THE First Minister has hit out at Tory “rank hypocrisy” after being scrutinised on the National Care Service being put on hold at First Minister’s Questions.
The proposals – which were to centralise adult social care and social work in Scotland – have been delayed until next year amid criticism from councils and trade unions.
The Scottish Greens also announced that they would not support the bill, leading to doubts on whether the National Care Service Bill would ultimately pass.
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay hit out at the delay at FMQs.
“The SNP have already wasted 29 million pounds in a national care service that hasn't cared for a single person,” he said.
“These plans should be scrapped entirely and investment put directly into front-line social care where it is so desperately needed.”
Findlay added: “SNP ministers have a reckless disregard for taxpayers money. The Health and Social Secretary Neil Grey takes limos to the football. John Swinney wastes cash in the National Care Service that everybody knows is not going to work.
“It should not just be delayed. It should be binned. So why won't John Swinney put taxpayers' money into the front-line, where families will actually feel the benefit?”
The First Minister then hit back (above) at the Scottish Tory leader.
“Well, that's precisely what this government has done because we have increased the pay for social care workers to make working in the social care sector more attractive,” he said.
“So that we can deliver more social care packages for vulnerable members in the community, so they can stay longer in their own homes. That's what we've done.”
He then pointed out what he described as “Tory hypocrisy”.
“Of course, when we brought forward those proposals – they were voted against by the Conservatives,” he said.
“So, the Conservatives cannot come here and demand that I take action to improve the standards of the Social Care Service, which depend on the recruitment of social care employees and to boost the size of the social care workforce, and then not be prepared to vote for them.
“That is what is called rank hypocrisy, and it's typical of the Conservatives.”
