The tension between local and national legislature has always been an issue.

I too find it frustrating but not sure it is a particular issue with one party at this particular time. I recall the previous government a few years ago saying that social workers with management responsibilities need to be counted in the management overhead. They then targeted Tory council areas pointing out the increase in managers combined with the decrease of social workers on the ground. Nobody altered what they did for a living. ..

At the same time, as the treasury directive also affected The NHS, they did the same counting game with the clinical management, where asking doctors and nurses to be involved in management was the cry from all parties. When trusts had to count them asmmanagers. ... The Tory cry was "more managers than beds now! " Again, no change but a different party getting capital from manipulating figures.

If politicians hold the electorate in such contempt as thinking we fall for it every time, I would point out that statistically speaking, it appears we do. ..