The SNP Government has broken its promise of a minimum national allowance of £119 a week for kinship carers.

In December 2007, the SNP Government announced that kinship carers would receive a £119 allowance per week. Speaking back in 2007, the Minister said he thought carers would start receiving the allowance in April 2008.

Freedom of Information research by the Liberal Democrats shows that:

• 3 councils don’t provide kinship carer allowances.
• 13 councils aren’t hitting the recommended minimum allowance of £119, promised by the SNP.

Carers week runs from 14th – 20th June 2010. Mr Finnie is visiting VOCAL carers centre in Edinburgh today.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP said:

“Carers week is a great opportunity to reflect on the contribution that carers make to our communities.

“Back in 2007, the SNP got cross-party support for its promise to introduce an allowance for kinship carers. But Liberal Democrat research shows 13 councils don’t provide the minimum £119 allowance specified by the SNP and 3 don’t provide an allowance at all.

“That’s simply not good enough. This is yet another case of the SNP making populist promises from the centre and then failing to provide local authorities with the cash to make it happen.

“Kinship carers have been badly let down by the SNP and they deserve an explanation.”