SWBG blog

Responding to news of the delay of stage 2 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill

The delay announced by the Minister for Social Care may not come as a surprise to anyone. The process for developing the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill has lost sight of the vision shared by those who use care services and carers in the development of the Independent Review on Adult Social Care.  

What cannot be delayed is much needed investment in care services. Cuts to care services are being made, or are on the horizon, across Scotland. These cuts are reducing who is able to access care support services, will increase unmet need, and impact on the amount of unpaid care support that is required, which women deliver the majority of. 

We know that women cannot wait for investment in care services. With the process for the Bill delayed we look to the forthcoming budget to bring much needed additional investment in care. With the focus of this investment seeking to improve outcomes for those who use care support services, reduce unpaid care demands, and deliver fair work for those in the social care workforce. For women receiving care support and as paid and unpaid carers this is a critical time for action. 

For more information, please contact Sara Cowan, sara.cowan@swbg.org.uk 0141 648 7673 

For details about the levels of long-term investment needed to transform social care support services in Scotland see our modelling research here.