Health and Social Care Committee: Chair Comment on Budget

Responding to today’s Budget, Health and Social Care Committee Chair Steve Brine MP said:

“I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement to reform tax arrangements that have led to experienced senior doctors retiring early because of the financial penalties they faced as a result of their NHS pensions. The loss of this dedicated and specialist workforce was a price the NHS could not afford to pay. The Chancellor has listened to the Committee’s call for the Government to act swiftly on pensions reform to prevent any doctor having to make such a difficult choice at time when their skills are so much in need.

“A tax boost to promote the research and development of new drugs is also welcome news. Cutting-edge technologies will provide the key to future diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as one example. Innovative work in this area is likely to be the subject of a new inquiry for the Committee. I also welcome the announcements about AI – the Committee has been looking at AI as part of its inquiry into digital transformation in the NHS and has been hearing evidence about the tremendous potential it offers.

“The health and social care sectors cannot function effectively without a workforce strategy to meet future demand. This Committee has repeatedly urged Ministers to produce a workforce plan and we look forward to it being published shortly, as promised today.”