NHS England: Staff Costs

Lord Young of Norwood Green Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

There is an absolute commitment running throughout this that front-line services will not be affected by the work that continues. The decision was taken to move swiftly, and impact assessments will be done as we go through the journey. The Government have also committed that this will be as transparent a process as possible. Parliament will be kept fully apprised of the work that is done, particularly of how front-line services are being protected.

[Lord Young of Norwood Green (Lab)]

My Lords, it has been decided that it is no good just throwing more money at the NHS; you have to reform it at the same time. Is that not an important factor—the need to reform the NHS, making sure that it provides better services, rather than just thinking that more money is the answer to the problem, when we know that this has not been the case in the past?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I think my noble friend is referring to the layers of bureaucracy that make up NHS England. Anyone trying to find a way through that bureaucracy struggles to have direct lines of accountability, for example. He is absolutely right: reform is essential. This Government have grasped the nettle and are moving forward and working at pace, bringing in all the senior people from all the different affected parties to work together and, most importantly, to keep Parliament apprised of progress.