Supported living packages cut for vulnerable people in Glasgow
The service allowing vulnerable people to live independently at home is one of a package of cost saving measures
Last updated 19th Mar 2025
Supported living packages for the elderly and a sexual assault counselling service are among the package of cuts agreed by Glasgow's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) this afternoon.
The Integrated Joint Board (IJB) is responsible for overseeing health and social care services on behalf of Glasgow City Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The board agreed to make savings worth £42.5million in order to produce a balanced budget - a legal requirement.
Green councillor, Jon Molyneaux, tabled a motion asking the board to defer setting the budget until the health board, Scottish and UK Government could be lobbied for more funding.
However, an SNP amendment tabled by Councillor Allan Casey was voted through, asking the board to set out its fiscal plans today.
Labour members refused to vote on the motion or amendment, and voted to reject the budget proposals.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Glasgow IJB approved an unprecedented savings plan which reflects a requirement to address a budget gap of £42.5m.
"This gap reflects a shortfall in funding and a budget which does not account for increases in inflation, demand and growth.
"The budget, agreed by the Glasgow Integration Joint Board, seeks to protect our most vulnerable and uphold our core statutory responsibilities wherever possible.
"It’s evident we need to change the way we operate in some services in order to manage demand and still deliver our core services.
"Those affected by the budget savings plans will be supported accordingly.”
Cuts to supported living
Supported living packages allow 39 of Glasgow's elderly and vulnerable people to live independently at home, thanks to daily visits from home carers.
Axing it will save £2.3million per year and see 60 full time equivalent roles redeployed into mainstream care.
The decision has come under fire from trade unions, including the GMB, and families who worry this will push more people into residential care.
The GHSCP spokeswoman added: “The supported living service was introduced in 2016 and the number of people in scope has declined significantly.
"There will be no detriment to the staff involved with the supported living service as HSCP Care services will provide support for their well-being and staff will be redeployed into the larger mainstream homecare service which currently supports 4192 service users.”
A sexual assault counselling service at Sandyford Sexual Health Clinic is another service which has been cut.
This will save £200,000 and affect five full time equivalent positions.
Lobbying for funding
Proposals to lobby the Scottish and UK Governments for more funding were voted through.
Members agreed to write to the Scottish Government to insist that it reverses its 5.48% cut to the enhanced mental health framework in Greater Glasgow, amounting to £1.6 million, to help alleviate some of the sharpest pressures in mental health services.
Members also agreed to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Spring Statement demanding full compensation for cost pressures arising from changes to national insurance.
However, proposals to write to the Health Board asking for the recurring funding earmarked for its residual unfunded national insurance liabilities to instead be put to avoiding the need for IJB savings, were voted down.
The IJB and forecasts a funding deficit of £120m over the next three years.
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