Ministers meet to discuss winter pressures

Ministers have met to discuss preparatory work for tackling winter pressures this year. The meeting was led by the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse.

The meeting included ministers and officials from HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Transport, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The government has been working to identify pressure points that will affect the public, including NHS pressures, the cost of living crisis and the rise in energy prices. Meetings have been held across the summer to discuss how the pressures can be reduced once a new administration is in place.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said: "My chief priority has been to make sure that we are prepared for the significant challenges we expect to face this autumn and winter, and I have held regular meetings to make sure departments maintain pace and grip on this essential work now, and in the coming months, as this will be a marathon not a sprint.

"The cost of living, driven in part by higher energy prices, is biting for individuals, families and businesses, and the NHS is already under pressure - and that’s ahead of the flu season. These risks have potentially severe impacts, stacking up on the most vulnerable people in society, and it is vital that we develop robust plans urgently to mitigate their impact and come up with solutions."

The government press release said that the Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency are working on their plans for health resilience, including to boost the NHS and Adult Social Care workforce, including a new taskforce for international recruitment.