These assessments show what action government has taken to carry out the United Nation’s (UN’s) recommendations, within the scope of our methodology.
They include recommendations from the UN committees associated with the human rights treaties that the UK government has signed and ratified (agreed to follow), which are:
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT)
Overview of action taken
Raising awareness about substance abuse among young people
What we assessed in the recommendation:
Do more to raise awareness among young people about substance abuse, including information on abuse of tobacco and alcohol and on the serious health risks. Make sure that young people who need treatment are identified and get the services they need.
ICESCR concluding observations 2025, paragraph 55:
The Committee recommends that the State Party, along with the devolved governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, review its legislative framework to adopt a human rights-based approach to drug use, including by: (a) Conducting preventive awareness-raising on the serious health risks associated with drug abuse, particularly among young people.
CRC concluding observations 2023, paragraph 44:
The Committee recommends that the State party: (c) Strengthen measures to provide adolescents with information on preventing substance abuse, including of tobacco and alcohol, and to ensure the early identification and adequate referral of adolescents requiring treatment.
The CRC recommendation was made in June 2023 and the ICESCR recommendation was made in March 2025.
In July 2023, the UK government commissioned the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to provide advice on drug prevention for young people aged 11 to 24, to support the delivery of the 10-Year National Drugs Strategy (From Harm to Hope). The final report on the drugs strategy was published in May 2025. It set out a number of recommended actions, including the funding of a national drug prevention programme and providing local authorities with ring-fenced, long-term funding specifically for drug prevention, according to local need. The UK government has not yet published a response to the report.
The UK government commissioned the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) Association to update a suite of resources, including lesson plans, aimed at raising awareness of drugs and alcohol among pupils in key stages 1 to 5. The education resources were published in November 2024.
Across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, the UK government provided £70 million funding (each year) to local authorities to support Stop Smoking Services, which includes support for children. Additionally, the UK government provided £267 million in funding to local councils for the 2024/25 financial year and £310 million for the 2025/26 financial year to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support services, including specialist services for children and young people with, or at risk of developing, substance abuse problems. From 2026, all drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding will be channelled through the Public Health Grant, with £3.4 billion allocated across three years and ringfenced for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery.
In October 2025, the UK government funded a campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of taking drugs. This was aimed at young people, aged 16 to 24, and covered the dangers of ketamine, counterfeit medicines and THC vapes.
Assessment up to date as of June 2026.
Access to healthcare for disabled people
What we assessed in the recommendation
Work with disabled people's organisations to develop an action plan to remove barriers to disabled people’s access to health care and services. The plan should include measurable targets. Progress against the plan should be monitored, with a focus on people with learning disabilities and people with neurological and cognitive conditions.
CRPD concluding observations 2017, paragraph 55:
The Committee recommends that the State party, in close collaboration with representative organizations of persons with disabilities: (a) Develop a targeted, measurable and financed plan of action aiming at eliminating barriers in access to health care and services, and monitor and measure its progress, especially in relation to persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities and those with neurological and cognitive conditions.
Since the recommendation was made in October 2017, the Department for Health and Social Care has developed several plans to eliminate barriers in access to health and care services in England.
The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) is a financed plan with measurable goals. It was developed in consultation with patients and groups representing them. The Long Term Plan Implementation Framework accompanies the plan. The NHS Assembly advises the NHS England Board on the delivery of the plan, as outlined in the NHS Assembly terms of reference. A separate Mental Health Implementation Plan also accompanies the NHS Long Term Plan. The NHS is currently engaging with the public, patients, carers and workforce to develop a new ten-year plan for the NHS.
The National Disability Strategy (2021) was a financed plan with measurable goals that broadly focuses on ‘transforming the lives of disabled people’, rather than on improving access to health care only. It considers the needs of people with intellectual or psychological disabilities and people with neurological and cognitive conditions. This strategy was partly based on a public consultation called the UK Disability Survey, which included disabled people. The UK Disability Survey research report, June 2021 outlines this. However, in 2022, the High Court ruled that the National Disability Strategy was unlawful due to failures to properly consult through the UK Disability Survey that informed the strategy. This ruling on the National Disability Strategy was later overturned at appeal in 2023.
The National Disability Strategy committed to publishing an annual report on progress against its objectives. This did not happen in 2022 due to some policies being paused. However, the UK government provided an update on the National Disability Strategy in 2023. In July 2023 the UK government consulted on a disability action plan. A final version of the plan was published in February 2024.
In 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care developed a National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026. This had a broad focus on various issues affecting autistic people, including health and care inequalities. Organisations representing disabled people were consulted in the development of the strategy. The strategy includes measurable goals and financial commitments. The UK government committed to establishing a renewed Executive Group to monitor the delivery of actions. It is not clear if this group has been established, and to what extent progress against the strategy is being monitored.
Assessment up to date as of December 2024.
'Do not resuscitate' orders for disabled people
What we assessed in the recommendation
Make sure medical professionals have to follow guidance and standards on using ‘do not resuscitate’ orders in the same way for disabled people as non-disabled people.
CRPD concluding observations 2017, paragraph 55:
The Committee recommends that the State party, in close collaboration with representative organizations of persons with disabilities: (d) Ensure that medical professionals are under the obligation to enforce standards set in guidance and criteria on “do not resuscitate” orders for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
In 2020, after the recommendation was made in October 2017, the NHS co-produced a voluntary framework for contractors called the General Medical Services (GMS) contract Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). The framework emphasises that the blanket application of ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (DNACPR) orders due to age, disability or medical condition is inappropriate.
In 2021, the Department for Health and Social Care established a ministerial oversight group on DNACPR decisions. The stated aim of the group was to ensure the implementation of system-wide improvements on the use of DNACPRs. This includes promoting the development of training and support on DNACPRs. In 2022, the group reported on steps to improve staff training on DNACPR, such as dedicated learning resources created by Health Education England. However, the training is not mandatory or regulated.
In 2023, NHS directors also wrote to healthcare providers about DNACPR to emphasise that the voluntary framework applied in relation to people with autism and learning disabilities.
Assessment up to date as of December 2024.
Access to healthcare for other marginalised groups
What we assessed in the recommendation
Improve policies and programmes to make sure temporary or undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and Roma, Gypsies and Travellers, including women, children and victims of trafficking, can access health care. Make sure interpreting services are available in healthcare. Make sure health facilities, goods and services are available to everyone, without discrimination, including by removing NHS regulations that stop children from getting healthcare because of their parents’ immigration or financial status.
ICESCR concluding observations 2016, paragraph 56:
The Committee recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that temporary migrants and undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers, refugees and Roma, Gypsies and Travellers have access to all necessary health-care services and reminds the State party that health facilities, goods and services should be accessible to everyone without discrimination, in line with article 12 of the Covenant. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health.
CEDAW concluding observations 2019, paragraph 50:
The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at providing effective access to healthcare for women belonging to marginalized groups, in particular asylum-seeking and refugee women, migrant women, Roma and Traveller women, and victims of trafficking.
CRC concluding observations 2023, paragraph 41:
Recalling its general comment No. 15 (2013) on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, the Committee recommends that the State party: (c) Expand the health-care services available to asylum-seeking and migrant children, children without a regular residence status and children in the overseas territories to ensure their access to affordable health care and mental health services, including by providing interpretation services and repealing regulations of the National Health Service that prevent such children from accessing health-care services due to their parents’ immigration or financial status.
Since the ICESCR recommendation was made in July 2016, the UK government has continued to restrict access to free secondary health care for people without evidence that they are ‘ordinarily resident’ in England. Secondary health care includes inpatient and outpatient hospital care and community services. In 2017, the UK amended the law to require payment up front for most chargeable NHS services. These restrictions may particularly affect temporary or undocumented migrants, including children and victims of trafficking.
According to the NHS entitlements: migrant health guide, pre-existing exemptions on healthcare charges for some services and for certain vulnerable groups continue to apply. These groups include:
- refugees
- asylum seekers
- refused asylum seekers who are deemed destitute by the UK government
- victims of trafficking who have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism and have a ‘reasonable grounds’ or ‘conclusive grounds’ decision on their claim
Since the CEDAW recommendation was made in March 2019, the UK government has not taken targeted action to strengthen policies and programmes aimed at providing access to healthcare services for asylum seeking and refugee women, GRT women and victims of trafficking in England. However, it has taken steps to improve access to healthcare more generally. The Health and Care Act 2022 legally established Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England. ICBs have a responsibility for planning and funding NHS services. Their statutory functions include an aim to reduce inequalities in access, experience and outcomes in healthcare.
Since the CRC recommendation was made in June 2023, the UK government has taken no additional steps to ensure that children can access interpretation services. However, ICBs continue to be responsible for ensuring the provision of translation and interpretation services in primary care. This is in line with NHS England guidance.
Assessment up to date as of December 2024.
Health inequalities strategy
What we assessed in the recommendation
Introduce a strategy to deal with health inequalities and their causes, especially for disabled children, ethnic minority children, disadvantaged children, children living in rural areas and transgender children.
CRC concluding observations 2023, paragraph 41:
Recalling its general comment No. 15 (2013) on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, the Committee recommends that the State party: (b) Develop a strategy to address health inequalities, including the underlying causes, and in particular in respect of children in disadvantaged situations including children with disabilities, children belonging to ethnic minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged children, children living in rural areas and transgender children.
Since the recommendation was made in June 2023, the UK government worked on the Major Conditions Strategy (MCS). This was first announced in January 2023. The stated aim of the MCS is to tackle the six conditions responsible for most ill-health in England.
In August 2023, the UK government published an interim strategic framework for the MCS. This framework states that the MCS will include ‘consideration of disparities in health outcomes from multiple angles, including ethnicity, deprivation and inclusion health’. However, it did not include specific consideration of children in disadvantaged situations. By November 2024, the strategy had not been published.
The current NHS Long Term Plan was published in January 2019. It contains steps aimed at addressing health inequalities. This includes for children with a learning disability or autism, and for ‘vulnerable’ children. ‘Vulnerable’ is not defined. However, in the NHS Long Term Plan: Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment – Annex 1, this term includes refugees, asylum seekers and those in, or at risk of, contact with the social services and youth justice systems. The plan does not refer to ethnic minority children, children living in rural areas or transgender children. The NHS is currently engaging with the public, patients, carers and workforce to develop a new ten-year plan for the NHS.
Assessment up to date as of December 2024.
Page updates
Published:
29 January 2025
Last updated:
27 August 2026