Plus: America, under its next president, is facing unprecedented threats

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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Wes he can: Good news from the NHS The most important news of the day is a research paper by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that finds NHS hospital productivity is increasing.     In the year before the election, hospital activity increased faster than staffing. Productivity is still below pre-pandemic levels, but the improvement "shows that future increases are possible, and perhaps starts to assuage worries about long-term scarring from the Covid-19 pandemic", say the IFS authors.   They also point out that, since July, Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has ended the strikes, "which will provide a one-off productivity boost".   The IFS goes on to praise the chancellor: "We have long argued that a shortage of capital investment could in part explain recent productivity challenges; at the autumn Budget, Rachel Reeves prioritised NHS capital investment, a welcome move that ought to deliver future benefits."   That is good news for the nation's health as well as for Labour's prospects at the next election.  Written by John Rentoul Quiz question Which two countries end in T? Answer at the bottom of today's email Don't forget to complete your registration We've noticed that you still have not completed your registration to The Independent. Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism. It allows us to better understand our readers and tailor your experience. By registering, you'll also gain access to a range of exclusive benefits, including: Limited access to Premium articles Access to The Independent app Access to more than 20 newsletters Commenting on independent.co.uk Unlock these benefits by completing your registration today.  COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION NOW COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION NOW Daily briefing Keir Starmer and Sue Gray in war of words over her next job PM's former chief of staff was to be 'envoy to the nations and regions' but ministers were 'not enthusiastic' about the idea Ministers accused of 'preposterous' error over winter fuel payment cuts Tory MP was told by the DWP that half her constituents were pensioners  Former Blair adviser disowned by PM after saying 'we don't need small farmers' John McTernan, who served as Tony Blair's political secretary, said family farming is 'an industry we can do without' What else you need to know today The first opinion poll since Kemi Badenoch became opposition leader puts the Conservatives two points ahead of Labour, 29 per cent to 27 per cent; More in Common puts Reform third on 19 per cent, ahead of the Lib Dems on 11 per cent and the Greens on 8 per cent; Keir Starmer's net "good job" rating has recovered to minus 25; Badenoch starts at minus 3   Diana Johnson, the policing minister, announced the end of the guideline that defined shoplifting of goods worth less than £200 as "low value", and of the assumption that the police would not investigate   I have written about the prime minister's defensiveness as voters seem to have noticed that he is out of the country a lot The Independent View The whole of Europe needs an Entente Cordiale Politics explained Is the latest assisted dying bill likely to be made law? I think this is a QTWTAIN, but Sean O'Grady seems to think that Kim Leadbeater's bill might pass...   Read more MOST COMMENTED Israel warns its citizens in the UK of attacks by Palestinian supporters Tomorrow inside the Westminster bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for  After clocking up another 2,500 air miles and a late-night return from Cop29 in Baku, Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister's Questions for the second time at noon. It should be intriguing after last week's opener.   The Commons will sit at 11.30am for questions on women and equalities. Later MPs will vote on regulations to ban the sale of single-use vapes from next June.  Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, at 9 am, and Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, at 9.30am, will be quizzed by the select committees which monitor their departments. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, will speak about Labour's health reforms at the annual conference of NHS Providers in Liverpool at 10.25am.  QUOTATION OF THE DAY "There's a word in modern Hungarian slang, egérmozi, which describes watching films (or shows) on your phone – it means 'mouse cinema'"   Adam Sharp Quiz answer: Egypt and Kuwait The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy policy and cookie policy