Autumn Budget 2025: Sue Ryder's reaction

The Chancellor outlined the Government’s spending priorities for the coming years, including announcements on healthcare funding and household support.

These measures will directly affect palliative and end-of-life care, as well as the people we support and the wider voluntary sector.

• The government plans to establish 250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres across England, with 120 expected to be operational by 2030. These centres will bring together local health services such as GPs and physiotherapists, to improve access to care, and to support a more preventative and sustainable NHS.
• These will be located across England, with initial sites in Birmingham, Barrow-in-Furness, Truro and Southall, and will build on successful models already operating in Hull and Barnsley.

• Prescription charges: A one-year freeze from April 2026 will keep single prescription charges at £9.90.
• Household energy bills: Measures will be introduced to remove around £150 of costs on average from household energy bills from April 2026.

James Sanderson, CEO of Sue Ryder, said:

“We welcome today’s announcement of 250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres across England. Sue Ryder is calling for the palliative and end-of-life sector to be fully involved from the outset. By embedding the sector’s expertise as a key, vital service we can guarantee high-quality, integrated care for people at the end of their lives.

“It's encouraging to see the Government continue to prioritise community-based care. This aligns with our call for improved palliative and end-of-life care at home, where most dying people wish to be cared for and where 80% of Sue Ryder’s care is provided.

“Too many people still face unnecessary hospital admissions and distressing A&E trips at the end of their lives, which often could have been avoided.”