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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Plans to close free care loophole | Plans to close free care loophole |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Councils could be stopped from charging OAPs for food preparation under plans to tighten Scotland's rules on free personal care, it has been announced. | |
| Public Health Minister Shona Robison said she wanted to close the loophole to put the issue "beyond doubt". | Public Health Minister Shona Robison said she wanted to close the loophole to put the issue "beyond doubt". |
| A report last year found that eight local authorities, including Glasgow, Dundee and Renfrewshire, passed on the costs of help with food preparation. | A report last year found that eight local authorities, including Glasgow, Dundee and Renfrewshire, passed on the costs of help with food preparation. |
| The new plans will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament on Monday. | The new plans will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament on Monday. |
| Free personal care for the elderly was implemented in 2002 by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat Scottish government. | Free personal care for the elderly was implemented in 2002 by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat Scottish government. |
| Greater consistency | Greater consistency |
| A review by Lord Sutherland, which was published last April, had been ordered amid complaints that councils were not implementing the policy correctly. | A review by Lord Sutherland, which was published last April, had been ordered amid complaints that councils were not implementing the policy correctly. |
| The review found the policy was sound - but called for increased funding, greater consistency and better planning. | The review found the policy was sound - but called for increased funding, greater consistency and better planning. |
| More than 50,000 older people now benefit from free personal care. | More than 50,000 older people now benefit from free personal care. |
| Ms Robison said: "The universal nature of the free personal and nursing care policy was always intended to ensure that care is provided on a fair and equitable basis. This unfortunate lack of clarity was disadvantaging people in some areas Shona RobisonPublic Health Minister | Ms Robison said: "The universal nature of the free personal and nursing care policy was always intended to ensure that care is provided on a fair and equitable basis. This unfortunate lack of clarity was disadvantaging people in some areas Shona RobisonPublic Health Minister |
| "However, a lack of clarity with the legislation on charging for food preparation led to variations in local practices. | "However, a lack of clarity with the legislation on charging for food preparation led to variations in local practices. |
| "In the independent review I commissioned from Lord Sutherland, he confirmed that this unfortunate lack of clarity was disadvantaging people in some areas." | "In the independent review I commissioned from Lord Sutherland, he confirmed that this unfortunate lack of clarity was disadvantaging people in some areas." |
| Lord Sutherland's report found that eight councils charged for food preparation, arguing that it was not covered by the existing legislation. | Lord Sutherland's report found that eight councils charged for food preparation, arguing that it was not covered by the existing legislation. |
| Most of the eight councils identified last year still charge for meal preparation. | Most of the eight councils identified last year still charge for meal preparation. |
| About 9,600 residents in care homes receive personal care payments, with about 6,200 in receipt of nursing care payments. | About 9,600 residents in care homes receive personal care payments, with about 6,200 in receipt of nursing care payments. |
| About 42,400 people receive free personal care at home. | About 42,400 people receive free personal care at home. |
| Ms Robison said £40m would be given to councils in additional funds this year. | Ms Robison said £40m would be given to councils in additional funds this year. |
| If supported by parliament, the new draft order will come into effect on April 3, | If supported by parliament, the new draft order will come into effect on April 3, |