'Labour's Budget will be tough - but we must celebrate the wins after Tory ruin'

NHS cash is the gain

Extra cash to slash near-record NHS waiting lists is the gain from tomorrow’s tax-rising Budget pain.

targeted spending to create 40,000 extra appointments every week, two million over a year, with £1.5-billion invested in new scanners and surgical hubs, is a critical downpayment to save a service left struggling to survive by the Tories.

She, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and all recognise the NHS requires money as well as reform to restore it to rude health. Rejuvenating key services is the upside of increasing taxes particularly where richer earners will be made to contribute fairer dues.

We all benefit when the NHS, education, criminal justice and the rest of the country’s infrastructure functions properly. Budgets must be viewed in the round. This one will be tough but let’s celebrate the wins.

Time to reflect

Far Right thug Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who uses the football hooligan name Tommy Robinson, can sit in his cell and acknowledge that nobody, including him, is above the law. Placed into solitary confinement for his own protection, his 18-month sentence after admitting contempt of court is a warning to other bigots and conspiracy ­theorists.

Admitting 10 breaches of a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi, was humiliating. Cheering on Far Right rioters and fellow travellers from his holiday sun bed, Yaxley-Lennon cut an arrogant, cocky figure. Now he will be anything but.

Honour a star

Naming the London 2012 velodrome after legendary Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy would be a fitting tribute. He has given much to the sport he loves and as he faces terminal cancer this is a moment for that sport to honour one of its greatest.