25th Report - DHSC Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 639
14 May 2025
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Twenth-fifth report from Session 2024-26 · published 18 Sep 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
7
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Department plans "smaller and leaner" headcount reduction without specifying exact numbers.
Conclusion
We asked the Department about reports that its headcount would also be cut by 50%. The Department told us that it aimed to become “smaller and leaner”. It said that it was not in a position to put a number …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation, describing ongoing work to create a single new organization and develop staff transfer plans. Specific headcount information is likely to be confirmed in Autumn 2025, with further details provided to the Committee Chair in July 2025.
HM Treasury
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9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
NHS England unable to clarify application of 50% headcount reduction across ICBs.
Conclusion
We asked how the 50% headcount reduction will be applied to ICBs, noting that some were already working efficiently and the importance of the place–based approach in ensuring effective working between local councils, directors of public health and local GPs. …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation, reiterating principles of empowering local leaders and strong partnerships. However, specific details on how the headcount reduction will apply to ICBs remain linked to the forthcoming 10 Year Health Plan and are subject to future primary legislation.
HM Treasury
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11
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Department expects Integrated Care Boards to maintain local accountability and stakeholder balance.
Recommendation
We asked the Department whether the current locally–led approaches would be retained as part of the new structure to allow better local accountability, and whether previous commitments about public health and prevention would also be retained. The Department said that …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees to retain locally-led approaches, stating that reforms empower local leaders and NHS England has already clarified that Integrated Care Boards should foster strong relationships with local government to improve outcomes. The 10 Year Health Plan will further address shifting healthcare to the community, but specific new actions are not detailed.
HM Treasury
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15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Clinical negligence cases impose significant monetary costs on taxpayers, totalling £2.8 billion.
Conclusion
The Department recognised that each incidence of clinical negligence has a tragedy behind it involving a patient. It told us that while the optimal number of clinical negligence cases would be zero, this will never be a practical target. Clinical …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's findings, stating it will continue to prioritize patient safety and a learning culture through ongoing work under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy. This strategy, which aims to reduce harmful patient events, will be reviewed and updated in autumn 2025.
HM Treasury
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16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Department's clinical negligence liability reaches £58.2 billion, ranking second largest across government.
Conclusion
The Department recognises an amount for potential future compensation payments for incidents of clinical negligence in its financial statements as a liability. This is reported in the accounts of NHS Resolution and is consolidated into the Departmental Group accounts. The …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's findings, stating it will continue to prioritize patient safety and a learning culture through ongoing work under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy. This strategy, which aims to reduce harmful patient events, will be reviewed and updated in autumn 2025.
HM Treasury
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30
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Department's 2023–24 accounts published five months late, facing significant timetable challenges.
Conclusion
The Department published its 2023–24 accounts on 17 December 2024, five months after the summer Parliamentary recess deadline. The Department has reported that there continues to be significant challenges in bringing the laying of its accounts back to a pre–summer …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation and highlights its existing multi-year plan to return to a pre-recess timetable, stating it will provide further details on the plan and risks to the Committee in September 2025.
HM Treasury
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31
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Accounts delays result from UKHSA audit challenges and slow completion of local NHS audits.
Conclusion
The delays to the accounts were the result of challenges in preparing the accounts of UKHSA and delays in completion of local NHS audits.51 UKHSA was subject to a disclaimed audit opinion in 2021–22 and 2022–23, with significant remedial work …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation, detailing its multi-year plan to accelerate accounts publication, while noting dependency on private sector audit firms. It commits to providing further plan details to the Committee in September 2025.
HM Treasury
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