English LAs plan 3.4% fee uplift despite NLW and precept

The implementation of the National Living Wage (NLW) in April, imposing a 7.5% increase on minimum pay from £6.70 to £7.20 per hour, and the introduction of the social care precept, has resulted in an average uplift in the fees payed by local authorities for state-funded care home placements of 3.4% in England. Across the…