Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 14
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)
Dr Partridge told us that there is also an increasing threat in the UK from strains of pathogens which cause Gram-negative infections that are more likely to be resistant and more likely to result in the death of the patient. In particular, there has been an increase in Gram-negative pathogens which produce specific types of enzymes which are associated with higher mortality.36 Dr Partridge told us this shift will cause great difficulties for the NHS, given that there are even fewer treatment options.37 30 Q 36; C&AG’s Report, para 11 31 C&AG’s Report, para 3.4 32 Qq 37, 78 33 Qq 21, 77; C&AG’s Report, para 17 34 Q 21 35 Q 77 36 Evidence shows there have been increases in carbapenemase-producing Gram- negative organisms. This refers to a type of organism which produces enzymes called carbapenemase, which can destroy antibiotics called carapenems. A specific type of cabarpenemase-producing Gram-negative organism is one which produces an enzyme called metallo-beta-lactamase, and this type of organism is associated with higher mortality. See Q 1; UKHSA, English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance 2023–24, October 2014 37 Q 1 12
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".