Liberal Democrat Public Health spokesperson Jamie Stone MSP has welcomed the BMA’s call for proper funding for free personal care.

The BMA passed the motion at its annual conference.

Commenting, Mr Stone said:

“Liberal Democrats are very proud of the integral part we played in ensuring that older people in Scotland benefit from free personal care. It is absolutely critical that the Scottish Government ensures that adequate funding is made available so that the next generation of Scotland’s elderly continue to benefit from this landmark social policy.

“Today’s call from the BMA will pile the pressure on the UK Government to stop withholding the Attendance Allowance. When free personal care was introduced, we said the UK Government was wrong to withhold this, a view recently supported by Lord Sutherland. UK Ministers are, however, still refusing to admit that they are wrong and pay up.

“It cannot be right that pre-devolution Westminster is prepared to fund a service in Scotland, but if the devolved government decides to provide this service in a different way, Westminster responds by withholding the funding.”