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£40m funding gap for free personal care



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Published Date: 28 April 2008
AN extra £40 million a year is needed to fund Scotland's policy of free personal care, a new report said today.
But three quarters of that could be found straight away if the Westminster government handed over the money it is saving by not paying attendance allowances.

A review of free personal care found the policy was sound but also called for greater consistency and transparency and better planning. The review was conducted by Lord Sutherland, former principal of Edinburgh University and architect of the original policy.

He said the policy was popular and, he believed, affordable.

But he identified a funding shortfall of around £40m a year.

He said the UK government should not have withdrawn the attendance allowance funding, estimated at £30m a year, when free personal care was introduced. He said: "Clearly in Westminster they didn't like this policy."





The full article contains 149 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 April 2008 1:36 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Health of the NHS
 
1

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 14:23:07
Could this be some genuine ammuniation for the SNP for a change? Looks like, but...

But because Alex Salmond and the SNP pick fights over everything and anything, ranging from board games and chess men to obstructing military policy through planning applications, this genuine concern will get lost in the SNP whinging noise.

The SNP should be ashamed of themselves with their bickering, Westminster can spin to say it's just another SNP whinge-along or whinge-by-numbers, and that'll help take the pressure off.
2

druidh,

edinburgh 28/04/2008 14:27:58
#1 You just had to find some way of turning this around?

So - the chap that was responsible for initiating this scheme - under a Lab/Lib exec, now says that Westminster isn't playing ball. Somehow, this reflects badly on the SNP?
3

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 14:28:16
AE.U it really is time you went for a long lie down in a darkened room.

I mean it's bad enough thinking that, but to actually type it out and send it in!!!!!!!

So it's going to be the SNP's fault that westminster denies this money to the most needy, and you expext who to believe that?
4

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 14:31:04
Druidh, and lets remember this money was taken away out of shear spite and also before many of the spats.

Mind you that well known socalist Comrade Wendy can now speak out loudly in favour of this reports recomendations.
5

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 14:39:51
3 Ochone

No, I am quite clear. It is Labour's fault the funding is being denied.

It is the SNP's fault they haven't kept their powder dry and as such any protest will not create the public interest it deserves.

Labour and the SNP are as bad as each other. (Maybe Labour are slightly worse.)
6

Alberto.,

28/04/2008 14:46:21
I recently read of John Swinney 'discovering' 600 (or was it 60 million pounds?) not accounted for in the book of seemingly mythical local bureaucracy accountancy records, a situation, if I remember correctly, which also seemed to happen frequently under the last lot of Political rulers with their sometimes even more amazing and ongoing discoveries, usually at very convenient Political occasions!

Perhaps, if John Swinney (or anybody with an odd half hour to spare) cares to seek (and Ye shall Find!) further and give a quick flick through the 'unaccounted items books' they may just find the £40 million required for the funding of the 'Free Personal Care' scheme help which could well boost votes in the up and coming elections game - it could help, if only for the 'old folk!'
7

Foresight,

By the Water of Leith 28/04/2008 14:50:41

But Attendance Allowance is still being paid in England ! Why ?
8

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 14:53:49
AEN, but you relate one to the other, if any unionist government is as wonderful as you make out,it wouldn't have done such a spiteful thing in the first place and in no way would it base any future decision on what it believes or trys to have us believe is the wrong attitude on behalf of a democratically elected government.

Still I suppose we will only have to wait until Cameron is elected and the money will be handed back then, won't it?
9

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 14:55:57
Quite an admission, so correct decisions by Westminster are down to public interest are they?

That's quite a system of government you support
10

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 15:16:59
9 Ochone

You're an SNP voter so ipso facto not the sharpest tool in the box.

I do support public interest as a driver of government.

"Democracy" From greek demokratia meaning "the people".

I know you don't accept your thick, but to come out with that howler, you do need to review your knowledge a little there sonny.
11

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 15:29:03
10, that's quite away to admit that you don't have an answer, even for a petty minded unionist, but as you seem to think that rather than being a big-head that your a master-mind, why don't you try and spell out what howler your rambling on about?

Incidently, I would have thought that it might have occured to even one like you that even though there is great interest in something that does not inevitably mean that this equates with it being a good idea or even in the general public interest and that is why at the end of the day governments have to be prepared to make the right decision regardles, but not it seams Westminster which explains a lot about that place and it's supporters like you.

BT, you've still to say if Cameron will give us the money back..........in your opinion, great numpty.
12

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 15:30:43
AEN, forgot to add, but then if your equating Westminster with democracy, however you want to spell it, it just shows how sad you really are.
13

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 15:38:01
11 Ochone

You're an SNP voter so well, takes a couple times to understand.

Firstly, the story has nothing to do with Cameron or the Tory party. Why you brought it up I don't know? Some glib Ben Eltonesque understanding of politcs, "and annuva fing, that fatcha right?!" Sill man.

Secondly good or bad ideas are independent of democracy. Democracy is the will of the people, autocracy the will of an elite ruling class. So I don't know what you're on about there either. Silly man.

Your arguments reads as follows, Westminster are bad for making autocratic decision but on the other hand government's should be influenced by democracy unless a would be autocrat like me happens to agree also.

That is the mentality of a thuggish SNP campaigner.

The truth of the matter is our society is a mix, when a wrong decision is made then democracy can change that. That is done in 2008 by mounting public interest through the media, which maybe leads to protest marches, more media coverage, politicians realising all these people vote and reverse the decision.

The SNP have diluted this natural protest by creating too much noise, it's hard to seperate out the real concerns such as this one from the other BS they continually create.

Labour are to blame for a bad decision, the SNP for turning people off of politics with infantile bickering over chess sets etc.
14

ochone,

Sauchie, Clack's 28/04/2008 16:20:02
Oh dear, If you had taken time to read the posts carefully, you would have seen that I was assuming that as you were having a go at the SNP and the Labour Party that you must be a tory, sorry if you are a Lib-Dem, although that would make things even more understandable, but as you don't seem to have the guts or is it the decency, to spell out who you support, you can see how I marked you down as a supporter of one of the extremist London based parties.

As for the rest, it is a measure, albeit an understanable one of just how worried you unionists are becoming that you pepper your reply with insults, I am sorry that for a minute there I went down the same road, I really should try to be more tolerant of someone who is a member of an endangered species, but you have to admit with rubbish, sorry, replies like yours it isin't easy.

Democracy the will of the people, maybe you should write to Gordon Brown and the rest of the unionist party leaders and let them know, it doesn't seem to be an idea they are familer with.

As for what my argument reads, really? mind you it was good of you to admit to what I had already suspected that you are an autocrat.

Here was me thinking that what I was saying was that whilst governments should listen to the people directly and through their representitives that at the end of the day they should make the right decision but not one that is based solely on public interest as even public interest could be in the wrong and of course basing it on self-interest or as happened in this instance, and I noteice you havn't tried to deny it, shear spite, is if anything even worse.

I do have to say though that if you thought up that bit about our society being a mix, all by your self, there might be some hope for you........but not much, as your still with the insults.

Mounting interest through the media, hmmm, not much chance of that with the Scottish media where the SNP government is concerned, not if it is something opposed to
15

Alan B,

28/04/2008 16:22:04
Alfred E. Neuman

Where exactly have the snp caused any fights. I can understand the different governments have different views and policies but all the fighting as far as i can see has come from Brown and labour.

1)it was blair that did not phone salmond to congratulate him despite the fact that is what u do in that position
2)dito brown until the press up here embarrassed him
3)it was brown who publicly threw a tantrum and said he would not work with the snp government.
4)it was brown who reportedly will not return Salmonds calls.
5)it was brown that refused to use the model set up by labour for communication between westminster and the devolved institutions.
6)it was under brown that the civil service was told not to co-operate with scotland
7)it was brown that tried to stop the scottish exec being called government despite the fact it is now called government in wales, an institution that has far less powers. Remember a labour first minister also wanted this.
8)it was brown who withheld payments to scottish farmers.
9)it was brown who has messed with the devolved matter of lit
a)trying to withhold scotland share of the money.
b)allowing the treasury to declare it illegal even though it is the job of the preciding officer to interpet the law.
10)it is brown who is trying to withhold barnett consequentials when he increases spending in england (prisons).

The argument is that the snp are causing fights just will not wash. labour are using this a part of their political campaigning and hoping the gullable swallow it. So far the snp have run rings round them by not playing ball and being nicey nice.
16

Alan B,

28/04/2008 16:27:15
This story is not really new. It is known that Brown, was annoyed with McConnell for persuing this policy and refused the money then. This has been reported before.

One of the big problems with the last labour adminstration was when labour in westminster did things that did not suit labour in holyrood much of the discussions or arguments took place behind closed doors and within the labour party with scottish labour backing down.

17

Alan B,

28/04/2008 16:29:41
These financial problems are going to keep re-occuring until the financial situation between the parliaments is reformed. Fiscal autonomy is the best and cleanest way to do this and will stop the resentment on both sides of the border.
18

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 16:38:27
15 Alan B

Got the little chess men back yet?
19

Alan B,

28/04/2008 16:49:33
#18 I could not careless about little chess men.

It was hardly a fight anyway. A request to the british museum that the pieces found in scotland be displayed in scotland, was rejected. As such it had very little to do with fights between westminster and holyrood.

Now can u actually name any real fights generated by the snp and not just where 2 different parties have a different polical view point. I have tried to list behavour i do not think is becoming of a prime minister of the uk.
20

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 16:50:20
19 Methalions

Yes indeed, I think some saddo was doing their scientology bit for the cause by "fair gaming" me. Ron L Hubbard would've gone far in the SNP.
21

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 16:53:46
20 Alan B

You calling a fight "2 different parties having politcal viewpoints" and claiming it is not a fight?

Well that is like Labour calling the 10p tax climbdown as not a climbdown but a "controlled absail"

You'll please excuse me if I don't waste any time arguing with an idiot about how many fairies can dance on a pin-head.

The SNP are little more than professional s**t-stirrers.
22

Alan B,

28/04/2008 17:00:14
#Alfred E. Neuman

So can not come up with anything. Did not think u could.

I made the comment "2 different parties having politcal viewpoints" it obvious any 2 polical parties will have different policies. When one talks of someone picking a fight it is generally meant from the prepective of deliberately causing problems not have a different policy.

Take LIT. The snp are hardly causing a fight by wanting LIT (which i do not support) while labour want council tax. i regard picking fight is where the 2 sides do not co-operate when they should work together to implement policies within the remit of the other.

If ur idea of the snp causing fight is they do not implement every policy that labour support then i think that says it all.

23

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 17:06:18
24 Alan B

How many fairies can dance on a pin-head by the way?

(PS the LIT isn't local, Alex Salmond and the SNP knew that before they started, that's why they called a national tax "local" - to confuse people like you.)
24

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 17:10:11
23 Methalions

Firstly, it's "Mr Neuman" to you ;)

Secondly, my opinions vary so not a hardcore nutter like some who treat politics like supporting a football team.

Will take anyone over Labour, disagree with independence, hate career politicians - in fact professional politicians are the root cause of most problems.
25

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 17:21:41
27 Insulent goatherder

No chance!
26

Alan B,

28/04/2008 17:24:18
#25 Alfred E. Neuman

Do u deliberately try misunderstand.

My point was regarding fights and u have been unable to list any generated by the snp. My LIT example was where i was trying to give u an example of people supporting different policies, rather than picking a fight.

With regard to LIT i do not support it for a variety of reasons as mentioned above. But this is a devolved matter and nothing really to do with Westminster. The advantages or disadvantages of the policy should be argued out at holyrood.

The fights regarding LIT are to do with
1)Brown trying to withhold scotlands share of the council tax rebate. Effectively brown is saying scotland can get its share of the cash if it does not invoke the scotland act right for the devolved parliament to alter the way council taxation is raised.

It is such a silly position. The money has alway been forecoming to scotland during rates and poll tax. If the tories were to bring in poll tax mark 2 would labour really be happy if the rebate was scrapped unless a future labour government in hollyrood adoped the tory westminster policy.

2)Wether lit as proposed by the snp is legal is a question for the preciding officer not the treasury. Brown should not be putting pressure on him to influence a legal decision. From the bits i have seen of the scotland act it does seem legal but i am no lawyer.

U do not like that it is nationally set and either do i. But it is really not Westminsters concern. It will not effect Westminster in any way.

Beside that labour plan with Wendies commission to devolve more power. so even if brown can stop lit by stopping the money or stopping the inland revenue collecting the tax it will be futile as the increased powers will mean that he will have only stopped it for a few yrs.
27

Alfred E. Neuman,

28/04/2008 17:28:42
29 Alan B

I'm sorry but unless you can tell me how many fairies can dance on a pin-head to 3 significabt decimals, then, alas, I must bid you good-day.
28

Alan B,

28/04/2008 17:33:26
Alfred: I bid u farewell then i as am off too.
29

Andrew Allan,

28/04/2008 18:42:40
wESTMINSTER GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK YOU TIGHT FISTED BUNCH OF B*****DS
30

brownlie,

28/04/2008 19:58:18
3 Ochone

As a fellow unionist I must come to Alfred's defence. You should not refer him to a darkened room. Sadly, our Albert is in the dark about most things after spending too long in the jacket.
31

Boggle fey the Bog,

28/04/2008 23:35:34
Hi Alfie me owld son, ah see yer no takin yer tablets again.
Go on ye know it maks sense....go on huv yin oh they yins that calm ye doon,

Ye nevir knaw it micht even help oot yer spelyn, an help ye tae arrange yer befudled thochts.

 

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