Covering the fall-out: National Voices’ members’ concerns surrounding the decision to abolish NHS England and cut ICB running costs by 50% (4 April 2025)

Summary

On 13 March 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, announced the Government was “abolishing the biggest quango in the world” by scrapping NHS England (NHSE) and “bringing [it] into the Department [of Health and Social Care] entirely”.

On the same day as the NHSE announcement, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) were also told they needed to reduce their running costs by 50% by Q3 2025/26, and that provider trusts will need to make further reductions in their corporate costs.

In light of these announcements National Voices was asked to give evidence at a specially convened Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) meeting on 26 March. Following this evidence session, a letter was sent to all Trust and ICB chief executives and chairs on 1 April by Sir Jim Mackey, the new Chief Executive of NHSE, laying out intentions for 2025/26, given the two announcements above. This paper covers the evidence given to HSCC as well as providing further evidence and concerns that could not be shared with the committee within the allotted time. It also outlines initial concerns around the recent letter from Sir Jim.