Scottish Election 2021: National Care Service, free at the point of use like the NHS, could be set up by 2026 – Angus Robertson

The SNP Scottish Labour and the Scottish Greens are all supportive of the proposal.

In their manifesto, the SNP says it plans a National Care Service, legislated in year one, operational by 2026, backed by a 25 per cent increase in spending, "more than £800m increased support", and providing services "on a truly universal basis, free at the point of use”.

Opposition is coming only from the Tories and Liberal Democrats.

Former civil servant Derek Feeley is the author of an influential report which said: "We need a National Care Service to achieve the consistency that people deserve, to drive national improvements where they are required, to ensure strategic integration with the National Health Service, to set national standards, terms and conditions, and to bring national oversight and accountability to a vital part of Scotland's social fabric.

"The National Care Service will bring together everyone with a role to play in planning and providing social care support to achieve a common purpose."

With a growing consensus on the way forward and an ever-growing number of people in Scotland requiring care, the creation of a National Care Service looks certain in the years ahead.

Only time will tell if the move will be as groundbreaking as the creation of the National Health Service.

Angus Robertson is the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Central

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