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Written question asked by Lord Godson (Conservative) on Monday, 20 April 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Health Insurance

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they plan to give, if any, to the introduction of a social insurance model for healthcare similar to that in the Netherlands.

Answer

The Government strongly believes in the founding principles of the National Health Service, as a publicly funded service that is universal, and free at the point of use. Through the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to seeing this model thrive in the modern age. The plan focuses on delivering what matters to patients and taxpayers by transforming the model of care, rather than the model of funding, including through three shifts of moving from hospital to community, from sickness to prevention, and from analogue to digital.

The Government has therefore not undertaken an assessment of introducing a universal compulsory social insurance model for healthcare in the United Kingdom, nor does it have any plans to move away from a tax-funded NHS.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL16540
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Health insurance
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk