We're right on track, says Streeting as interim waiting-times target hit

Sarah Woolnough of the King's Fund said the interim target was helped by spring funding since January and warned sustaining it would be hard; she questioned the feasibility of repeatedly sprinting toward 92% and noted that other waiting lists are growing.

Tim Mitchell of the Royal College of Surgeons of England warned that progress is undermined by long-standing under-investment in buildings and equipment, with ageing facilities, too few theatres and beds.

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Streeting said the government is right on track to deliver the fastest reduction in waiting times in NHS history and highlighted the milestone as a stepping stone toward the 92% target by the end of Parliament in 2029.

NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey described the milestone as a huge moment and noted progress despite repeated strike action by resident doctors.

The overall waiting list size fell from 7.2 million to 7.1 million in the space of a month, the lowest level for three and a half years.

Despite the national target being met, four in ten hospital trusts did not meet their own targets and 10 trusts saw performance worsen.

The government hit the interim target of treating 65% of patients within 18 weeks by March 2026, achieving 65.3%. This milestone was described as the first stepping stone toward Labour's pledge to reach 92% by the end of Parliament in 2029.