Scotland’s national third sector intermediary, the ALLIANCE, is urging the Scottish government to end all non-residential social care charges in Scotland from September onwards.

The ALLIANCE, together with The Assembly, a political engagement group for Scotland’s community of people with learning disabilities and/or autism, says ministers must follow-through this year on their 2021 manifesto promise.

The Scottish government has committed to end care charges in Scotland by 2026, but the ALLIANCE says that people “cannot wait any more”, especially with the rising cost-of-living.

The third sector intermediary says the cost-of-living crisis has taken a “huge toll” on disabled people, and thousands in receipt of Universal Credit have been paying up to £100 per week from their benefits towards the social care provided by local councils.

In October 2022, Inclusion Scotland urged the government to provide more targeted financial support to “avert the tragedy of avoidable deaths” this winter, stating the cost-of-living crisis was already ‘catastrophic’ for disabled people.

Now, the ALLIANCE is calling on the government to cancel all non-residential social care charges in Scotland from September 2023, outlining that the costs are unsustainable for people with the current state of inflation.

While the ALLIANCE welcomed the government’s commitment to end these charges by 2026, the organisation says people with support needs in Scotland are currently paying £40m every year in charges or contributions towards the cost of this support.

Rob Gowans, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the ALLIANCE says:

“Social care services are essential for disabled people and people living with long term conditions’ participation in society and equal enjoyment of their rights.

“Charging for care had led to people being forced to manage without support, negatively affecting physical and mental health and unacceptable demands on family and friends to assume roles as unpaid carers. This is especially the case since the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, with people having to cope with rising energy and food bills.”

In Carers Scotland ‘State of Caring 2022’ report, the national carers’ charity detailed the detrimental impact of inflation on carers across Scotland – with one in four reporting they were cutting back on both food and heating.

Carers Scotland found that unpaid carers are “spiralling into poverty” in the cost-of-living crisis, as unpaid carers now be compose almost half of the total care given to support people’s independent living.

A specific date is yet to be provided by the government for when people will see charges end. The ALLIANCE is supporting a petition fronted by Christine McEvoy who pays monthly for help from the council.

Rob Gowans adds that social care is a fundamental right and urges Scotland’s ministers to act now:

“Social care should be provided on a universal basis, free at the point of use, as independent living is a right that should be afforded to all.

“The ALLIANCE welcomed the Scottish government’s commitment to remove non-residential care charges but are disappointed there is still no date set for when this will be done. We would urge ministers to remove care charges without further delay.”

We asked the Scottish government for a response, if they would be setting a date and i

A Scottish government spokesperson said:

“We are progressing our commitment to increase spend in social care by 25% by the end of this Parliament - an increase of over £840m, laying the groundwork for the establishment of a National Care Service."

No specific date was given beyond the end of this parliament but specific support related to the cost-of-living crisis was highlighted.

The Fuel Insecurity Fund has been doubled to £20m to support Scots facing difficulties with fueling their home and all Scottish benefits including Carers Allowance, will be uprated in line with inflation by April 2023.

The government is also working to deliver Carer Support Payment, a replacement for Carer's Allowance, by spring 2024. This is set to be piloted in autumn this year make sure it meets the needs of people in Scotland.

A spokesperson said that the government “appreciates” that costs of care and support can be high for individuals, adding:

“That is why we have already extended free personal care to all adults who need it and are committed to abolishing charges for non-residential social care by the end of this parliament, so that the provision of these services are based on a person’s need and not their ability to pay.”

Read more: Third of carers feel unsupported, survey shows; Insight: Carers in need as fuel poverty hits; Cost of living ‘catastrophic’ for disabled people

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