Multiple reports say missed GP appointments cost the NHS a substantial sum, with figures cited of up to £650 million in a year. The coverage indicates that ministers are considering how to address the impact of patients not attending scheduled primary care appointments. According to the reports, Labour does not plan to introduce fines for patients who fail to show up. The articles frame the issue as a cost pressure on healthcare services and focus on policy decisions around enforcement and potential deterrents. While the cited overall cost is presented as a financial estimate attributed to no-shows, the details of how the figure is calculated are not expanded in the provided text. Overall, the reporting aligns on two points: the NHS bears significant costs from missed appointments, and the government’s stated position is that patients who do not attend will not be fined as a response. The articles do not indicate alternative penalties or replacement measures within the provided information.