By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Labour will oppose the SNP’s “bungled” National Care Service Bill, the party has revealed today.
The controversial bill, which was published over twenty months ago, has been widely criticised by care providers, Trade Unions and those with lived experience.
Whilst thousands of Scot struggle to access desperately needed care packages and the workforce crisis continues unresolved, the most recent government documents reveal that the National Care Service will not be fully implemented until 2028/29 and could cost as much as £2.2 billion.
The SNP has promised a number of amendments to their plans following a backlash to the original bill, but the Committee is still being asked to nod through the bill as currently drafted.
In light of the fundamental changes anticipated, Scottish Labour called on the SNP-Green government to publish its proposed Stage 2 amendments early in order to provide MSPs with reassurances that the concerns of stakeholders will be addressed.
However, the government has refused to do so.
Ministers have also failed to guarantee that they will establish an Expert Bill Advisory Group, which is common practice with other bills and was called for by the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland.
Scottish Labour has criticised the SNP for attempting to “bulldoze” through a flawed piece of legislation instead of taking the time to get this right and deliver the National Care Service Scotland needs.
The party urged the SNP to bring forward aspects of the bill such as the Right to Breaks and Anne’s Law independently, so that these important policies aren’t held back further by the SNP’s mismanagement.
Scottish Labour Health and Social Care spokesperson Dame Jackie Baillie, left, said “Social care in Scotland is at breaking point, with Scots struggling to get the care they need and staff feeling underpaid and underappreciated.
“We need a National Care Service that is fit for purpose – but instead the SNP and the Greens are bulldozing through their bungled plans.
“Ministers have refused to set out how they will fix the fundamental problems in this bill and Scottish Labour will not write them a blank cheque by supporting these confused plans.
“We cannot ignore the warnings from the stakeholders lining up to criticise the SNP’s approach, from Trade Unions and care providers to those with lived experience.
“The SNP must act now to support social care, boost pay in the sector and deliver a Right to Breaks and Anne’s Law so that these important changes aren’t held back by the shambles the government has made of this bill.”