Overview

• The government opened a consultation on the framework, intended to be underpinned in law via the Employment Rights Bill.
• A new Adult Social Care Negotiating Body would bring employers and trade unions together to set pay and conditions across England.
• Ministers plan to establish the body by regulation in 2026, hold negotiations in 2027, and bring the first agreement into force in 2028.
• The £500 million comes from a larger £4 billion uplift earmarked for adult social care in 2028–29 rather than immediate spending.
• Unions called the move a welcome start, while provider groups warned the sum may deliver only about 15–20p an hour without wider commissioning reform.