But some of the medium-sized programmes, which fear for their survival, provide an efficient service for local patients and their families who cannot afford the emotional and economic cost of travelling to some far-flung centre of excellence.

ECONOMIST: States v. Washington

Mr Pickles used the announcement to give a veiled warning to councils - which have a statutory duty to provide an efficient bin service - that do not have weekly collections.

BBC: Eric Pickles warns councils over weekly bin collections

However, I am confident we will continue to provide an effective and efficient police service for the people of Wiltshire.

BBC: Wiltshire