It’s been a busy week in the world of UK politics, we’ve seen pledges to boost NHS community services, progress the New Hospital Programme and reform social care by introducing free personal care. But what do these pledges really mean?  

Join Andrew McCracken, Sally Warren and Siva Anandaciva as we delve into the Conservative Party’s plan to bolster community services and outline the debate on the health and care workforce so far. Plus, we answer a listener question: should we redefine what we count as ‘NHS’ or ‘health’ spend, and is there ever a case where ring-fencing budget is a good thing?  

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Related resources

• General election 2024: 28 days and counting 
• The NHS budget and how it has changed (data explainer) 
• ‘Topic avoidance’: how the main parties will avoid talking about social care at this general election 
• Making care closer to home a reality (report)