Cole-Hamilton responds to Health and Social Care Charities Open Letter

Responding to an open letter to John Swinney from more than 200 health and social care charities warning that the sector faces collapse, published in the Herald this morning, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"These are dire warnings from Scotland's health and social care system, and it's time both our governments listened.

"It's clear that the UK government's decision to hike national insurance contributions is putting serious pressure on the finances of the organisations running these vital services. The Liberal Democrats have called for social care providers to be exempted from this tax hike.

"My colleague Angus MacDonald has also been raising the particular concern about care provision in rural areas such as the Highlands. Remote and rural Scotland is set to be hit hard by the pressure on the care sector.

"This letter should act as a catalyst for action from both the UK and Scottish Governments. The UK Government must exempt social care providers from the national insurance hike and the Scottish Government must finally invest in the staff and services they have repeatedly neglected."