Minister backs costly care policy
Scotland's health secretary remains committed to free personal care for the elderly, despite a report which said it faced an uncertain financial future. Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "good policy", but she added that future costs would determine decision making. Spending watchdog Audit Scotland revealed on Friday that there was a funding shortfall of up to £63m. It also said the policy, introduced in 2002, differed greatly from council to council. Local authorities said the report showed they were right to press for reform of the free personal care legislation.
1 Feb 2008
