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      Voices: ‘Not realistic nor achievable’: Readers slam government’s failed insulation scheme

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      A government-backed scheme to fit homes with external wall insulation has left thousands of households worse off, with many experiencing damp, mould, and other serious issues.The National Audit Office found almost all homes fitted under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme – which was launched under the previous Tory government – are facing major issues and need major repairs due to poor oversight.Independent readers criticised the scheme, arguing that older UK housing is often unsuitable for such retrofits. Some even suggested the country needs a complete refresh of its housing stock rather than doubling down on “dangerous” modifications.While some acknowledged that new builds now meet higher insulation standards, others argued Britain overvalues older properties at the expense of safety and efficiency. Many emphasised that insulation alone cannot solve issues such as condensation, urging households to combine ventilation, heating, and lifestyle changes.Many also felt that the inadequate work backed by the scheme was an inevitable consequence of favouring large, distant contractors over local tradesmen, leaving smaller firms excluded and households with limited support if problems arise. Several readers blamed civil service incompetence, saying officials must be held accountable to prevent repeated failures.Here’s what you had to say:Condensation requires more than insulationInsulation on its own is not the answer. To avoid condensation and mould growth, adequate heating and ventilation must be provided too, along with a change in lifestyle. Windows must be opened when bathing, showering, or cooking. Clothes should not be dried indoors, and the home should be properly aired once a day. I know this always results in long faces and excuses from householders, but it is the only way to combat condensation and mould growth in homes. Fur-QThe structure of the schemes need to be changedThis scheme, like most government schemes of the sort, cannot be accessed by the smaller (and therefore more local) tradesmen. This is probably not important in London, where most civil servants believe the population lives, but out in the sticks it means that anyone in Cumbria, Durham, or Northumberland can only be serviced by firms based in Newcastle. If I were spending my own money, I would never use such a company, whatever their reputation, because it is more important to have a local base to contact in case of trouble. The structure of the schemes needs to be fundamentally changed to be fully supportive of the local building industry. MorphanielGoals not realisticThis is a result of the desired result not being realistic nor achievable. Just because old housing is not suited to heat-loss reduction doesn’t mean it can be retro-adapted. A lack of awareness on the part of those who set these goals. They should be publicly named as an example to future governments. McCluskey seems to have put his head on the block. Geoff AllibonePerhaps we need new housingHonestly, if so many homes have been made worse or dangerous because of these works, instead of assuming every installer is an incompetent cowboy, maybe UK homes just do not work with this type of work and should be pulled down and replaced with new housing. Obviously, this could not happen overnight, but plans should be put in place immediately to refresh our housing stock. daysocksCivil service incompetenceAnother example of civil service incompetence. We really need a fundamental change that enables prosecution of officials as they do in the US. All that will happen is another enquiry where lawyers get rich, and no one is held accountable. From Grenfell to grooming gangs to the Post Office again and again, we are let down and lives ruined by public officials. JSMill88What a mess. I know people who’re still waiting on problems caused by cavity wall insulation being remedied. So God knows how long this mess will take to rectify. Works are not being properly supervised or inspected. SweetswingNew buildsWe have neglected installing proper insulation for far too long. It should surely be installed as standard on all new builds, and we should install solar panels on all south-facing roofs in new houses. 49ninerLevel older propertiesWe do have decent insulation standards on new builds, and solar panels must be fitted on all new build homes by 2027. Part of Britain’s problem is that we fetishise older properties on spurious “heritage” grounds when we should be levelling them and starting over. Once upon a time, “slum clearance” was seen as a desirable objective. SteveHillSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

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      China accused of ‘large-scale espionage’ against UK in witness statements on collapsed spy case

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      The government’s deputy national security adviser repeatedly described the “threat” posed by China in witness statements Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to publish as part of an extraordinary row over a collapsed spying case. Matt Collins said Chinese intelligence services were “highly capable and conduct large scale espionage operations” against the UK, which “threaten the UK’s economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions”.But he added that the government was “committed to pursuing a positive relationship” with Beijing. In the three witness statements, he also told prosecutors it was his assessment that the two men accused of spying for China acted in a way that was a danger to the “safety” and “interests” of the UK, handing over material that would be “useful” to the Chinese state. They deny any wrongdoing. The documents said ‘Chinese espionage operations threaten the UK’s economic prosperity and resilience and the integrity of our democratic institutions.’ More

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      Higher taxes for the wealthy will be ‘part of the story’, says Reeves ahead of Budget

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      Rachel Reeves has suggested higher taxes on the wealthy will be part of her Budget next month. The Chancellor was speaking in Washington on Wednesday, when she acknowledged she was looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a hole in her Budget which she said was partly due to the lingering impact of Brexit. It came amid speculation on the measures she will take to fill the estimated £50m blackhole, with a cut to the cash ISA allowance for savers reportedly among the ideas. When asked whether higher taxes on the wealthy would feature as part of her November 26 statement, Ms Reeves, who was in the US for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting, said: “That will be part of the story. “In the budget next month, there won’t be a return to austerity. We know that we face a changing global environment in terms of the economy at the moment.”The autumn budget is scheduled for 26 November More

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      ‘Tinkering around edges’ at Budget risks another year of economic pain, IFS warns Reeves

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      Tinkering around the edges at the next Budget risks another year of economic pain, a leading think tank has warned, urging the chancellor to take “bold action” in November. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said it expects Rachel Reeves will need to find at least £22bn next month, thanks to rising borrowing costs, weaker growth forecasts and spending commitments made since spring. But the IFS said there was a “strong case” for the chancellor to go further, arguing that a £10bn buffer – the amount of headroom Ms Reeves previously left herself against her self-imposed debt rules – was not enough to ensure stability and would leave her “limping from one forecast to the next”. This funding, the think tank said, is likely to have to come from tax rises. While the think tank didn’t rule out spending cuts entirely, they said they would “pose challenges” due to a lack of parliamentary support for welfare cuts and the fact that departmental budgets were only agreed in June. Rachel Reeves is facing a ‘groundhog day’ Budget More

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      One part of the UK might escape Starmer’s smoking ban, minister admits

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      One part of the UK might escape Keir Starmer’s flagship smoking ban because of a key post-Brexit deal with the European Union, a minister has admitted. The government wants to ban smoking for an entire generation, potentially saving millions of lives by ensuring anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy cigarettes legally. The proposals were first put forward by Rishi Sunak but abandoned ahead of the 2024 general election. Labour has enthusiastically backed the plan since coming to power last summer.But now, asked for a guarantee that it would apply in Northern Ireland – as well as England, Wales and Scotland – a minister could only say that was the government’s “intention”. The ban is designed to eventually make the UK smoke free (PA) More

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      Voices: ‘Such a shock’: Readers reveal what it’s like to learn a life-changing diagnosis by text

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      Our health correspondent’s account of receiving an endometriosis diagnosis via text message struck a deep chord with Independent readers.Following Rebecca Thomas’ account, our community has been sharing their own experiences of an NHS that feels increasingly impersonal and overstretched.Several readers echoed her shock and distress at learning serious medical news through a message on their phone, describing similar moments of confusion and fear on reading diagnoses with no explanation or follow-up. One woman said she discovered she had stage 3 kidney disease via her NHS app, while another was told of a terminal illness through a two-line letter. Others reflected on how the human element of healthcare has eroded, with one reader lamenting that after 60 years of NHS care, they no longer even know their consultant’s name.Several readers also expressed sympathy for doctors and nurses working under huge pressure, warning that exhaustion, underfunding and low morale inevitably lead to rushed and impersonal care. Yet there was also recognition that digitisation can help, with some arguing that SMS or app updates are preferable to long waits for appointments.Amid the debate, readers broadly agreed that compassion and communication must remain at the heart of healthcare, no matter how efficient the technology becomes.Here’s what you had to say:I found this out on my medical appIn August 2025, I was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. I found this out on my medical app in the summary section – that was such a shock – and the month before I had a POCS stroke. Nothing else was added, no follow-up blood test, just left with that diagnosis. I now have a follow-up blood test because I talked to a GP about just being left with the worrying two lines on the app. He said he has no control over what others write.PebblesA two-line letterFirstly, I have the Wales NHS app. It doesn’t work. NHS helpdesk says, “see GP’s reception”. They say, “contact NHS”. I have given up.Secondly, my GP gave me my diagnosis of a terminal illness with a two-line letter from the radiologist. Querying this got the explanation that no-one here knows much about this! Went private for an explanation and a referral to a specialist team. I have changed my GP.TwlldupobsaisA scary business having health problems these daysI was born in the 60s with a life-long condition that affects my health, so I have had experience of the NHS for 60 years. I could name all the consultants that I have been under up to the past decade, when the service became far less personal. Since Covid, I don’t even know my current consultant’s name and am not sure who to contact if I have difficulties. It has taken me four years to get my GP to take a deterioration in my mobility seriously, and another year before my referral to a specialist resulted in a first consultation. I am still waiting to find out if there is any treatment available, having now been passed between different consultants. In the meantime, my health has deteriorated quite substantially.It’s quite a scary business having health problems these days. One is faced with a nameless, shapeless organisation that seems so stretched that it can no longer treat its patients as individuals.SlampsA text would have been kinderYears ago, my mother got her diagnosis of terminal kidney cancer that had metastasised to the bones from a doctor in person. The doctor had zero empathy, was constantly looking at her watch and actually lied to her when she told her that she would pass on peacefully in six months. She died in agony three years later as the cancer was busy breaking her bones open from the inside. A text would have been kinder.Pomerol95Automated emailsWe receive automated emails telling us our NHS file has been updated, and we can then log in to read any updates or information.I don’t imagine that’s any more time-consuming than a text, but it’s certainly more confidential.NobodylistensFrance’s digital appointment systemHere in France, after any test, scan or X-ray, I receive the results personally with short notes giving the technician’s summary. I then make an appointment with my GP (never more than 48 hours away) to discuss results and recommended treatment. France has a digital appointment system and is highly computerised, with a site listing my total healthcare costs, etc. I don’t understand why the UK doesn’t implement this. It saves so much time – and probably money.SRKfanPressure and workloadI can’t comment on this case, but what the critics should bear in mind is the pressure some clinical staff are under. I have a son who is a consultant psychiatrist and regularly works a 50–60 hour week. He uses the app on his phone to record case notes as he drives between one case and another, which I think is unwise but is his decision (hence possible typos?). No one should have a workload like that, because it means the service given to patients is inevitably sub-standard – but mental health needs much more resources.Barry HughesPaying to see a doctorI had to pay to see a doctor after my local surgery told me there was no chance of seeing a GP. At least I was diagnosed within minutes and treatment planned within my time frame – but at a huge cost.EnglishCastleDamned if they do and damned if they don’tDoctors are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.It may not be ideal but, personally, I’d sooner find out now by text than, say, wait a week for a face-to-face.HoleyMoleyThis is terrible. Any diagnosis that is terminal should be given by an empathetic doctor. This doctor was obviously in the wrong job. The NHS is going to get worse. I hear stories all the time and I’m going through a health crisis right now where nobody can give me a diagnosis for the last seven months. Truly scary.SkylazarYou cannot have it both waysYou can either get your non-cancer results by text and get referred straight away, or wait 4–6 weeks for an appointment to be told what’s in the text and to be referred on – delaying your referral and telling you what the signposted information is, which you can read yourself. You cannot have it both ways.NashNot acceptableIt is not acceptable, and never has been, to be informed of an important diagnosis in any way other than face to face. Anything other is a serious slippage of standards and the doctor doing so should be ashamed. Care extends well beyond the physical and, when done well, is an art.The hospital referral could have been made with no delay.TinworthWhat’s wrong with a text?What’s wrong with a text? I prefer that to arranging an appointment, making my way to the surgery, and then hanging around for half an hour or more to be told exactly the same thing.YystrcklSome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

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      Starmer pledges to publish crucial evidence in collapsed China spy case

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      Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will publish key evidence in the China spying case trial that led to the collapse of the trial.The prime minister told MPs at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) that he would publish three witness statements that were shared with prosecutors as he maintained his position that the last government is to blame for the failure to prosecute.The abandonment of the prosecution of Christopher Cash, 30, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, 33, a teacher, has raised serious questions over national security and government policy towards China.Both men, who deny wrongdoing, had been accused of passing secrets to China, but charges against them were dropped last month, with the Crown Prosecution Service saying the case collapsed because the government’s evidence did not show that China represented a threat to national security at the time of the alleged offences.Sir Keir told MPs: “I’m deeply disappointed by the outcome. We wanted to see prosecutions.”Starmer: ‘I’m deeply disappointed by the outcome. We wanted to see prosecutions’ More

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      Margaret Thatcher had two extramarital affairs, new book claims

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      Margaret Thatcher had two extramarital affairs, a new book has claimed. The former prime minister is said to have enjoyed an “extracurricular friendship” with a close aide who would touch her knee during dinners, while also having two affairs throughout her life. Tina Gaudoin’s new book, The Incidental Feminist, claims that the Iron Lady had an affair early in her career as an MP and a separate affair with another politician. Author Tina Gaudoin says Thatcher ‘was far more sexy in person than she appeared to be’ More