Government pledges upgrades to improve safety, comfort, and modernisation
Patients and students across England will benefit from nearly £1.2 billion in essential repairs to NHS and school buildings, as part of the government’s Plan for Change to improve public infrastructure.
Hospitals and NHS facilities
Over 400 hospitals, mental health units, and ambulance sites will receive £750 million to address longstanding maintenance issues like leaking roofs, faulty electrics, and poor ventilation. These upgrades aim to reduce the number of cancelled appointments and procedures—more than 4,000 disruptions occurred in 2023/24 due to building problems.
A key focus will be maternity units, with over £100 million allocated to improving care for mothers and newborns, including replacing outdated ventilation in neonatal units.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“A decade and a half of underinvestment left hospitals crumbling, with burst pipes flooding emergency departments, faulty electrical systems shutting down operating theatres, and mothers giving birth in outdated facilities that lack basic dignity.
We are on a mission to rebuild our NHS through investment and modernisation.
Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future”.
Schools and sixth forms
Meanwhile, £470 million will be spent to repair 656 schools and sixth forms, tackling critical issues such as crumbling roofs and asbestos removal. The funding is part of a wider £2.1 billion investment in England’s school estate for 2025–26—£300 million more than the previous year.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:
“The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn’t good enough.
Parents expect their children to learn in a safe warm environment. It’s what children deserve, and it is what we are delivering.
This investment is about more than just buildings - it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life”.
The upgrades will include energy-efficient classrooms, new sports halls, IT rooms, kitchens, and playgrounds—creating inspiring learning environments for generations to come.
Wider reform and accountability
The funding announcement follows the Autumn Budget, which secured £26 billion in additional NHS funding. NHS England has also exceeded its target of 2 million additional appointments since June 2024, delivering over 3 million extra.
Simon Corben, Director of NHS Estates, said:
“I welcome this funding as a long-overdue step toward tackling the unacceptable state of parts of the NHS estate. Too many buildings have been allowed to fall into disrepair, putting patient safety and staff working conditions at risk.
It is now vital that NHS England and local leaders deliver - every pound must be spent wisely, with clear accountability and a laser focus on improving frontline care”.
New technologies are also being rolled out, including 13 new DEXA scanners and £70 million in upgraded radiotherapy machines, supporting tens of thousands of additional treatments annually by 2027.
Looking ahead
The first school and hospital upgrades are expected to begin this summer, with the full rollout planned for the 2025–26 financial year. The government is also fast-tracking 100 school rebuilds this year under a separate £1.4 billion programme.
Together, these efforts aim to restore confidence in public services, support better outcomes for patients and students, and ensure public buildings are safe, modern, and built for the future.