CCPS response to the 2026-31 Programme for Government

We are heartened to hear the First Minister prioritise social care today and we share the Scottish Government’s sense of urgency on the need to reform the sector to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland. We are pleased that the Scottish Government has heard CCPS’ calls, as the current system is under unsustainable pressure. We are ready and waiting to work constructively with the Scottish Government, local government, NHS and wider partners to design a better model that genuinely delivers the high-quality, sustainable support that people across Scotland need.

Over the next few days, we will examine the Programme for Government in detail to prepare to engage in the announced three-month consultation period with our members. But in doing so, we would welcome clarity on whether the government is open to all options for improvement or has already decided that NHS control of social care is the intended way forward. We emphasise that social care is not, and has never been, rooted in a clinically-led, medical model of support – and as such we are keen to hear more, given the First Minister’s statement in the Chamber.

We also wish to be clear of our real concerns that the Programme for Government continues to link social care pay to the Real Living Wage. This approach neither provides a credible route towards pay parity in public services nor sends a strong signal of value to a regulated, professional workforce that is essential to delivering the Scottish Government’s aspirations, as set out in the Programme for Government 2026-2031, the Health and Care Improving Flow Plan 2026-2031 and the Public Service Reform Strategy.

We will provide further thoughts and constructive ideas over the coming days and throughout the three-month consultation period. The urgency of further discussion is welcomed. We all need to agree on how sector reform can be designed and delivered in a way that supports provider sustainability, values staff and, most importantly, meets the needs of people across Scotland.