NHS finances

Our work on NHS funding, budgets and finances

The NHS 10-year plan: how should the extra funding be spent?

The government has announced increases in NHS funding and has asked the NHS to come up with a 10-year plan for how this funding will be used. After eight years of austerity, there is now an opportunity to tackle the issues that matter most to patients and communities and to improve health and care.

Hypothecated funding for health and social care: how might it work?

Hypothecated funding for health and social care is back on the political agenda. This paper sets out the problems hypothecation is meant to solve – and the conditions under which it might do so – and provides a brief history of hypothecation in the UK.

Spending on and availability of health care resources: how does the UK compare to other countries?

The recent announcement by the Prime Minister to bring forward a new long-term funding settlement for the NHS means it is timely to look at how health spending in the UK compares to other countries and how the NHS measures up on some of the key resources this spending pays for.

Does the public see tax rises as the answer to NHS funding pressures?

We have analysed the latest data from the British Social Attitudes survey on public attitudes to NHS funding and the quality of care provided by the NHS.

Completed project

Autumn Statement 2016

The Autumn Statement was announced on 23 November 2016. It was the current government's first major economic statement and has set the financial context in which the health and social care system will operate going forward.

Should local business rates fund local public health? There’s not a simple answer

David Buck looks at the complex issue of whether local public health services should be funded through business rates, and proposes a set of conditions that need to be met before this option is pursued.

Financial pressures in the NHS reading list

A selected list of references held by The King's Fund library.

Lack of investment in new services puts NHS plan at risk

The absence of ring-fenced funding for investing in new services could jeopardise plans to improve patient care outlined in the NHS five year forward view (Forward View), according to a new report from The King's Fund.

NHS England says it cannot fund all cost-effective treatments promptly

Nicholas Timmins looks at some of the big issues raised by proposed changes in the way that drugs approved by NICE should be funded.

Evidence and consultation

House of Lords Select Committee: long-term sustainability of the NHS: Evidence submission

Evidence submission from The King's Fund to the House of Lords Select Committee on the long-term sustainability of the NHS.

Trust finances raise concerns about the future of the Mental Health Taskforce recommendations

New data shows that mandated increases in investment have failed to materialise on the front line of mental health care. Helen Gilburt considers what this means and the implications for future improvements.

What if people had to pay £10 to see a GP?

Would charging people to visit a GP raise funds for the NHS or add to the care burden by having a negative impact on people’s health?

NHS planning guidance 2017-19: steps in the right direction?

Richard Murray evaluates the latest NHS planning guidance, and considers whether the changes proposed are welcome and realistic in the current financial context.

STP leaders face major challenges in transforming care and balancing budgets

With NHS sustainability and transformation plans hitting the headlines recently, Chris Ham discusses how the plans are shaping up and the challenges in developing new care models and delivering unprecedented improvements in efficiency.

How is the NHS performing? September 2016: Quarterly Monitoring Report

The 20th quarterly monitoring report from The King's Fund provides an update on how the NHS is coping as it continues to grapple with productivity and reform challenges under continued financial pressure.

NHS finances: a game of two halves

As the results of our latest quarterly monitoring report make clear, 2016/17 is not going to be an easy year for the NHS. Richard Murray takes a look at how commissioners and providers are coping.

Demand for NHS services soars to record levels

Relentless demand for services is driving up waiting times and exacerbating financial pressures in the NHS according to the latest Quarterly Monitoring Report from The King's Fund.

How many sticks will it take to beat the NHS into financial health?

A key part of our Quarterly Monitoring Report is a survey of NHS finance directors, which offers an insight into the state of NHS finances. Ahead of the publication of our next report, Joni Jabbal considers the results of the latest survey.

The King's Fund response to NHS Improvement’s finance figures

Richard Murray comments on NHS Improvement's report on the performance of NHS providers in the first quarter of the year.

NHS rationing under the radar

With local health systems being told to balance their books in the middle of the biggest financial crisis in recent NHS history, Ruth Robertson considers the impact of this pressure on patients and staff.

The consequences of living within your means

The Department of Health's annual accounts, published last week, were further evidence of the increasingly serious financial crisis facing the NHS. Helen McKenna considers the outlook as measures are put in place to restore financial control.

The King's Fund response to the Health Select Committee’s Spending Review report

Richard Murray comments on the Health Select Committee's report on the impact of the Spending Review on health and social care.

The English social care system in 2016

The English social care system in 2016

Graphics illustrating some of the key findings from the 2016 budget survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).

Panel discussion: The future of health and social care funding in England

The panel - featuring Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Liz Kendall MP, Kate Barker, Yvonne Braun and Dr Dan Poulter MP - discuss the future of health and social care funding and answer audience questions.

Rising cost of medicines teaser image

The rising cost of medicines to the NHS: what’s the story?

In the face of rising costs, the NHS is grappling with how to provide access to medicines in an affordable way. Our new briefing explores the NHS’s approach to managing its spending on medicines and choices that policy-makers are likely to face in future.

Financial pressures in the NHS reading list

A selected list of references held by The King's Fund library.

Social care finances: Our work on social care funding, budgets and finance

Productivity: Our work on efficiency, value for money, supply and demand in the NHS