Ministerial power grab could ‘undermine NICE independence’

The government plans to take direct control of the cost effectiveness thresholds used by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in an unprecedented move its own impact assessment says could “undermine the independence” of the standards setting organisation.

The government also wants to ensure ministerial instructions to NICE do not need to be consulted on first.

These potential options have been raised in a new government consultation on changing the regulations under which NICE operates. 

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Source: Health Service Journal, 10 December 2025.