King’s Fund Warns NHS Trusts Face ‘Perilous’ Finances as 2024/25 Deficit Hits £780 Million

Overview

• New analysis reports NHS trusts ran a combined £780 million deficit in 2024/25, with pressures concentrated in hospitals.
• Acute hospital trusts, which account for roughly three quarters of trust spending, saw 69% operating at a loss.
• Deficits were recorded at 10% of ambulance trusts and 44% of community trusts, underscoring system-wide strain.
• The King’s Fund says leaders face choices that affect patient care and warns job cuts could increase without relief.
• The spring statement offered no health-specific measures, and critics say earlier funding pledges still fall short of stated NHS goals.