The National Care Forum (NCF), the leading association for not-for-profit social care and support, has responded to the announcement of £500m to back the government’s commitment to a Fair Pay Agreement for the adult social care workforce, alongside the launch of the consultation to gather views on the design of the Fair Pay Agreement process into how negotiations will work by Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Following the public consultation, the government says it aims to lay secondary legislation and create a new negotiating body in 2026 which will conduct negotiations in 2027 ahead of implementation in 2028-29. 

Vic Rayner, CEO of NCF commented: “After months of speculation, the government has put on the table the public funding they are making available to back their flagship Fair Pay Agreement. This announcement triggers the launch of a consultation period on key areas, including who is included in an agreement, what it covers in relation to pay, terms and conditions, how the negotiations will operate in practice, and enforcement.  

“As part of the Care Provider Alliance, we have been clear all along that it is not possible for a Fair Pay Agreement to deliver without properly addressing issues associated with how care is commissioned, long term sustainable funding commitments, a properly resourced negotiating infrastructure and a shared understanding of the data needed to inform negotiations. 

“As the voice of the not-for-profit care and support sector, we will be encouraging our members to engage in the consultation on the Fair Pay Agreement.  Their insights, experience, and evidence are essential to building a Fair Pay Agreement that works for providers, our brilliant workforce, and the people who draw on care and support.”