In the days leading up to the budget announcement, the treasury unveiled £1.5 billion in funding for surgical hubs, designed to build capacity for over 30,000 additional procedures and more than 1.25 million extra diagnostic tests. At the same time, £70 million was allocated for new radiotherapy machines to boost cancer treatment to double the number of cancer scanners across the country.
The government has also committed to investing more than £2 billion in modernising NHS technology and improving digital infrastructure to enhance productivity and save staff time. A British Medical Association (BMA) report highlighted that doctors in England lose more than 13.5 million hours a year due to inadequate IT systems. The technology upgrades are expected to significantly reduce this loss.
In the Autumn Budget, more than £600 million will be directed to local governments to support social care, a sector many believe has been neglected for too long. Additionally, £26 million has been ringfenced for new mental health crisis centres, as it was said 350,000 people have been waiting for over a year to access mental health services.
A dedicated capital fund will also deliver 200 upgrades to GP surgeries across England. Furthermore, £460 million will be used to improve the UK’s pandemic preparedness, including replenishing PPE supplies, securing vaccines and medicines, and investing in high-containment laboratories to strengthen infrastructure against future health emergencies.
This comprehensive funding plan aims to modernize healthcare services, improve access, and boost productivity, delivering on Labour Party’s key health pledges.
