Labour accuses SNP of 'abandoning´ pledge to scrap non-residential...

Labour accuses SNP of 'abandoning´ pledge to scrap non-residential...
Source: Daily Mail Online

Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of "abandoning" its pledge to scrap non-residential care charges by the end of the current Parliament.

The party pointed to a freedom of information (FOI) request that it said showed that in the last two-and-a-half years Social Care Secretary Maree Todd has only attended one meeting focused on ending the charges.

The FOI also shows, the party said, that the number of wider Scottish Government meetings which concerned the charges has been "drastically" reduced, with eight held in 2022, four in 2023, three in 2024 and one so far in 2025.

The SNP has not only wasted millions on a white elephant social care Bill which did not pay for a single extra carer, but it has failed to deliver on even a basic promise.

Labour also said a copy of a briefing note for Ms Todd on non-residential care fees does not include the government's "long-standing claim" that it will scrap the charges within the current parliamentary session.

The pledge to scrap the charges was made by former first minister Nicola Sturgeon ahead of the 2021 Holyrood election.

Anas Sarwar's party also said the "nearly £30 million" spent on a "white elephant" National Care Service Bill could have paid for a million hours of social care.

Scottish Labour's social care spokesperson Dame Jackie Baillie said: "Once again, the SNP's rhetoric could not be more different from reality - it is abandoning one of its key manifesto pledges by stealth.

"The SNP has not only wasted millions on a white elephant social care Bill which did not pay for a single extra carer, but it has failed to deliver on even a basic promise.

"Meanwhile, families are draining their finances to try to secure the basics of independent living for their loved ones like hot meals and going to the shops.

"Scottish Labour will continue to campaign for non-residential care charges to be abolished without further delay, and unpaid carers to be granted a right to respite so that our loved ones can stay at home for as long as possible."

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged in 2021 to scrap non-residential care charges during the current Parliament.

Councils across Scotland are legally allowed to charge for non-personal care services such as help with shopping, delivering meals at home, and blue badge parking permits.

Labour said that while the charges may be means-tested, in some cases they can be as high as £20-30 an hour.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government is continuing to work with Cosla on options on the removal of non-residential charging as part of ongoing social care improvement and reform activity, as set out in the Programme for Government.

"The Social Care Secretary has regular discussions with a wide range of social care partners on key issues, including social care charging.

"We recognise the financial challenges being faced across the care sector which is why we have made available over £14 billion to local authorities this year, a real-terms increase of 4.3%, with a record £15 billion for 2025-26 set out in the Scottish Budget.

"Our budget for 2025-26 sets out almost £2.2 billion investment in social care and integration, exceeding our commitment to increase funding by 25% since 2021-22 by almost £350 million."