THE SNP-Green Scottish government drove its “pig in a poke” National Care Service (NCS) Bill through Parliament today, despite union protestations.

The legislation passed its first Holyrood vote after SNP and Green MSPs were whipped to back the legislation, which Unison branded a “vote now — details later” Bill.

Committee stage scrutiny has proven challenging for the much-delayed Bill, with the finance committee expressing concerns that the government could not specify the costs.

And just last week, the health, social care and sport committee had expressed concerns that the Bill lacked clarity.

Unison’s Scottish secretary Lilian Macer called for a fundamental change of approach to “build a national care service free from the low pay and poor working conditions which are so endemic in the sector.”

She said: “Progressing Bills without Parliament being able to properly scrutinise the detail is a poor way for the Scottish government to go about its business. We were right to have expected better.

“Unison remains committed to a national care service, but we think that a collectively considered and collaboratively agreed approach is a much better way to improve social care. This will require a fundamental change of approach from the Scottish government.”

SNP social care minister Maree Todd said: “The status quo is not an option. We must make changes and invest in the future.

“The NCS is our vehicle to do that, and I believe it can make a real difference to those who so urgently need the change.” 

Scottish Labour’s Carol Mochan responded: “Despite the minister’s warm words, the SNP do not seem to be standing up for care in Scotland. In fact, they are standing in the way.

“In their stubborn approach to the Bill, they have proven just that.”