Councils asked to cost Frank’s Law proposal

EXCLUSIVE: Huge step toward making campaign a reality

Councils have been asked to start costing Frank’s Law in a sign the Scottish Government is moving towards making Amanda Kopel’s campaign a reality.

The Courier can reveal authorities have been asked to investigate how much cash would be required to close current loopholes costing under-65s requiring personal care because of debilitating diseases.

With Amanda by his side, Miles Briggs, the Conservative shadow health secretary, started the parliamentary process at Holyrood yesterday.

Amanda said: “I am very, very confident – more confident than I have been in the past few years – about Frank’s Law becoming law.”

A majority of MSPs back the proposals, although the SNP does not.

Scottish ministers have asked councils to start costing Frank’s Law, The Courier can reveal.

The revelation fuelled speculation that S NP politicians were finally preparing to back Amanda Kopel’s bid to end discrimination against under-65s with debilitating diseases like dementia who need personal care but are currently charged for receiving it.

It came as Miles Briggs, the Conservative shadow health secretary, lodged a private member’s bill at Holyrood to make the campaign a reality. A majority of MSPs back the changes despite the Scottish Government not yet formally being in favour of closing the loopholes.

He said: “It is good to see that the Scottish Government appear to be finally taking this issue seriously and asking local authorities for their estimates of the costs of Frank’s Law.

“At present Fife Council is providing free personal care for those who need it under 65 so a precedent clearly exists for Frank’s Law to be put in place and delivered for those who need it.

“I hope that the Government’s feasibility study alongside my own member’s bill consultation can help deliver Frank’s Law. All politicians need to work together to deliver it without further delay.”

Dundee United legend Frank Kopel and his wife Amanda paid around £300 a week for him to have personal care in his Kirriemuir home after he was diagnosed with dementia aged 59.

The former left-back was eligible for just 19 days of free personal care before his death in April 2014, despite living with the illness for nearly six years.

A Dundee City Council source said the authority had been asked by the Scottish Government to cost extending free personal care to the under-65s with respect to dementia.

They added: “This has come in a survey form, which is generally the beginning of an exercise which could bring in legislation.”

A council spokesman confirmed the request, which is understood to have been made to authorities across the country and has a response deadline of the end of July, was received on Monday.

Amanda was in the Scottish Parliament yesterday as nearly 20 politicians lined up to show their support for the bill as it was formally lodged with officials.

One of those present was former health secretary Alex Neil, who revealed he was planning to bring Frank’s Law into force before he was sacked by Nicola Sturgeon.

He said: “The bill helps to put additional pressure on and garner support within the parliament for the whole principle that people shouldn’t be penalised because they have taken dementia before they reach the age of 65 and qualify for free personal care.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “We are already committed to examining the extension of free personal and nursing care to those under 65, while protecting existing provision.

“We are currently running a feasibility study to consider the costs, benefits, challenges and consequences of extending free personal care, including analysis of the additional demand for care likely to be created and the relationship with social security provision. This will be completed over the summer.”

Anas Sarwar, Labour’s health spokesman who was present as the bill was lodged, said under-65s “deserve the same free personal care that those over that age ... receive.”

Alison Johnstone, of the Greens, said the party would seek to ensure free social care was available regardless of a person’s age or medical condition.

Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton confirmed Frank’s Law continues to have the full support of his party.

“Thishas comeina survey form, which is generally the beginning of an exercise which could bring in legislation.

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL SOURCE

The Courier supports Frank’s Law