Two-thirds of NHS mental health providers in England plan service cuts and job losses

Aug 7, 2026

An NHS Alliance survey reveals that 68% of NHS mental health trusts in England plan to cut or close services in 2026-27, while 57% expect to cut clinical staff to address budget deficits. Although Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans for nearly 200 community mental health centres by 2029, charities and unions warn that these cuts will make improvements impossible and worsen waiting times for millions of patients.

NHS mental health service cuts

▪Planned service cuts by NHS mental health trusts in England are expected to affect child and adolescent care, talking therapies, addiction support, crisis help, and community programmes.
▪A national survey by the NHS Alliance found that 68% of NHS mental health trusts in England are likely to reduce or shut down services in 2026-27.
▪The East London Foundation Trust plans to cut a wide range of services to help close a £25 million financial deficit in 2026.

Mental health trust job losses

▪The East London Foundation Trust plans to axe hundreds of jobs as part of its measures to address its £25 million budget deficit in 2026.
▪An NHS Alliance survey of 37 mental health providers in England revealed that 57% of respondents are likely to cut clinical staff in 2026-27.
▪An NHS Alliance survey of 37 mental health providers in England found that 59% of responding NHS mental health trusts expect to freeze staff vacancies in 2026-27.

Financial pressures on trusts

▪The NHS Alliance stated in August 2026 that the share of national NHS spending allocated to mental health is expected to decrease for the third consecutive year.
▪NHS mental health trusts in England are facing declining funding alongside cost reduction targets and pressure to make record efficiency savings in 2026-27.

Community mental health centre expansion

▪UK Prime Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans in August 2026 to establish a network of nearly 200 community mental health centres and mental health A&Es by 2029.
▪The Department of Health and Social Care announced in August 2026 the rollout of 159 new NHS mental health facilities across England, supported by £343 million in funding.

Waiting times for care

▪The Department of Health and Social Care stated in August 2026 that its upcoming mental health strategy will outline plans to reduce waiting times for support.
▪Millions of adults and children in England face longer waiting times for mental health care due to planned service and staff cuts by NHS providers in 2026.

Stakeholder responses to cuts

▪Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated in August 2026 that union members at health trusts across England will fight back against attempts to cut jobs and services.
▪Mind's head of policy, Tom Pollard, stated in August 2026 that meaningful improvements to the mental health system are impossible if funding for staff and services is cut.