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Statement on the Chancellor’s Budget 2025 and Implications for AXREM Members

26 November 2025

Today’s Budget sets out a mixed picture for AXREM members: while there are welcome commitments to NHS investment and support for apprenticeships, there are also areas of concern around rising business costs, particularly business rates, electric vehicle charges, and the impact of the minimum wage increase.

Key Concerns for AXREM Members

  • Business Rates: Although the government confirmed permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure, higher rates will apply to large properties such as warehouses. This could indirectly affect suppliers and service providers in healthcare technology, raising operational costs.
  • Electric Vehicle Charges: The introduction of a per-mile levy on electric vehicles means that even those investing in greener fleets will face new costs. For AXREM members, who often rely on transport for equipment delivery and service, this adds to the financial burden.
  • Minimum Wage Increase: From April 2026, the National Living Wage will rise to £12.71 per hour. While this supports staff incomes, it will increase payroll costs for members, particularly SMEs, who already face tight margins.

Positive Measures

  • Apprenticeships and Training: The Budget commits over £1.5 billion into the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, ensuring SMEs can access support for training and apprenticeships. This is a significant opportunity for AXREM members to build future talent pipelines and address workforce shortages.
  • NHS Funding: An additional £300 million capital investment into the NHS and the creation of 250 new Neighbourhood Health Centres will strengthen healthcare infrastructure. This investment should drive demand for imaging and diagnostic technologies, directly benefiting AXREM members.
  • Cost of Living Support: Measures such as energy bill reductions and prescription charge freezes may ease pressures on households, indirectly supporting healthcare staff wellbeing.

Balanced Outlook

For AXREM members, the Budget reflects the government’s attempt to balance fiscal responsibility with investment in public services. The positives including apprenticeship support, NHS funding, and infrastructure investment align with AXREM’s mission to champion innovation and inclusivity in healthcare. However, the rising costs from business rates, EV charges, and wage increases will require careful navigation by members, particularly SMEs.

Closing Note

AXREM will continue to advocate for policies that support innovation, sustainability, and equitable participation in healthcare. While today’s Budget offers encouraging signals for skills and NHS investment, it also underscores the need for ongoing dialogue with government to ensure that rising costs do not undermine the sector’s ability to deliver transformative healthcare solutions.

Sally Edgington, AXREM Chief Executive Officer said

“As AXREM members digest today’s Budget, it is clear that the Chancellor’s announcements bring both opportunities and challenges for our sector. We welcome the government’s commitment to NHS investment and the support for apprenticeships and training, which will help SMEs build the skilled workforce our industry needs for the future.

At the same time, rising business rates, new electric vehicle charges, and the increase in the minimum wage will add to the financial pressures faced by many of our members. These measures risk constraining innovation and growth at a time when healthcare technology has never been more vital.

AXREM will continue to champion our members’ voices, ensuring that government understands the balance between supporting public services and enabling the businesses that deliver the technologies underpinning them. We remain committed to working collaboratively to drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability across the healthcare sector.”