On Monday 20 July Andy Burnham was appointed Prime Minister following his election as Leader of the Labour Party. Throughout the day he appointed his Cabinet, and we will keep you updated as the new government takes shape.
We will be writing to the Prime Minister to share a special edition of our Dear PM series, featuring voices from his constituents in Makerfield, and to ask for his support in delivering our four point plan for fair hospice funding.
As new ministerial appointments are confirmed, we will also engage with relevant ministers to encourage the implementation of our four point plan and ensure the Modern Service Framework delivers for hospices in England and the people they care for.
Carers UK is asking unpaid carers across the UK to take part in its State of Caring Survey 2026. The survey is open until 9 August and explores the impact of caring on areas including health, finances, employment and wellbeing.
The findings help shape Carers UK's research, policy and campaigning work, while also informing government, health and social care services, charities and carers' organisations. More than 10,500 carers took part in last year's survey, providing evidence that has contributed to discussions on social care reform, carers' employment rights and financial support.
You may wish to share the survey with unpaid carers you support, helping ensure carers' voices are heard at a time when key decisions are being made about the future of health and social care services.
Text
England
The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched The Big Future – a national survey inviting children and young people aged 0–18 to share their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future. The findings will help shape national policy and ensure children’s voices are heard in decision making.
The survey is open to children in England until 23 October, and can be completed by children themselves or by parents and carers on their behalf.
By sharing the survey through your services, you can help ensure that the voices of children receiving hospice care – and their siblings – are included, and that future policy reflects their needs and realities. This may also be of interest to adult hospices who are supporting families through wellbeing services.
A stakeholder toolkit with ready-made resources is available to help you promote the survey across your networks.
At the meeting Parliamentarians heard directly from the Minister on the progress of the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative and End of Life Care in England, following the interim update and ahead of its publication in Autumn.
The discussion focused on the group’s priorities for the MSF and what it must deliver to ensure that everyone can access the high-quality palliative and end of life care they need.
The government has announced details of how it will implement the Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement in England. A new Adult Social Care Negotiating Body will be established by the end of the year, bringing together an independent chair, trade unions and employers to negotiate on behalf of the sector. Employer representation will be coordinated by the Care Provider Alliance.
These negotiations will cover pay, terms and conditions, and wider employment matters. The government has announced £500 million to support the first agreement, which is expected to be in place for the 2028/29 financial year.
Alongside this, the government also published part three of the care workforce pathway, setting out clear roles and responsibilities across a range of positions within the adult social care workforce.
We will continue to engage with the Department of Health and Social Care to understand how the agreement will be negotiated and implemented. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
