Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-00198

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 May 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 6 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to monitor the impact of the 2016-17 National Care Home Contract settlement for any negative consequences.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving the quality of care in Scotland and we work closely with COSLA, Scottish Care, Coalition of Care and support Providers in Scotland and other key stakeholders in order to do this.

As part of this partnership approach the Scottish Government is a part of the National Contingency Planning Group, which is chaired by COSLA, and works with stakeholders in identifying potential risks which could lead to the disruption of adult social care provision in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-00197

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 May 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 6 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what obligations under the 2016-17 National Care Home Contract charitable organisations have to pay the living wage to care staff, and what action it could take if they fail to do so.

The 2016-17 National Care Home Contract agreed between COSLA and providers has been amended to require any providers delivering publicly funded care under the contract to pay all care workers a minimum of £8.25 per hour from 1 October 2016.

As part of the 2016-17 budget we have taken action to protect and grow our social care services and deliver our shared priorities by investing a further £250 million in health and social care partnerships. Part of this investment is to enable local authorities to pay a living wage to care workers providing care and support to adults in care homes, care at home and housing support settings - including in the independent and third sector.

Partnership working between the Scottish Government, local government and our stakeholders, including the third and independent sectors, is key to ensuring we achieve the intended outcomes of this additional investment and it is expected that local authorities will work closely with care providers to assess the investment required to ensure payment of the living wage.

Question reference: S5F-00018

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 June 2016

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the former Cabinet Secretary for Justice prior to and since the publication of his recent book.

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