The British government is swinging back the hammer to drive the final nail into the coffin of NHS England, one of three administrative bodies tasked with overseeing funds generated from the statutory levy on gambling harms. 

Yesterday, King Charles III delivered his annual speech, outlining the Labour government’s legislative plans for the rest of the year. Of the various bills announced by the King yesterday, the NHS Modernisation Bill was addressed for a forthcoming application. 

If approved, the bill will abolish NHS England, a body of the Department of Health and Social Care established by the previous Conservative government to oversee the planning, budgeting and delivery of NHS services across English constituencies and councils. 

The abolition of NHS England is nothing new, with Keir Starmer’s government having set out plans to do so over a year ago, the return of the UK’s health service under a streamlined framework to address the nation’s most urgent health needs and regional disparities.

The Labour government plans to replace NHS England with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to support regional commissioning arrangements.

The overriding reform of the NHS has coincided with the implementation of the statutory levy and the complete overhaul of the structure and system on the treatment of problem gambling harms in the UK – which as of April 2025 was transferred to the stewardship of NHS England, the Office of Health Improvement and Disparity (OHID) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

For a once extensive gambling hams network, and more importantly the various charitable organisations in England that deliver treatment funding for people suffering from gambling harm, the abolition of NHS England leaves some unanswered questions.

Levy of drama 

Under its former system, GambleAware had acted as the chief commissioner of gambling research, education and treatment (RET) funds managing its finance and distribution. 

The organisation was a vocal prospect of replacing the voluntary system with a mandatory one. However, it found itself becoming a victim of the new system, the government opting to replace it with the NHS, UKRI and OHID as the commissioners of levy funds. 

GambleAware subsequently shut down in March 2026. Meanwhile, various organisations have been outlining how they intend to use funds, including NHS Scotland and Wales, and OHID, but not NHS England.

It can be assumed that the levy commission responsibilities will be taken on by the planned ICBs and regional commissioning arrangements, but the absence of any funding commitments will leave some waiting for clarity. 

That said, responses haven’t been entirely negative. GamCare, the operator of the UK’s national gambling helpline, states that it will work with the government throughout the planned change in NHS administration. 

The organisation has already been awarded £4m in OHID’s first round of funds.

Victoria Corbishley, Chief Executive of GamCare, said: “We recognise the Government’s ambition to modernise health commissioning and bring decision-making closer to local communities.

“For people affected by gambling harms, continuity of access to support through any period of structural change will be essential. The first phase of levy-funded commissioning has generated important learning about how services can be commissioned and coordinated effectively across a complex system. 

“As one of the largest providers in the sector, with services spanning the Helpline, treatment, outreach and prevention, we have direct experience of what is working well and where the system could be strengthened.”

Work continues …

Abolition of NHS England aside, the other two commissioning organisations are continuing to work on levy programmes. Today, UKRI announced that it has funded the opening of the UK’s largest research centre into gambling harm.

The Gambling Harms Research UK Evidence Centre will see collaboration between government bodies, health bodies, charities, and people with lived experience of gambling harm. 

The Universities of Glasgow, Sheffield, Swansea and King’s College London will lead research into policy, practice, and public understanding. Glasgow and Sheffield universities are notable for often publishing research into gambling and its societal impact.

“Gambling harms can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities,” said Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Council.

“This new independent Evidence Centre is a major step in building the high-quality research base needed to inform better policy, prevention and treatment across the UK.

“Through the Gambling Levy, UKRI is helping to establish a long-term, credible and independent research capability on gambling harms, grounded in research integrity and public value.”

NHS on Labour’s compass 

All this being said, the government’s plans might take some time to come into effect. As of the writing of this article, Ministers probably have other things on their minds as PM Keir Starmer faces a rebellion from the backbenches following a wipeout in last week’s local elections.

It’s noteworthy that the main challenger to Starmer at the moment is Wes Streeting – who as Health Secretary has been in charge of the planned decommissioning of NHS England, a process which, like many government projects, hasn’t gone entirely smoothly according to some observers.

Nonetheless, for funding commissioners and the charity organisations which benefit form their funding, the show is still on the road. 

GamCare’s Corbishley said: “With further commissioning decisions expected ahead of April 2027, we believe there is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the early implementation of the levy and ensure the next phase is built on the strongest possible foundations. 

“We would welcome the chance to contribute our frontline experience and insight to that process.”

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