2025: the year in health policy and politics – with Hugh Alderwick and Rachel Sylvester
Thu Dec 11 2025
The year saw the arrival of the long-awaited 10-Year Health Plan – a dizzying array of proposals spanning NHS structures, services, staffing and more. Government missions were downgraded; another review of social care was announced; and further hopes pinned on the transformative potential of tech.
But how is progress overall? Is the government’s rhetoric on reform matching reality? And what should be at the top of government’s list of priorities in 2026?
To discuss, our Chief Executive, Jennifer Dixon, is joined by:
Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor of The Observer.
Hugh Alderwick, Director of Policy and Research at the Health Foundation.
Show notes
Health Foundation (2025). Dazed and confused? Policy ideas behind the 10-Year Health Plan.
Policy Exchange (2025). The NHS – a suitable case for treatment?
The Observer (2025). Poor families of babies brain-damaged at birth given lower payouts than richer parents.
UK government (2025). 10-Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future.
Health Foundation (2024). Is the grass really greener?
Health Foundation (2024). Priorities for an AI in health care strategy.
Health Foundation. Public perceptions of health and social care.
Times Health Commission (2024). Times Health Commission: A report into the state of healthcare in Britain today.
UK government (2024). Plan for change: Milestones for mission-led government.
More
The year saw the arrival of the long-awaited 10-Year Health Plan – a dizzying array of proposals spanning NHS structures, services, staffing and more. Government missions were downgraded; another review of social care was announced; and further hopes pinned on the transformative potential of tech. But how is progress overall? Is the government’s rhetoric on reform matching reality? And what should be at the top of government’s list of priorities in 2026? To discuss, our Chief Executive, Jennifer Dixon, is joined by: Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor of The Observer. Hugh Alderwick, Director of Policy and Research at the Health Foundation. Show notes Health Foundation (2025). Dazed and confused? Policy ideas behind the 10-Year Health Plan. Policy Exchange (2025). The NHS – a suitable case for treatment? The Observer (2025). Poor families of babies brain-damaged at birth given lower payouts than richer parents. UK government (2025). 10-Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future. Health Foundation (2024). Is the grass really greener? Health Foundation (2024). Priorities for an AI in health care strategy. Health Foundation. Public perceptions of health and social care. Times Health Commission (2024). Times Health Commission: A report into the state of healthcare in Britain today. UK government (2024). Plan for change: Milestones for mission-led government.