Meeting of the Parliament 04 February 2016
In an afternoon in which we draw all the deliberations on the Carers (Scotland) Bill to a conclusion, I acknowledge the bill’s importance. Throughout its progress it has enjoyed cross-party support and engaged a great many organisations, who had high hopes and expectations of what it might achieve. Many organisations were involved in discussions with all parties as we considered amendments and moved towards this afternoon’s conclusion, and many of those organisations have been named by members during the amendment stage and this short debate.
The bill will improve the lives of some 800,000 carers and the very many people to whom they offer support and care. As Nanette Milne said, the hidden benefit to the country can be quantified; it is more than £10 billion. That is a remarkable testament to the commitment that so many people give, so willingly.
The bill has been improved by amendments, not least those that were lodged by Rhoda Grant and Nanette Milne. The success of Nanette Milne’s amendments on the important issues of carer involvement in hospital discharge and short breaks was made possible by the support of the minister, who has engaged in a consensual manner with everyone who has sought to improve the bill. We find ourselves able to commend the minister who promoted the bill as an example to his colleagues, who are sometimes more bullish in their approach. The bill is an example of what can be achieved on a cross-party basis, on a matter on which there is considerable agreement to start with.
The future funding in relation to the bill will determine its ultimate success. I will not pursue that argument this afternoon, but I acknowledge the important comments that Johann Lamont made in that regard.
Nanette Milne talked about the experiences of her mother and grandmother in times past—I will not be more specific. In the years to come, many more people will find themselves involved in the care of relatives and loved ones. The bill is designed to ensure that their experience will be very much better than that of past generations. I commend the bill, which Scottish Conservatives will be delighted to support at decision time.
16:50