Glasgow charities slam care cash cuts of up to 80%

A coalition of Glasgow charities is to fight a council scheme that has seen payments to full-time carers slashed by up to 80%.

Groups that support people who provide care to the disabled warned that the cuts could force family members to quit their roles rather than watch their loved ones receive unsatisfactory care.

From tomorrow, carers will be given the right to decide how they spend money for care under a ‘personalisation’ scheme. It was intended to make sure they could choose services that would best suit their disabled relatives.

But campaigners warned they are just a mask for cuts of bet-ween 40% to 80% in money spent on care.

Now a group of four charities has come together to campaign against the cuts.

Glasgow City Council’s David McDonald, SNP spokesman on social care and an East End councillor, has written to the Social Work Inspection Agency to call for an independent investigation into the impact of the policy.

He said: “We were told that personalisation empowers people to make choices about their lives and get the services they want.

“That’s the theory but it seems that it’s all about cutting council costs.”

Charities have been talking to carers, who all voiced similar concerns.

Fiona Collie of Carers Scotland, said: “We are concerned that the burden is being shifted onto carers even more.

“It might impact upon their ability to retain a job and once someone loses their employment, they slip into poverty.

“Others are telling us they might have to give up caring, particularly if their relative has considerable disabilities or learning difficulties.

“This could result in someone having to be sent into residential care, which is far more expensive than care in the community.”

“Carers are concerned that personalisation is being used as a cover for cuts.”

Lynn Williams of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said: “Research shows that if carers were to suddenly stop working, it would cost the council and health board £1billion to replace the work they do.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said it was “facing severe financial challenges and added: “In these circumstances personalisation can help us ensure that everyone who requires a service gets a fair share of the available resources.”