5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation: Target implementation date: Autumn 2026 5.2 Earlier this year, NHS England wrote to all ICBs requesting an update on the financial stability of hospices in their footprint, and the steps being taken to mitigate risks. 5.3 ICBs are already expected to understand current and projected utilisation, costs, and risks across their commissioned palliative care and end-of-life care provision, as set out in the Strategic Commissioning Framework and Medium‑Term Planning Framework 5.4 Through the ICB returns, there was a clear commitment across ICBs to working with their hospice providers to address any existing or potential impact on patients. This includes a combination of financial, operational and governance actions to prevent service closures, including tighter oversight through monthly risk meetings and formal risk register reporting, direct executive engagement with hospice leaders, deployment of emergency cashflow support and winter uplifts, and work to rebase statutory funding. ICBs are also strengthening provider collaboration through hospice alliances and tightening requirements for impact assessments before changes proceed.