This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y57ye1jeqo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
NHS, defence, education and more in focus for voters in government's Spending Review NHS, defence, education and more in focus for voters in government's Spending Review
(about 8 hours later)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will outline her spending plans on WednesdayChancellor Rachel Reeves will outline her spending plans on Wednesday
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing more difficult choices in the Spending Review on Wednesday.Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing more difficult choices in the Spending Review on Wednesday.
She will sets the budgets for all government departments over the next few years. She will set the budgets for all government departments over the next few years.
The review will confirm how much taxpayers' money will be spent on the NHS, defence, police, education and other public services used by millions, as well as how much money the government plans to invest in projects like new public transport.The review will confirm how much taxpayers' money will be spent on the NHS, defence, police, education and other public services used by millions, as well as how much money the government plans to invest in projects like new public transport.
As she makes her final preparations, people living in Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire outlined what they think her priority should be.As she makes her final preparations, people living in Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire outlined what they think her priority should be.
'The NHS is on its knees''The NHS is on its knees'
Melissa Marley wants the chancellor's top priority to be the NHS because she says it is "on its knees"Melissa Marley wants the chancellor's top priority to be the NHS because she says it is "on its knees"
Melissa Marley, 32, has spent the last two years studying at the University of Huddersfield to become a midwife but has quit her course after amassing debt of £60,000 and said there was "no hope for jobs at the end of it".Melissa Marley, 32, has spent the last two years studying at the University of Huddersfield to become a midwife but has quit her course after amassing debt of £60,000 and said there was "no hope for jobs at the end of it".
The mother-of-three would like the chancellor to put more money into the NHS because it is "on its knees" and added "people abroad would kill for a system like that, so it needs protecting".The mother-of-three would like the chancellor to put more money into the NHS because it is "on its knees" and added "people abroad would kill for a system like that, so it needs protecting".
Originally from Wakefield, she went back into education in 2021 to provide a better life for her children.Originally from Wakefield, she went back into education in 2021 to provide a better life for her children.
She began training as a nurse in 2022 before training as a midwife in 2023.She began training as a nurse in 2022 before training as a midwife in 2023.
As well as £20,000 of tuition fees, she also owes about £40,000 in her maintenance grant accrued through her studies over the past few years.As well as £20,000 of tuition fees, she also owes about £40,000 in her maintenance grant accrued through her studies over the past few years.
She was originally going to defer due to health issues but decided to stop her course and is now hoping to become a maternity support worker.She was originally going to defer due to health issues but decided to stop her course and is now hoping to become a maternity support worker.
This role supports midwives, rather than being a midwife herself.This role supports midwives, rather than being a midwife herself.
Melissa said the lack of jobs in midwifery was "sad because there are so many people putting so much work in.Melissa said the lack of jobs in midwifery was "sad because there are so many people putting so much work in.
"They are working hard, having to miss times with their family, their children and then to have nothing at the end of it is sad"."They are working hard, having to miss times with their family, their children and then to have nothing at the end of it is sad".
'A less stable world''A less stable world'
John Addison was concerned about the state of the armed forcesJohn Addison was concerned about the state of the armed forces
Pensioner John Addison agreed that a big part of the Spending Review had to be more funding for the NHS .Pensioner John Addison agreed that a big part of the Spending Review had to be more funding for the NHS .
He said that it was "hard work getting appointments".He said that it was "hard work getting appointments".
Mr Addison expressed his concern about spending on defence - and how more money was needed for that.Mr Addison expressed his concern about spending on defence - and how more money was needed for that.
He explained that he worried about the future for his grandchildren and younger people growing up in a less stable world.He explained that he worried about the future for his grandchildren and younger people growing up in a less stable world.
He said that the Army had "been run down lately so we need to up it a bit because you never know what is around the corner with what's going off in the world."He said that the Army had "been run down lately so we need to up it a bit because you never know what is around the corner with what's going off in the world."
Earlier this month, a British defence review published recommendations which welcomed the government's ambition to spend 3% of Gross Domestic Product by 2034 but warned "as we live in more turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster."Earlier this month, a British defence review published recommendations which welcomed the government's ambition to spend 3% of Gross Domestic Product by 2034 but warned "as we live in more turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster."
Several Nato allies have already committed to spending more than 5%.Several Nato allies have already committed to spending more than 5%.
School buildings 'in a terrible state'School buildings 'in a terrible state'
Bill and Pauline Wardlaw were out and about in Cleckheaton when they stopped to speak with the BBCBill and Pauline Wardlaw were out and about in Cleckheaton when they stopped to speak with the BBC
Bill and Pauline Wardlaw would like to see funds focused on the education system and investing in the future.Bill and Pauline Wardlaw would like to see funds focused on the education system and investing in the future.
Bill was particularly concerned about problems with school buildings.Bill was particularly concerned about problems with school buildings.
He said they were in "a terrible state" which meant "children are going to school in inadequate buildings and a lot of money should be spent getting them up to a decent standard".He said they were in "a terrible state" which meant "children are going to school in inadequate buildings and a lot of money should be spent getting them up to a decent standard".
Pauline agreed with her husband but would also money spent on ensuring infrastructure around new housing estates is in place.Pauline agreed with her husband but would also money spent on ensuring infrastructure around new housing estates is in place.
She said when new housing is built "they need to make sure there is provision for the people that they are going to put in those houses - like doctors, education, schools etc because it is just not there".She said when new housing is built "they need to make sure there is provision for the people that they are going to put in those houses - like doctors, education, schools etc because it is just not there".
Ms Wardlaw was also frustrated with trying to get a GP appointment: "It's three weeks before you can see a doctor unless you ring up at 08:00 and then you are in a queue."Ms Wardlaw was also frustrated with trying to get a GP appointment: "It's three weeks before you can see a doctor unless you ring up at 08:00 and then you are in a queue."
'Support for mums is needed''Support for mums is needed'
Beth Flanagan-Jones would like to see more investment that helps mumsBeth Flanagan-Jones would like to see more investment that helps mums
Beth Flannagan-Jones was out with her 16 month old daughter Maeve.Beth Flannagan-Jones was out with her 16 month old daughter Maeve.
She wanted to see more cash targeted at activities and support groups for mothers and babies.She wanted to see more cash targeted at activities and support groups for mothers and babies.
She said toddler groups could help mums who felt "alone".She said toddler groups could help mums who felt "alone".
Ms Flannagan-Jones said there were "a couple of options but many of them are private and you have to pay for them".Ms Flannagan-Jones said there were "a couple of options but many of them are private and you have to pay for them".
"If you have not got a lot of money and are on a budget I think a few more council groups and mum groups are missing," she added."If you have not got a lot of money and are on a budget I think a few more council groups and mum groups are missing," she added.
'Green investments need oversight''Green investments need oversight'
Pensioner David Lumb thinks NHS spending should always be a priority.Pensioner David Lumb thinks NHS spending should always be a priority.
Pensioner David Lumb acknowledged the cuts to winter fuel allowance had been damaging to Labour party as some older people relied on the payment.Pensioner David Lumb acknowledged the cuts to winter fuel allowance had been damaging to Labour party as some older people relied on the payment.
He backed a more targeted approach to the benefit - which seemed to chime with the chancellor.He backed a more targeted approach to the benefit - which seemed to chime with the chancellor.
She announced on Monday changes to the level the benefit would be paid at, meaning 75% of pensioners would now be eligible.She announced on Monday changes to the level the benefit would be paid at, meaning 75% of pensioners would now be eligible.
His biggest priority was the NHS citing "the way the nation relied" on the service during the pandemic.His biggest priority was the NHS citing "the way the nation relied" on the service during the pandemic.
However, Mr Lumb said he would also like to see more investment in green initiatives, but when it comes to home insulation he said it depended on "how efficiently it is done".However, Mr Lumb said he would also like to see more investment in green initiatives, but when it comes to home insulation he said it depended on "how efficiently it is done".
"Quite often the government sponsor these things and they aren't properly monitored," he added."Quite often the government sponsor these things and they aren't properly monitored," he added.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.