SCOTLAND'S largest trade union body has become the latest organisation to call on the Scottish Government to withdraw the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has written to Health Secretary Neil Gray expressing disappointment at the lack of funding for social care workers and urging the government to focus its attention on addressing the immediate issues in social care.
The STUC letter, signed by STUC deputy general secretary Linda Somerville, makes clear that the bill has lost support from stakeholders and local authorities from across Scotland.
The news comes after local authority umbrella body Cosla withdrew its support for the proposals last week amid pay concerns.
The Scottish Government has also come under pressure from opposition parties to either scrap or pause the National Care Service Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
The plans – which would centralise adult social care and social work into a single body ultimately accountable to ministers – has been beset by delays and uncertainty over costs since it was announced.
The Health Secretary has vowed to “complete the job” despite Cosla and unions withdrawing their support for it.
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “Care workers are on their knees trying desperately to cover shifts and visits to those in need. There is a shortage of staff across Scotland with local councils and employers all struggling to deliver the vital social care.
"Yet the government is ploughing on with the National Care Service Bill which fails to address fundamental issues about how social care is delivered and has lost the confidence of workers in the sector.
“The Scottish Government seems hellbent on repeating the mistakes of the past. That is something that the STUC and our affiliated unions cannot uphold.
“We need urgent investment in social care and improved wages to attract and retain skilled staff. That can be done, in the here and now, without the need for a new National Care Service.
"Profiteering, low pay and insecure conditions within social care are rampant throughout the sector. It would appear the Scottish Government, through the proposed NCS bill, seems content for that to continue, something which we cannot allow in our name."
Social Care Minister Maree Todd reacted to the news and said: “It is essential we establish a National Care Service that will improve people’s lives and quality of care, while ensuring those who deliver vital services feel supported.
"We're not waiting for legislation to act and are implementing Fair Work measures, including paying our commissioned social care workforce at least the real living wage of £12 an hour since April 2024.”
