Fees may well have to rise as a number of factors play a part but how can those funding be assured that those fees are being spent correctly and for the best purpose

In July 2024 he Rise Associates Independant Culture review report occurred which highlighted key failings, concerns around safeguarding , and found that people working in the organisation had experienced racism, discrimination and bullying. From this came many recommendations and a clear plan of action that is ongoing today. Although this report costs £96,000 for Nazir Afzal's team alone, one could argue that this was a useful spend of the 800 registrant's annual fees. It brought to light important areas of concern and triggered action

Alongside this work in 2023 - KC  Ijeoma Omambala was commissioned to investigate the treatment of the whistleblower. Again important work but not without hefty cost once again. This time  £100,000 = 834 registrant annual fees . This report suffered a number of delays due to the internal reports that needed to feed into it from the NMC amongst other issues. Sadly Ijeoma had her own personal stressors during this time and a few weeks prior to the report being finanlised had to take compassionate leave. The NMC at this point decided to recommission the work to Victoria Butler-Cole KC and David Hopkins, barrister, Both of which had advised the NMC in other areas such as the Thirwell Inquiry. The whistleblower herself  raised concerns about the independence of this recommissioning 

This was also funded in addition to Ijeoma's work at a cost of many thousands

So our question is - who decided it was proportionate and efficient to double up the spend and waste registrant fees in this way 

"The NMC's own poor financiąl planning has contributed to this
situation, so there'll be understandable concern among health protessionals about how
their fees are being used." "A commitment to limit the
impact on professional regulation is welcome, but any reduction in roles will pile further pressure on those staff
who remain," Unison Head Helga Pile