Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering health and social care for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.
King's Speech 2024: Health and social care (381 KB , PDF)
The Labour Party has committed to “build an NHS fit for the future”. The manifesto said that reducing waiting lists was the party’s immediate priority.
The manifesto also pledged to modernise mental health legislation, as well as reintroducing a bill for a smoke-free generation. Labour has also set out its intention to take action on children’s consumption of junk food and high caffeine energy drinks.
A ban on conversation therapy was also in the manifesto, as well as plans to reform gender recognition law.
The Library’s briefings for the King’s Speech draw on the Labour Party’s manifesto and other material in the public domain. They have been written in advance of the 2024 King’s Speech to help members of the House of Lords prepare for the debate on the speech. They do not constitute official information about the government’s intentions or provide a complete list of bills to be announced.
King's Speech 2024: Health and social care (381 KB , PDF)
While handling record demand, the social care sector in England is facing workforce, resource and funding pressures. There are also millions of people providing unpaid care. The new Labour government has announced an intention to create a ‘National Care Service’, and to improve NHS and social care integration as part of a 10-year plan for reform.
Between 1970 and the early 1990s, over 30,000 NHS patients were given blood transfusions, or treatments made using blood products, which were contaminated with hepatitis C or HIV. Over 3,000 people have since died, and thousands more live with health conditions. The infected blood inquiry called for immediate compensation, public memorials, and for lessons to be learned in medicine, government and the civil service. In August 2024 the government set out plans for compensation.
Vaginal mesh implants are used to repair damaged internal tissue. However, many women receiving these implants have experienced severe complications. In 2020, an independent review recommended establishing a compensation scheme for the women affected. The Conservative government rejected this recommendation, saying its focus would be on improving product safety. However, calls for redress have continued, with a subsequent review in 2024 also recommending the establishment of a compensation scheme.
