Tag: Department of Health and Social Care

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 February 2026.

The government is launching a consultation on extending smoke-free places and introducing vape-free and heated tobacco-free spaces.

• Consultation on extending smoke-free places and introducing vape-free and heated tobacco-free spaces – as part of the 10 Year Health Plan
• Kids’ playgrounds and schools set to be smoke, vape and heated tobacco-free to better protect children and vulnerable people from harm
• Outside hospitals to be smoke and heated tobacco-free. Outdoor hospitality and wide-open public spaces not included 

Children and medically vulnerable people will be better protected under plans to ban smoking from playgrounds, schools and hospitals. 

The government has today (13 February 2026) launched a public consultation to seek views on stopping people smoking, vaping or using heated tobacco in public playgrounds and education settings in England. 

Areas outside healthcare locations – such as hospitals – would also become smoke-free and heated tobacco-free under the proposals.

Indoor spaces, where smoking is already banned, would also become vape-free and heated tobacco-free, subject to consultation. 

Outdoor hospitality settings, including pub gardens and open public spaces, are not included in the proposals. Private homes and private outdoor spaces are also out of scope. 

These proposals form part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to shift the focus of the NHS from sickness to prevention, tackling the root causes of ill health and reducing long-term pressure on services. 

Second-hand smoke is harmful even outdoors, with children and medically vulnerable people at greatest risk. By acting in places where young people gather and patients receive care, the government aims to prevent avoidable harm before it happens and support a healthier generation.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said: 

No child in a playground or hospital patient should suffer because someone else chooses to smoke. 

Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer and we want to protect children and the sick from harm. 

Prevention is better than cure, so this government is taking pressure off the NHS and building a healthier Britain where everyone lives well for longer.

This consultation marks an important step towards implementing the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will create a smoke-free generation and protect young people from a lifetime of addiction. The bill is currently progressing through Parliament. 

There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and children, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Short-term exposure can cause immediate symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing and headaches, while long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of chronic disease. 

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said: 

People who do not smoke but who are exposed to second-hand smoke can suffer significant harmful effects on their health, including an increased risk of asthma, poor birth outcomes, several cancers, stroke and heart disease. The health risks are greatest for children, pregnant women and people with medical conditions. 

No smoker wants to harm people, but with second-hand smoke they do – and these measures would reduce the harm second-hand smoke causes the most medically vulnerable in our society.

It will also seek views on setting outdoor boundaries, exemptions and designated smoking areas, and how to inform people of restrictions to ensure the rules are proportionate and workable. 

There will be a minimum of 6 months between any regulations being made and them coming into force, with guidance available on how to make sure people are aware of and follow the rules. 

Enforcement would mirror existing smoke-free laws, where compliance has historically been extremely high. 

Business Minister, Kate Dearden, said: 

These are targeted proposals to protect children and families from second-hand smoke and vaping, without placing extra pressure on pubs, restaurants or the wider hospitality sector.

We have been clear that we will support businesses, and after listening to their concerns, we have excluded outdoor hospitality spaces from these changes. 

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of British Heart Foundation, said: 

No child should have to walk through a cloud of deadly second-hand smoke on their way to the classroom or playground, nor should any patient be exposed to harm on hospital grounds. 

We strongly support the government’s consultation and the landmark legislation behind it, and we call for urgent implementation to protect everyone from harm. Tough measures must be taken to prevent smoking from robbing more families of their loved ones and harming vulnerable people.

Cancer Research UK’s Executive Director of Policy and Information, Dr Ian Walker, said: 

We support the UK government taking action to create a smoke-free future and protect the most vulnerable in society. This consultation is an important opportunity for people to share their views on smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places in England, helping to ensure decisions are guided by the strongest evidence.

Smoking is the leading cause of cancer deaths in England, and we can’t afford to lose any momentum in the fight against tobacco. The government must now swiftly pass and implement the historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill to protect future generations from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction.

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said:

Smoke-free legislation has been one of the greatest public health successes of the last 20 years, saving lives, improving health and changing social norms for the better.

With smoking now far less common than when the law was introduced, the public rightly expects the same protections to extend to shared outdoor spaces where people are still being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke.

Peter Roderick, Spokesperson for Addiction for the Association of Directors of Public Health, said:

Smoking doesn’t just kill smokers. It also kills non-smokers, and causes a range of illnesses including cancers, heart and lung diseases that affect adults and children alike, and is linked to stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome.

We know that these numbers have decreased since the introduction of restrictions on smoking in public places. Introducing more smoke-free spaces will save even more lives, protect future generations and give freedom to live a healthier life to the 88% of people – including thousands of medically vulnerable people – who don’t smoke. These changes are not only needed, but they also have strong public support and it is vital that we make them happen as soon as possible.

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

No one should be forced to breathe in air that could harm their health, and banning smoking and vaping in more public places would be a significant step towards better lung health for all. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, even in outdoor spaces. Tobacco smoke contains dangerous chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide, which puts lungs at risk – and children and people with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable. This is why banning smoking in places such as outside schools and hospitals is critical.

The risks of smoking are well documented, but vaping among non-smokers – particularly young people – is also a real concern. More research is needed into the long-term impact of vaping, but in the meantime a ban in indoor public spaces would help to reduce uptake and protect people whose lung conditions are triggered by vaping. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a once in a generation chance to create a smoke-free generation and protect the lungs of future generations.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 February 2026.

Social work students to receive targeted financial support, under plans set out in a consultation launched by the government today.

• Government to offer better financial support for social work students to set up a career in sector
• Changes aim to improve access and break down barriers into social work careers to provide vital care for children and families, older people and people with learning disabilities and mental health
• This follows the launch of the Fair Pay Agreement – backed by £500 million – and improved skills and qualifications for care workers, as the government reforms adult social care

Social work students will receive more targeted financial support where there is the greatest need, including those from low-income backgrounds, under plans set out in a consultation announced by the government today.

It will seek feedback from universities, social work students, social workers, local authorities and NHS trusts to maximise the effectiveness of the existing Social Work Bursary (SWB) and the Education Support Grant (ESB).

Together, these provide £50 million annually to support social work students and have provided support since 2003. However, uptake of the Social Work Bursary has declined in recent years, with around 1,500 unclaimed bursaries in 2024-25 out of the 4,000 available.

These proposed changes will bring down barriers and aim to improve access to a vital career.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

I hugely value the thousands of social workers across the country who care for the vulnerable people in our society.

This consultation will make sure that support is targeted to the social work students that need it most. Ultimately, this will bolster our workforce with aspiring and hardworking, compassionate social workers.

We are on the road to transforming adult social care careers by launching the Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, the first ever universal career structure and improved training and qualifications. This is a further step as we build a National Care Service and work with the sector to deliver the workforce it needs.

Chief Social Worker for Adults Sarah McClinton and Chief Social Worker for Children and Families Isabelle Trowler said:

This consultation is vital to understand views from across the profession, including current and future students, higher education institutes and employers on how the Social Work Bursary and Education Support Grant can best support high-quality students into social work education and ultimately help them have long and rewarding careers in social work.

The consultation runs for eight weeks and closes on 7 April 2026. Responses can be submitted online: Proposed changes to the Social Work Bursary and the Education Support Grant – GOV.UK

Currently, the Social Work Bursary provides support to undergraduates who receive around £4,900 and postgraduates who receive around £11,300 and the Education Support Grant contributes to the costs of practice placements, where students gain hands-on experience. Bursaries or grants do not need to be paid back, unlike student loans.

Through the 10 Year Health Plan the government is shifting more care out of hospital and into the community and social workers will play a vital role in this shift, as part of Neighbourhood Health Services.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 3 February 2026.

£10 million financial support package for families of children and young people with cancer to cover travel costs to and from appointments.

• £10 million support comes as more than a third of families travel over an hour to reach hospital for cancer care
• Fund a key recommendation of the Children and Young People’s Cancer taskforce as part of the National Cancer Plan
• Part of wider package to transform young people’s cancer care, from earlier diagnosis, expanded genomic testing to better access to clinical trials and psychosocial support

Children with cancer will have their travel costs paid for, with a new government support package worth up to £10 million a year.

For every parent of a child with cancer, each day presents real challenges, not only in confronting the disease itself, but also in managing the considerable demands and costs associated with transporting their child for specialist treatment.

More than a third of these families must travel over an hour to reach hospital. There are 13 expert centres caring for children with cancer across England, with many young patients and their families face long and frequent journeys, sometimes several times a week, over many months or even years.

The financial burden can be significant, with petrol costs, train fares and lost earnings making an already difficult time, even harder. For some families, it could mean money that means heating their home for fewer hours, or going without fresh, nutritious food at dinner time. These are choices no parent should ever be forced to make.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their family’s only focus should be on helping them recover and getting them well, not on whether they can afford the petrol or bus fare to get to their next appointment. This small change will make the world of difference to parents.

Our plan will leave no family out of pocket while their child goes through cancer. It doesn’t matter what you earn – if your child needs treatment, we will help you get them there. When a child is fighting cancer, their family should never have to fight the system too.

While wealthier families may absorb these costs, for those worrying about the cost of living, the impact can be overwhelming.

Through the National Cancer Plan, the government will provide £10 million a year for a new fund open to all children and young people with cancer and their families regardless of income to support them with the cost of travelling to and from cancer care.

It will help people like Emma Wilding, from West Lancashire, whose son Theo was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in October 2024 when he was only five months old.

Alder Hey Children’s hospital is 45 minutes away from their family home, which meant they had to spend a great deal of time and money on travel in addition to paying for parking at the hospital.  

She said:

When Theo was going through treatment, we had no choice but to pay out for fuel and parking at the hospital, as we had to be by his side. However, at a time when our household income had gone down, this was a struggle financially.  

Sat on the ward, I met so many other families also struggling with these costs, many travelling from much further away from hospital as well. I know this news is going to mean so much to young people and families of children with cancer, so they won’t have to worry so much about how they’ll afford to get to hospital.

This commitment sits alongside decisive action to transform cancer care for children and young people; including improving hospital food, ensuring medical psychosocial care during treatment, expanding genomic testing, and detecting cancers earlier when treatment is most effective.

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said:

Children with cancer need the best specialist treatment and this can sometimes mean repeated long-distance travel, adding to the pressures families face during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

This new fund will be available regardless of income so families avoid having to choose between being at their child’s bedside and covering the cost of travelling there.

Together with earlier diagnosis, emotional support, genomic testing and better access to trials, this will help deliver the new National Cancer Plan’s goal of improving care for children and young people with cancer.

The upcoming national NHS food standards review will ensure young cancer patients have access to high-quality, child-friendly food, including outside mealtimes.

The government will also improve the experience of those children who have to stay in hospital. The NHS and Starlight’s Play Well toolkit will help services deliver high-quality play provision for children, while youth support coordinators will help teenagers and young adults with education, emotional support and fertility concerns.

Furthermore, mental health support will be standardised for all young cancer patients during diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up, recognising the experience of cancer often surfaces years after treatment ends.

Taken together, these measures will ensure that when a child faces cancer, their family can focus on what matters most,  being by their side and helping them get well.

This follows a series of reforms announced as part of the National Cancer Plan, including measures to improve access to specialists in rural and coastal communities, a crackdown on illegal underage sunbed use, improved bowel cancer screening to catch thousands more cases earlier and a new partnership to support England’s 830,000 working-age cancer patients to remain in employment during and after treatment.

The plan will be published tomorrow and will set out further steps the government is taking to catch cancer earlier, treat it faster, and prevent it in the first place. Since coming to office, the government has already delivered 5 million extra NHS appointments, and 213,000 more patients have received a cancer diagnosis within the 28 day target.

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive Officer of Young Lives vs Cancer, said:  

Young Lives vs Cancer has been campaigning for almost a decade for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund. Today’s announcement of dedicated travel costs support is a huge step forward in transforming the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families. Up until now, young people and families have been going into debt and even missing treatment because of the extra £250 every month just to travel to hospital. We’re ready to work with the government to make this a success.

We’re pleased to see the National Cancer Plan will provide dedicated support that children and young people need, achieved by true sector collaboration. Young Lives vs Cancer has worked with partners over many years and through the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce to ensure the experiences of children and young people with cancer are considered within the National Cancer Plan.

 Jules Worrall, Interim Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: 

Cancer kills more young people in the UK than any other disease. By including a specific focus on young people with cancer, the National Cancer Plan for England has the potential to reduce the impact of this devastating disease.  

We are pleased the Plan will look to improve access to clinical trials - a major issue for young people with cancer. Removing barriers that stop them accessing innovative new treatments could be a potential lifeline for some.    

Our hope is that these new commitments will also lead to faster diagnosis for young people with cancer which we know is so important to improving health outcomes, as well as catalyse greater access to vital psychosocial support.  

We look forward to working with the government to ensure the Plan achieves real and lasting change for young people with cancer.

 Mr Ashley Ball-Gamble, Chief Executive of The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association, said:

Along with our partners at Young Lives vs Cancer, we’ve been calling for a Children & Young People’s Cancer Plan for several years, so we’re pleased to see that a focus on children and young people has been a priority in developing the National Cancer Plan. 

The plan’s commitment to both speeding up diagnosis – building on the research and recommendations of CCLG’s own Child Cancer Smart awareness campaign – and the prioritising of funding for children and young people’s cancer research, represent a positive step forward to improving both outcomes and experiences. 

We’re looking forward to playing our part in setting the plan into action and seeing the life-saving and life-changing impact it will have for children and young people with cancer.

Gail Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Solving Kids Cancer, said: 

We welcome the dedicated attention to children and young people’s cancers in the upcoming National Cancer Plan – a level of focus that has not been seen before and remains rare internationally. A 2025 analysis of cancer control plans across Europe found that only 4 out of 22 countries had a comprehensive approach to childhood cancer. The government’s commitment to a clear, detailed plan for children and young people offers an opportunity to position England as a global leader in improving care, treatment and research for children with cancer and their families.

Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel, Early diagnosis fellow at CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association and vice-chair of the Children and Young People’s Taskforce at DHSC, said: 

Today marks a historic moment in policy for England. For the first time in the country’s history, there is a standalone chapter for Children and Young People within a National Cancer plan.  

The commitments included in the plan are a direct result of the entire paediatric oncology community – clinicians, researchers, charities, children, young people and their families – coming together to highlight crucial gaps that need addressing when a child or young person aged 0-24 is diagnosed with cancer.  

The result is a set of holistic commitments spanning the entire patient journey from ensuring earliest possible accurate diagnoses within primary and secondary care, to parity of access to clinical trials and genomic testing and prioritising CYP cancer research and data collection.  

We are thrilled that this plan also places the child, young person and their families at the heart of it, committing to better psychosocial support including youth worker support for young people, improving access to high quality food and providing families with financial support through the travel fund.  

We thank everyone who contributed, and look forward to the next, most important, step which is implementing the commitments to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people with cancer.

 Dr Timothy Ritzmann, Clinical Associate Professor in Paediatric NeuroOncology and Cancer Biology, University of Nottingham, and CCLG-funded researcher, said: 

With the National Cancer Plan about to launch, it’s vital that children and young people with cancer remain a clear priority. A plan alone is not enough – it must be backed by sustained investment to deliver real change for children and families. 

The James Lind Alliance has set out the research questions that matter most, and funding to address them is essential to close evidence gaps – especially for those with high risk cancers, where new effective therapies are urgently needed to create both hope for families and lasting cures for patients. 

We must also deliver clinical trials more quickly and efficiently so that the UK’s world-leading scientific discoveries reach patients without delay. Alongside this, strengthening early diagnosis remains crucial. We cannot and must not allow children to be left behind – they are our future.

The support will help people like Tim Sadler, from Gloucestershire, whose son Michael was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in April 2014 just days before his third birthday and went on to have three years of treatment.

Tim sat on the patient group in the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce and has supported the Young Lives vs Cancer’s campaign for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund for the past eight years. Tim says today’s news of financial support for travel costs is the help families like his have been waiting for:

I am so pleased to hear today’s news that the UK Government has listened to the need for travel costs support as part of the National Cancer Plan.  

Supporting travel costs would make a massive difference in making sure families like mine don’t have to worry about affording the cost to get to and from the hospital and focus on what matters: being by their side.

I am also pleased to see the government has committed to many other improvements to children, young people and families’ experiences, especially as parents and carers need to make sure they are best placed to support their child.

The support will also help people like Victoria Ward, a young cancer survivor from the Isle of Wight, who was diagnosed with Lymphoma at 21.

Victoria would have to travel from her home to Southampton General Hospital via ferry and then drive or take a taxi to the hospital once she reached the mainland. The return ferry ticket alone could cost anywhere between £80 to £200 at peak times. Victoria had to stop working and struggled to face these costs alongside her house costs, which led to her giving up her flat. Victoria said:

If I was having my chemo in the morning and my clinic was 8am during rush hour, a taxi could be anywhere from £12 to 15 just to go up the road. The parking alone would cost us £20 to 23 a go. As much as people say ‘it’s only £20’, that £20 is my week’s food.

It was a case of I either I keep my own safe space or die. I was previously homeless a year or so before I started my cancer treatment, so my flat was my achievement, so it was sad giving that up but it had to be done.

It is brilliant news. I really struggled to keep on top of the costs of getting to and from hospital so it’s great to know that other young people will get support to face these challenges like I did and can focus on getting their treatment.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 January 2026.

Waiting lists in 20 areas in England fall three times faster than the national average thanks to experts deployed by government to help supercharge NHS care.

• Trusts part of ‘Further Faster 20’ programme saw backlogs cut dramatically and productivity increased, helping get people back to work
• Scheme is just one modernisation success story amid the NHS recovery, and comes one year on from the launch of the government’s Elective Reform Plan

Specialist NHS teams helped cut waiting lists three times faster than the national average, a new report has revealed.

Thousands of patients across England benefitted from the Further Faster 20 (FF20) programme, which helped slash waiting times, turbocharge activity and is getting people back to work.

Crack teams of experts were sent to 20 hospital trusts across England with the highest levels of economic inactivity, with the aim of cutting the waiting list and boosting growth.

The health service will take learnings from the programme and use these to take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.

The findings of the FF20 report come as the government marks one year since the launch of the Elective Reform Plan – where record NHS funding is directed towards cutting waiting lists and getting patients seen on time again. 

Since July 2024, the waiting list is down by more than 225,000 despite 28.4 million referrals, making a huge difference to people’s lives up and down the country.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

We said our Elective Reform Plan would get waiting lists down, and one year on that’s exactly what it’s delivering. Along with record investment, we’re doing things differently to get patients seen quicker, back to work and living their lives.

By sending crack teams into hospitals to supercharge care, opening more Community Diagnostic Centres longer and later, and cutting wasteful spending, we’re turning the tanker round and patients are starting to feel the difference.

It will be a long road, but together with NHS staff, we are fixing our health service and make it fit for the future and beyond.

Mark Cubbon, NHS England’s National Director for Planned Care, said:

NHS staff have been relentless in their efforts to bring waiting times down, and today’s figures show patients are starting to see the benefits – not only getting the care they need faster but also being supported back into the job market.

The last year has seen the NHS take great strides to deliver more tests and scans closer to home, and cut unnecessary and time-consuming appointments and processes, so that people can get the surgery they need faster.

The NHS will continue to deliver on the Elective Reform Plan and ensure people can get the treatment they need in a timely manner.

The FF20 programme sees teams work alongside local staff to transform how planned operations and outpatient appointments are delivered. This includes High Flow Theatre Lists, where experts perform ‘Formula 1 style’ surgery with theatres operating continuously, allowing surgeons to complete planned operations quicker. 

Streamlining outpatient processes also played a major role. Trusts cut unnecessary appointments by sending patients “straight to test” rather than multiple clinic visits.

South Tees alone created 4,000 extra appointment slots by optimising the way it ran outpatient clinics, while Bolton cut wasted slots by 20% through better capacity management. East Lancashire deployed AI-powered dictation for pre-operative assessments, boosting nurse productivity by 14%.

The evaluation, published today by NHS England, found that over the 12 months from October 2024 to October 2025, waiting lists in FF20 areas fell three times faster than the rest of the country – with a 4.2% reduction compared to 1.4% nationally. For working-age adults, the difference was even starker: lists fell more than five times faster, helping get people treated and back into the workforce.

This initiative is having a major impact in slashing treatment times, and getting the NHS working again.

The Elective Reform Plan, launched in January 2025, set out how the government will return the health service its target of ensuring 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks for from referral to treatment by the end of the parliament.

In addition to the FF20 programme, across the country the government and NHS have together created more evening and weekend clinics, new and expanded community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs, millions of extra GP appointments, thousands more frontline staff, and smarter technology.

As a result, the NHS continues to deliver above target productivity growth, with 2.7% growth between April 2024 and March 2025, and a further 2.5% in the first five months of this financial year. This means not only is the government boosting NHS capacity, it’s getting more bang for the taxpayer’s buck.

Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive, NHS Providers, said: 

It’s great to see NHS trusts’ innovation and hard work to see patients quickly, cut waiting lists and boost productivity making such a huge contribution to the economy and growth. This is all the more impressive given the impact of record demand, resident doctor strikes and a relentless focus on delivering a financial ‘break even’ position for the NHS as a whole.

Mr Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England), said: 

It is encouraging to see targeted support helping trusts run operating lists and outpatient clinics more efficiently.  Long waits carry real human costs – prolonged pain, loss of independence, time away from work and disrupted lives.  This initiative shows what’s possible with focused investment. Our surgical workforce census shows surgeons are ready to do more operations, and with the right theatres, staffing and bed capacity in place, the NHS can go further and faster in tackling waiting lists.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 5 January 2026.

Children will be protected from exposure to junk food ads under new regulations, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.

• Government delivers on pledge to restrict junk food advertising and help parents raise healthiest generation of children ever
• New regulations will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children’s diets each year as part of drive to reduce childhood obesity
• Children will be protected from excessive exposure to unhealthy food adverts on television and online.

Kids will be protected from exposure to junk food advertising on TV and online as new regulations come into force to help tackle childhood obesity.

From today, adverts for less healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9pm, and online at all times.

This decisive and world-leading action by this government is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around £2 billion in health benefits over time.

Evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses. The ban targets the media children and young people use most at the times they use it.

At the start of primary school, 22.1% of children in England are living with overweight or obesity and this rises to 35.8% by the time they leave. Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children (typically ages 5-9) in the UK.

Minister for Health, Ashley Dalton said:

We promised to do everything we can to give every child the best and healthiest start in life.

By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children.

We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it.

This government has worked closely with health campaigners and industry leaders to find the right balance which combines our commitment to raising healthy kids and economic growth. It’s in everyone’s interest that parents and children can make healthy choices and we thank food and drink companies for getting behind these restrictions voluntary since October ahead of them taking legal effect today.

Previous interventions, such as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy resulted in businesses reformulating to make products healthier, and the measures coming into effect today have already had a similar impact, driving the development and promotion of healthier options.

This change is part of a range of measures the government is taking to lift children out of poverty and help give them the best start in life.

To tackle obesity and improve diets, this government has introduced the Healthy Food Standard to make the average shopping basket of goods healthier, and we’re giving local authorities the power to stop fast food shops setting up outside schools.

Katharine Jenner, Executive Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said:

It’s been one battle after another, but we are finally going to see children being protected from the worst offending junk food adverts. This is a welcome and long-awaited step towards better protecting children from unhealthy food and drink advertising that can harm their health and wellbeing. These new restrictions will help reduce children’s exposure to the most problematic adverts and mark real progress towards a healthier food environment.

For the government to achieve its ambition of raising the healthiest generation ever, this is an important policy as part of a broader approach to preventing obesity-related ill health. Continuing to strengthen the rules over time will help ensure these protections remain effective.

Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: 

With type 2 diabetes on the rise in young people, the need to improve children’s health in the UK has never been greater. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people – leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease.

The long-awaited move to restrict junk food advertising – along with other measures such as mandatory healthy food sales reporting for businesses and the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy – can help protect the health of our children, creating a future where conditions like type 2 diabetes can be prevented in young people.

The Soft Drink Industry Levy will be extended to cover more products, including sugary milk-based drinks – and we’re helping to further improve kids’ diets by banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.

In December, the Prime Minister announced parents could save up to £500 a year on baby formula thanks to new government measures aimed at reducing household costs and easing the cost of living for hard-working families.

This government has also introduced supervised toothbrushing for three to five-year-olds to protect those in the most deprived communities from tooth decay.

Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, meanwhile, will break the cycle of addiction and stop the next generation getting hooked on nicotine. It will also halt the advertising and sponsorship of vapes, limiting their packaging, flavours and displays which lure young people in.

These measures combined with the junk food ban mark the 10 Year Health Plan’s shift towards prevention and significant progress towards the government’s our pledge of raising the healthiest generation of children ever.

Farid (17), Bite Back Activist, said: 

Today is a milestone moment – one that young people across the UK have been campaigning for over many years. We welcome the government taking action to put children’s health front and centre, to protect young people from the predatory and manipulative marketing of unhealthy food by junk food giants.

These new rules are an important first step that begins to rip down the wallpaper of junk food advertising that surrounds young people on TV and online every day. We’re proud to see this change finally happen. But this cannot be the end. Young people are energised to keep pushing, working hard to make 2026 the year we fully transform the environments children grow up in.

Malcolm Clark, Senior Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK, said:

The world around us heavily influences what we eat and drink, which is why Cancer Research UK has long campaigned for restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to children.

Measures announced today – if properly enforced – are a crucial step towards creating an environment that protects children and empowers healthy lifestyle changes. 

Obesity and overweight causes at least 13 different types of cancer, and children living with obesity are much more likely to live with obesity as adults too. The UK Government must build on this landmark legislation with further bold action to make a healthy diet more accessible and reduce people’s risk of cancer in the future.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said:

This is a positive step towards creating healthier environments for children and tackling childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges we face, driving health inequalities and placing a significant cost burden on the NHS and wider society. These measures are an important part of a whole systems approach, alongside local action to improve access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.

We are pleased to see that these measures complement other public health initiatives, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which together signal a strong commitment to prevention and improving health outcomes.

Alice Wiseman MBE, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said:

The vast majority of deaths in this country are caused by preventable illnesses and disease, including many cancers, respiratory, heart and liver disease. These illnesses are often linked to the consumption of harmful products like unhealthy food and drink, but this is not the result of personal choice.

The reality is that what we eat and drink is heavily influenced by cheap prices and clever marketing campaigns backed by multi-million pound budgets. We simply don’t have the freedom to choose.

There is no quick fix, but we know from our experience of tackling tobacco harm, that one of the key ways to reduce illness and death caused by harmful products is to introduce tighter restrictions on advertising those products.  

There is of course further to go, but today’s legislation is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting people from industry influence and reducing the number of people living with – and dying from – preventable illness and disease.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 January 2026.

A new £2 million pilot will see health visitors reach families facing barriers to vaccines, to ensure more children are protected.

• Government to bring vaccines to doorsteps of families who can’t make it to the doctor
• New pilot will reach families facing barriers like travel costs, language difficulties or vaccine hesitancy
• £2 million pilot aims to close gap in healthcare inequalities

Health visiting teams will offer vaccinations to children, providing a vital safety net for families who might otherwise miss out. 

The new pilot targets families who’ve fallen through the cracks – including those not signed up with a GP, struggling with travel costs, childcare juggling, language barriers or other tough circumstances that stop them getting to the doctor. 

By offering vaccinations during routine health visits, the pilot removes these obstacles and ensures more children can access life-saving protection. 

Health visitors are specialist public health nurses who support families with children under five. They provide advice on healthy child development, feeding, and family health through regular home visits and clinic appointments.    

The twelve pilot schemes will roll out from mid-January across five regions of England – London, the Midlands, North East & Yorkshire, North West, and South West – designed to boost uptake and protect children from preventable diseases. 

While the scheme isn’t designed to replace your GP – families should continue to get vaccinated at their local surgery first – it supports families with children who’d otherwise slip through the net. 

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

Every parent deserves the chance to protect their child from preventable diseases, but some families have a lot going on and that can mean they miss out.

Health visitors are already trusted faces in communities across the country. By allowing them to offer vaccinations, we’re using the relationships and expertise that already exist to reach families who need support most.

Fixing the NHS means tackling health inequalities head-on. By meeting families where they are, we’re not just boosting vaccination rates – we’re building a health service that works for everyone.

The year-long trial will be evaluated before rolling it out across the country from 2027. 

Health visitors on the pilot will get extra training to tackle tricky conversations with worried parents – including those who have doubts about vaccination – and to give vaccinations safely. 

Struggling families will be identified by the NHS using GP records, health visitor notes and local databases. 

The pilots form part of the commitment to ramp up vaccination programmes, with over 18 million flu vaccines delivered this autumn – hundreds of thousands more compared to this time last year – and over 60,000 more NHS staff also getting their jab. 

The government is also investing in better digital services to help families track their child’s health and vaccinations. Through the new NHS App, parents will be able to monitor their children’s health using My Children – a 21st century digital alternative to the Red Book.

The pilot builds on the government’s commitment to Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes, which provide vital support for families during pregnancy and the early years of a child’s life, including health visiting services and parenting support.

From 2 January 2026, children will receive the new MMRV vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in one vaccine. This replaces the current MMR vaccine, and offers protection against chickenpox for the first time while making vaccination simpler for families. 

The government’s ‘Stay Strong. Get Vaccinated’ campaign also runs throughout the year to promote confidence in vaccination. 

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 31 December 2025.

More than 500 new ambulances will be deployed in England to cut response times for patients in every region.

• Every region of England has received new emergency vehicles, in biggest upgrade of ambulance fleet in recent years
• Backed by £75 million, new vehicles already helping to cut response times for patients
• Many ambulances converted in UK, boosting economic growth and supporting British jobs

Patients and staff across the country are benefiting from a new fleet of over 500 ambulances, as the government strengthens frontline emergency services this winter amid a flu epidemic.

The vehicles – which will replace old ambulances across England – represent one of the biggest upgrades to the NHS fleet in recent years and have been rolled out to every region of England, helping emergency services respond faster and more reliably through winter.

The new double crew ambulances are equipped with modern safety technology, improving protection for patients and staff while supporting paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively.

The rollout is already making a difference. The new ambulances have reduced breakdown rates and time spent out of service, meaning more vehicles have remained on the road and available to respond to emergencies.

The government investment has also supported skilled jobs, with ambulances converted by businesses across the country – including Goole and Bradford in Yorkshire, Sandbach in Cheshire, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, and London – helping attract investment and drive economic growth. 

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said:

In an emergency, every minute matters. When someone dials 999, they should get help fast – not be left waiting because of creaking kit or preventable delays.

These new ambulances are already helping to cut response times and keep more vehicles on the road, just as the NHS is facing a tidal wave of flu and the ongoing disruption of strikes.

I want to thank NHS staff for their extraordinary dedication this winter. They are going above and beyond for patients, often in incredibly tough conditions, and this government is backing them with the modern equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Modernising our ambulance fleet means better care for patients and stronger emergency services – while backing British jobs and driving economic growth.

 NHS national director for urgent and emergency care, Sarah Jane Marsh said:

Modern, well-equipped and reliable ambulances are a vital part of emergency care and allow staff to respond quickly and safely when patients need them most.

This new fleet of ambulances are a crucial link between providing patient care whether at home, in transit or at an emergency department and are a real boost at a time when staff are working incredibly hard and emergency care is under considerable pressure.

Through the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, the government is going further to boost resilience by investing in 40 new same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres and 15 mental health crisis assessment centres.

The government has committed a further £412 million over the next four years to continue renewing the ambulance fleet and modernising emergency services.

The announcement comes as the NHS manages significant winter pressures, including an early flu peak and the effects of recent industrial action.

Despite this, ambulance response times have improved compared to last year, hundreds of thousands more vaccines have been delivered, and more care has been delivered in the community to help keep patients away from overcrowded A&E departments.

Rory Deighton, Acute and Community Director, NHS Confederation, said:

Health leaders will welcome these new ambulances to the country’s fleet which will help the NHS to continue to provide better, faster and more appropriate emergency care, an area which is facing high demand and rising public concern over performance.

NHS leaders and their teams are working incredibly hard to keep patients safe, but rising flu levels, increased staff sickness and industrial action is having an impact, so making sure the NHS does not continue to fall into crisis each winter is essential for improving public confidence in the health service.

Strong collaboration between all health partners in the system and with local government, including improvements to emergency care through the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan will be key to sustained progress over the next year.

Jason Killens KAM, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives and Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service said:

These new vehicles are a key part of the ongoing modernisation of ambulance fleets across the country, ensuring we can meet the needs of patients not only during what is already a very challenging winter, but for many years to come.

The new ambulances include a range of design improvements that enhance patient care and staff safety. They are lighter, more fuel‑efficient and produce fewer emissions, while supporting paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively. Their improved reliability also means fewer breakdowns and less time out of service, keeping more vehicles on the road and ready to respond to patients.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 December 2025.

Government launches consultation to help combat rising drug deaths from opioids, as part of record £3.4 billion in investment in drug and alcohol services.

• Naloxone to be made accessible at homeless shelters and to the public in emergencies
• Government launches consultation to help combat rising drug deaths from opioids
• Part of record £3.4 billion investment including in drug and alcohol treatment and education services

Hundreds of people at risk of overdosing on opioids could be saved by providing homeless shelters with access to naloxone. 

The government has unveiled plans to expand access to the life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, with a 10-week UK-wide consultation launched today (29 December 2025).

The move is a central part of the government’s comprehensive approach to drug and alcohol misuse and treatment, supported by a record £3.4 billion over the next 3 years up to 2029.

Drug-related deaths have doubled since 2012, with a record 5,565 lives lost in England and Wales last year alone. Deaths involving nitazenes, a synthetic opioid, have increased substantially from 52 reported deaths in 2023 to 195 deaths in 2024.

Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth said:

Every drug death is a preventable tragedy. Naloxone is a safe, effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and give someone the chance to access treatment and rebuild their lives.

We want to remove the barriers which prevent naloxone reaching the people who need it most at that moment when their life is on the line.

That is why we are launching this consultation to change the regulations and make sure those coming in contact with opioids through their work – or members of the public faced with an emergency – can save a life.

The government is consulting on amending regulations to allow us to:

• expand supply of naloxone to hostels, day centres and outreach services for people experiencing rough sleeping or homelessness
• allow supplies to be delivered to emergency staff at organisations including the Border Force, National Crime Agency and laboratory testing facilities who may encounter dangerous synthetic opioids such as nitazenes as part of their work
• introduce a new way to access naloxone by installing publicly accessible emergency boxes, similar to those containing defibrillator cabinets, in high-risk locations such as high streets and near nightlife venues

Naloxone is a prescription-only medication. Legislation brought in by this government in December 2024 expanded the list of organisations and emergency service professionals able to supply take-home naloxone – including to police officers, paramedics and to probation workers.

This government wants to go further and save more lives by expanding access with the support of local authorities and homeless charities.

Following an overwhelmingly positive public consultation response, these changes contributed to the government’s ambition to prevent nearly 1,000 drug-related deaths in England by the end of 2025.

The new proposals aim to address some of the remaining barriers and reach more people.

Sean Palmer, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at St Mungo’s, said:

St Mungo’s has long campaigned for wider access to life-saving naloxone. We welcome this announcement as it provides wider access to a vital tool for supporting people experiencing homelessness who are also using opioids. Naloxone saves lives, it gives people the chance to recover and walk the path out of homelessness for good. 

At a time when opioid use and the risks associated with it are rising, naloxone is widely used across our services; our outreach teams never go out without it, our colleagues are trained on how to respond to an opioid overdose and frequently save lives. 

We know that substance use can become a coping mechanism for people who feel they have run out of options, especially for people with complex physical and mental trauma which is too often both a cause and consequence of homelessness. 

We welcome the government’s acknowledgement, in its National Plan to End Homelessness, of the need for more integration between housing and health services, including substance use services to hasten recovery among people experiencing homelessness, and to prevent more unnecessary and tragic deaths.

Most local authorities will see cash increases in their funding, with targeted support for high-need areas and those supporting people sleeping rough.

This government has also set out its commitment to move from sickness to prevention which includes stopping people taking drugs in the first place.

In October 2025, the government launched a campaign to alert people to the risks of taking ketamine, counterfeit medicines, synthetic opioids and THC vapes following a significant increase in drug-related harms among young people.

The campaign targets 16 to 24 year olds and social media users. Additional resources are now available for schools, universities and local public health teams, ensuring young people have the facts they need to make informed decisions about their health and safety.

This second naloxone consultation is being conducted jointly with the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) and has the support of all 4 UK nations following agreement at the UK Drugs Ministerial Group that expanding naloxone access is a key priority.

Subject to consultation responses and Parliamentary approval, the government aims to introduce the new legislation in 2026. The changes would be made through amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

Background

Naloxone is a prescription-only medicine, but recent legislative changes have expanded the list of organisations and professionals able to supply take-home naloxone without a prescription (route 1) and enabled a registration service for other organisations (route 2).

Despite these changes, barriers remain due to lack of public awareness and stigma, as well as operational issues in setting up the registration service in England. The new proposals aim to address these challenges through further legislative changes.

Naloxone temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdose, allowing time for emergency medical help to arrive. It has no effect if opioids are not present and cannot be misused.

Opioid-related deaths make up the largest proportion of drug-related deaths across the UK, with an average of 40 deaths a week.

The consultation is being conducted jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Health (Northern Ireland), with support from the Scottish and Welsh governments.

The Aberdeen naloxone emergency box pilot launched in 2024 and operates through partnership between Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian.

The proposals are part of a wider package of amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations, with separate consultations on other elements.

Subject to consultation responses and Parliamentary approval, the regulations would be laid before Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2026 using powers in the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021.

The £3.4 billion investment including in drug and alcohol treatment services also includes specialist services for children and young people.

For information and support on drug-related issues, visit www.talktofrank.com.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 December 2025.

The government will prioritise UK medical graduates for training places from 2026 as part of efforts to bring an end to industrial action by resident doctors.

• Substantial offer put to BMA in bid to end resident doctors’ strikes once and for all
• Includes bringing forward emergency legislation to fix choked recruitment system that overlooks UK graduates, benefiting this year’s applicants
• BMA refusing to call off Christmas strikes despite an unprecedented government offer to extend their mandate

The government has put an offer to the British Medical Association (BMA) that would put in place emergency legislation for UK and Republic of Ireland medical graduates and doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period of time to be prioritised for specialty training and tackling bottlenecks through an overhaul of recruitment for medical training. Should the BMA accept this offer, the government will accelerate plans to prioritise these medics, addressing the current system that has led to soaring competition ratios – with current applicants set to benefit from the 2026 intake.

Other measures in the offer include:   

• creating 4,000 more specialty training places, with 1,000 of these brought forward to this year
• cost-related measures, such as reimbursement for exam fees, to address the unique costs that resident doctors face
• increasing the less-than-full-time allowance by 50% to £1,500

Strikes suck up time, resources and energy, with each round costing the NHS around £250 million. As a result, enacting this emergency legislation is contingent on the BMA and its members accepting this offer, and the government will not be able to deliver its offer of 4,000 more training places if strikes continue.

The government also offered to extend the BMA’s strike mandate in exchange for cancelling their damaging Christmas strikes, which are designed to cause maximum disruption to the NHS. This would have allowed the BMA to hold a formal referendum on the offer, with enough time to rearrange the cancelled strikes for the end of January should it have been rejected. It is deeply disappointing that the BMA leadership has refused this generous compromise, creating untold anxiety for patients across the country. Latest data shows that at the end of November, there were 1,649 beds occupied by flu patients, which is up 55.6% from this time last year. 

The BMA will now conduct a short, informal survey before making a decision on the offer next week.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:   

Doctors asked me to deliver on jobs, especially unfair competition from overseas, and this comprehensive offer will deliver – providing resident doctors currently applying with more jobs, prioritising UK-trained graduates, and putting money back in the pockets of resident doctors. It builds on a 28.9% pay rise which has already been delivered.

We have been working around the clock to prepare emergency legislation to prioritise our homegrown talent and halve the competition for jobs that resident doctors currently face – that is now on the table. But it can only happen if resident doctors vote to accept the deal and end these strikes.

This offer will now go to BMA members, but the BMA has chosen to continue holding the spectre of strikes over the NHS next week. This was entirely avoidable as I offered to give the BMA the chance to reschedule strikes in January after the vote has taken place so that they could cancel the Christmas strikes, which are timed for the most damaging period of the year.

 I am astounded that the BMA’s leadership rejected this. It means their NHS colleagues will this week be cancelling Christmas plans to cover shifts, and patients will have their operations cancelled, as the NHS prepares for the worst. I cannot understand the wilful casualness with which the BMA’s leadership have chosen to inflict this pain on patients, other staff and the NHS itself. It is one of the most shameful episodes in the long history of the BMA.

I am appealing directly to resident doctors, who now have an opportunity to vote for more jobs, better career opportunities, more money in their pockets, and to end the strikes. I urge them to vote for this deal.

There are currently record numbers of doctors working in the NHS, but training bottlenecks are at all-time high, with UK graduates facing record competition for places due to rising numbers of international applications, and in many cases being left without a job to go into. 

The last government scrapped the Resident Labour Market Test, which required employers to check first if they can find an acceptable locally trained person to do the job. Medical school places were also expanded in recent years without also expanding postgraduate training, leading to increased competition for jobs.  This has seen NHS-trained doctors forced to compete on equal terms with doctors from around the world for NHS jobs.   

Competition ratios for postgraduate places have increased by 150% since 2019 – from 1.4 applicants per place in 2019, to 3.5 per place in 2025. There were around 12,000 applicants for 9,000 places in 2019, which has soared to over 30,000 applicants for near 10,000 places in 2025.   

Government reforms requiring General Medical Council registration at the point of application and limiting applicants to 5 specialty training applications have already reduced applications by 11% this year.

However, the system is still currently hostage to the previous government’s changes allowing increased overseas applicants. As a result, while applications are down, overall applicant numbers are still 16% higher than last year, making recruitment even more competitive than this year.   

UK and Republic of Ireland graduates would also be prioritised for foundation training. These reforms would be delivered through emergency primary legislation to be introduced in the new year, so that those applying in this current round are able to benefit from the changes.   

The plans will not exclude internationally trained staff who will still be able to apply to the roles and continue to bring new and vital skills to the NHS. The UK is fortunate to have exceptional internationally trained graduates, and the NHS will always benefit from their experience. We will be continuing to support and attract talented overseas staff that want to dedicate their time, energy and skills to the health service. That’s why the reforms will also prioritise doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period for specialty training.    

However, at a time when competition for medical staff globally has never been fiercer, we want to ensure we have a sustainable workforce fit for the future that is not overly reliant on international graduates. Taxpayers spend £4.3 billion in training medics every year, and we want to better protect this investment.

Further details on the changes that will be made to the recruitment system will be set out if the BMA decide to accept the offer put to them.

The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 December 2025.

The government has launched a scheme which will see thousands of people benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new action plan.

• Government unveils HIV Action Plan to tackle stigma and end transmissions in England by 2030, backed by £170 million   
• First ever national programme to re-engage people back into life-saving HIV care and treatment   
• Opt-out HIV testing in A&E will pick up infections earlier, when treatment is most effective   

Thousands of people across England will benefit from improved HIV testing and treatment under a new action plan designed to end new transmissions by 2030.   

The Action Plan, unveiled by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting today [Monday 1 December], tackles the stigma that remains a barrier for too many people – fear of judgement and discrimination means some people avoid getting tested, leaving infections undiagnosed and untreated.   

At the heart of the plan is a first of its kind national programme will find and support people who are not accessing lifesaving HIV treatment and bring them back into care.     

HIV is now entirely manageable – with the right treatment, people can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass the virus onto others.   

Around 5,000 people are no longer in care, with reasons including mental health issues, addiction, poverty or fear of judgement.    

This targeted support is particularly crucial for groups who are more likely to face problems including racism, stigma, poverty and housing issues that can make their lives more difficult.    

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: 

On World AIDS Day, we honour both the memory of those we have lost and stand together with those living with HIV. 

I promised to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030 and we are making this a reality thanks to our action plan, with a groundbreaking new HIV prevention programme, at home tests made available through the NHS App, and delivering opt out testing in emergency departments.

My message is simple – no one should ever have to fight HIV alone. Together, we will end the cycle of transmission, improve treatment and better protect people.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:   

HIV treatment has been transformed. Today, people living with HIV can enjoy full, healthy lives – and can’t pass the virus on to others. That’s remarkable progress.   

But we can go further. Ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 is ambitious – and this government is determined to make it happen.  

Our national re-engagement programme, a truly innovative and agile approach, targets the epidemic where it’s growing and leaving no one behind.  We’ll bring people into life-saving care and find infections early, when treatment works best, so everyone can live the full, healthy life they deserve.   

Thanks to the work of determined campaigners across our country, ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 – a history making, world changing goal – is within reach. This government will now put its shoulder to the wheel to deliver this change.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: 

We’re making progress – 95% of people living with HIV now know they have the virus. But around 4,700 people remain undiagnosed, including one in three in Black African communities and higher rates of late diagnosis in older age groups. 

People need testing that meets them where they are, in ways that feel safe and accessible. We need to make starting PrEP straightforward for anyone who wants it, with particular focus on heterosexual and Black communities who are being failed by current disparities. And when someone is diagnosed, they should get consistent, respectful support that helps them stay on treatment and stay engaged in care. 

This £170 million HIV Action Plan delivers on these priorities, enabling continued progress towards our 2030 goal.

Dr Claire Fuller, NHS England’s National Medical Director, said:  

The NHS is fully behind this Action Plan, which gives us the tools to diagnose people earlier, reconnect those who are not currently receiving care, and ensure every person living with HIV receives support without stigma.

Alongside opt-out HIV testing in A&E, we are launching a new £5 million digital trial so people can order home testing kits through the NHS App – making it easier and more discreet than ever to get checked. 

With early diagnosis and the right treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass the virus on and this plan brings us a major step closer to ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030.

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:  

The government has an ambition that is both momentous and historic: that England becomes the first country in the world to end new HIV cases. This new plan recognises the scale of the challenge, with the biggest new investment in HIV testing and care in decades.  

National funding to re-engage people in life-saving HIV care, putting HIV home-testing on the NHS App and long-term funding for opt-out HIV and hepatitis testing in emergency departments will be transformational. This is what people with HIV need. This is what we have been calling for. Now we must work together to make it happen.  

The leadership involved in pulling off this remarkable suite of initiatives is a tribute to Wes Streeting, Ashley Dalton and Kevin Fenton. We are in their debt, but will not hesitate to hold their feet to the fire.

Robbie Currie, Chief Executive, National AIDS Trust, said:   

National AIDS Trust welcomes the commitments in the HIV Action plan which provides a solid foundation for achieving the goal of ending HIV cases by 2030.    

Re-engaging people who are no longer in care is crucial to ensuring they can live well with HIV, and we’re pleased to see a new national programme dedicated to this. However, stigma, discrimination and inequality still push people away resulting in poorer health outcomes. Stigma training for hospitals is a welcome step towards ensuring healthcare settings are safe and inclusive.   

We are also delighted to see funding for formula milk – a priority we have campaigned on alongside our partners. This plan can get us on track to achieve the 2030 goals, but success requires rapid action and having the right policies in place across Government.

Anne Aslett, CEO, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, said:   

The new HIV Action Plan is an important step toward ending new HIV transmissions in England. We welcome the extra funding for opt-out testing in emergency departments, a model the Foundation first piloted in 2018. The latest results speak volumes, over 90% of people newly diagnosed in EDs had never been tested for HIV before. Smart, targeted investment like this saves lives.  

With up to 12,000 people living with HIV currently out of care, the £9 million investment in retention is crucial for keeping people healthy and stopping onward transmission. But without bold investment in prevention, including making PrEP widely accessible to everyone who needs it, ending new infections will remain out of reach.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said:   

Councils are ready to play their part in delivering this national action plan through council-commissioned sexual health clinics, close partnership working, and developing their own locally tailored HIV plans.  

We are committed to achieving the collective ambition to end new HIV transmission in England by 2030.  

Local government, the NHS, and our wider partners must continue working together to ensure equitable access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment. This includes reaching underserved communities, supporting innovative approaches such as opt-out testing and a push on tackling HIV stigma in health and social care.

The Action Plan, backed by over £170 million, is also continuing funding for testing in A&E, meaning if you’re having a routine blood test, you’ll automatically be tested for HIV – unless you choose not to.    

This testing programme is being delivered across areas with the highest rates, including London and Manchester, reaching thousands of people with undiagnosed infections who might never otherwise visit a sexual health clinic.   

Communities most affected by HIV will also benefit from a national HIV prevention programme to improve awareness about safer sex, testing and treatment.   

The prevention programme will work directly with those most at risk, providing tailored support and targeted testing to break down barriers and ensure no one is left behind.   

Hospital staff will also receive anti-stigma training, so patients can access care without fear of being judged for their HIV status.   

A groundbreaking £5 million trial, announced on Sunday will see home HIV testing kits ordered at the touch of a button through the NHS App.     

The trial will allow at-risk patients to order home HIV tests seamlessly, receive results securely, and contact their GP or sexual health clinics – all from their phone.   

The new digital service will offer a discreet route for those anxious about their sexual health to get tested without visiting a clinic.   

The Action Plan comes as new UKHSA analysis published today shows HIV testing in England must adapt to reach the groups that need it most. The report reveals that while 95% of people with HIV are diagnosed, around 4,700 people remain undiagnosed – with additional investments in emergency department testing alone insufficient to reach all those in need.

Gaps remain in testing in lower prevalence areas and general practice settings that reach out to those who need prompt testing, including ethnic minority heterosexual populations and people aged 50 years and over. 

Today [Monday 1 December], Minister Ashley Dalton will meet with people living with HIV and organisations working in the HIV sector to discuss and hear first-hand about how their experiences could be positively impacted by the HIV Action Plan.   

Gillian McLauchlan, lead for sexual health for the Association of Directors of Public Health, said:  

This new HIV Action Plan is particularly welcome because it recognises that only through true collaboration between local authority public health teams, the NHS, and the voluntary and community sector will the UK end HIV transmissions.   

Sustained and adequate investment is also vital – not just in the fight against HIV but to ensure that everyone can access high quality sexual and reproductive health services at the right time for them.

James Woolgar, Chair of the English HIV and Sexual Health Commissioners’ Group added:  

The plan’s promise of continued investment in emergency department testing, the new national re-engagement in care plan, anti-stigma training and education are all very welcome. We of course also need a sustained commitment to the provision of PrEP and other prevention programmes.  

I am extremely proud of the hard work and progress that local government has made in tackling this issue and, by strengthening collaboration, we can ensure evidence-based interventions reach communities more effectively, reduce inequalities, and tackle stigma. Only then can we reach our collective goal of zero new transmissions by 2030, and support those living with HIV to not only survive, but also thrive.

Professor Matt Phillips, President, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said:  

The launch of today’s Action Plan marks a pivotal moment in shifting the dial in the HIV response. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made in recent years, and the work that still lies ahead.  

Reconnecting those living with HIV who have been lost to care is a critical part of this work, and is key to achieving our target of reaching zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. The publication of this new Action Plan therefore provides us with a real chance to build on recent successes, through better enabling expert care and treatment to be accessed by all those who need it.  

BASHH stands ready to work alongside the Government to help translate these vital ambitions into reality.

Dr Tristan Barber, Chair Elect of the British HIV Association (BHIVA) said:  

The combination of prevention, treatment and testing, with an effective plan to re-engage people with HIV treatment and care, and access peer support, together provide a strong and pragmatic framework for progress.    

It is vital that we prioritise the groups most affected by HIV, where diagnoses continue to rise. Half of all black African heterosexuals are diagnosed late, and women and young people also find it hard to access prevention using Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which should be available to everyone who needs it.   

The success of Emergency Department opt-out testing has already shown what is possible so extending it, with the addition of at home testing via the NHS App, alongside renewed investment in sexual health services, will be key to achieving the 2030 goals.

Dr Amanda Williams, Paediatrician and Chair of the charity Chiva said:  

Children and young people living with perinatally acquired HIV have to attend healthcare appointments and take medication their whole life, for what is still a highly stigmatised health condition. For many, missing appointments becomes more common in adolescence, and during the transition from paediatric to adult care.  That’s why we’re pleased to see plans to tackle HIV stigma and re-engage people back into care.  

We welcome the Government’s decision to fund formula milk for all babies born to mothers living with HIV, who need it as part of HIV prevention measures during pregnancy through to post-birth – something that Chiva, The Food Chain and NAT have been calling for. Funding formula milk ensures women can follow medical guidance and are empowered to make informed choices about how to safely feed their babies without financial barriers.

Dr Zara Haider, President of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, said:   

We warmly welcome the publication of the HIV Action Plan, especially as it places women firmly within its focus by recognising the unique barriers they face in accessing HIV services. Measures such as funding for formula milk and sterilising equipment for women living with HIV, expanded opt-out testing, and tailored prevention programmes will directly support women who are too often forgotten.   

With investment in home testing kits, a national HIV prevention programme, and plans to tackle the discrimination that still stops too many from seeking care, this Plan has real potential to improve HIV care in England by ensuring women are not left behind.

Darren Knight, Chief Executive, George House Trust, said:  

George House Trust proudly backs the implementation of the new HIV Action Plan. Putting people living with HIV at the heart of this work, tackling HIV stigma, and ensuring everyone can live well and stay engaged in care isn’t just important, it’s essential.   

We’re ready to collaborate with government, health and care partners, and our voluntary sector partners to work for a world where HIV holds no one back.

Charlotte Cooke, Director of Services, LGBT Foundation said:   

LGBT Foundation welcomes the HIV Action Plan. We are pleased that gay and bisexual men remain a priority, alongside men who have sex with men – a community we have long supported and recognised as needing targeted interventions.  

It is key to invest in prevention in order to achieve zero transmissions by 2023. It is cost-effective, delivers long-term impact, and depends on working together to ensure equitable access and uptake of HIV prevention services. We are committed to playing our part in this effort.

Sophie Strachan CEO of the Sophia Forum said:   

We welcome this new ambitious Action Plan and hope that this will help address the health inequities and improve outcomes that prevents further marginalisation of communities who have to date have experienced ongoing health inequalities and poorer health outcomes.