London: Public support for the founding principles of Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) has declined over the past five years, with younger adults showing growing doubts about tax-funded healthcare, according to research by the King’s Fund.
The analysis of British Social Attitudes survey data found that backing for free treatment, universal access and funding through taxation fell between 2021 and 2025 across most age groups. Although majorities continue to support the principles, researchers warned that the decline could make it harder for future governments to justify increases in NHS spending.
Support for universal access fell particularly sharply among older generations. The proportion of people born before the Second World War who believed the NHS should be available to everyone dropped from 87.1 percent in 2021 to 73.2 percent in 2025. Among baby boomers, support declined from 83.1 percent to 71.2 percent.
Generation Z showed a distinct pattern in attitudes towards funding. Support for maintaining a tax-funded NHS fell by 11.2 percentage points over the five-year period, leaving 74.1 percent of the group backing the principle. Support remained at 80 percent or higher among the other age groups. However, between 85 percent and 92 percent of people across the population continued to support free NHS care.
King’s Fund senior analyst Danielle Jefferies said economic hardship, housing costs, student debt and stagnant wages could help explain younger adults’ concerns about taxation. Long waiting times for mental health support and other NHS services may also contribute to dissatisfaction. Changing attitudes towards migration could be another factor affecting views on universal access, researchers suggested.
The findings come as the UK faces rising healthcare costs, an ageing population and competing demands for public spending on defence, social care and education. NHS Alliance chief executive Ciarán Devane said any erosion of public support was concerning and stressed that the health service must continue delivering for patients to maintain confidence in its funding model.
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