UK–US Trade Agreement and July Developments

UK–US Trade Agreement and July Developments On 2 July 2026, the Department of Health announced a series of fast-track drug access pilots from September 2026. 1 These pilots add to the cost pressures brought about by the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold increase to £25,000–£35,000 per QALY which took effect in April 2026, and the commitment under the […]

NHS Structural Policy — Health Bill

Abolishing NHS England. The Health Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 14 May 2026. It proposes to abolish NHS England and transfer the bulk of its functions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and to Integrated Care Boards.3 ICBs will become strategic commissioners of almost all services, including […]

Health Bill — Committee Stage Under Way

The Health Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 1 June 2026. The Public Bill Committee held its first oral evidence sessions on 16 June 2026 and began line-by-line scrutiny the same day, with the Committee expected to report by 5pm on 16 July 2026. The Bill remains controversial: the Health […]