Government knew about plan to slash funding for addict help
Yousaf and Robison claimed cut was down to council.. now emails suggest otherwise
SNP ministers have been accused of complicity in the demise of a groundbreaking project helping female drug users.
Documents show the government was in the loop on funding plans which led to the closure of Turning Point 218 during a drugs death crisis.
But government figures, including the First Minister, then claimed the decision was made “locally” in Glasgow.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Slashing the funding for the 218 service, a Glasgowbased team that has been supporting traumatised women for 20 years, will have tragic consequences.
“It is a disgrace and people have a right to know the truth about the decisions behind this.”
Trade union Unite, which represents the staff, said it is “crystal clear” the government was central to the decisionmaking process.
Turning Point 218 opened 20 years ago and was praised for the services offered to female offenders, including vulnerable women addicted to drugs. Funding came from the government and the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), formed of the local authority and health board.
But 218 was plunged into crisis last year after the service was put out to tender and GCHSCP proposed a budget of £650,000 – a cut of about 50 per cent.
The service closed this year.
Files released under freedom of information now raise questions over when ministers knew about the cuts plan.
An email from the GCHSCP to the government in April shows an “overview” being provided of the new service for the tender. A separate email on 218, weeks later, stated that “it’s with relevant ministers for a view at the moment”.
Another email referred to the “likelihood” of “needing ministerial clearance for any new approach”. When a political row broke out over cuts to the service, SNP ministers passed the buck to GCHSCP.
Yousaf said in January: “Decisions about funding it are, of course, made locally.”
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison also said: “We do not get involved in those decisions.”
Lennon said: “This crucial new information suggests SNP ministers knew about the funding cuts for Turning Point and were complicit in the closure of a vital service for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable women.
“An urgent review is needed to establish the facts. Time is running out for Turning Point’s highly respected 218 team but it’s not too late for the Scottish Government to do the right thing.”
Unite industrial officer Linda Wilson said: “It was crystal clear to Unite that the Scottish Government was central to the decision-making process which led to the 218 service closing.
“It’s utterly shameful that it now appears Scottish Government ministers actively avoided engaging with the 218 service on its new service tender. In the end £850,000 was jointly withheld by the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council which is unforgiveable.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Glasgow City Council has provided reassurance it worked closely with Turning Point to support those using the service in transitioning to other support arrangements and that other services are available to support people with similar needs.
“Decisions on the provision and commissioning of individual community justice services are a matter for local authorities.”
Nic Middlemiss, head of justice at Turning Point, said: “The loss of this service is likely to lead to more women in custody and trapped within the justice system.”
slashing funding will have tragic consequences MSP MONICA LENNON ON LOSS OF TURNING POINT 218