The 2015 Comprehensive Spending Review Our submission to the Treasury's publication

In July 2015, HM Treasury published ‘A country that lives within its means’ – setting out its priorities ahead of the 2015 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

Through the CSR, Departmental Expenditure Limits (DELs) will be set for every government department and all Annually Managed Expenditures (AMEs) will be scrutinised. The Treasury will work with departments to develop options for reforms across DEL and AME to reduce spending and increase efficiency while improving public services. These budgets will be set between 2015/16 and 2019/20.

On health, it states:

The government will protect spending on the NHS in England and backs the NHS ‘Five Year Forward View’ which outlines a plan for a more sustainable, integrated health service that cares for people closer to home. By committing to increase NHS funding in England by £10bn in real terms by 2020-21, above 2014-15 levels, the government is supporting the NHS in England to deliver its plan and produce a step change in safety, quality and access. In return for the additional investment, the NHS will need to deliver on its commitment to achieve significant efficiency savings by 2020-21, as set out in the Five Year Plan.

It also states that this additional £10bn will ensure that the NHS becomes a 7-day service by 2020-21 and everyone will be able to access GP services 8am-8pm 7 days a week.

The government will be publishing the outcome of the CSR on 25 November 2015 and to inform this it has invited submissions from interested parties by 4 September 2015.