In response to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement today, NHS Providers’ interim deputy chief executive, Miriam Deakin, said:

“Leaders of NHS trusts will welcome the reassurance that overall funding for health and social care services won’t be affected by the decision to scrap the Health and Social Care Levy, but there are further unresolved questions.

“The NHS budget is being stretched in all directions due to high energy costs, inflation, and the cost of pay awards not fully funded by the government. Now we have the added uncertainty over how the government’s new fund for adult social care fund will be financed.

“At a time of unprecedented pressures, severe staff shortages, the need to address backlogs and the prospect of a very tough winter, maintaining the funding previously committed under the levy as confirmed today is essential.”