Policy & Politics Archives

Category: Policy & Politics

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National Insurance rises could cause 10% care fees rise

Huge wage bills in the wake of changes to employers’ national insurance contributions could cripple ...

5 hours

Policy & Politics

News

Chancellor to increase social care spending

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has allocated extra funding for local government to spend on social care.

3 weeks

Policy & Politics

News

Care workers get £4k real-terms pay cut since 2010, data shows

GMB estimates real-terms pay cuts have affected more than 300,000 care workers identified in the ...

2 months

Categories

News

REACTION: Wes Streeting’s ‘encouraging’ Labour Party Conference appearance

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care emphasised the need to address the ...

2 months

Categories

News

New white paper sets out ‘low-cost, high-impact’ solutions to fix social care

The white paper outlines seven key recommendations to guide the focus and reforms needed in ...

2 months

Policy & Politics

News

‘It’s got to be deliverable’, says Starmer on delayed social care charging reform

The Prime Minister insisted that the long-delayed £86,000 cap on care costs will be in ...

2 months

Policy & Politics

News

DARZI REPORT: ‘Impossible to fix NHS without high-quality social care,’ says Vic Rayner

With a new report published today on the health of the National Health Service (NHS), ...

2 months

Policy & Politics

News

Wales gets cabinet overhaul, including new health minister

'The changes I am announcing today offer stability, draw on experience, and bring our collective ...

2 months

Policy & Politics

News

Scottish health minister visits care home resident on 100th birthday

He also met resident Myra Davidson (84) to congratulate her on achieving an NVQ qualification ...

2 months

People

News

Care sector can’t be fixed without wage rises, says trade union

Unison has also called for a credible workforce strategy and an end to the exploitation ...

2 months

Policy & Politics

News

Scottish health minister denies trying to ‘buy Oasis tickets’ in dementia meeting

The Sunday Mail claimed he made a joke about being 'Half the World Away' from ...

3 months

Policy & Politics

News

Labour explains why it scrapped Dilnot’s ‘undeliverable’ care cost cap

'We will have to ensure that we offer a national care service, along with a ...

3 months

Policy & Politics

News

Labour must ‘show they mean to do something’ about care crisis, urges expert

ICG chair Mike Padgham urged the government to end 'scandal' of 1.6 million Brits living ...

3 months

Categories

News

Local authority adult social care spend up £1.5bn in 2023-24

Adult social care spend was up 7% year on year, for a total of £23.3 ...

3 months

Finance

News

England makes sprinklers mandatory in care homes following Grenfell inquiry

This comes 'in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s phase one recommendations', as revealed by ...

3 months

Policy & Politics

News

As care worker visas drop 81%, Martin Green calls situation ‘untenable’

The shift follows Rishi Sunak's move to ban health and care workers bringing 'dependants' with ...

3 months

Categories

News

‘Lives being destroyed’ as care worker exploitation increases 500% in three years

The Royal College of Nursing said that migrant workers are at particular risk of exploitation ...

3 months

Legal

News

Majority of Brits happy to pay more taxes to fix social care, research shows

Among the many suggested improvements for the sector, the public most backs the idea of ...

3 months

Categories

News

Public raises £60k to replace carer’s car destroyed in UK race riots

Nigerian student Brendan Nwabichie finished a 12-hour shift only to find his car entirely burnt ...

4 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care workers ‘targeted’ in England’s ‘far-right racist’ riots, warns CQC

It is 'completely unacceptable' that health and care workers should be 'prevented from delivering care ...

4 months

Policy & Politics

News

Home care fee rates ‘dangerously low’, warns Homecare Association

The organisation said fees are failing to keep pace with rising wages and costs, risking ...

4 months

Business

News

Labour scraps care cost reform, accuses Tories of ‘covering up’ £22bn shortfall

By axing the long-planned cap on care costs, which had its genesis in a 2011 ...

4 months

Finance

News

REACTION: CQC’s ‘devastating approach’ as government lambasts regulator

Wes Streeting admitted the Care Quality Commission is 'not fit for purpose', something the sector ...

4 months

Categories

News

BREAKING NEWS: Wes Streeting admits CQC is ‘not fit for purpose’ in wake of damning government report

'I have been stunned by the extent of the failings of the institution that is ...

4 months

Policy & Politics

News

EXCLUSIVE: UK workforce policy ‘cannot rely on immigration’, says Labour peer

Labour peer Baroness Andrews, former chair of the Adult Social Care Committee, discusses the social ...

4 months

Categories

News

Welsh health minister Eluned Morgan to become country’s first female leader

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'Eluned brings with her a wealth of experience and track-record ...

4 months

People

News

Government urged to refurbish ‘outdated’ sheltered housing for older Brits

Demand comes as part of an inquiry by the All-Party Parliament Group (APPG) on Housing ...

4 months

Categories

News

Council home care spend up 25% as NHS frees up beds, ADASS report shows

Elsewhere, 99% of surveyed directors agreed that increased NHS pressures in 2023/24 will result in ...

4 months

Categories

News

Wes Streeting explains how NHS and care could make UK billions

The new health and care minister explained exactly how he foresees the sector boosting the ...

4 months

People

News

OPINION: Nugent CEO’s ‘cautious optimism’ for new Labour government

'The basics need to be done well before the grander-scale plans can be built on ...

5 months

Categories

News

OPINION: Health and Care Worker visas – too much of a good thing?

Denise Osterwald, legal director for law firm Birketts, weighs up the debate on using international ...

5 months

Categories

News

Sunak and Starmer announce further changes to health and care cabinets

Helen Whately departs while Stephen Kinnock and Karin Smyth are incoming DHSC ministers working with ...

5 months

Policy & Politics

News

Priti Patel joins Essex care home reopening event after 18-month refurb

The much-needed renovations were funded by Outlook Care, a not-for-profit company and provider of learning ...

5 months

People

News

Keir Starmer appoints new health and social care secretary as cabinet named

'From today, the policy of this department is that the NHS is broken,' said the ...

5 months

Policy & Politics

News

BREAKING NEWS: Britain welcomes new PM Keir Starmer as Labour wins election

The new PM said: 'It feels good, I have to be honest. Four and a ...

5 months

Categories

News

Right at Home urges sector to keep campaigning for reform post-election

The company has created a template letter for providers to use to encourage MPs to ...

5 months

Policy & Politics

News

Over 1 in 50 Brits provides more than 50 hours of unpaid care a week

The North of England is hit worst, with around 3% of people giving over 50 ...

5 months

Categories

News

Public urged to address social care with election candidates on doorstep

A care sector campaigner is calling on members of the public to take parliamentary candidates ...

5 months

Policy & Politics

News

Parties accused of ‘conspiracy of silence’ around plans for public spending

The UK is set to hold its General Election on 4 July, with almost all ...

5 months

Categories

News

Wes Streeting drops hints on health and care policies NOT in Labour manifesto

The shadow health and care minister also said the parties need to 'work together to ...

5 months

Policy & Politics

News

‘Little detail and no timetable’: Care sector reacts to Labour manifesto

'There is real concern that the urgency for reform is not picked up in this ...

5 months

Categories

News

Labour to pledge £12 minimum wage for care workers in today’s manifesto

The move would mean care workers across the country are paid at least £12 an ...

5 months

Finance

News

Tories lambasted for manifesto’s ‘meagre 13 lines’ on social care

Martin Green, Vic Rayner and Karolina Gerlich have their say on the Conservative Party's 'disappointing' ...

5 months

Categories

News

Martin Green ‘welcomes’ Labour’s plan to wean care sector off foreign staff reliance

Labour last week revealed plans to reduce the health and care sector's reliance on international ...

5 months

Categories

News

All the details as Lib Dems launch 2024 manifesto ahead of General Election

'This is the healthcare election for the Liberal Democrats,' confirmed party leader Ed Davey.

5 months

Policy & Politics

News

‘What happens to my son when I’m gone?’ asks Lib Dem leader and carer Ed Davey in emotional interview

This comes as the Liberal Democrats emphasise once again their commitment to 'free personal care' ...

6 months

People

News

‘Put dementia on the agenda,’ demands Dementia UK in election manifesto

'The number of people living with dementia is set to increase to over one million ...

6 months

Categories

News

EXCLUSIVE: Care sector needs more than politicians ‘throwing money’ at it, says Nadra Ahmed

'Investment in one part of the system without the other renders it futile,' said the ...

6 months

Categories

News

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey appears on social care podcast

Five million people in England and Wales over the age of five were providing unpaid ...

6 months

Policy & Politics

News

RCN chief exec Pat Cullen steps down to stand in General Election

The RCN is seeking applicants for its permanent general secretary and chief executive.

6 months

People moves

News

GENERAL ELECTION 2024: Care sector reacts to Sunak’s call for 4 July election day

Sunak and rival Kier Starmer will go head to head over the coming weeks in ...

6 months

Policy & Politics

News

Country finally gets election date as Labour predicted to topple Tory rule

A disgruntled Tory MP told the BBC: 'Labour MPs are happy. We're not. That tells ...

6 months

Policy & Politics

News

‘You can’t fix the NHS without fixing social care,’ warns Lib Dems’ Daisy Cooper

The party spokesperson for health and care also said the Tories have done 'next to ...

6 months

People

News

Scottish government provides £9.2m funding to support independent living

Over £9.2 million is being given to third-sector organisations in Scotland over the next three ...

7 months

Policy & Politics

News

Delayed discharge taking up to one in three hospital beds

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey has warned of a “national emergency” caused by the “social ...

7 months

Policy & Politics

News

Government launches health and social care duty of candour review

A call for evidence has been launched by the government to capture and consider views ...

7 months

Policy & Politics

News

HC-One welcomes MP to Fife care home

MP for North East Fife and Liberal Democrat chief whip and spokesperson for work and ...

7 months

Policy & Politics

News

Government announces death certificate reforms

Medical examiners are to scrutinise causes of death in a revamp of death certificates announced ...

7 months

Policy & Politics

News

Experienced auditor joins Skills for Care board

Skills for Care, the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Outcry over crackdown on carers’ overpayments

Campaigners are up in arms after thousands of unpaid carers have been faced with prosecution ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

New law protecting care home visiting rights comes into force

New legislation protecting the rights of families to visit care homes has come into force.

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Just 12% of unpaid carers understand new Carer’s Leave Act

A mere 12% of England’s unpaid carers have a “good understanding” of the provisions entailed ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Social care minister plants tree at Anchor care home

Social care minister and MP for Faversham and Kent, Helen Whately, has planted a tree ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care homes last in queue for PPE during Covid, Inquiry told

Care homes were the last in the queue for PPE during the pandemic, the Scottish ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care homes ‘pushed’ to issue DNR notices during Covid, Inquiry told

Care homes were pressured to issue Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders during the pandemic, the ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Watchdog gives damning verdict on social care visa policy

The former head of the UK borders watchdog has issued a damning verdict on the ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Routine Covid testing of hospital discharges to care homes to end in April

The routine Covid testing of hospital patients discharged to care homes is to end on ...

8 months

Clinical

News

Care leader slams ‘totally inadequate’ 8.8% rise in fees

A Wales council has been slammed for offering “rock bottom” fees after agreeing a 8.8% ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Lack of social care engagement costs lives during pandemic, inquiry told

A lack of engagement with social care cost lives during the pandemic, the Scottish Covid-19 ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Leader calls for new social care funding models

Tony Stein, chief executive of Healthcare Management Solutions, has said new funding models are needed ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Pandemic visiting restrictions for care homes were ‘cruel and punitive’

Visiting restrictions placed on care homes during the pandemic were “cruel and punitive”, the UK ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care boss accuses local authorities of ‘blatant hypocrisy’ on fee levels

Renaissance Care chairman, Robert Kilgour, has accused Scottish local authorities of “blatant hypocrisy and double ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Government provides £20m boost for social care and unpaid carers

A £20 million investment in innovative projects to support people in adult social care and ...

8 months

Policy & Politics

News

Overseas care worker restrictions come into force

New rules on overseas care worker visas have been introduced by the government today.

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Lords voice concerns over impact of health and social care visa restrictions

A cross-party House of Lords scrutiny committee has voiced concerns over restrictions to health and ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care leader holds ‘constructive talks’ with shadow minister

Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, has held “constructive talks” with shadow care ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

NHS funded nursing care to rise by 7.4% from April

The rate paid for care homes for NHS funded nursing care (FNC) will increase by ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Commissioner calls for greater protection from care home evictions

The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, has called for stronger protection ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Spring Budget labelled ‘non-event’ for older people

Care leaders have slammed yesterday’s Spring Budget has a “non-event” for older people.

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Social care ‘forgotten’ as chancellor prioritises tax cuts and NHS

Social care was snubbed once more in the Spring Budget as chancellor Jeremy Hunt focused ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care leader warns of ‘gaping chasm’ in social care funding ahead of Spring Budget

Sam Monaghan, chief executive of MHA, has warned of a “gaping chasm” between government funding ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

New recycling rules will quadruple our waste costs, care homes say

New recycling rules to be introduced by the Welsh government next month will quadruple waste ...

9 months

Business

News

Chief medical officer explains policy to discharge Covid patients to care homes

Chief medical officer for Wales Sir Frank Atherton has explained why there was a deliberate ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Forget tax cuts, back social care, campaigners tell chancellor

Social care campaigners have urged chancellor Jeremy Hunt to forget tax cuts and provide urgently ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

EXCLUSIVE: Workplace parking levy a ‘poll tax on wheels’, care leader says

Plans for a mandatory care parking levy for workers in Glasgow have been slammed as ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Welsh care homes were caught in ‘nightmare experiment’ during Covid

Care home in Wales were caught up in a nightmare ‘experiment’ during Covid, a leader ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

SURVEY: Deadline nears to share your thoughts on new immigration rules

The deadline is approaching to share your thoughts on how government changes to immigration rules ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Migration committee warns of care worker exploitation risk

Government advisers have warned that changes to UK migrant rules risk “an increased risk of ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Mayoral candidate backs social care reform

Independent mayoral candidate for York and North Yorkshire, Keith Tordoff, has called for root and ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care Forum Wales calls for government action on staffing crisis

Care Forum Wales has called for urgent action to combat the staffing crisis at care ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Leaders ask PM for more love for social care

A letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched a ‘campaign of love’ for social ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Local MP visits HC-One’s Darlington support office

Darlington MP Peter Gibson has visited HC-One’s support office in Darlington which provides services to ...

9 months

Business

News

Report calls for radical shift to caring closer to home

A major new report has called for a radical shift in the health and care ...

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care England to champion change at annual conference

Championing Change is to be theme of the annual Care England conference on 14 March.

9 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care group says council has axed its funding

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says City of York Council has axed its funding after ...

10 months

Policy & Politics

News

Hampshire County Council approves £173m care home investment

Plans to invest over £173 million in care homes for older people have been approved ...

10 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care group holds talks with council over funding threat

The Independent Care Group (ICG) is holding talks with City of York Council over a ...

10 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care providers left to foot the bill in council funding settlement, says Hft

A 7.5% rise in council funding for 2024-25 will leave care providers footing the bill, ...

10 months

Policy & Politics

News

Council to discuss £37m rise in social care funding

Proposals for a £37 million rise in funding for adult social care providers are to ...

10 months

Policy & Politics

News

Care providers give guarded welcome to Labour’s social care plan

Social care providers have given a guarded welcome to the Labour Party’s reported priorities for ...

10 months

Policy & Politics