Scottish Care: “This Budget Fails the People Who Rely on Social Care Support – and Those Who Deliver It”

Scottish Care, the national body representing Scotland’s independent social care support sector has today issued a stark warning that the Scottish Government’s Budget falls dramatically short of what is required to protect essential care and support services, the workforce that delivers them, and most importantly, the individuals, families and communities who rely on them.

Despite warm words about fairness, wellbeing and investment, this Budget fails to deliver on Scottish Care’s Three Key Asks:

• Increase Core Funding for Social Care Support
• Invest in Scotland’s Social Care Support Professionals
• Invest in Ethical Technology, Digital and Data Across Health and Social Care Support

“This is a budget that talks about dignity but does not fund it.” 

Social care support is essential national infrastructure. Yet once again, it is treated as an afterthought, ironically overshadowed by headline NHS commitments when we know that it is investment in social care which will relieve pressure on our health service, and absent the targeted investment required to prevent further collapse across a fragile sector.

The Government has not met our echo for COSLA’s call for an additional £750 million in core funding to stabilise and grow social care support. Instead, providers face another year of delivering more with less, absorbing costs they cannot sustain, and trying to shield the people they support and employ from the consequences of an under‑resourced system.

Every pound invested in social care support returns more than double in socio‑economic value, strengthening local economies, enabling people to live well in their communities, and driving growth in the many women‑led small businesses that form the backbone of our sector. Yet this Budget chooses not to unlock those benefits for Scotland.

1. Core Funding: “A glaring and dangerous omission.” 

The Budget does not provide the robust, long‑term financial commitment required to secure the future of social care support. There is no ring‑fenced protection for social care support, no alignment to the true cost of care, and no meaningful relief from devastating employer cost pressures, which have already forced closures in the sector.

Providers today are operating in crisis conditions. Without urgent core investment, Scotland will see further reductions in care packages, growing unmet need, and avoidable pressure across the entire health and social care support system.

2. The Workforce: “Warm words will not pay the bills.” 

Scotland’s social care support workforce is the heart of community care, yet this Budget does not offer the fair pay, fair work and fair treatment required to recruit and retain staff in a sector with 13,000 vacancies.

A Real Living Wage uplift is welcome but insufficient. Without funded pay differentials, career pathways, wellbeing investment and ethical commissioning, providers cannot deliver the conditions staff deserve. Care workers will continue to leave for roles with better pay, lower responsibility and clearer progression, and supported people will continue to bear the consequences.

3. Technology, Data and Ethical Innovation: “A decade behind before we even begin.” 

While the Government talks of modernisation, the reality for social care support is stark: the sector remains years behind in digital access, infrastructure and investment.

Scottish Care has repeatedly highlighted that the person‑held digital app for health and social care will not be ready ‘social care-ready’ until 2029, an unacceptable delay that entrenches inefficiency, increases costs and holds back innovation.

Every £1 invested in ethical digital care roles returns up to £8 in social value – yet this Budget provides no strategic investment to unlock that future.

Scotland cannot build a modern, rights‑based care system on outdated digital foundations.

“This Budget does not meet the moment.” 

At a time when people are waiting for support, when providers are closing, and when workforce shortages are at crisis levels, this Budget needed to be bold. Instead, it offers incrementalism in the face of escalating need.

This is not simply a missed opportunity; it is a decision which put the system before the people of Scotland. It means fewer people receiving the care they are entitled to. It means greater pressure on unpaid carers, many of whom are already at breaking point. It means continued instability for providers and thousands of dedicated workers.

Scottish Care calls for urgent reconsideration.

We urge the Scottish Government to revisit its spending plans and to recognise that investing in social care support is not a cost, it is a national dividend. Care creates stability. Care creates opportunity. Care creates Scotland’s future.

Until core funding, workforce investment and ethical digital transformation are fully resourced, Scotland will continue to struggle, and those who rely on care support will continue to be failed.

Scottish Care stands ready to work with Ministers, Parliament and partners across the sector to deliver the bold, rights‑based reform Scotland needs and deserves.

Last Updated on 14th January 2026 by Shanice