NHS England published the 2025-26 planning guidance last week, so we break down what it means for the service.

We discuss new targets, including a challenging elective care ambition, the high-profile commitments dropped, and news that trusts are to take on more responsibilities from ICBs next year.

A busy few days also saw the NHS’s mandate for 2025-26 from ministers published last week, so we also discuss Wes Streeting’s tough instructions to the NHS and his interview with HSJ.

Also, we cover news of further job cuts at NHS England and how its leadership of the service has been changing.