News / Armitage calls national care plans ‘power grab’ as Greens’ withdraw support
SHETLAND’S Green councillor has backed his party’s move to withdraw its support for a controversial bill to nationalise the care service in Scotland.
Alex Armitage said he was “fully in support” of the Scottish Greens’ decision to no longer back the National Care Service bill, which is currently going through Holyrood.
The bill, which will bring all of the country’s care services under one framework, has been frequently criticised by councillors in Shetland.
Political leader Emma Macdonald has said previously that “one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to care”, with others sharing her opinion that the bill will disproportionately affect Shetland.
The Scottish Greens had supported the bill when the Bute House agreement – the power-sharing deal between the Greens’ and the SNP – was still in place.
But following the end of that agreement earlier this year, the Scottish Greens have now voted to withdraw support for the national care plans.
Armitage, who is councillor for Shetland South, agreed – adding the bill would “risk taking decision-making powers on social care away from local bodies”.
He added the plans would “put too much control in the hands of Scottish ministers”.
“I am also concerned that the National Care Service bill would leave the door open for private corporations to profit from providing care, with the multinational company HC-One being one of the few stakeholder organisations in support of the bill.
“Social care is an area where local knowledge and accountability is vital to the provision of services. “This is particularly true in Shetland.
“We must strive for a national care service that puts people over profit and respects local democracy, which this bill flies in the face of.”
Armitage called the National Care Service bill a “power grab”, which could have “devastating consequences for social care in our Shetland community”.
The Scottish Government has previously said the national care service will provide “consistently high levels of service across the country”.
It was announced last year that staff will continue to be employed by local councils under the plans.
Local authorities will also still be responsible for assets like buildings.
Those assurances were welcomed locally, with Shetland Islands Council saying it “removes uncertainty and provides security to our care workforce that we will remain their employer”.
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