Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the potential savings to the public purse from reduced usage of on-framework staffing agencies.

We have answered this question referencing the Planning Guidance for 2024/25, where NHSE England stated that trusts should end the use of off-framework agencies.

The 2025/26 NHS priorities and operational planning guidance aims to improve procurement, contract management, and work to accept operating models that meet commercial standards.

Use of off-framework agencies, which tends to be more expensive, is at record lows, contributing to a forecast cost reduction of £1.4 billion from 2024/25 (approximately 38% reduction) - NHS England » Financial performance update.

Off-framework use is actively monitored through NHS England governance mechanisms, with additional oversight applied to Trusts with recurring non-compliance.