UK and England policy and public affairs update

By: Joe Brunwin – Head of UK Policy and Practice 07 July, 2026 Blog 5 minute read

June update – Influencing change, neighbourhood health and managing transition

Our Professional Practice Manager, Lauren Walker, presenting our strategic report at our parliamentary launch of Building Health into Homes

Keep up to date with the latest policy news

We're helping to make sure occupational therapy is visible in key decisions across England and the rest of the UK – and we want you to be part of that momentum too.

Leadership transition and policy uncertainty

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he is standing down, triggering a pause on new government policy documents and creating uncertainty around planned publications, including the workforce plan.

Newly elected MP for Makerfield, Andy Burnham, is expected to become the next Prime Minister.

Why this matters to you

This leadership transition creates both risk and opportunity.

There may be delays to workforce, neighbourhood health and wider reform publications. At the same time, it creates an opportunity to reset relationships with a new Prime Minister and ministerial team – particularly around occupational therapy’s contribution to prevention, housing, employment, social care and neighbourhood health.

Engaging early

We're preparing to engage early with the incoming Prime Minister and ministers, including through targeted correspondence. We’ll review our planned policy activity once government priorities are confirmed.

An opportunity

This creates a timely opportunity to shape emerging policy and strengthen recognition of occupational therapy’s role in prevention, community-based support and integrated neighbourhood teams.

We will contribute evidence to the inquiry, draw on member insight and examples, and align this work with our wider neighbourhood health campaign activity.

Launching key campaign at House of Lords

RCOT published our key Building Health into Homes resources during June. This included launching the Strategic Report at the House of Lords and beginning the wider rollout of toolkit resources for members, system leaders and partners.

Practical resources for OTs

This strengthens RCOT’s position as a strategic voice on housing, health and care, and provides practical resources to support prevention, independence and better use of occupational therapy expertise.

More to come

We are continuing the rollout of resources, supporting member engagement and using this work to influence partners across health, housing and social care.

Martha, an expert by experience and member of the Building Health into Homes steering group, speaking with her local MP Max Wilkinson at the launch of the strategic report.

Connect with other OTs across England and the UK on RCOT Communities

RCOT Communities is your space to:

connect with local professionals
share resources, news and opportunities
plan influencing work.

Download the RCOT Communities app

Relevant content

Blog

Wales/Cymru policy and public affairs update – June

By: Paul Smith – Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Wales) 07 July, 2026

A June update on Wales' public and policy affairs, highlighting key developments affecting…