Conclusion 8

Written evidence from NHS Providers noted that the five-year funding settlement introduced from 2019–20 falls short of what is needed to recover performance and transform services within the health service. The NAO also raised concerns that the NHS may struggle to deliver all the commitments in its long-term plan with the additional money available.11 In addition, a lack of clarity persists on key areas of health and care spending that are likely to affect the NHS’s ability to deliver The NHS Long Term Plan, including capital, education and training and social care.12 The 2019 Spending Review originally intended to set day-to-day budgets for three years and capital budgets for four years. However, it only provided budgets for one year. The Department was unable to provide an update on the timing of the next spending review due to the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 response.13