Conclusion

The 2025/26 "financial reset" has demanded record efficiency savings against a backdrop of ongoing operational pressures and stretching performance asks. Despite the challenges they face, trusts are doing all they can to deliver their plans – streamlining services, reducing costs, and protecting front-line care as much as possible. However, the scale of the challenge means there needs to be targeted support from government and national bodies.  

To deliver plans this year, trusts need clear and consistent backing from government and national bodies. A swift resolution to industrial disputes, funding to cover the up-front costs of redundancy payments and a less punitive financial control regime are critical areas for government to step in and support trusts in their efforts to deliver their plans this year.

Trust leaders are keen to focus on delivering the longer-term strategic change set out in the 10-year health plan, but this is challenging to do while managing the short-term financial pressures they face this year. Targeted support can help ensure that the 'financial reset' puts the NHS' finances on a more sustainable footing for the long term.