»»Government is accused of passing on pay rise costs »»Fears for services as health board falls further into red
BY ANDY PHILIP Political Correspondent
A HEALTH board will plunge £3.4million further into the red to pay for an SNP Government promise on social care wages.
The burden of the 3.3 per cent rise in pay is exposed in papers seen by the Daily Record which suggest cuts could be imposed on other services to make up the difference.
The report by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (IJB) follows a promise by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in April. She was widely applauded for offering an immediate uplift to reflect “hugely valued” efforts in the pandemic.
But a series of behindclosed-doors meetings with the board reveals frustration that the pledge is not being met in full by the Scottish Government. In the board’s report, chief finance officer Moira Pringle said the deal left them searching for another £3.4million while dealing with a savings target of £15.9million.
“It is now clear that no further funding will be provided,” the report added. “Accordingly, the board is now in a position that implementing the national uplift with the consequent uplift in workers’ pay will add £3.4million to the existing financial challenge.
“Despite this, it is recommended the board now directs the Council to implement the 3.3 per cent uplift. This proposal reflects the board’s recognition of the work all heath and social care staff make towards keeping vulnerable people in our city safe.”
In April, Freeman said the measures were announced in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to give all people providing adult social care the Real Living Wage now, rather than having to wait until later in the year.
Labour MSP Neil Findlay, whose Lothian region covers the board area, said: “To pay 3.3 per cent, the IJB will have to cut budgets elsewhere. This could mean fewer drug and alcohol services, cuts to services for children or mental health, or any other service provided. This is yet more evidence of government rhetoric over reality on the ground.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Edinburgh IJB’s core budget increased by £23.6million to £681.1million in 2020-21, and it has received an additional £6.1million from the £100million provided by the Scottish Government so far to help the social care sector meet additional costs of the pandemic response.”