Carers’ Right To A Break At Risk

The National Care Service (NCS) Bill is a proposal to improve health and social care services in Scotland. It would create a national body to make sure these services work well across the country.

Why is it important?

Apart from proposed improvements to health and care services, a key part of the Bill is focused on unpaid Carers. It aims to give Carers the legal right to take breaks from their caring responsibilities. It also means government ministers could hold local authorities responsible if these breaks aren’t provided.

Why is it at risk?

The Scottish Green Party recently voted not to support the Bill. Although they agree with the idea of better services, they have said they cannot support the Bill until compromises are made that bring it more in line with the party’s values. Because of this, the Bill is not likely to pass when it goes to a vote in spring 2025.

Why is this an issue?

Carers’ organisations have strongly supported the Bill’s promise of guaranteed breaks from caring. If the Bill doesn’t pass, Carers could lose this important right, and there would be no legal enforcement to make sure these breaks are given.

What can you do?

Carers across Scotland are being encouraged to reach out to their local MP’s, MSP’s and councillors to ask what will be done to protect Carers’ rights if the NCS Bill fails and to ensure that Carers’ rights to breaks will still be upheld.

We have prepared a template letter/email that can be sent to elected members to ask how they intend to protect the rights of Carers. You can download a copy via the link below, or contact the Centre for a paper version.