As Parliament headed into summer recess, June and July 2025 saw a flurry of legislative activity, committee scrutiny, and major ministerial statements. Health and social care remained front and centre, with Wes Streeting MP unveiling the NHS 10-Year Plan, debates intensifying over doctors’ strikes and welfare reform, and the House of Lords considering vital reforms on adult social care data sharing. Labour’s new direction in welfare, workforce rights, and taxation also shaped the tone of Commons and Lords exchanges.
For social care providers, there were significant developments: the Public Accounts Committee criticised the Skilled Worker visa system, the Employment Rights Bill entered its final stages in the Lords, and Care England continued to amplify provider concerns across multiple policy areas from workforce and patient safety to integration and reform.
This Wrap-Up captures the key parliamentary moments that matter to the care sector and sets the stage for a high-impact autumn.
Policy Highlights
Oral Health and Social Care Answers to Questions
Volume 771: debated on Tuesday 22 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
The oral questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 22 July 2025 covered a wide range of issues across NHS England and the devolved nations. Topics included persistent delays in A&E, rollout of the 10-year health plan, particularly on perinatal mental health and neighbourhood health centres, electronic patient records, dental and mental health services, and urgent care provision. The Secretary of State, Wes Streeting, along with other health ministers, addressed challenges such as health inequalities, NHS workforce retention, and industrial action by resident doctors. Members from all parties raised local and national concerns, urging greater investment, planning, and reform.
Committee of Public Accounts
Immigration: Skilled worker visas
The Committee’s report finds the Home Office expanded the Skilled Worker visa route, especially to care, without sufficient planning, cross-government coordination, or risk assessment. Uptake has been far greater than anticipated, with clear benefits in filling vacancies but significant exploitation and compliance risks. The Home Office has been found to not understand how its policies affect other departments’ areas..
Care England’s evidence was part of highlighting systemic problems in care, including exploitation risks and operational barriers for providers.
- The Committee’s recommendations require the Home Office to:
- Provide evidence of improved workforce planning via the Labour Market Evidence Group.
- Publish a full evaluation of the Skilled Worker route.
- Monitor the workforce impact of ending overseas care recruitment.
- Strengthen exploitation safeguards and compliance oversight.
- Improve customer service, transparency, and IT infrastructure.
Read the notes and full report here
Chamber Business
HL: Welfare Reform Statement
Volume 847: debated on Wednesday 2 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
On 30 June 2025, the Government presented its welfare reform strategy to the House of Commons. The central thrust of the reforms is to create a fairer, more sustainable welfare system, ensuring those who can work are supported to do so, and those who cannot are protected. Key measures include above-inflation increases to Universal Credit, significant investment in employment support, reform to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and the removal of work reassessments for those with severe, lifelong conditions. After widespread concern, proposed changes to PIP affecting existing claimants were withdrawn, and a full review—led by the Timms review—was announced. While reforms were praised for intentions to reduce systemic disincentives and support work participation, many peers and MPs criticised the rushed implementation, the lack of detail, and insufficient engagement with disabled individuals and carers. The reforms aim to balance compassion and fiscal responsibility but face scrutiny over their practical execution and long-term impact.
Resident Doctors: Industrial Action
Volume 770: debated on Thursday 10 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
On 10 July 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, addressed the House of Commons regarding the British Medical Association’s (BMA) announcement of five days of strike action by resident doctors later that month. He called the strike unnecessary and unreasonable, especially following a 28.9% pay rise awarded over the past two years and ongoing efforts to improve working conditions. He reaffirmed his willingness to negotiate, criticised the BMA’s unwillingness to engage, and warned that strike action would harm patients, disrupt NHS recovery, and divert resources from reforms. MPs from all major parties supported his position, calling for restraint from the BMA and recognising the Government’s record on pay and negotiation. The session reflected cross-party unity against the industrial action, amidst wider challenges in NHS funding, staff conditions, and recovery planning.
HL: Tax Increases
Volume 847: debated on Thursday 10 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
On 10 July 2025, the House of Lords debated whether the Government’s decision not to proceed with reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would result in tax increases. While the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Livermore, refused to pre-empt the Chancellor’s upcoming Budget, he acknowledged there would be fiscal consequences. Questions were raised by peers across parties about the sustainability of public finances, the rising cost of servicing national debt, and the long-term funding of welfare and defence. The debate reflected growing concern about fiscal realism, with calls for tax simplification, long-term planning, and honest public discourse about taxation, spending, and the structure of the welfare state.
Welfare Spending
Volume 771: debated on Tuesday 15 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
The House of Commons held a highly charged debate on 15 July 2025 about the future of the two-child benefit cap, welfare dependency, and the rising cost of supporting low-income families through the benefits system. Conservative MPs defended the two-child limit as necessary for fiscal responsibility and fairness, arguing it ensures benefits claimants face the same decisions as working families. Labour Ministers, now in Government, strongly criticised the cap and the previous Government’s record on child poverty, citing a rise of 900,000 children in poverty since 2010. They presented recent and future measures to tackle poverty through improved universal credit, family support, and a comprehensive child poverty strategy. The debate exposed deep ideological divisions between parties and even within them, revealing contrasting visions of welfare, poverty, and the role of the state.
Taxes
Volume 771: debated on Tuesday 15 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
The House of Commons engaged in a sharp debate on the Labour Government’s recent tax policies, with the Opposition—particularly the Conservatives—accusing the Government of breaking manifesto promises and implementing tax rises that hurt working people and businesses. Much of the criticism focused on the National Insurance increase, changes to agricultural and inheritance tax relief, and the fiscal drag caused by frozen tax thresholds. In contrast, the Labour Government defended its tax changes as necessary for stabilising public finances, investing in the NHS, schools, and national security, and addressing the fiscal “black hole” left by the previous Government. The debate was characterised by partisan clashes, economic retrospection, and deep ideological divisions over wealth taxation, business policy, and the balance between austerity and investment.
HL: Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025
Volume 847: debated on Wednesday 16 July 2025
Read the full transcript here
The Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025 was considered by the House of Lords Grand Committee. It aims to tackle fraud and error within the adult social care system by restoring local authorities’ ability to share social care data for fraud prevention purposes.
The order enables the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) to resume data-matching using adult social care data across England and Wales, which had been previously halted due to unintended legislative changes made in 2016. These changes had reclassified social care data as “patient data”, limiting its sharing only with NHS bodies and excluding local authorities — even though they are the main providers of adult social care.
By amending the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004, the new order removes these restrictions, allowing data-sharing to recommence. The reform is expected to prevent up to £2.3 million in fraud losses annually and generate £4.6 million in savings every two years.
The order received strong support in a 2023 consultation, with 90% of local authorities in favour. It is seen as restoring the status quo prior to the 2016 legislation and offers a cost-effective and proportionate means of recovering taxpayers’ money.
Concerns were raised over the use of Henry VIII powers, which allow ministers to amend primary legislation via secondary legislation, potentially reducing scrutiny. However, the relevant parliamentary committees deemed the reform compliant with statutory tests for legislative reform orders.
The Government confirmed that:
- Monitoring and reporting on recovered funds will be managed through NFI audits and publications.
- The predicted £4.6 million savings will be evaluated for accuracy and ambition.
- A £300 increase in NFI fees for local authorities is expected to deliver an 83:1 return on investment.
- Ongoing engagement with local councils will ensure practical implementation of data-sharing requirements.
The motion was agreed, and the Committee adjourned.
Resident Doctors: Industrial Action
Volume 847: debated on Wednesday 16 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
The government has condemned planned industrial action by resident doctors, scheduled for 25–30 July, calling it unjustified in light of a recent 28.9% pay rise and improved NHS performance. The Secretary of State criticised the British Medical Association (BMA) for refusing to engage in dialogue, despite multiple offers to discuss working conditions. He stressed that no further pay negotiations will take place due to financial constraints and fairness to other public servants. Lords debate echoed concerns about patient impact, ethical implications, and strained public trust. While acknowledging legitimate issues faced by doctors, the government urged the BMA to abandon the strikes and work collaboratively on NHS reform.
NHS Pensions: Frontline Patient Care
Volume 771: debated on Thursday 17 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
Minister Karin Smyth addressed urgent concerns over NHS pension statement delays, admitting only 0.35% of required statements have been issued. The delays stem from complications with the McCloud remedy and are discouraging senior doctors from accepting extra shifts due to tax uncertainty—risking frontline service delivery. An independent review is underway, and affected members will be compensated. MPs raised issues around system failures, data gaps, and lost GP records. While the government blamed inherited problems, it pledged to issue new deadlines post-recess and ruled out financial detriment to members. The situation is critical to restoring NHS workforce capacity and patient care.
HL: Independent Commission on Adult Social Care
Volume 848: debated on Tuesday 22 July 2025
Read the full transcript and notes here
To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress has been made by the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care. – Lord Young of Cookham
The House of Lords debated the progress of the new Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Casey. While the Government insisted the commission would build long-term consensus and deliver its first report in 2026, peers criticised the delayed timeline, citing numerous previous reports. The discussion highlighted urgent issues: underfunding of local authorities, overreliance on unpaid carers, profiteering in private care, and the need to treat social care as equally vital to health care. Though concerns about delay and Treasury resistance were raised, the Government maintains that the Casey Commission will provide both short-term proposals and long-term reform.
Committees
Economic Affairs Committee
Preparing for an Ageing Society – Oral evidence
1 July 2025
Witnesses:
- Richard Hughes – Chair at Office for Budget Responsibility
- David Miles CBE – Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee at Office for Budget Responsibility
- Tom Josephs – Member of the Budget Responsibility Committee at Office for Budget Responsibility
Read the full transcript and notes here
Autism Act 2009 Committee
Autism Act 2009 – Oral evidence
7 July 2025 Witnesses:
- Tim Nicholls, Director of Policy at National Autistic Society
- Dr James Cusack, CEO at Autistica
- Mr Adam Micklethwaite, Director at Autism Alliance UK
- Jolanta Lasota, CEO at Ambitious about Autism, and Chair at Autism Alliance UK
Read the full transcript and notes here
Legislation
Employment Rights Bill Update
Read detailed notes here
1 July – Implementation Roadmap published
- Immediate on Royal Assent: repeal of Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023; partial repeal of Trade Union Act 2016; protection from dismissal for lawful industrial action.
- April 2026: day‑one rights to paternity leave, unpaid parental leave, pregnancy loss bereavement leave (<24 weeks), Statutory Sick Pay reform, Fair Work Agency, whistleblowing protections.
- October 2026: ban on fire‑and‑rehire; duty to prevent sexual harassment; tipping reforms; sectoral fair pay agreements.
- 2027: removal of two‑year qualifying period for unfair dismissal; enhanced freelancer protections.
7 July – Government amendments
- NDAs: Confidentiality clauses preventing disclosure of harassment/discrimination void.
- Fire‑and‑Rehire: narrowed ban to “restricted variations” (pay/shift changes) when employee objects; dismissals may still be fair with consultation and necessity.
- Zero‑Hours Contracts: replaced ban with right to request guaranteed hours; applies to agency workers.
- Bereavement Leave: statutory entitlement extended to pregnancy loss before 24 weeks (April 2026).
14–23 July – House of Lords Report Stage
- Debates on freelancers, AI, tribunal reforms, collective agreements, political funds, picket lines.
- Amendments passed:
- 50% turnout threshold for strike ballots reinstated.
- Union members to have choice over political fund contributions.
- Amendments rejected:
- Political spending in union returns.
- Government ability to bring tribunal claims on behalf of workers.
Reactions
- Trade unions: critical of dilution of zero‑hours and dismissal protections.
- Employer groups: supportive of amendments, citing cost and flexibility concerns.
Next Steps
- Third Reading in Lords: 3 September 2025.
- Bill returns to Commons for “ping‑pong” in autumn 2025.
- Consultations on secondary regulations to run late 2025–2026.
Care England’s Despatch Box: Our Right Honourable Responses to Parliament
NHS 10-Year Plan Welcomed, But Success Hinges on Social Care Leadership and Integration
Care England, the largest and most diverse representative body for independent adult social care providers, has welcomed the ambitions of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan – but warns that without clarity on how adult social care is integrated into delivery, the plan risks being built on fragile foundations.
Care England welcomes PAC report spotlighting failures in the visa system and echoes urgent calls for reform
Care England, the largest and most diverse body for independent adult social care providers in England, today welcomed the publication of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report on the Skilled Worker visa route, which echoes long-standing concerns raised by the sector regarding exploitation, compliance failings, and the consequences of poorly planned immigration changes.
Thank you from the Care England Team to all attendees for a fantastic reception in the House of Lords
Care England, the leading representative body for independent adult social care providers, brought together parliamentarians, sector leaders, and care professionals at a pivotal Westminster event this week to discuss the future of adult social care in England.
Care England Responds to Landmark Dr Penny Dash Review of Patient Safety Across the Health and Care Landscape
Care England, the leading representative body for independent adult social care providers in England, today welcomes the publication of Dr Penny Dash’s Review of Patient Safety Across the Health and Care Landscape. Commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the review offers a wide-ranging assessment of how organisations contribute to the quality and safety of care, with significant implications for the adult social care sector.
Care England Responds to Government’s “Cost of Inaction” Response: Urging Speed, Investment, and Transparency on Social Care Reform
Care England, the leading voice for independent adult social care providers, today warmly welcomes the government’s formal response to the Health and Social Care Committee report Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction. The response officially acknowledges the pressing challenges facing our sector and recognises adult social care’s transformative value to individuals, communities, the NHS, and the national economy.
BREAKING NEWS: The government’s NEW roadmap for employment law
The government has released their Employment Rights Bill roadmap – and it includes timelines for consultations and planned implementation dates for big changes.
Care England Responds: New Nursing Placement Strategy a Milestone for Adult Social Care
Care England, the leading representative body for independent adult social care providers, has welcomed the Government’s new strategy to embed adult social care placements within undergraduate nursing degrees.
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