Cole-Hamilton urges social care budget boost

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today pressed the First Minister over support for social care, warning that the government will need to deliver additional funding to secure his party's support.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Last time, I told the First Minister about former care worker Margaret MacGill who’d been in hospital for more than 400 nights. She is unable to get home because the carers just aren’t available.

"It's now cost the NHS nearly £200,000 to keep her in hospital, when she doesn’t need or want to be there.

"Three weeks on, she is still in hospital in Wick.

"And Margaret’s not alone. This week, we learned that the number of people waiting for a care assessment or care package has gone up by 20% in the last year.

"So can I ask the First Minister, does he really think that his draft budget will fix the crisis in social care and get people like Margaret home?"

He continued:

"The First Minister knows we are prepared to vote for his budget if the measures in it are right. We are here to get things done.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats have secured some big wins through our negotiations around the budget already:

- Money to back young entrepreneurs

- For colleges

- For the Northern Isles, removing peak ferry fares

- For faster autism and ADHD assessments

"But it is not yet enough to win our support.

"We will squeeze every penny we can out of this budget process.

"For business rates, for hospices, and - for the sake of people like Margaret MacGill – on social care.

"So can I ask the First Minister, is his government prepared to go further to win our support?