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The demographics of the UK population are changing and so is the need for health care. In this Health Policy, we explore the current health of the population, the changing health needs, and future threats to health. Relative to other high-income countries, the UK is lagging on many health outcomes, such as life expectancy and infant mortality, and there is a growing burden of mental illness. Successes exist, such as the striking improvements in oral health, but inequalities in health persist as well. The growth of the ageing population relative to the working-age population, the rise of multimorbidity, and persistent health inequalities, particularly for preventable illness, are all issues that the National Health Service (NHS) will face in the years to come. Meeting the challenges of the future will require an increased focus on health promotion and disease prevention, involving a more concerted effort to understand and tackle the multiple social, environmental, and economic factors that lie at the heart of health inequalities. The immediate priority of the NHS will be to mitigate the wider and long-term health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it must also strengthen its resilience to reduce the impact of other threats to health, such as the UK leaving the EU, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance.

The role of the National Health Service (NHS) and relevant national executive agencies in relation to testing capacity, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), the cancellation and postponement of many aspects of routine care, and decisions around discharge from hospital to care homes should also be critically examined. [...]improve resource management across health and care at national, local, and treatment levels. [...]develop a sustainable, skilled, and fit for purpose health and care workforce to meet changing health and care needs. [...]improve integration between health care, social care, and public health and across different providers, including the third sector (ie, charity and voluntary organisations).

Aims to inform discussion about GVA per head limitations in measuring productivity of a region and its residents’ income Improving the understanding of regional economic performance has become increasingly important in the UK. Gross Value Added (GVA) per head is one of the headline indicators used in UK regional policy. This article aims to inform the discussion about the limitations of GVA per head in measuring the productivity of a region and the income of its residents. It proposes a series of indicators which can help to measure regional productivity and income more robustly and inform regional policy more widely.

The population of the UK is growing at the fastest rate since the 1960s, increasing on average by 0.5 per cent each year. The fastest growing age group is those aged 85 years and older, who now represent just over 2 per cent of the population, compared to just over 1 per cent in 1982. In 2007, continued increase in the population over state pension age meant for the first time this sub-group of the population exceeded the number aged under 16. Further improvements in survival mean both the continued growth of the older population and the likely continued ageing of the population as a whole. This is the second in a series of annual reports on the population of the UK, providing an overview of the latest statistics on the population, and focussing on a specific theme. This year's theme is the ageing population, with different topics to be covered in future years. The report highlights the work being taken forward as part of the National Statistics Centre for Demography (NSCD) work programme to understand the social and demographic impacts of an ageing society.

Aims to inform discussion about GVA per head limitations in measuring productivity of a region and its residents’ incomeImproving the understanding of regional economic performance has become increasingly important in the UK. Gross Value Added (GVA) per head is one of the headline indicators used in UK regional policy. This article aims to inform the discussion about the limitations of GVA per head in measuring the productivity of a region and the income of its residents. It proposes a series of indicators which can help to measure regional productivity and income more robustly and inform regional policy more widely. Economic & Labour Market Review (2009) 3, 18–30; doi:10.1057/elmr.2009.6

Discusses the challenge of providing timely, reliable, consistent and coherent statisticsthat meet the demanding needs of usersThe current economic conjuncture is achallenge for producers of statistics aswell as for policy makers. This articlediscusses this challenge, in particular thechallenge of providing timely, reliable,consistent and coherent statistics thatmeet the demanding needs of policymakers and other users. It also reviewsaspects of latest published statistics,following the annual Blue Book update,to illustrate the nature of the challengeand assess progress in meeting it. It is notintended as an assessment of the currentstate of the economy. Rather, it is aboutstatistical issues arising. Economic & Labour Market Review (2008) 2, 18–29; doi:10.1057/elmr.2008.135

Discusses the challenge of providing timely, reliable, consistent and coherent statistics that meet the demanding needs of users The current economic conjuncture is a challenge for producers of statistics as well as for policy makers. This article discusses this challenge, in particular the challenge of providing timely, reliable, consistent and coherent statistics that meet the demanding needs of policy makers and other users. It also reviews aspects of latest published statistics, following the annual Blue Book update, to illustrate the nature of the challenge and assess progress in meeting it. It is not intended as an assessment of the current state of the economy. Rather, it is about statistical issues arising.

The first of a series of annual reports on the population of the UK is presented. The population of the UK is currently growing at its fastest rate since the 1960s, increasing by two and a half per cent between mid-2001 and mid-2006. While life expectancy continues to increase, fertility rates have also been increasing in the last five years and are currently at their highest level since 1980. In addition, international migration has led to the UK population growing by an average of 500 people per day over the last five years. The population is also becoming increasingly diverse and mobile, and these factors make it increasingly challenging to measure population change accurately.

Provides an overview of the challenges faced by ONS in the ongoing process of social andeconomic integration.This article provides an overview of the challenges faced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to meet policy and wider evidence needs on the ongoing process of social and economic integration. Globalisation has been singled out by the UK Government as oneof the main challenges and opportunities facing the country. Migration is the main work priority for ONS in this area. Other crucial challenges are posed by new forms of “weightless“ trade, increasing specialisation in internationally engaged firms, greater importance of intangibleinvestment, unprecedented financial integration and the wide range of social and economic impacts on the population. This article documents the progress made towards meeting these challenges, and concludes that increased, and more focused, interdepartmental and international co-operation is needed. Italso invites external contributions to the ongoing consultation on the future ONS work programme. Economic & Labour Market Review (2007) 1, 18–24; doi:10.1057/palgrave.elmr.1410136