Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance he has issued to integrated care boards on reasonable running costs per had of population.

As part of the necessary changes to support the National Health Service to recover, NHS England has indicated that integrated care boards (ICBs) should reduce their running cost allowance by 50%. The Government is supportive of NHS England’s decision and the necessary choices that are needed to get the NHS back on its feet. We expect ICBs to continue to deliver their responsibilities, including the planning and delivery of health and care services in community diagnostic centres.

ICBs are asked to develop plans by the end of May setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities. NHS England will be working closely with the ICBs to support the development of these plans, ensuring that their implementation reduces duplication whilst supporting patient care. Further information is available in the letter at the following link:

NHS England » Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform