Last week saw Prime Minister Andy Burnham and MPs return to Parliament following the summer recess. In his first statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 1 September, the Prime Minister did not announce any new commitments on social care. However, in response to questions from MPs, he strongly reaffirmed his commitment to leading cross-party discussions on the issue, stating: “I do not want to leave this position without having put all my political capital into solving this issue.” Further details of Andy Burnham’s remarks are available in the Hansard record.
This sense of ambition from the new administration comes against a backdrop of continued economic challenges. Speaking on Monday, Chancellor John Healey acknowledged the difficult economic conditions facing the UK, highlighting borrowing costs that remain at historic highs and subdued growth forecasts.
While it is difficult to predict how these challenges will unfold, one priority is already becoming clear: a renewed commitment to devolution and empowering regions to drive investment in their local economies. Reflecting this approach, Healey outlined plans for a new roadmap to fiscal devolution, designed to place greater powers and financial autonomy in the hands of local leaders.
Party conference season
In other news, party conference season is fast approaching. The NCF team will have a strong presence at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool from 27 to 30 September, where we will be sharing a joint exhibition stand with NCF member Community Integrated Care.
To help raise awareness of the value and impact of not-for-profit social care, we have written to key figures across the Labour government, including the Prime Minister, senior Cabinet ministers and many MPs, inviting them to visit our stand. We would also welcome your support in ensuring that local Labour councillors, council leaders and mayors are able to learn more about how not-for-profit adult social care can be recognised and expanded within their communities, to deliver greater social value and positive local impact. We have also encouraged our not-for-profit members to write to their local Labour representatives encouraging them to visit our stand and learn more about not-for-profit care and support.
NCF Chief Executive Vic Rayner will also be attending the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton from 19 to 22 September. Together, these events provide valuable opportunities for NCF to engage with elected representatives, on behalf of members, to demonstrate the vital role that not-for-profit social care plays in improving people’s lives, strengthening communities, and building resilient local economies.
Health Foundation polling on social care and the NHS
The Health Foundation have published an interesting report about public attitudes towards social care and the NHS, including evidence of significant public support for social care services to be either not-for-profit or state-owned. You can read this report here.
As representatives of the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, the NCF are encouraged to see that 29% of the public support the ownership model under which many of our members operate. Equally striking is that only 5% of respondents support private, for-profit provision, despite this accounting for most of the adult social care provision in place today.
This public support for not-for-profit care and support is consistent with themes emerging from the Big Conversation and points to an important area for further exploration. We believe that a gradual and considered transition towards a greater proportion of not-for-profit provision would be possible and positive, particularly if providers are supported to access ethical, long-term capital.
With both Baroness Casey and the Prime Minister recently expressing concerns about ‘profiteering’ in the sector, we will continue to amplify the voice and profile of not-for-profit adult social care in ongoing sector reform.
Treasury Representation
Finally, we will be submitting a contribution to the HM Treasury’s call for representations ahead of the upcoming Autumn Budget 2026 – the deadline for which is tomorrow (9th September 2026). The NCF representation welcomes the Government’s Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care, while proposing that its success will depend on being fully funded by the Treasury.
We make the case that sufficient investment in pay, terms and conditions, and workforce development would improve recruitment and retention, enhance the quality and continuity of care, reduce pressure on the NHS, and stimulate local economies. It would also generate wider fiscal benefits through increased tax revenues and reduced welfare spending.
Echoing some of the earlier points made above, the representation also emphasises the positive role of not-for-profit care providers in delivering the government’s long term vision for social care, arguing that their ability to reinvest all income into care services and workforce development makes them particularly well placed to deliver the ambitions of a transformative Fair Pay Agreement.
