Why is Sir Keir Starmer scrapping NHS England?

Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to abolish NHS England in an effort to reduce government bureaucracy and place the health service back under “democratic control”.

He argued that this change would help refocus the NHS on patient care and reduce unnecessary red tape.

The proposal, which would shift the NHS back into direct government oversight, aims to make the service more efficient and responsive.

The Prime Minister said the move would free up cash for doctors, nurses and frontline services, and cut red tape to help speed up improvements in the NHS, with the government aiming to slash waiting lists by the next election.

Sir Keir said: “This will put the NHS back at the heart of government where it belongs, freeing it to focus on patients, less bureaucracy, with more money for nurses.”

Describing NHS England as an “arms-length body”, Sir Keir emphasised that the restructuring would enable the NHS to “refocus” on key priorities like reducing waiting times at hospitals.

He added that the move would help bring tangible improvements to the public service.

In a related development, the Labour leader outlined a broader vision for the British state, calling for reforms to cut down the “overcautious and flabby” bureaucracy within Westminster.

He highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in streamlining government functions.

Sir Keir also made a striking critique of the current state of public services, saying the British state is “weaker than it’s ever been”.

He explained: “At the moment, the state employs more people than we’ve employed for decades. Yet look around the country. Do you see good value everywhere? Because I don’t.

“I actually think it’s weaker than it’s ever been – overstretched, unfocused, trying to do too much, doing it badly, unable to deliver the security that people need.

“I believe that working people want an active government.

“They don’t want a weak state, they want it to secure our future, if you like, to take on the big decisions so they can get on with their lives.”

Sir Keir Starmer added that the country does not need a larger or more intrusive state but one that can deliver on core functions.

He said:

“So, we’ve got to change things now.”

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has already presided over plans to reduce the size of NHS England by half.

Mr Streeting said the government was “abolishing the biggest quango in the world” by getting rid of NHS England. Its functions would be taken into the Department of Health.

The announcement comes a month after NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard resigned.