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Extra £50m funding for the DFG announced by government

Extra £50m funding for the DFG announced by government

The UK Government has announced an additional £50 million cash injection for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for 2025-26, which will enable thousands more older and disabled people to live independently in their own homes.

This extra investment will be allocated to local authorities in February 2026 and brings total DFG funding for 2025-26 to £761 million.

For BHTA members installing essential adaptation equipment, this extra DFG cash injection will come as a welcome announcement, as it means there is more money available in local communities to facilitate these life-changing installations and improve individuals’ quality of life.

DFGs enable vital home adaptations such as stairlifts, ramps, accessible bathrooms and kitchens, and assistive technologies. This includes mobility and daily living aid equipment like grab rails, ceiling track hoists, homelifts, and wetrooms. It means that people can live at home safely, independently, and comfortably.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:“Everyone deserves to feel safe and independent in their own home. A stairlift or an accessible bathroom might seem like a small change, but for thousands of older and disabled people these adaptations can be life changing. They help people move around freely, stay close to family and friends, and live with dignity.

“This £50 million boost could support around 5,000 more people to make these vital changes to their homes so they can remain independent and comfortable rather than face a hospital stay or a move into residential care.

“Home adaptations also play a crucial role in easing pressure on our NHS – preventing falls, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions. This investment is part of our commitment to shift more care out of hospital and into the community, where people want to be.”

The DFG supports around 60,000 older people and people with disabilities each year, with an average grant of around £10,000.

Home adaptations also play a crucial role in supporting the NHS by preventing falls and other accidents in the home, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions – easing pressure on the health service and helping to shift care out of hospital and into the community.

Tender opportunity: Supply of Assistive Technology Equipment for Daily Living Framework

Tender opportunity: Supply of Assistive Technology Equipment for Daily Living Framework

A new tender opportunity covering the supply of community equipment and assistive technology across four local authorities in West Yorkshire has become available. The framework aims to support independent living and improve wellbeing for residents in Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale & Kirklees, and Wakefield.

The contracting authorities intend to establish an open framework to source a wide range of daily living equipment for both adults and children, along with specialist and bespoke items.

This opportunity is relevant to BHTA members operating in mobility, bathing and toileting equipment, postural management, beds and accessories, pressure care, seating, moving and handling, paediatrics, and specialist solutions.

Overview of the framework

Estimated value:
£59,631,453.12 (excluding VAT)
£71,557,743.74 (including VAT)

Framework duration:
1 April 2026 – 31 March 2031 (5 years)
Possible extension: Up to 36 months (to a maximum end date of March 2034)

This open framework has no maximum limit on the number of suppliers and will allow companies to join or update their product ranges at scheduled refresh points (approximately every two years) in line with the Procurement Act 2023.

Participating authorities

The framework is being established on behalf of the following councils: Leeds City Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Borough Council of Calderdale, and Wakefield Council.

Only these establishing authorities may use the framework.

Lots available

The framework consists of three lots. Suppliers may apply for one, two, or all three, but may only be awarded a maximum of one lot.

Lot 1: Supply of Equipment for Daily Living for Adults

Includes individual items and replacement parts across categories such as bathing, beds, showering, medical devices, moving and handling, mobility, pressure care, seating, toileting, and visual aids.

Lot 2: Supply of Equipment for Daily Living for Children & Families

Covers individual items relating to bathing, beds, postural management, moving and handling, seating, and toileting.

Lot 3: Special Equipment and Bespoke Items

Covers specialist or bespoke products, including bathing, bed packages and accessories, medical equipment, toileting, pressure relief, visual aids, mobility, dressing, and kitchen products.

Suppliers applying for Lot 1 and/or Lot 2 will automatically be considered for Lot 3 (unless they opt out), subject to meeting the Conditions of Participation.

Orders under Lot 3 will be placed following mini competitions.

Framework mechanics

Lots 1 and 2 will be awarded on a product line-by-line basis, subject to the following four-stage evaluation:

  1. Desktop evaluation
  2. Product pricing
  3. Submission and review of samples
  4. Conditions of Participation (COP) vetting

Products must meet specification requirements to pass.

Lot 3 does not include tender-stage evaluation; instead, suppliers meeting COP requirements will be added to the lot, and orders will be competed as needed.

Award criteria

The award criteria for Lots 1 and 2 are based on:

  • Pass/fail specification compliance, and
  • Lowest price per line item among compliant products.

There are no qualitative scored criteria.

For Lot 3:

  • There is no price evaluation at framework award stage.
  • Suppliers who meet the Conditions of Participation will be appointed.
  • Mini competitions will determine pricing and selection at call-off stage.

Conditions of Participation

Legal, financial, and technical checks will apply across all three lots. These must be passed for a supplier to be appointed to any part of the framework. Specifics are provided in the COP documentation available on YORtender.

Submission details

Enquiry deadline: 12pm, 22 December 2025
Tender submission deadline: 12pm, 7 January 2026
Estimated award date: 16 March 2026
Next anticipated tender re-advertisement: July 2028

Tenders must be submitted electronically via YORtender.

Documentation, tender details, appendices, pricing schedules, Conditions of Participation, technical specifications, and instructions are also available through the YORtender portal.