The NHS is facing cross-party calls to abandon new net zero requirements for suppliers, which critics say could force up costs and add red tape, with demands to focus on patients rather than political ideology.
New obligations due to come into force from April will compel suppliers to report relevant emissions and publish a carbon reduction plan covering their value chain, including indirect emissions from employee commuting, franchises and investments.
Conservative criticism
Shadow Health Secretary Damian Hinds said: "The NHS exists to provide exceptional care to patients, not to pursue ideological net zero goals that divert resources from the frontline and waste taxpayers' money. Labour ministers need to get a grip and focus on what matters: treating patients and delivering better care. Millions of people are stuck on waiting lists and that needs resolving urgently. Spending should be targeted at ensuring everyone receives care, not on pursuing environmental targets that push up costs for taxpayers without delivering better results."
He pledged to "stand up for an NHS focused on patients, not political ideology."
Red tape concerns
Deputy Conservative leader Alex Burghart added: "Labour's procurement and net zero red tape is piling costs onto taxpayers across the country. These extra requirements will pile on higher costs and lead to less competition and poorer value for money in our public services, including the NHS."
He promised to "end this nonsense, fix public procurement and put taxpayers first."
The calls come as the Financial Conduct Authority has dropped plans for new requirements for listed companies to tell investors about climate risks, following concerns that UK competitiveness could be damaged.
Industry and political reactions
In June, trade body BritishAmerican Business highlighted fears that the carbon reporting requirements for NHS suppliers could "place an undue and disproportionate burden on some companies with extensive global supply chains."
In August, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said that "NHS patient care must not be slaughtered on the altar of net zero."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "It is categorically untrue that these measures take money away from patient care. In fact, since this roadmap was introduced under the previous government in 2021, the NHS has saved hundreds of millions of pounds in energy costs, which have been channelled back into frontline care. However, compared to the rules that were put in place under the previous government, where 'all suppliers' were obliged to fulfil net zero requirements in respect of 'all of their emissions', the current roadmap takes a much more proportionate and less burdensome approach, allowing us to cut red tape and apply common sense, while continuing to make significant energy savings for the taxpayer. As a leading employer across the country, the NHS also continues to play its full part in supporting growth, training and employment in local communities, in line with the Government's broader economic goals."
