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The NHS has allocated millions of pounds for translation services, as revealed by The Sun.
Contracts totaling a maximum of £73 million have been awarded to several approved firms that trusts can engage to provide interpreters for patients who do not speak English.
The NHS has allocated millions of pounds for translation services, as revealed by The SunCredit: Getty
Details of the initiative were published on the website.
The program commenced in November 2025 and will continue for two years until November 2027.
The framework agreement, which is segmented into various lots, includes face-to-face translators fluent in a range of languages to meet “diverse public sector language needs.”
Additionally, it encompasses 24/7 telephone interpretation services, both on-demand and pre-scheduled video translation services, as well as document translations for materials such as manuals, handbooks, leaflets, and website content, alongside the provision of translators for the deaf community.
William Yarwood, media campaign manager, told The Sun that the healthcare system is “straining under the weight of policy failures.”
He stated, “When the health service must provide interpretation across phone, video, in person, and in writing, it highlights how mass migration is imposing hidden costs on already burdened services.
“The government should take these pressures seriously by tightening migration regulations and ensuring that newcomers are adequately prepared to live and work here and speak English.”
Framework agreements consist of a pre-approved list of suppliers from which organizations can procure services.
Being included as a supplier means they have undergone vetting, but it does not guarantee they will receive work.
The £73 million total contract value represents the maximum amount that can be spent by all participating Trusts collectively and does not reflect actual expenditures.
NHS Shared Business Services, responsible for designing the contracts, emphasized that the actual figure is likely to be significantly lower.
Over one million residents in the UK are unable to speak English proficiently or at all.
Last year, it was disclosed that NHS spending on translation and interpretation has more than doubled in the last five financial years.
In 2020-21, trusts and integrated care boards allocated £31 million for these services.
By 2024-25, the expenditure had risen to £64 million, according to available data.
An NHS spokesperson remarked, “Translation and interpretation services are a legal requirement and crucial for providing effective and safe patient care, and it is essential that the NHS offers these services.”
The Shadow Home Secretary told The Sun, “Every foreign national residing in this country should be able to speak English.
“It is concerning that the most recent census indicated that a million of our fellow citizens do not speak English at all or do so poorly.
“If a foreign national in this country cannot communicate in English, they must learn the language or leave.
“We should not allocate any taxpayer money for foreign language translation in the NHS.”
FAQs
Why is the NHS spending money on translation services?
The NHS provides translation and interpretation services to ensure effective and safe patient care, as it is a legal requirement to accommodate non-English speaking patients.
How much money has been allocated for translation services?
The NHS has allocated a maximum of £73 million for translation services, although the actual spending is expected to be much lower.
What types of translation services are included in the contract?
The contract includes face-to-face translators, 24/7 telephone interpretation, video translation services, document translations, and services for the deaf community.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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