Conservatives seeking money to fund ‘Frank’s Law’

Frank’s Law cannot be delivered to all those who need it unless ministers triple its funding, say the Tories.

Councils say they need £33 million to fully fund scrapping personal charges for under-65s with debilitating conditions.

The Scottish Conservatives said failing to increase the £11m the SNP have indicated they would give would be a “total betrayal” to those lacking support.

The Scottish Government backed implementing Frank’s Law from April next year. Amanda Kopel, the wife of the late Dundee United football legend Frank, fought along with The Courier to end age discrimination in the system.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs said: “With the SNP receiving an extra £550m this year alone for the NHS in Scotland thanks to the UK budget, they have no excuses.

“This policy would deliver respect and dignity to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have been clear that that the extension of free personal care is to be fully implemented by 1st April 2019, and we now have legislation in place for this to happen.

“We have been working with COSLA to identify and analyse the costs of extending free personal care to under 65s, and ensure that it is available to all those who are assessed as needing it.

“The Finance Secretary will present the Scottish Government’s plans in the Scottish Budget on the 12th of December.”