Rishi Sunak has openly acknowledged that the government's commitment to reducing NHS waiting lists in England has fallen short of expectations. The prime minister conceded that while some progress had been made, it had not been sufficient enough. Sunak made these remarks during a TalkTV interview with Piers Morgan.

In January 2023, Mr. Sunak had outlined five key priorities, including addressing the NHS waiting lists, as well as economic matters, and illegal immigration. At that time, he had stated that "NHS waiting lists will fall, and people will receive faster healthcare," though he did not specify a timeline for achieving this goal. When questioned by Piers Morgan about the government's failure to fulfil this pledge, Rishi Sunak candidly admitted, "Yes, we have."

He went on to emphasise the government's significant investments in the NHS, resulting in an increase in the number of doctors, nurses, and medical equipment. However, Rishi Sunak also pointed out that industrial actions, such as strikes by nurses and some health workers had taken a toll.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, previously indicated to the BBC that NHS waiting list reductions would be evident by spring 2024. However, as of November 2023, the non-urgent care backlog in England remained high at 7.6 million, slightly improved from the month before but up by 400,000 from the year's start. Sunak's acknowledgment underscores the ongoing challenges in the NHS amid further industrial disputes and staffing issues.