Lib Dems fight to protect local care services

Edinburgh’s Health and Social Care services were recently plunged into crisis as service demand and costs were racing ahead of this year’s forecasts. Budgets had already been stripped back earlier this year and plans were being prepared for drastic cuts to essential care services with the resulting negative impacts on vulnerable people and their carers, as well as for staff.

The Council’s share of the budget shortfall was £14m.

However, this did not stop SNP and Green Councillors from attempting to force an additional three million pounds in cuts to these essential services. 

Local Lib Dem Councillor Euan Davidson commented: "This cruel attempt by the SNP and Greens to play politics with the services that so many people depend on is a new low. We will always stand up for the most vulnerable people in our city and will fight to protect our communities from yet more Scottish Government cuts." 

Councillor Neil Ross explained the solution, “Fortunately, the Council found the resources available to cover this from 2022/23 and we voted, along with others, to protect local care services. To our surprise, SNP and Green councillors did not support this.”