Carers Bills Cost May Have Been Underestimated, MSPs Warn
The costs of implementing legislation to improve support for carers may have been underestimated, MSPs have warned.
Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee has raised concerns about the financial implications of the Scottish Government's Carers (Scotland) Bill.
If passed, the Bill would require councils to prepare plans for adult and young carers setting out their support needs.
Local authorities would also have to set up an information and advice service for carers in their areas.
During scrutiny of the legislation, members of the committee heard fears that the associated costs set out by the Scottish Government were unrealistic.
A report on their findings said: The committee shares the concerns of many stakeholders that the costs set out in the financial memorandum may be underestimated, which may have a detrimental effect on other carer services and mean that the aims of the Bill would not be met.''
MSPs have backed the Bill but called on the Government to set out revised estimates or commit to providing additional funding if necessary.
They are also seeking more detail on the costs of providing information and advice services in remote and rural areas and larger cities.
The report said: A number of respondents to the committee's call for evidence highlighted that there are many information and advice services already in existence in the third sector, and that the Bill's focus should be on supporting and resourcing them and only establishing new services where necessary.''
Committee convener Duncan McNeil MSP said: Our committee believes that this legislation will significantly contribute to supporting carers. However, we have a number of concerns which we are asking the Scottish Government to urgently address.
We are also calling for assurances from the Scottish Government that this Bill actually has the resources behind it to deliver the step change that it promises on paper.''
MSPs also raised concerns that the broadening of the definition of carer'' could reduce the ability of council's to prioritise those most in need of assistance.
They want to see the NHS given a larger role in carer support, particularly in helping to identify carers.