Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has backed calls for the UK Treasury to return £30million of Attendance Allowance funds to Scotland. An independent review of the Free Personal Care scheme, conducted by Lord Sutherland, has concluded that Scottish Government "should in the short term seek the reinstatement of the £30 million in attendance allowance", which was withdrawn by the Westminster Government when the scheme was introduced.

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free social security benefit paid to people over the age of 65 who need help with personal care or who need a lot of looking after. It is intended as a contribution towards the extra costs faced as a result of being physically or mentally disabled. With the introduction of the Free Personal and Nursing Care policy in Scotland in July 2002, the allowance was withdrawn from individuals in residential care who had all their disability-related needs met by that care.
 

Approximately 12.5% of the 85,749 people aged over 65 in Glasgow [around 10,700], are entitled to free personal care. On that basis, the Council would be entitled to some £4.43 million in Attendance Allowance funding that is currently being held back by Westminster.

Speaking in Glasgow Bob said: "The Free Personal and Nursing Care policy was supported by all parties of Scotland, and has been of huge benefit to older people in Glasgow.

"All political parties should now come together to support the recommendation of the Independent Review that Attendance Allowance funds held by Westminster should be reinstated.

"Older people who have paid their dues are losing out because of the UK Treasury's unwillingness to return this money to Scotland.

"The Scottish Government has already taken steps to improve the delivery of free personal care and has increased free personal care and nursing payments for the first time since they were introduced.

"This should not be a party political issue, it is about what is right for vulnerable older Glaswegians.

"The Labour government consistently tell us they are concerned, now is their chance to prove it"

Note:

1. The report can be found here and the Scottish Government's response to the report can be found here.

2. Statistics on the number of people receiving free personal and nursing care can be found on BBC News.