FIRST Minister John Swinney faced renewed pressure to abandon plans for a National Care Service (NCS) during a heated First Minister’s Questions session at Holyrood yesterday (October 3, 2024). The debate highlighted growing opposition to the Scottish government’s flagship social care reform initiative.
Russell Findlay, making his debut as the new Scottish Conservative leader, accused the government of wasting £28 million on the NCS project. He pointed out that four parliamentary committees have raised concerns about the plan’s shortcomings, and both NHS leaders and Scotland’s council leaders have withdrawn their support.
The NCS proposal aims to centralise adult social care and social work across Scotland, placing ultimate responsibility for its implementation on government ministers. However, the plan has faced mounting criticism in recent weeks.
Labour leader Anas Sarwar also joined the criticism, stating that the SNP’s plans for the NCS are in “disarray” and would create a service “in name only.” He argued that the projected £2.2 billion cost should instead be spent on care packages, additional workers, better pay and conditions, and reducing delayed hospital discharges.
In response, Swinney defended the NCS as necessary to ensure equitable, high-quality care across Scotland. He cited significant variations in delayed discharge rates between local authorities as evidence of the need for a national service. The First Minister also emphasised that the government has already increased social care spending by 25%, meeting their target ahead of schedule.
Despite the criticism, Swinney committed to continued engagement with stakeholders to advance the NCS bill. However, with council umbrella body Cosla and trade unions withdrawing support, and concerns raised by SNP-led councils, the Scottish government faces the challenge of addressing widespread concerns while attempting to implement what was once hailed as the most ambitious reform of the devolution era.
