Press coverage

Find coverage in the press of Reform's latest work below. 

We are always happy to comment on policy issues relevant to our work. If you would like a quote, an interview, or a background briefing, please email press@reform.uk or ring 020 7799 6699 for the quickest response.  

Filter By

Politicians should try to out-reform, not out-spend one another to cut A&E waits

Commenting on new A&E performance data, Reform think tank Health policy lead, Claudia Martinez, said:

“The health service needs fundamental reform to end reliance on A&E and reduce the demand crippling services.

“This data shows that one in three attend A&E for minor treatment and illnesses, many of whom could be treated elsewhere. However, while one in 10 wait three weeks to see a GP and just 10 per cent of patients think they can book weekend appointments, A&E is the default.

“To drive down demand for A&E, Party manifestos must pledge whole-system reform to make care available in the community. Investment in primary care and a credible plan to recruit and retain GPs is urgently needed to make this a reality.” 

LBC, 11 November 2019

Charlotte Pickles, Director of Reform, joined LBC's Cross Question debate with Iain Dale, covering key points of policy for the 2019 General Election. 

You can watch the show here.

BBC NEWS, 4 November 2019

Charlotte Pickles, Director of Reform, spoke on BBC News about the politicisation of the NHS during the 2019 General Election.

BBC Radio 5 Live, 31 October 2019

Charlotte Pickles, Director of Reform, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live radio about the latest Ministry of Justice figures which showed a record high in cases of prison violence and increases in self harm.

You can listen from 27.47 here.

Shocking safety statistics show failing prison system, says think tank

Commenting on the Ministry of Justice’s quarterly prison safety update showing record levels of self-harm and increasing numbers of assaults, Reform think tank Director, Charlotte Pickles, said:

“The shocking level of violence and self-harm in our prisons is the mark of a failing system.

“Rather than focusing on locking people up for longer, the Government must urgently address the dire staff retention issues, crumbling buildings and drugs epidemic crippling the prison estate.

“Cutting crime ultimately means preventing reoffending. Politicians need to understand that before prisons can rehabilitate anyone, they must first be safe, decent and humane.”

Failing homelessness and housing policy a ‘toxic cocktail’ for homelessness in London, says think tank

Commenting on CHAIN statistics showing a rise in rough sleeping in London, Reform Researcher, Imogen Farhan, said: 

“The spike in rough sleepers across London adds to the evidence that current Government policy is not working.

“An absence of long-term funds for council services has meant that the Homelessness Reduction Act and the Rough Sleeping Strategy, which were meant to bolster efforts to prevent homelessness, have failed to do so in the Capital.

“Housing Benefit also falls woefully short of covering the cost of renting in the private sector. In every London borough, the shortfall between Housing Benefit and the actual cost of renting exceeds £100 per month.

“This is a toxic cocktail which needs urgent attention if the rise in rough sleeping is to be reduced.”

Covered in The Independent and The Big Issue.

Public Finance, 28 October 2019

Dr Josh Pritchard, Senior Researcher at Reform, wrote an article for Public Finance about Reform's latest research on poor procurement and why a new regulatory body for outsourcing should be established. 

Read the full article here. 

Rising demand on council social care services indicates urgent need for reform, says think tank

Commenting on new NHS data showing that the number of requests for social care received by Council’s has increased to 5,245 daily up from 5,000 last year, Reform health lead, Claudia Martinez, said:

“The demand of Council care services is rising and we have yet to see anything from the Government that resembles a sensible, sustainable solution to this perennial crisis.

“The £1.5 bn funding injection announced in the Spending Round last month won’t even be a sticking plaster, given the state of disarray our social care system is in.

“We need a long-term solution. Government must press ahead with an insurance system in which working-age people contribute part of their salary to a later-life care fund. In the short-term, people should release the equity in their property to pay for their care needs and the Government should reduce overly generous pensioner benefits.”

Covered by The Daily Mail and the Local Government Chronicle.