Who pays? Understanding cost misalignment between the NHS and Local Government
The contract covers a focused policy research project for the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents local government in England, examining cost and accountability misalignment between NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and local authority adult social care. The supplier will investigate how CHC decision-making and funding arrangements operate locally, whether they create incentives for NHS organisations and councils to transfer costs and risks, and the effects on local authorities, the NHS, people receiving care and support, and unpaid carers. The research must also identify reforms that could better align health and social care funding and accountability and will inform the LGA’s future policy development and engagement with government, national partners and stakeholders. The estimated contract value is £16,000, but no contract duration or specific delivery locations are stated. No specific certification or formal qualification requirement is provided in the tender details; bidders must therefore demonstrate the capability to deliver the required policy research.
Buyer: Local Government Association (LGA). Source: Find a Tender. Updated 5 Oct 2026.
Key facts
- Estimated value: £16k
- Bids close: 2 Nov 2026
- Location: Westminster
- Procedure: Below threshold - open competition
- Contract period: 10 Nov 2026 to 19 Mar 2027
- Category: Research and development services and related consultancy services (73000000)
From the official notice
The Local Government Association (LGA) is seeking a supplier to undertake a focused policy research project exploring the interaction between NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and local authority adult social care. Recent evidence has highlighted growing concerns about the relationship between CHC decision-making, adult social care expenditure and the incentives created by current funding arrangements. ADASS's Spring Survey 2026 found that 75% of Directors of Adult Social Services reported an increase in the number of people presenting to adult social care who were, or previously would have been, eligible for CHC, while 84% reported that Integrated Care Board (ICB) disinvestment in CHC was contributing to adult social care overspending pressures. Research published by The King's Fund found that CHC eligibility rates have fallen significantly despite no change to the national eligibility framework, alongside substantial variation between different ICB areas. While CHC provides the primary lens for this project, the LGA is also interested in the wider question of whether current funding and accountability arrangements across health and social care create incentives that transfer costs and risks between organisations rather than supporting whole-system decision making. The LGA wishes to better understand: • How these issues are playing out locally • Whether current arrangements create misaligned incentives between organisations • The impact on local government, the NHS, people dra...
View the official notice
Questions about this tender
When is the deadline?
Bids close on 2 Nov 2026.
What is it worth?
The estimated value is £16k.
Who can apply?
The buyer has marked it as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
How do I bid?
Open the official notice, register on the buyer's portal and submit your bid before the deadline.
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