Podcast: Leading in a complex world – Episode five
Peter Kinsey (CEO mentor and board advisor) and Laura Jordan (partner at Anthony Collins) have launched a new podcast discussing commissioner fee uplifts in social care. They explore regional inconsistencies, sustainability impacts, and practical strategies including early negotiations and detailed uplift requests. The episode covers Care Act legal options, handling capped fees and late payments, and the value of collaboration with advocacy bodies.
Late payments: tackling poor payment practices
The government is considering responses to its consultation last year on legislative measures to address late, long and disputed business-to-business payments, and is expected to publish its response in early 2026.
Covid Inquiry care sector report due late 2026
The UK Covid Inquiry has set out its 2026 schedule and provided an update on its work. The Inquiry is expected to publish a report on Module 6 on the care sector in late 2026.
New £1bn Crisis Fund for low-income households
The Government is to offer cash payouts for people in financial crisis (BBC News) using a new emergency funding scheme providing £1 billion annually from April to support people on low incomes across England. The Crisis and Resilience Fund will allow residents to apply through local councils for emergency cash to cover unexpected expenses, whether or not they receive benefits. The three-year scheme replaces the temporary Household Support Fund.
Life-saving Jess’s Rule to be advertised in every GP surgery
The government is rolling out Jess's Rule posters to all GP surgeries in England to act as reminder of a life-saving patient safety initiative. Jess's Rule asks GPs take a “fresh eyes” approach and think again if, after three appointments, they have been unable to offer a patient a substantiated diagnosis or their symptoms have escalated. The initiative is named in honour of Jessica Brady, who died of cancer in December 2020 at the age of 27.
