{
  "title": "An announcement doesn’t pay your rent",
  "publication": "2026-11-01",
  "version": 2,
  "charts": [
    {
      "kind": "goal",
      "title": "HEALTH: FOLLOW\nTHE ACTUAL TARGET",
      "current": 65.2,
      "target": 92,
      "currentLabel": "Aug 2026",
      "targetLabel": "Ambition: Mar 2029",
      "footer": "England • percentage within 18 weeks. A target, not a forecast or guarantee.",
      "governmentCommitment": true,
      "sources": [
        {
          "sha256": "19bfd62baf4b49d60f61384497dc70cfa3bc73f390645e0c061d8816a5a7c740",
          "url": "https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/RTT-Overview-Timeseries-Including-Estimates-for-Missing-Trusts-Aug26-XLS-139K-vjgRdG.xlsx",
          "note": "Early RTT reporting (2007–08) was less complete; NHS England estimates fill gaps for missing trusts. Several large trusts did not report during IT changes in 2016–2023, also estimated.; From February 2024, community-service pathways are no longer reported in RTT, which lowered the list slightly."
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/medium-term-planning-framework-delivering-change-together-2026-27-to-2028-29/",
          "note": "England ambition 92% within18 weeks by end2028/29. Not forecast."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "kind": "bars",
      "title": "WHAT DOES\nTHE GAP MEAN?",
      "rows": [
        {
          "label": "Within target now",
          "value": 65.2
        },
        {
          "label": "Ambition",
          "value": 92
        }
      ],
      "unit": "%",
      "footer": "26.8 percentage-point gap. Pathways, not a forecast of unique patients treated.",
      "sources": [
        {
          "sha256": "19bfd62baf4b49d60f61384497dc70cfa3bc73f390645e0c061d8816a5a7c740",
          "url": "https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/RTT-Overview-Timeseries-Including-Estimates-for-Missing-Trusts-Aug26-XLS-139K-vjgRdG.xlsx",
          "note": "Early RTT reporting (2007–08) was less complete; NHS England estimates fill gaps for missing trusts. Several large trusts did not report during IT changes in 2016–2023, also estimated.; From February 2024, community-service pathways are no longer reported in RTT, which lowered the list slightly."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "kind": "bars",
      "title": "PEOPLE WANT\nCONNECTED RESULTS",
      "rows": [
        {
          "label": "Cost of living",
          "value": 89
        },
        {
          "label": "NHS",
          "value": 79
        },
        {
          "label": "Economy",
          "value": 70
        }
      ],
      "unit": "%",
      "footer": "ONS • GB adults • Aug 2026 • n=3,560; multiple responses. Not a single demand for more spending.",
      "survey": true,
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/bulletins/publicopinionsandsocialtrendsgreatbritain/august2026",
          "retrieved": "2026-11-01",
          "sha256": "5f1f819636906f090c6e0dfc27f89a4f54de98ccbc9f94d3df9c5246a68b8079",
          "method": "ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Great Britain adults, 5–30 August 2026. 3,560 responses from 8,730 sampled adults (41% response). Multiple answers permitted. Employment selected as important: 31% August 2024, 42% August 2025, 54% August 2026. Not unemployment rates."
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "publishedCases": [
    {
      "label": "An agreed remedy for delayed education — Ombudsman, 2025",
      "url": "https://www.lgo.org.uk/decisions/education/special-educational-needs/24-021-977"
    },
    {
      "label": "Horizon inquiry: the journey from a recommendation to redress",
      "url": "https://www.postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk/news/chair-calls-swift-action-deliver-full-and-fair-compensation-urgent-report"
    }
  ],
  "interpretation": "Survey feelings, measured outcomes and individual published cases are distinct evidence. Connections are not quantified causal effects. Historical dates and methodological breaks are retained. Builder checks are not independent analytical assurance."
}