The Spectator

Barometer | 11 February 2012

issue 11 February 2012

Long to reign over us

The Queen has become only the second British monarch to spend 60 years on the throne. To overtake Victoria, she would have to reign until 10 September 2015, but would still then be 19 years short of Sobhuza II of Swaziland, who began his reign on 10 December 1899, at the age of four months, and died on 21 August 1982. Some other long reigns:

Louis XIV of France  1643–1715
Johannes II of Leichtenstein  1858–1929
Franz-Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian empire  1848–1916
Bhumibol Adulyadei of Thailand  1946–


Doctor sued

The Commons Public Accounts Committee revealed that the NHS has had to put aside £15.7 billion for future negligence claims. How many claims have been successful in winning damages from the NHS over the decade 2001-11?
Settled out of court 28,700
Abandoned 24,050
Damages awarded by court 2,020
Yet to be resolved 9,020



National debts

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in