In the letter setting out the third phase of the NHS response to COVID-19 sent on 31 July 2020 we set out our shared goals for accelerating the return to near-normal levels of non-COVID-19 health services, making full use of the capacity available in the ‘window of opportunity’ between now and winter. As set out in that letter, this letter gives more details as to how block payments will flex to reflect expected elective activity levels.