80 to £8.

A standard tariff for four to five hours is £12, up from £6, but will cost patients £8. A standard charge is £18 for five to 24 hours, but is £8 for patients. Previously, the standard charge for five to six hours and six to 24 hours was £7.20.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Stays of less than 15 minutes remained free but there was a 20p increase for stays of up to one hour, one to two hours, two to three hours and four to five hours.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

The trust changed its prices for patients and visitors from November 2023.

Up to 30 minutes – previously 20 minutes – was now free, with up to one hour costing £1.50. The price for two hours increased from £2.50 to £2.70, three hours was now £3.90, up from £3.50, and four hours cost £4.80, up from £4.50.

The price for stays of five hours and six hours remained the same. The charge for between seven and 24 hours was £15, with the £10.50 tariff for eight hours no longer available.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

The trust upped charges for its short and long-stay car parks from September 2023.

At the short stay, up to one hour increased by 20p, stays of up to two and three hours increased by 40p to £4.90 and £5.90 respectively, while up to four hours increased by 50p to £7.

Stays of up to five hours increased from £7.50 to £8.10, and six hours went from £8.50 to £9.20.

Stays of between six and 12 hours increased by £1 to £14 and between 12 and 24 hours is now £17.30, up from £16.

At the long-stay sites, there was no change to the charge for seven days. Stays of 14 days increased from £38.50 to £41.60 and 30 days was now £59.40, up from £55.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Up to 40 minutes was free, while up to two hours cost £3.50. The trust previously charged £1.80 for up to one hour and £3.40 for one to two hours.

A two to four hour stay was now £6, up 20p, while four to six hours increased by 20p to £7.30.

A six to eight-hour stay remained the same at £12 while eight to 24 hours went up by £1 to £16.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Tariffs were increased at University Hospital in Coventry and Hospital of St Cross in Rugby.

At University Hospital up to 10 minutes remained free. Up to one hour increased by 40p to £3.60, two hours went from £4.40 to £5, three hours increased by 70p to £5.70 and four hours went up by 80p to £6.80.

​​​​​​Stays of five hours increased by £1.10 to £8.90, up to six hours is £11, up from £9.70 and a 24-hour stay increased from £11 to £12.50.

At Hospital of St Cross, up to 30 minutes remained free. Up to three hours increased by 30p to £2.30, while up to five hours increased from £4.80 to £5.50. The tariff for up to 24 hours was now £9.70, up from £8.50.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

The price of a two-hour stay increased by 40p, while stays of three, four and six hours increased by 30p, 40p and 20p respectively. There was no change to prices for a 24-hour stay, although overnight – between 6pm and 7am – increased by £1.

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350% increase in hospital flu cases

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

In 2023/34, the trust increased parking for up to one hour to £3.30 from £3.

One to two hours increased from £4 to £4.30, two to three hours increased from £4.50 to £4.80, three to four hours increased from £5 to £5.80, and four to five hours increased from £5.50 to £5.80.

There was no change to charges for 5-6 hours, 6-7 hours, 7-8 hours, 8-9 hours, 9-10 hours, 10-11 hours, 11-12 hours, 12-24 hours, or a weekly pass.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

One hour – up by 30p to £3.30

Two hours – up by 40p to £4.40

Three hours – up by 50p to £5.50

Four hours – up by 60p to £6.60

Five hours – up by 65p to £7.15

Six hours – up by 75p to £8.25

Eight hours – up by 85p to £9.35

Twenty-four hours – up by 90p to £9.90

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

Charges increased at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Leigh Infirmary and the Freckleton Street multi-storey in November 2022.

Drop-offs and up to 30 minutes remained free, stays of up to two hours increased by 30p to £3.30, two to four hours and four to 24 hours increased by 50p to £5.50 and £7 respectively.

Charges at Wrightington Hospital and the Thomas Linacre Centre also increased in November 2022.

Drop-offs at up to 30 minutes remained free, while stays of up to one hour and one to two hours increased by 30p each to £2 and £3.

Two to four hours and four to 24 hours increased by 50p each to £5.50 and £7.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The trust said charges were brought in line with nearby council car parks at its York, Scarborough and Bridlington sites as part of the installation of automatic number plate registrations in April 2023.

In York, up to one hour increased by 30p to £2.50, with a 60p increase for two hours (£5), a £1.10 increase for three hours (£7.50) and a 20p increase for four hours to £9. All-day passes increased by 10p to £10.

In Scarborough, one hour increased by 25p to £1.45, two hours increased by 40p to £2.90, three hours went from £3.50 to £4.35 and four hours increased from £4.50 to £5.80. An all-day pass increased by £1.20 to £7.20.

In Bridlington, stays of up to an hour were 20p cheaper at £1. Stays of two, three and four hours remained the same and an all-day pass was made 60p cheaper at £5.40.

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Parents of boy whose outbursts left them fearing for their lives say Adolescence ‘touched a nerve’

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Parents of boy whose outbursts left them fearing for their lives say Adolescence 'touched a nerve'

A teenager suddenly becomes violent, his anger towards women fuelled by online influencers, while his parents struggle to process what their son is capable of.

Does this sound familiar?

It’s the story of the hit drama Adolescence – but for Jess and Rob, it’s their life.

Their 14-year-old son Harry’s violence has escalated so rapidly he’s had to be taken into care. We’ve changed all their names to protect their identities.

Until the age of 12, Harry’s parents say he was a “wonderful” son. But they saw a change in his personality, which they believe was sparked by an incident when he was hit by a girl. Soon, he developed an online interest in masculine power and control.

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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Harry’s personality changed after he was assaulted (this image shows an actor in a Sky News reconstruction)

“Harry became obsessed with being strong, and I think he developed a difficulty around certain female people because of the assault,” Jess says.

“He had to be in charge… in every setting,” Rob adds.

Then one night, he punched his mother, Jess. His parents called the police in the hope it would shock him out of doing it again. But, as time went on, the violence escalated.

“We probably must have called the police over 100 times,” Rob says.

One attack was so serious, Jess ended up in hospital. The violence spilled outside the home too as Harry assaulted neighbours and friends.

Then he threatened to stab a teacher.

“Every time we think it can’t get any worse, something else happens and it does get worse,” Rob says. “Unfortunately, him getting hold of a knife is quite likely to happen.”

They say Adolescence, which stars Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters and Owen Cooper, touched a nerve.

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
Image:
Jess and Rob say they called the police 100 times (this image shows actors in a Sky News reconstruction)

“My worst fear is that he’s going to end up killing one of us,” says Jess. “If not us, then somebody else…”

It’s a shocking thought for any parent to have. As well as contacting police, the family have tried many times to get help from social services and the NHS for Harry’s deteriorating mental health.

“We’ve been told that we’re using too many resources and accessing too many services,” Rob says. “We tried for 18 months to get him more intensive therapeutic help. At every turn it was ‘no, no, no’.”

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They have found help with an organisation called PEGS that supports parents who are victims of their own children’s violence.

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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PEGS founder Michelle John says many families struggle to have their concerns taken seriously

Last year it was contacted by over 3,500 families, a 70% increase on 2023. Founder Michelle John says many families struggle to have their concerns taken seriously.

“What we’re hearing time and time again is that referrals are not being picked up because thresholds aren’t being met and perhaps the parent or caregiver isn’t a risk to the child,” she says. “Families are falling through gaps.”

In some parts of the country, local organisations are attempting to fill those gaps. Bright Star Boxing Academy in Shropshire has children referred by schools, social workers and even the police.

Joe Lockley, who runs the academy, says the problem is services that deal with youth violence are “inundated”.

“The biggest cause of the violent behaviour is mental health,” he says. “They lack that sense of belonging and control, and it’s quite easy to gain that from the wrong crowd and getting involved in violence.

“Social media is having a huge impact, especially around that young person’s identity.”

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
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Ethan at the Bright Star Boxing Academy

Ethan, 18, agrees. He joined the academy aged 14. By then he had already been arrested several times for getting into fights.

He believes bullying sparked anxiety and depression. “Someone could look at me, I’d be angry,” he says.

“Social media – that’s definitely a massive part. You’ve got so many people that are living this material life. They’ve got loads of money.

“My main thing was seeing people with amazing bodies – I felt I couldn’t reach that point and it made me self-conscious, which would add on to the anger which then turned to hatred towards other people.”

Becky Johnson Adolescence  feature
Image:
Ethan says boxing has helped him turn his life around

Without the support of the boxing academy, he believes, he wouldn’t have been able to turn his life around.

“I would either be in prison or I would have done something a lot worse to myself,” he says.

“It’s just this massive mess in your head where you’ve got a million thoughts at once – you don’t know what to think or how to even speak sometimes,” he adds.

“All we need is someone that’s got the time for us… and the understanding that it’s a war in our heads.”

A government spokesperson told Sky News: “We have seen too many preventable tragedies caused by the failings of mental health services, and it’s unacceptable that young people have not been getting the care and treatment they need to keep them, their families and the wider public safe.

“We are working to ensure children and their families get that help. We are investing over £50m to fund specialist support in schools, launching a Young Futures hub in every community, and providing access to a specialist mental health professional in every school in England.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

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Suspended surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge named

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Suspended surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge named

The suspended surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been named as paediatric consultant Kuldeep Stohr.

Eight hundred patients operated on by Ms Stohr are having their cases urgently re-examined, after an external review found nine children whose care fell below expected standards.

The initial review was ordered after concerns were raised by her colleagues.

Sky News has seen a copy of the interim report which details several issues relating to complex hip surgeries performed by the surgeon.

One of the parents whose child was identified in the review showed us a recent letter from the hospital which reported “problems with both judgement and technique” in her child’s surgery.

Ms Stohr, who has been suspended since the end of January, said in a statement: “I always strive to provide the highest standards of care to all my patients.

“I am co-operating fully with the trust investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Tammy Harrison
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Tammy Harrison: ‘It was hell’

Left in agonising pain

Tammy Harrison, 12, has cerebral palsy and had surgeries carried out by Ms Stohr. Her operations didn’t work, leaving her in agonising pain.

She said: “My first one was just like trauma. I couldn’t get out of bed for eight weeks. I was either stuck in bed or stuck on the sofa. It was hell.”

Her mum, Lynn, told Sky News: “There is nothing that can put Tammy back to where she was now and that’s the sad thing.

“If I could just click my fingers and have the child back that I had I would do it with a blink of an eye.”

Lynn Harrison
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Ms Stohr operated on Lynn Harrison’s daughter

So far, there’s been no confirmation of any wrongdoing in Tammy’s care.

But her family have a meeting at the hospital this week to find out more.

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The trust has asked a panel of specialist clinicians to review all the planned operations carried out by Ms Stohr at Addenbrooke’s. One hundred emergency trauma cases will also be looked at.

Addenbrooke’s is a major regional trauma centre and treats serious emergency patients from all over the region.

One clinician at the hospital told Sky News that the review of so many patients was “creating a lot of extra work”, which was “slowing things down” for other patients awaiting treatment.

Addenbrooke's Hospital. File pic: PA
Image:
Addenbrooke’s Hospital. File pic: PA

At least one extra locum consultant has been helping the team, as they work through the caseload.

Trust apologises

Sky News has been told Cambridge University Hospitals Trust had wanted to identify Ms Stohr before but had been threatened with a legal injunction.

The trust has apologised unreservedly to families and patients. But what’s troubling many is the fact concerns were raised about Ms Stohr a decade ago.

Chief executive of Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, Roland Sinker, has set up another review to examine whether opportunities were missed, and action could have been taken sooner.

The Department of Health described the ongoing situation as “incredibly concerning.”

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Starmer promises ‘bold changes’ to rules over electric cars in wake of Trump’s tariffs

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Starmer promises 'bold changes' to rules over electric cars in wake of Trump's tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer promised “bold changes” as he announced he will relax rules around electric vehicles after carmakers were hit by Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The prime minister said “global trade is being transformed” after the US president‘s 25% levy on imported cars, and 10% tariff on other products, came into force.

Jaguar Land Rover has said the firm will “pause” shipments to the US as it looks to “address the new trading terms”.

Trump adviser explains why tariffs put on island inhabited only by penguins

Labour made a manifesto pledge to restore a 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars after it had been rolled back to 2035 by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.

Sir Keir Starmer. Pic: Reuters
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Starmer promises to ‘back British business’. Pic: Reuters

Sir Keir will officially confirm the ban in an announcement on Monday but regulations around manufacturing targets on electric cars and vans will be altered, to help firms in the transition.

Luxury supercar firms such as Aston Martin and McLaren will still be allowed to keep producing petrol cars beyond the 2030 date, because they only manufacture a small number of vehicles per year.

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‘Nothing off the table’ over tariffs

Petrol and diesel vans will also be allowed to be sold until 2035, along with hybrids and plug-in hybrid cars.

The government is also going to make it easier for manufacturers who do not comply with the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which sets sales targets, to avoid fines, and the levies will be reduced.

Sir Keir said: “I am determined to back British brilliance.

“Now more than ever UK businesses and working people need a government that steps up, not stands aside.

“That means action, not words.”

Officials have said support for the car industry will continue to be kept under review as the full impact of the tariffs announced last week becomes clear.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the industry deserves “clarity” in the economic context.

She said: “Our ambitious package of strengthening reforms will protect and create jobs, making the UK a global automotive leader in the switch to EVs, all the while meeting our core manifesto commitment to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.”

Read more:
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Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the government had “recognised the intense pressure manufacturers are under”, while Colin Walker, a transport analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said the ZEV mandate is a “global success story” in driving a surge in sales of electric vehicles.

Tariff impact on UK businesses revealed

Some 62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the US are being negatively impacted by Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

Its survey of more than 600 businesses also found 32% of firms with trade exposure to the US said they will increase prices in response.

The survey also found 41% of firms with no exposure to the USA said they would be negatively impacted by the tariffs.

Some 44% of firms with exposure to the US said the UK should seek to negotiate a closer trade relationship with the US, while 43% said they wanted closer trade with other markets.

Just under a quarter (21%) said they thought the UK should impose retaliatory tariffs.

The survey also found that 40% of firms considered the 10% tariffs to be better than they had expected.

It comes as KPMG warned US tariffs on UK exports could see GDP growth fall to 0.8% in 2025 and 2026.

The accountancy firm said higher tariffs on specific categories, such as cars, aluminium and steel, would more than offset the exemption on pharmaceutical exports, leaving the effective tariffs imposed on UK exports at around 12%.

Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said: “Given the economic impact that tariffs would cause, there is a strong incentive to seek a negotiated settlement that diminishes the need for tariffs. The UK automotive manufacturing sector is particularly exposed given the complex supply chains of some producers.”

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