Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
CQC warns care home market changes could weaken public care
England’s care regulator says changes in the care home market could put public care at risk.
The funding system is fragile: people either pay for care themselves or receive state help if they cannot afford it.
In some areas, care providers are increasingly relying on self-funding residents, making it harder for councils to buy places for people who need state support.
The CQC says economic pressures and councils’ difficulties buying services are reshaping the market, often without a clear plan.
Rising costs are also making some smaller care homes unviable, according to a care providers’ group.
The government says it is committed to overhauling social care, while experts say councils need enough funding and stronger leadership to meet people’s needs.
The Care Quality Commission says changes in the care home market could make it harder for councils to secure care for people who rely on state support.
Some providers are increasingly turning to people who pay for their own care, while the funding system remains fragile.
CQC chief inspector Chris Badger said the market was being reshaped “largely by accident rather than design”.
Care providers say rising costs are making smaller homes unviable, and called for action to support them.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was committed to overhauling social care.
- Who
- The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and care providers.
- What
- The CQC warned that changes in the care home market could make it harder for councils to buy care for people relying on state support.
- When
- The BBC published its report on 22 October 2026. The timing of the CQC report is not stated.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Economic pressure and difficulties some councils face in buying state-funded care are reshaping the market.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Report published
- 22 October 2026
- Regulator
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- CQC chief inspector
- Chris Badger
- Care provider representative
- Prof Martin Green of Care England
- Reported pressure on smaller homes
- Employer national insurance contributions, inflation and rising energy costs
What people are saying
largely by accident rather than design
A clearer vision is needed
lays bare the massive challenges
Unless we get some real progress in a funding settlement, the trend of smaller homes closing will be a trend that will continue.