Keir Starmer is facing calls from MPs to scrap a controversial healthcare deal dubbed the “Trump tax” and redirect funds towards repairing the UK’s struggling social care system. The Liberal Democrats have criticized the Prime Minister for allegedly being influenced by the US President in striking a new trade agreement that is projected to increase pharmaceutical costs by £3 billion annually. While the government defends the deal, stating that it secures favorable terms for pharmaceutical imports from the US, critics highlight that it raises medicine price thresholds by up to 25%.
Amid mounting pressure on the Prime Minister to expedite social care reforms, data reveals that over 4.3 million days were spent by hospital patients awaiting discharge in 2024/25. Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, has urged Starmer to prioritize fixing the social care crisis over honoring the trade deal with the US, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Although a cross-party commission on social care was established by the government in January last year, it has only convened once since then, drawing criticism for delaying vital reforms. The Labour Party has pledged to introduce a National Care Service ahead of the 2024 general election, with a commission led by Baroness Louise Casey expected to present initial recommendations this year and final proposals by 2028.
Despite assurances from the government that the UK-US agreement will safeguard supplies and benefit the country’s medical technology exports, concerns persist over the potential £3 billion surge in drug costs per year as estimated by The Lancet journal. Responding to the criticism, a government spokesperson refuted the £3 billion figure, emphasizing that the deal will not divert funds from frontline NHS services and is essential for enhancing access to life-saving medications.
In a recent statement, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a healthcare chief under the Trump administration, praised the UK-US agreement for fostering innovation in medicine and rebalancing pharmaceutical trade between the two nations. The government remains committed to addressing social care challenges in collaboration with healthcare experts and local authorities to enhance discharge processes and ensure seamless care transitions for patients.