Half Of All UK Care Homes Operated By Just 200 Firms

Level’s unique analysis of the UK care home industry has revealed that, despite claims of
fragmentation, the top 3.6% – or the largest 200 firms – operate half of the residential care beds
in the UK.
Despite repeated calls that the sector is ripe for consolidation, these figures indicate that the
industry is far less fractured than commonly thought. The On-Demand Pay company’s
proprietary data, combined with public Care Quality Commission (CQC) figures, shows that:
• There are approximately 5,500 care home providers registered in the UK, with around
460,000 beds
• The top 200 firms alone operate more nearly 227,000 beds
• With the exact calculation showing that they account for 49.14% of all beds
The implications of these findings are significant because, as an ageing population and pressure
on public finances squeeze the social care sector more broadly, care homes have seen rapidly
increasing interest from the public, the press and government. As more local councils continue
to enter administration, and a struggling NHS continues to place extra pressure on the sector,
more direct contact between central government and the largest care providers is inevitable.
This contact feels much more manageable when it’s understood that those in-charge of 50% of
the industry could fit in one room, as this research reveals. In fact, more than half of our nation’s
elderly residents are managed by a group of CEOs who, combined, would be outnumbered by our
MPs by more than three to one.
Additionally, the arrests and seizure of a private jet & two yachts made this week in relation to
collapsed care home operator Carlauren Group, highlight the potential risks posed when
something as important as the care of our elderly becomes increasingly concentrated in the
hands of a few private individuals.
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Level empowers UK care workers to access their earned wages before payday with On-Demand
Pay. This helps staff save more and borrow less, while improving staff turnover and reducing
unfilled shifts for employers. They are already trusted by Home Instead, Bluebird Care, the NHS,
Agincare and Care England.
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Archie Heaton, Level’s Head of Marketing, is available to answer any questions, discuss the data
or provide quotes on the record. For any press enquiries, please contact him directly at
aah@levelft.com.