"Record funding for the NHS, this budget gets it done"
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has unveiled the Government’s eagerly anticipated 2020 Budget. Despite the economic uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak and the announcement of a series of financial measures to support the NHS during this period it is clear that the NHS remains an important priority for the Government.
That was the promise of the Chancellor of the Exchequer as he unveiled the Government’s eagerly anticipated 2020 Budget. Despite the economic uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak and the announcement of a series of financial measures to support the NHS during this period including a promise that “whatever extra resources our NHS needs to cope with coronavirus it will get” it is clear that the NHS remains an important priority for the Government, as reflected in the translation of key manifesto pledges into budget commitments.
The Chancellor has promised a further £6bn on top of the funding settlement the NHS previously received to deliver on these promises. With the exception of the measures to support the NHS in addressing the coronavirus outbreak there was nothing particularly new. However, it certainly looks like the NHS will now be funded to move forward and secure these additional resources.
In summary the headlines are:
- The Treasury committed to create an emergency COVID-19 response fund, initially of £5billion.
- It will be welcome news for many to see the Government’s manifesto pledges to fund 50,000 more nurses, 50,000,000 more GP appointments a year and 40 new hospitals translate into the budget. This was in addition to a commitment to “train, recruit and retain 6,000 more doctors in general practice and 6,000 more primary care professionals, such as physiotherapists and pharmacists”.
- A further £100m in 2020-21 was committed to the Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP) in order to “make progress on 40 new hospital projects”. The pledge for 40 new hospitals is not a new one though; it just re-iterates the Government’s pledge before the general election last year.
- Funding will be committed over the next three years to speed up the discharge of individuals with learning disabilities or autism into the community.
- The DHSC’s capital budget will increase by £683 million in the new financial year 2020-21 to “allow Trusts to continue to invest in important capital projects such as estate refurbishments and building maintenance”.
- £12 million was committed to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
- The Immigration Health Surcharge increases from £400 to £624. There will be a new discounted rate for children under the age of 18 of £470.
If you have any questions about the impact of the budget for your organisation please contact our team; Rachel Whitaker, Charlotte Harpin, Ann Cojeen or Damian Whitlam.
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Automatic suspension and procurement law
Opinion
Plans to amend NHS pension rules to bolster NHS workforce approved by government
Opinion
Increase to 20 hour limit on supplementary employment for Health and Care Worker visa holders
Legal Update
Supreme Court will hear Worcestershire case on local authority responsibility for Section 117 Aftercare in April 2023
Published Article
Thinking outside the box
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Implementing learning from claims to help improve patient safety
Legal Update
Cauda Equina Syndrome and application of the new GIRFT pathway
Opinion - Maternity services
University Hospital Leicester hold their inaugural Maternity Safety Conference
Opinion
Junior doctors vote unanimously in favour of strike action
Opinion
Can toilet facilities amount to sex discrimination?
Published Article
Digital Twin Technologies: key legal contractual considerations
Opinion
Consultation launched on minimum ambulance service levels during strike action
Opinion - Maternity services
Changes to redundancy protections for employees post-maternity leave
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners’ Question Time
On-Demand
Future of Care - Retirement Living webinar
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson health lawyer wins major accolade at Made in Manchester Awards
Opinion
BMA issues medical locum rate card for junior doctors
Legal Update
Employee who refused to wear a face mask fairly dismissed
Opinion
New toolkit to support safer recruitment in the care sector
Legal Update
Green Leases for the NHS
On-Demand
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the context of retirement living
Guide
Government response to the consultation on the Higher-Risk Buildings Regulations
Published Article
The first 100 days for Integrated Care Boards
Opinion
Menopause and the workplace
Opinion
Government introduces new “anti-striking laws” to be discussed in Parliament
Press Release - Maternity services
Father Christmas comes to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire care of Browne Jacobson’s Birmingham Office Community Action Group
Opinion - Maternity services
The Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and its impact on maternity services
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Looking ahead to 2023 – what Health and Care employers need to know
Opinion
Coroner’s refusal to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths Report following death in prison custody inquest was lawful
Article
Mental health, eating disorders and placement of young people
Legal Update
LPS consultation and ‘go live’ planning
Opinion
Consultation launched on plans to amend NHS pension rules to bolster NHS workforce
Legal Update
Getting ready to face Industrial Action
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Prolonged disorders of consciousness
Online Event
Mock Inquest Training Sessions
Published Article
How AI and technology can transform the healthcare sector
On-Demand
The UK's green agenda - the outcomes of COP27 and actions since COP26
On-Demand
Insights from the Chief Coroner by His Honour Judge Thomas Teague, KC
Opinion
BMA advises consultants not to accept less than the BMA minimum rate card for extra-contractual work
The BMA is advising all NHS / HSCNI consultants to ensure extra-contractual work is paid at the BMA minimum recommended rate and to decline offers of extra-contractual work that doesn't value them appropriately.