Social care: More than 200 Scottish charities urge First Minister to prevent crisis

More than 200 third sector health and social care leaders in Scotland have sent an open letter to the First Minister calling for immediate steps to address the current health and social care crisis in Scotland.

Led by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) and the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS), and supported by hundreds of its members, the letter asks for an immediate, substantial cash injection in the upcoming Spending Review, including full cost recovery for employer National Insurance increases.

It also calls for a medium-term, fully-funded recovery plan for the sector, to address decades of underinvestment and multi-year funding agreements adjusted for inflation, to ensure stability for organisations.

The coalition is concerned that without action now, the consequences of the crisis will be felt across society, from deepening inequalities to even greater pressure on the NHS and public services – with Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals and families paying the price.

Published in the Herald on Sunday, the letter also says that the ALLIANCE and CCPS are committed to working with the Scottish Government to achieve the key asks outlined in the letter.

Social care sector is at a tipping point

It follows the Scottish government’s launch of its public service reform strategy in June, which it says builds on the work done since the Christie Commission, which outlined the need for public services focused on prevention, place, partnership, people and performance.

The letter stated that, although the third sector supports these commitments, the reality is that they cannot be delivered without urgent, targeted investment in the very organisations expected to implement the changes.

In a March 2024 survey by the ALLIANCE, nearly half (49%) of the member organisations that responded reported their financial position as “insecure”. In addition, a February 2025 poll by CCPS found that 67% of not-for-profit providers are relying on financial reserves to stay afloat – and of these, 91% say they will cease to be viable within four years if that trend continues.

It added: “We are now at a tipping point. Unless action is taken, the health and social care sector will be pushed over the edge of sustainability. The impact of this will be felt in communities across Scotland, including by some of our most marginalised individuals and families.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today.

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