News

01/06/2026 - Claire Hewitt

People Places Lives acquires PeoplePlus Independent Living Services, bringing together community-led services and modern technology in UK direct payments.

12/05/2026 - David Bowes

Data on the number of direct payments in social care is published annually.   We have analysed the latest data from 2024/25 and drawn out some key observations.

27/04/2026 - Claire Hewitt

Virtual Wallet returns £13m in unused funds to clients.

02/02/2026 - David Bowes

Organisations in the direct payments support sector are facing challenges.

28/11/2025 - David Bowes

PPL's regulatory status has changed, but transparency, assurance and stability is undiminished

29/07/2025 - Claire Hewitt

Here's 10 reasons why Virtual Wallet is a better way to manage Direct Payments, compared to pre-paid cards and bank accounts.

19/06/2025 - Chris Hirst

Nottingham City Council have chosen Virtual Wallet for the management of direct payments.

24/04/2025 - Chris Hirst

New partnership delivers everything an employer and their PAs needs.

10/04/2025 - Claire Hewitt

Virtual Wallet returns £7.1m in unused funds to clients.

20/02/2025 - Claire Hewitt & Lowri Andrews

The passage of the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill through the Senedd Cymru marks a significant milestone for individuals receiving Continuing Healthcare (CHC) in Wales. Read more about it in our blog article.

03/02/2025 - David Bowes

Data on the number of direct payments in social care is published annually.   We have analysed the latest data from 2023/24 and drawn out some key observations. 

31/01/25 - Claire Hewitt

We are thrilled to announce that PPL have been included in the prestigious Tech200 list compiled by TechUK and Tussell UK, recognising us as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK public sector.

17/01/2025 - Karen Winstanley

See the results from the 2025 PPL Factor competition - celebrating our colleagues and their achievements.

06/01/2025 - Kate Wilson

We had a very busy 2024 here at PPL and we're excited to achieve even more in 2025! Our team is committed to building on past successes and setting new standards.

09/12/2024 - Chris Hirst

Our Virtual Wallet Steering Group meets quarterly, here is an update from the December 2024 meeting.

15/11/2024 - Kate Wilson

At PPL, we're constantly seeking innovative ways to empower our clients to work smarter and maximize the value of their websites. One of the most effective strategies we’ve identified is the power of self-service. But what exactly does that mean and how can it benefit your organisation?

29/07/2024 - Chris Hirst

NHS England requires all ICBs to submit data on Personal Health Budgets quarterly.  We have analysed the most recent data from the 2023/24 Q4 return to draw out some key observations.  

05/07/24 - Zabi Dashwood

The first in our series of 'personalisation stories from the frontline':  Our experiences of helping deliver rapid PHBs in Kent & Medway.

28/05/24 - David Bowes

It's election time.  So here is our manifesto for Direct Payments (if any of the main political parties want to adopt our ideas, you're welcome to do so!). 

29/02/24 - Samantha Hey

Three new clients choose Virtual Wallet for the management of direct payments and personal health budgets.

12/02/24 - David Bowes

Data on the number of direct payments in social care is published annually. We have analysed the latest data from 2022/23 and drawn out some key observations. 

24/01/24 - David Bowes

Thoughts on a recent news story that highlights the case for better regulation of managed accounts.

11/11/23 - David Bowes

Pre-paid cards are synonymous with direct payments, but is their dominance on the wane? 

24/10/23 - David Bowes

Comparing and contrasting Direct Payments between Wales and England.

25/09/23 - Samantha Hey

Devon County Council C&YP have chosen Virtual Wallet as part of their direct payments offer for children and young people in Devon

12/06/23 - Chris Hirst

NHS England requires all ICBs to submit data on Personal Health Budgets quarterly.  We have analysed the most recent data from the 2022/23 Q4 return to draw out some key observations.  

31/05/23 - David Bowes

In collaboration with Self Directed Futures, we have launched ISF Wallet, which solves the hassle of managing the money for ISF provider organisations

11/05/23 - Chris Hirst

Kent & Medway ICB is the latest NHS organisation to select PPL's Virtual Wallet solution to manage rapid-payment Personal Health Budgets to improve hospital discharge.  

09/05/23 - Claire Hewitt

PPL signed the Mental Health at Work Commitment last week, demonstrating our ambition to develop a workplace environment and culture where all employees can thrive.

10/01/23 - David Bowes

Data on the number of direct payments in social care is published annually.   We have analysed the latest data from 2021/22 and drawn out some key observations. 

21/11/22 - Claire Hewitt

The Department of Health and Social Care has published details of its £500m fund to speed up hospital discharges during the winter.  It is a great opportunity for local authorities and integrated care boards to take a look at rapid one-off payments.   

07/11/22 - Chris Hirst

NHS England requires all CCGs to submit data on Personal Health Budgets quarterly.  We have analysed the most recent data from the 2022/23 Q1 return to draw out some key observations.

07/10/22 - Karen Winstanley

PPL are delighted to announce that we are now able to offer payroll services directly to personal health budget and direct payments recipients.

19/07/22 - Chris Hirst

NHS England requires all CCGs to submit data on Personal Health Budgets quarterly.  We have analysed the most recent data from the 2021/22 Q4 return to draw out some key observations.

20/05/22 - Claire Hewitt

PPL win contract with NHS North West London ICB

25/03/22 - Chris Hirst

NHS England requires all CCGs to submit data on Personal Health Budgets quarterly.  We have analysed the most recent data return to draw out some key observations. 

28/01/22 - Claire Hewitt

The latest NHS England Guidance (published in December 2021) advises that CCGs should use one-off personal health budgets to enable the care and support required to ensure a timely discharge from hospital. PPL's Virtual Wallet solution enables CCGs to manage rapid, same-day payments.

20/05/2021 - Chris Hirst

NHS Cheshire CCG have chosen to roll out Virtual Wallet for Personal Health Budgets in their area.

17/01/22 - David Bowes

There are lots of similarities between Virtual Wallet and pre-paid cards – such as ease of loading funds, a focus on self-service, ease-of-use for the individual and real-time visibility of the balances on all of the accounts.  There are however significant differences, which means there is a risk of ‘comparing apples-and-pears’.

14/12/2021 - Samantha Hey

Short Breaks give disabled children and young people experiences that are fun, stimulating and enjoyable which reduces their social isolation and helps their personal and social development.  Digital applications can really help to speed things up for all involved.

23/07/2021 - Samantha Hey

Explore how shared digital solutions enable Integrated Care Systems to deliver more connected, efficient and person-centred care.

22/06/21 - Chris Hirst

PPL are excited to be working with NHS Hull CCG on a number of Personalised Care projects, all focused around the use of Virtual Wallet to support the CCG and their local partner organisations in offering greater choice and control to individuals across Hull.

16/06/21 - Chris Hirst

The move towards Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the associated consolidation of CCGs and integration with local authorities seems like a good thing overall.  The question that we have been asking ourselves at PPL is what does this mean for Personal Health Budgets? 

10/06/21 - Samantha Hey

An annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and to recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK

10/05/21 - Claire Hewitt

PPL is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week

14/04/21 - David Bowes

Age UK has issued a briefing paper that looks at the impact the pandemic has had on internet use among people aged 52+ in England.  We pick out some of the pertinent findings and what local authorities and NHS organisations can takeaway from the briefing.

01/04/21 - David Bowes

Our Virtual Wallet solution has gone live today for people in receipt of a direct payment in Powys, enabling them to self-direct their care and support. 

11/12/2020 - David Bowes

Our savings calculator shows that ICBs could achieve net savings of at least 10% through PHBs, with potential savings ranging from 5% to 25% depending on the cohort and budget model. This paper outlines the evidence behind these projections.

04/12/2020 - David Bowes

The NHS Long Term Plan contains a commitment of 200,000 PHBs by 2023/24.  It was an ambitious target before Covid-19 struck and sounds even more challenging now.  With so many competing priorities, could PHBs be part of the solution rather than part of the problem? 

05/12/2017 - Claire Hewitt

Today PPL announced that it has secured a place on RM3745 Management Consultancy Framework Lot 5, Health and Community.

30/11/2017 - Claire Hewitt

We are delighted to be named in a recent NHS England report as a provider of high quality IT systems that meet its requirements for integrated personalised commissioning and personal health budgets.