Advice & support

NHS job cuts & system changes: info for members

This page will be updated with the latest developments regarding the government’s plan to cut jobs in the NHS in England. It sets out what MiP is doing to support members, how you can get involved and the latest activities from the union.

Planned cuts in the NHS in England

The government has announced a reorganisation of the NHS which will lead to a series of job cuts throughout the NHS in England.

This page covers the latest information on the cuts and will be updated regularly. It covers developments on the cuts nationally, outlines how MiP is challenging them and what your union is doing to support you.

It also contains information about MiP’s activities locally and actions members can take now to support the union and your colleagues.

Not a member yet?

MiP can only support members with workplace issues four weeks after their join date. If you think you could be affected by the planned cuts then it’s important to join now to ensure you’re covered.

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What we know so far: NHS England

The government has announced that NHS England will be abolished with remaining staff merging with the Department for Health and Social Care.

  • 50% of the total staff of NHS England and DHSC will be cut
  • Remaining staff will merge with DHSC
  • All NHS England vacancies are frozen apart from in ‘exceptional circumstances’
  • A formal change programme board will be established to lead this work
  • Change process expected to be concluded within a two-year time frame
  • NHS England Chair Penny Dash is separately reviewing NHS regulatory bodies, with further cuts expected

MiP is yet to receive written notice of any change programme at NHS England. We have no timeline on when this process will start and how individual posts will be impacted. Members must join prior to the formal change programme beginning to ensure they can access MiP support.

MiP will write to members directly and update this page when further information is received. For MiP Chief Executive Jon Restell’s response to this please see here.

What we know so far: Integrated Care Boards

The government has announced that Integrated Care Boards must reduce their running costs by 50%.

  • Running cost reduction can be achieved through different means but substantial headcount reductions are expected
  • ICBs have already reduced running costs by 20-30% in the last two years and many processes are still ongoing
  • Reductions are expected to be made by December 2025 at the latest
  • Changes to the role and responsibilities of ICBs are expected but yet to be outlined by government

MiP is yet to receive written notice of any change programmes relating to these fresh cuts at ICBs. We have no timeline on when this process will start and how individual posts will be impacted, however if reductions are to be made by December then expect processes to begin fairly quickly. Members must join prior to any formal change programme beginning to ensure they can access MiP support.

MiP will write to members directly and update this page when further information is received. For MiP Chief Executive Jon Restell’s response to this please see here.

What we know so far: NHS trusts

The government has told NHS provider trusts to make cuts to their ‘corporate services budgets‘.

  • NHS trusts have been instructed to cut their ‘corporate services budgets’ back to ‘pre-pandemic levels’
  • Details of what this will involve are yet to fully emerge but cuts are expected to functions such as HR, communications, estates and finance
  • Trusts have also been told to transfer support staff to wholly-owned subsidiary companies (subcos) to save money by employing them on worse terms and conditions than NHS Agenda for Change
  • No firm timeline has been given at this stage on these cuts and transfers

MiP is yet to receive written notice of any change programmes relating to cuts to corporate services at NHS trusts. We have no timeline on when this process will start and how individual posts will be impacted. Members must join prior to any formal change programme beginning to ensure they can access MiP support.

MiP will write to members directly and update this page when further information is received.

How MiP has responded to the announcements

MiP is strongly opposed to cuts on the scale announced and shocked by the way the news has been delivered – with most staff finding out their jobs could be at risk through announcements made to the media. While structures are not set in stone and many of our members welcome reform, we are clear that cuts are not reforms. If the government wants to truly reform how the NHS works and make it work better, it must outline its plan before cutting thousands of dedicated staff. Form must follow function.

For more reaction please see this press release containing MiP’s view.

For MiP Chief Executive Jon Restell’s response to the abolition of NHS England and reductions to ICB’s, please see here.

MiP has already written to members at large and at affected organisations. We advise members to make sure you are subscribed to our mailing lists to receive the latest updates. If you are not receiving emails or would like to resubscribe please contact info@miphealth.org.uk.

What actions are MiP taking to challenge these cuts

Your union is taking action to challenge these cuts. Our immediate priority is to get a clearer picture of what the government has planned, particularly what staff will be affected, what functions will go, what processes will be followed to implement reductions and what the future NHS structure will look like. We are actively:

  • Seeking clarity from government and employers on how the cuts will be implemented and under what timeframes consultations will be delivered
  • Raising concerns with ministers and NHS England’s new leadership team directly and through existing partnership working arrangements
  • Engaging with MPs in areas where affected employers are based
  • Raising awareness with policymakers on the role NHS England and ICBs play in our health system
  • Calling on employers to ensure unions and their staff are involved in any change process at the earliest possible stage, including increased facility time for workplace reps
  • Calling for a reset of partnership working to ensure unions and staff are properly engaged before announcing major reforms
  • Pushing back on reported timescales, especially in ICBs, to ensure fair consultation processes can be established and delivered
  • Seeking clarity on what parts of the system are expected to take on additional functions as a result of these cuts and how this will be resourced
  • Working to ensure as many jobs are saved within the system as possible

At this early stage, more is unknown than known. The government has not outlined its plan and most NHS employers have not been given written notices of the planned changes. That means many questions cannot be answered at this stage. MiP is seeking clarity and will inform members as soon as it is received.

We have written to Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting to raise concerns directly. You can view this letter from the box to the right.

MiP has already hosted a number of member drop-in sessions and meetings to discuss the cuts in more detail. More of these are planned and this page will be updated with upcoming events. In the meantime, please check your email for the latest activity from MiP in your workplace.

What members can do now

Until written notices are presented it’s important to continue carrying on as normal. You may have concerns that you could be at risk, questions about your terms and conditions if transferred to a different employer or what options are on the table if your role is in scope of the cuts. At the moment, it is impossible to answer these as processes have not begun. We understand that this uncertainty creates anxiety, however your union will be there to support you through the process if and when it begins.

MiP will keep members updated on national developments as well as local ones, so please keep checking this page and your emails regularly.

View MiP letter to Wes Streeting MP

MiP has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP directly to raise concerns about the job cuts and system changes. Read our letter in full.

mip letter to wes streeting mp

Actions for members

Update your membership details

Ensure your details are up-to-date to receive information on the latest developments via email. You can update your details by logging into this website.

Update your details here

Consider becoming a workplace rep

In times like this our workplace reps are needed more than ever. Your union and your colleagues will be relying on you throughout this. You can find out more about the role by visiting the link below.

become a workplace rep

Tell colleagues to join now

A union is only as strong as its collective strength. Every member is another voice to challenge these cuts. But they need to join now prior to formal processes starting to access support.

colleagues can join here

Joining when work is going well means your union will be there if you ever need it

MiP can only offer one-to-one support on issues that occur after your first four weeks of membership. Join today to ensure you are protected if you ever need it in the future.

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