HSJ Health Check The making of a Health Bill - Lord Hunt on the clashes to come
Jan 30, 2026
Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath, former Labour health minister and first NHS Confederation chief executive, discusses the forthcoming health bill. He outlines the bill’s timetable, likely clashes in the Commons and Lords, and the need for extensive secondary regulations. He explores centralising powers, tensions with devolution, risks around Healthwatch and data safeguards, and the political arithmetic in the Lords.
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Realistic Parliamentary Timetable
- The government aims to introduce the bill in April with a target to move NHS England functions by April 2027.
- Philip Hunt doubts an autumn parliamentary completion and expects passage closer to December or January.
Secondary Legislation Will Extend Timelines
- Much of the bill's detail will be implemented through secondary legislation and regulations.
- Philip Hunt warns regulations can take up to a year after Royal Assent to finalise and consult through Parliament.
Abolishing NHS England Is Politically Plausible
- Abolishing NHS England is politically acceptable because Parliament controls funding and expects ministerial accountability.
- Hunt argues ministers will reclaim control since the NHS is publicly funded through taxation.