Sweeping budget cuts to health and social care services in Glasgow

Glasgow's health and social care budget is set to be slashed, including the loss of nearly 200 full-time jobs.

The Glasgow City Integration Joint Board (IJB), which is responsible for social care, homelessness and addiction services, agreed to the cuts during a meeting on Wednesday.

In a statement, the IJB said it had attempted to produce a "balanced budget," but admitted there were concerns from some board members.

The cuts equate to over £21.5m, including saving nearly £4m in staffing cuts across all community health teams.

A total of 197 full-time jobs are expected to be lost across the sector.

What else has been cut?

Another £3.5m is to be saved on National Insurance, due to the UK government's reversal on the increase to the National Insurance Employer Rate in 2022.

The plans also reduce the self-directed support budget by 2%, saving a further £2.3m.

This is used by disabled people to organise their own package of care.

Other savings include a reduction to purchased care home budgets, a reduction in care at home and mainstream home care, and a loss of 15 care home beds.

Protest held by unions

Members of the UNISON and GMB trade unions were present outside the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) headquarters, protesting the decision before the meeting took place.

Speaking after the measures were approved, GMB Scotland organiser Sean Baillie said: "There will be profound consequences for staff, service users, and Glasgow’s communities as a result of this cuts budget, because the HSCP is already long past the point of sustainable delivery.

“Bluntly, Glasgow’s political leadership and a cadre of unelected officials have consigned the HSCP to a second decade of cuts, and in doing so have washed their hands of their responsibilities to the city’s most vulnerable people.

“It should be clear to everyone now there is no political plan for the recovery of local services, and there is no political will to demand more investment for Scotland’s biggest city.”

The IJB's report was passed by nine votes to six following warnings that not setting a balanced budget would bring “an immediate risk in terms of breaching statutory responsibilities” and halt new care packages.

A HSCP spokesperson said: “The pressure on public service budgets is significant – and high inflation means that this year has been a particular challenge.

“Officers have worked hard to bring forward a balanced budget that, wherever possible, minimises the impact on services and invests in priorities.

“Clearly, though, members of the Integration Joint Board have serious concerns and will be making that point to stakeholders.”

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