Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street's pledge

Under the plan, 65% of patients will be treated within 18 weeks by the end of next year.

Made under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government, as GOV.UK labels it.

Made 2025-01-06 · Deadline by the end of next year · Where it was made · archived copy · Government publication

What the official figures show

Patients treated within 18 weeks, by the end of next year (target)

65%

2026-10-23 · Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street · receipt

Patients waiting to start NHS elective treatment in England (pathways), end of August 2026 (latest)

7.4million

2026-10-23 · NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times · receipt

Patients waiting to start NHS elective treatment in England (pathways), end of June 2024 (baseline)

7.6million

2026-10-23 · NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times · receipt

Share of patients on the NHS elective waiting list in England waiting up to 18 weeks, August 2026 (latest)

65.2%

2026-10-23 · NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times · receipt

Share of patients on the NHS elective waiting list in England waiting up to 18 weeks, June 2024 (baseline)

58.9%

2026-10-23 · NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times · receipt

These figures are repeated from their sources and update automatically. We don't say whether the pledge has been kept.