Funding plans for the NHS announced by the Chancellor fall short of what's needed to transform the health service and deliver key government reforms, including shifting care into the community.

Rachel Reeves has outlined budgets for all government departments in her Spending Review (SR), covering three financial years from 2026 – 2029.

She announced annual funding increases of 3% for NHS England, for all three years.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will make their own decisions on public spending based on block grants, which are influenced by the Spending Review.

Overall, the measures outlined today fall short of what the RCN wanted to see in the Spending Review.

We're calling for Rachel Reeves to show "ambition and the funding to match" to address key issues in nursing, ahead of the publications of its new plans for the NHS and workforce.

“Against a backdrop of other cuts, nursing staff will see the NHS being protected but not transformed by today’s spending plans,” said RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger.

“Following the Chancellor’s speech, our members will give their verdict on whether the government is doing enough for the NHS in our live vote on the pay award,” Nicola added.

• Have your say on pay: RCN consultations open now

“When the government lays out its vision for the future of the NHS and its workforce, it must say how it intends to reverse collapsing student recruitment, boost retention and deliver urgent, structural reform to nursing pay.”