VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Care Homes: Costs

Asked by Tom HayesLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 1 September 2025UIN 70220

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help reduce the impact of care costs for self funding care home residents.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

The majority of care homes are in the independent sector and are free to set their fees as they see fit. The Department does not have the powers to set or recommend the level of fees that a private care home can charge, as this is a commercial decision for a care provider. However, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.

We have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will deliver recommendations for the transformation of adult social care, including how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.

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