Acute, primary and community healthcare

There have been big differences in expenditure across different forms of healthcare for a number of years. In 2024/25, spending on acute care was £74.7bn, compared to £14.5bn on primary care and £13.8bn on community services. Both the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and the subsequent 10 year health plan for England contained an emphasis on shifting towards more care being delivered in local communities rather than in acute settings, dubbed a ‘neighbourhood health service’.

Acute, primary and community healthcare

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME): An overview

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME): An overview

Welfare reforms and youth unemployment

Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.

Welfare reforms and youth unemployment

  • In Focus

    Mental health conditions: Prevalence, impacts and government action

    Evidence indicates that diagnosis of common mental health conditions including depression and anxiety has been increasing over the past decade. With this trend particularly prevalent in the 16 to 24 age group, government-commissioned reviews have been exploring the impacts on education, work and participation in society and the economy. The government has also announced a call for evidence in May 2026 ahead of a new mental health strategy.

  • In Focus

    House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee report: Recommendations, government response and recent developments

    The House of Lords Committee on the Autism Act 2009 called for the government to urgently develop a new autism strategy, tackling “persistent inequalities” experienced by autistic people in education, health, work, criminal justice and the community. The government has since commissioned an independent review into mental health conditions, autism and ADHD, launched a call for evidence to inform a mental health strategy, and announced a special educational needs reform bill.

  • In Focus

    Law on the regulation of fertility treatment

    The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 regulates in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and human embryo research in the UK. Recently, there have been calls for reform to reflect changes in societal attitudes and scientific developments since the act was last updated in 2008. The government has said it is considering recommendations made by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the sector’s independent regulator.

  • In Focus

    Cancer outcomes and plans to improve them

    Cancer diagnoses in England have increased over time. Evidence also shows the UK has lagged behind comparable countries on cancer mortality rates (deaths per 100,000 people). Researchers have identified a link between consistent cancer policy and improved cancer outcomes. Various policies to improve England’s cancer outcomes have been announced in recent years, the most recent being the government’s ‘National cancer plan for England’ published in February 2026.

  • In Focus

    People living with learning disabilities: Access to health and social care

    People with a learning disability often face challenges accessing appropriate health care. Several organisations have identified people with a learning disability as having worse life expectancy on average than the population in general. Both the current and previous governments have introduced measures intended to reduce these health inequalities, including training and the use of reasonable adjustments to improve access to care.

  • In Focus

    Living with anosmia: The problem of long-term loss of sense of smell

    Millions of people experienced sudden loss of their sense of smell during the Covid-19 pandemic. Most recovered, but for some, the changes were permanent, affecting their health, safety, and how they experience the world. This briefing looks at the impacts of anosmia, its other causes and the latest research into treatments.

  • In Focus

    Including societal and economic benefits in vaccine health technology assessments

    To gain approval for use in the NHS, vaccines must undergo health technology assessments that are based primarily on clinical outcomes and costs to the healthcare sector. Some argue that this approach undervalues vaccines and that broader socioeconomic benefits, such as gains in productivity and educational attainment, should be considered in all assessments. Critics of this proposal point to a range of ethical, practical and methodological challenges.

  • In Focus

    AI in the NHS

    Artificial intelligence (AI) arguably has the potential to deliver considerable cost and time savings in healthcare by automating some administrative and clinical tasks. The government plans to expand the use of AI in the NHS but public sentiment is divided. This briefing explores the main concerns and outlines key questions for regulating this technology.

  • In Focus

    Identity cards 20 years on: 2005 Lords bill second reading debate

    In 2005, the then Labour government proposed the introduction of a national identity card scheme and register. Having passed the House of Commons, the government’s Identity Cards Bill reached the House of Lords, where it received a mixed response at its second reading. Speakers from across the House debated the principle and practicability of identity cards. Some members raised specific concerns, foreshadowing debates held later at committee and report stages. This briefing looks back at the bill’s second reading and summarises the key points made.

  • Research Briefing

    Rare Cancers Bill: HL Bill 124 of 2024–26

    The Rare Cancers Bill is intended to incentivise research and investment into rare cancers, which tend to be more difficult to diagnose and treat than common cancers. The bill would require the secretary of state to promote research into rare cancers and to review licencing for medicines which treat rare conditions. It would also create a national speciality lead to promote and advise on research, as well as improved data sharing for contacting potential trial participants.

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