The collapse of the SNP Government’s national care service plan was a dismal moment for the country.
SNP Ministers have promised a new system for years and the decision to abandon the proposal was a huge failure.
The government failed to communicate what was a sound idea in principle to key stakeholders.
Councils felt their powers were being eroded and the unions believed the SNP model was flawed.
Dumping the plan after promising far reaching change is a huge let down to care home residents and staff.
But the government must learn lessons and get back to the drawing board on improving the system.
Care home users face a postcode lottery in terms of quality and staff doing the same work are paid different rates depending on their employer.
Covid showed the status quo was broken and it is a tragedy there will be no long-term fix.
SNP Ministers have promised to create a new partnership board and it will be easy to feel cynical about such a move.
But unions, councils, employers and care home residents should use this opportunity to demand real change.
There is a natural majority at Holyrood to move towards a more equitable system of care.
This would raise the quality of care and end the endemic low pay in the sector.
Yesterday was tough for people who have campaigned for change for years.
Government must bring everyone together and produce a solution that commands confidence.
Heed warnings
Scots should take very seriously the weather warnings in place today.
The Met Office has issued a rare red alert, meaning danger to life, across swathes of Scotland including the central belt as we brace for Storm Eowyn.
It can’t be overemphasised that this is an extremely unusual occurrence.
The Met Office has a yellow, amber and red warning system but rarely do we see the highest level of alert.
A red warning is no joke.
With the potential for 100mph winds, it will mean power cuts and disruption to transport – and will create dangerous conditions outdoors and very dangerous driving conditions, with fallen trees likely to cause havoc on the roads.
Hundreds of schools will be closed. All ScotRail services have already been cancelled.
We urge everyone to follow official advice not to travel. It’s just not worth the risk.
Stay indoors and stay safe – hunker down and wait for this to blow over.
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