Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 6
30th Report - Antimicrobial resistance: addressing the risks
Published 13 Jun 2025
Addressed to HM Treasury
Public Accounts Committee Antimicrobial resistance: addressing the risks All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
It is vital that government keeps up to date with scientific developments that might help tackle the threat of AMR. Research can help identify better ways of mitigating AMR and treating those with AMR infections, including through the use of artificial intelligence, genomic sequencing, and vaccinations. DHSC and UKHSA fund research into these areas, for example through the National Institute for Health and Care Research – which reported that it spent £88 million as part of the 2019–24 NAP. Other organisations in the UK and abroad carry out much research and development, including developing new antibiotics or innovative treatments such as phage therapy, and the results could be very promising in the fight against AMR. Research has been included in the 2024–29 NAP through the top 10 research questions, however there needs to be sufficient resourcing, prioritisation and focus on implementation. recommendation NHS England, Defra and UKHSA must keep up to date with new scientific developments, continue to fund vital research and prioritise the consideration of how they can be applied in the fight against AMR. 5
From: Public Accounts Committee, 30th Report - Antimicrobial resistance: addressing the risks (HC 646), 13 June 2025
Government response
Latest Treasury Minutes progress report to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Thirtieth Report of Session 2024-26
The government responded to the whole report on 4 June 2026 (deadline 13 August 2025).
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Thirtieth report from Session 2024-26
Published 18 September 2025.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government says it agrees with the Committee's recommendations on antimicrobial resistance, and sets out target implementation dates ranging from Winter 2025 to Autumn 2027.
- On progress against targets, the government agrees, and says targets are subject to annual review over the summer, "with the potential to revise, if deemed appropriate and agreed by the UK AMR Strategy Board".
- On transparency, it agrees and says the government "will publish the first of these reports by the autumn", describing activity during the first year of the 2024-2029 National Action Plan.
- On diagnostics, it agrees (target date Spring 2027) and says engagement will inform an "infection diagnostics framework" by 2027, with point-of-care test pilots reporting in 2026-2027.
- On wastewater, it agrees (target date Autumn 2027); the department "will provide a full response via a White Paper in Autumn 2025" and "will commission further research" on evidence gaps "by Summer 2026".