Few things are more likely to generate a round of applause at a public meeting than condemning the so-called postcode lottery. And of course random unfairness in the quality of a service – the ‘lottery’ aspect – is a bad thing, especially if people are paying the same but getting worse outcomes. But what about

Men with prostate cancer are five times more likely to die in some parts of the country than others highlighting a "postcode lottery" in NHS care campaigners claim.

Patients suffering from heart attacks still face a postcode lottery in the standard of care they receive, official figures show.

MIDLOTHIAN Labour MSP Rhona Brankin has attacked the NHS "postcode lottery" for infertility treatment.

The Conservatives have criticised a "postcode lottery" in cancer care.

The LibDems last night called for an end to the postcode lottery over cancer treatment waiting times after figures showed that five of Scotland's 14 health boards failed to meet targets.

I've been reading Postcode Lotteries by G. R. Steele, an article in the current issue of Economic Affairs.The first two sentences:An internet search delivers over a quarter-million hits for "postcode lottery". Almost all are British.Why British I ask myself.Steele points out that postcode lotteries are generally to be found in the public sector, which is ineffective in distributing goods and

The MP for Dartford Gareth Johnson criticises the so-called postcode lottery facing couples who want IVF.

Young offenders are being subjected to a 'postcode lottery' of justice with courts handing down inconsistent sentences according to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Couples seeking IVF treatment to help them have a baby face a "postcode lottery" across Scotland official figures suggest.