Simon Jones: Shameless cuts shouldn’t come as a shock

A potential government funding cut to the Special Schools Eye Care Service is nothing short of shameful. I would like to be able say it’s shocking, but the current government’s stoic focus on getting flights off the ground taking migrants to Rwanda shows it will do anything that may increase its chance of staying in power, even if it comes at the expense of sound healthcare policy.

Less than a year ago (June 2023), then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, Neil O’Brien, said the government was pleased it would be able to support sight testing for all pupils in special schools, an environment where they feel more comfortable. Eleven months later, the service is on a knife edge due to what the Association of Optometrists understands will be a 30% reduction.