UK Government to Abolish NHS England in Major Restructuring Effort

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces plans to streamline the NHS and civil service, promising cost savings and improved accountability.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the abolition of NHS England, a £200 billion public body, to consolidate its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care.
The government aims to reduce duplication and bureaucracy within the health service, redirecting resources to frontline staff and patient care.
The reforms are part of a broader effort to cut civil service headcount by 50% across NHS England and the Department of Health, potentially saving hundreds of millions of pounds.
Starmer emphasized the need for democratic accountability, stating that decisions about public funds should rest with ministers rather than arms-length bodies.
Critics, including Labour MPs and think tanks, have raised concerns about the impact of proposed welfare cuts and civil service reductions on vulnerable populations and public services.