Disruptors Jeremy Hunt Unpacks Labour's Welfare Catastrophe and the True Cost of Neglecting the NHS
Dec 5, 2025
Join Jeremy Hunt, former UK Health Secretary and Chancellor, as he dives into the UK's economic challenges post-budget. He highlights the staggering £70 billion tax grab and emphasizes the pressing need for £47 billion in welfare reform. Hunt shares insights on why managing the NHS is far tougher than running a major company and critiques the structural inefficiencies hindering economic growth. He advocates for hospital autonomy, smarter welfare policies, and faster planning processes to boost productivity and restore public trust.
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Personal Cost Of Public Office
- Jeremy Hunt described being widely disliked during junior doctor strikes and the pressure on his family.
- He recounted a tense Easter travel escape and swapping into business class to avoid negative publicity.
Labour's Misread Of The Economy
- Labour misjudged the fiscal and structural realities entering office, expecting a 1997-style inheritance.
- High debt and structural challenges make the current policy space far tighter than they anticipated.
Targets Trap Blocks NHS Reform
- The NHS focuses too much on short-term operational targets at the expense of transformational change.
- That target-heavy culture creates waste and blocks big improvements like new IT systems and efficiency gains.