Bill Kidd, MSP for the Glasgow region, has hit out at Glasgow City Council for a fall in the amount of respite provided for carers across the local authority area.

New figures published by the Scottish Government showed that the number of respite weeks provided for carers in Glasgow had fallen by 1,310 weeks between 2008-09 and 2009-10 – down from 22,960 weeks to 21,650 weeks. This decrease bucks the national trend, with respite week provision for carers having increased by 7,650 weeks across the country for the same period.

This fall also comes in spite of £1.37 million in Scottish Government investment to help local councils accelerate their planned increase in the amount of respite care they provide.

Commenting, Mr Kidd said:
“This decrease in the number of respite weeks for carers in Glasgow is a disgrace and the fact that it defies the national trend is shameful.

“The SNP Government recognises the huge contribution that carers make to society and has invested in local councils to ensure that they are supported with more respite for them and their loved ones. This level of commitment is clearly not being reciprocated by the Labour party in Glasgow.

“It’s time Glasgow Labour recognised the vital job that our carers do by providing them with the support they need and deserve."