English language and translation policy in the NHS
Tabled 3 November 2025 by Rupert Lowe
That this House notes with concern the growing annual cost to the National Health Service of providing translation and interpretation services in foreign languages; further notes that such expenditure diverts vital funds away from patient care and frontline services; believes that every NHS employee must demonstrate a fluent level of spoken and written English proficiency; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to abolish taxpayer-funded foreign language translation and interpretation services within the NHS and require all new and existing NHS staff to meet clear, fluent and enforceable English-language standards, ensuring that the health service once again operates efficiently in the national language of the United Kingdom.