Neil Findlay pledged yesterday to make improving social care standards a “matter of moral urgency” if elected as Scottish Labour leader.

The MSP outlined five policies that he said would reverse the twin crises of poor care standards and an inadequately trained and valued workforce.

He proposed that every worker should be paid a living wage, have a proper contract and that staff should be given the time needed to care for patients on visits.

“What sort of society are we where increasing lifespan is viewed not as an achievement to be applauded but as a problem to be worried about?

“Insufficient resources are being devoted to caring. We need to resolve that — make caring not a poorly paid last-resort zero-hour jobs but one where properly trained people are properly paid to deliver a quality service.”

Mr Findlay said the improvements would be paid for through taxation.