64th Report - Costs of clinical negligence

Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee HC 1234 30 January 2026
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 27 items (18 recs)
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Government Response (AI assessment · 27 of 27 classified)
Accepted 10
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 10
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 2
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
Clinical negligence is the second largest provision on the government balance sheet after nuclear decommissioning. Over the period 2006–07 to 2024–25, the total provision for clinical negligence increased by £45.6 billion in real terms, from £14.4 billion at 31 March 2007 to £60.0 billion at 31 March 2025. Since 2006–07, …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the rising cost of clinical negligence and its impact on NHS finances, and will write to the Committee by Autumn 2026 to set out the case for change and its workplan.
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
NHS Resolution told us that clinical negligence is putting pressure on NHS budgets and is a significant cost to the public purse. The Department told us the reasons for the rising costs were complex. NHS Resolution explained that the increasing costs of compensation for claims of £1 million in damages …
Government Response Summary
The government will write to the Committee by Autumn 2026 to set out the case for change regarding rising clinical negligence costs and its workplan, including key milestones and likely areas of focus for reform.
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