Nationalised care homes raised as FM signals help for low paid

Nicola Sturgeon appeared to leave the door open for the nationalisation of care homes when she was challenged over low-paid workers in the sector.

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would support Labour proposals for financial help for care workers battling the coronavirus when the subject was raised at First Minister’s Questions.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard raised the “scandal” of care workers who test positive for Covid-19 being penalised financially while selfisolating.

Mr Leonard said many care workers were on insecure contracts and many were low paid. Those who are ill or need to self-isolate will receive only statutory sick pay, which is £95.85 a week, a sum which the GMB had described as a “scandal”.

In response, Ms Sturgeon said Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has reached an agreement with Labour MSP Monica Lennon about supporting affected staff workers.

The first minister revealed that the Scottish Government would support Ms Lennon’s proposal to create a fund to provide financial assistance to workers in the social care sector whose employment has been affected by the pandemic.

Stressing the majority of care workers were not employed by NHS Scotland, the first minister went on to suggest that the care home sector could be in line for more radical change – a stance that will fuel speculation that nationalisation could be considered by ministers.

She said: “I think questions are now being raised about the appropriateness and fitness for purpose of that model in the long term.”

I think questions are now being raised about the... fitness for purpose of that model in the long term. NICOLA STURGEON