Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which financially challenged NHS trusts are failing to meet the Better Payment Practice Code requirement to pay 95 per cent of suppliers within 30 days; and what new support or guidance NHS England is providing to these trusts to ensure critical cash flow constraints do not impact the local supply chain.

In 2025/26, 90% of invoices in all National Health Service trusts were paid within 30 days. NHS England monitors the financial performance of all NHS trusts through its National Oversight Framework, which helps to identify where additional support or intervention is needed. Trusts that forecast cashflow shortfalls may apply for revenue support in line with NHS England’s revenue finance and contracting guidance, enabling them to continue meeting their short-term financial obligations, while longer-term recovery plans are implemented.