Delight as bill is passed in Holyrood

Airdrie MSP Neil Gray has expressed his delight after the Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill was unanimously passed.

The Bill will result in tens of thousands of unpaid carers receiving a double payment of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement this winter.

The additional support recognises the extra pressures that unpaid carers have been under since the pandemic started.

Mr Gray, who heads the Social Justice and Social Security Committee at Holyrood, said: “I am absolutely delighted the Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly backed this bill. Without the army of unpaid carers looking after loved ones, the NHS and social services would be under even more stress.

“It is heartening to see that, although we may have differing political viewpoints, MSPS from across the Chamber can come together to support something as worthwhile and desperately needed as this Bill.”