NHS cost-cutting measures are undermining efforts to reduce waiting times for cancer care and elective treatment. Health leaders are warning of a rise in recruitment bans on cancer wards and canceled operations until the new financial year due to NHS organisations' deficits. New figures from the Royal College of Radiologists show that the number of NHS radiology departments and cancer centers has doubled in the past year. In 2025, half (31 out of 60) of UK specialist cancer centers were unable to recruit clinical oncologists due to a recruitment freeze by trusts to save money. In comparison, in 2024 this was the case for 13 centers (23%). These hiring bans come despite widespread delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment, exacerbated by physician shortages. Preliminary data from the annual college workforce census will be released in the summer.