Ministers urged to ‘see sense’ and drop plans for National Care Service

Holyrood ministers are being urged to “see sense” and ditch plans to establish a National Care Service (NCS), with Conservatives claiming it would be an “accident waiting to happen”.

The Tories will use their debating time at Holyrood to highlight concerns about the Scottish Government’s plans – with Labour also calling for the proposals to be paused.

It comes in the wake of public spending watchdog Audit Scotland warning the costs outlined in financial papers from the Scottish Government could “significantly understate” the range of funds that could be needed.

The National Care Service Bill seeks to merge social care services into a national body, which would then be divided into regional boards in a set-up similar to the NHS.

Costs are expected to be between £240 million and £527 million by 2026 – but Audit Scotland’s Mark Taylor warned the price tag is unclear.

Speaking ahead of the debate at Holyrood on Wednesday, Scottish Conservative social care spokesman Craig Hoy said: “The SNP’s National Care Service is an accident waiting to happen.

“It’s time for them to see sense and drop their reckless and unaffordable plans.

“Instead of taking concrete measures to properly fund and improve social care at the local level, the SNP want to embark on a massive restructuring that will divert funds away from frontline care and into the pockets of civil servants and administrators.

“Social care organisations and unions are terrified about these misguided plans, and even the SNP’s own members have expressed concerns over how the Government will fund the NCS.

“On top of that, we now have Audit Scotland warning that the already eye-watering predicted costs of £1.3 billion are likely to be an underestimate.

“The Scottish Conservatives are calling on the SNP to scrap these wasteful plans and put every penny back into local care services instead.”

Labour’s amendment, meanwhile, calls on the Scottish Government to pause the legislation while the “litany” of criticism aimed at the Bill is addressed.

The party also accused the Government of being “completely lacking” in a vision for an NCS.

Paul O’Kane, Labour’s social care spokesman, said: “These botched plans make a mockery of Labour’s visions for a National Care Service.

“The SNP cannot keep burying their heads in the sand as stakeholders queue up to slate this misguided and uncosted power-grab.

“Social care in Scotland is on its knees – we need real support for the sector and a fair deal for its workers. This must not wait for the delivery of a National Care Service – we need urgent action now.

“We cannot go ahead with plans that have not been thought through and are plagued by a litany of glaring problems.

The SNP must listen to these concerns, pause this Bill and take time to get it right.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are creating a National Care Service to end the postcode lottery in the provision of care.

“We have heard repeatedly from people with direct experience of community health and social care, as well as key stakeholders, that the adult social care system needs to change in order to drive up standards to a consistent level across the country.

“By rewarding and valuing the workforce to deliver the best possible service, we will make the sector fit for the future.

“The National Care Service has been developed following an independent review that recommended reform to ensure we make services better for those who need them, and it is our collective responsibility to that.

“Change of this scale naturally raises concern but we have a duty to people to work it through with all partners, local government, health and social care partnerships, the unions and providers to understand their position and use it to inform design and ultimately delivery.

“We also recognise that there is an urgent need to make improvements to social care now, and we are not waiting for the NCS to start that process.

“We will ensure there is no impact on current standards of service as we establish the National Care Service.”