The social care crisis in Scotland has worsened, with more than 6,500 people currently waiting for an assessment to access support—an increase of over 500 individuals since October 2024. Critics have blamed the Scottish National Party (SNP) for neglecting long-term solutions, as NHS pressures and delayed discharges continue to surge.
Over 6,500 Scots Left Waiting for Social Care Assessment
According to the latest figures from Public Health Scotland, 6,508 individuals were waiting for a social care assessment as of 3 March 2025. These assessments are vital for enabling vulnerable people to live independently at home or within their communities. The backlog has grown by 521 people since October 2024, when 5,987 were waiting.
In total, 9,381 people across Scotland are either waiting for an assessment or for a care-at-home package, highlighting systemic delays in the social care system.
Opposition Parties Slam SNP for Inaction on Social Care Reform
The Scottish Conservatives have strongly criticised the SNP, accusing the party of leaving vulnerable citizens “stranded in limbo.” Public Health spokesperson Brian Whittle MSP pointed to the government’s decision to scrap key provisions of the National Care Service bill, which had aimed to restructure social care by transferring responsibility from councils to a new national body.
“These worsening figures are just the latest evidence of the SNP’s failure to tackle Scotland’s growing social care crisis,” said Whittle, adding that properly funded local care—not “empty promises”—is urgently needed.
Scottish Labour: Hospitals Overwhelmed Due to Care Delays
Scottish Labour echoed the concerns, stating the crisis has had a direct impact on hospital overcrowding. Jackie Baillie MSP, the party’s Health and Social Care spokesperson, said: “Every number represents a vulnerable person waiting for basic support. The SNP’s failure has left hospitals bursting at the seams.”
Baillie pledged that Scottish Labour would deliver more care packages and free up hospital beds by addressing bottlenecks in the system.
Liberal Democrats Criticise £30 Million “Wasted” on Abandoned Plans
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP also condemned the government, pointing to the £30 million spent on National Care Service planning before the initiative was scaled back. “That money could have paid the salaries of 1,200 care workers,” he said, reiterating his party’s call for a UK-wide minimum wage increase for care workers to attract and retain staff.
Scottish Government Maintains Commitment to a National Care Service
Social Care Minister Maree Todd acknowledged ongoing challenges but confirmed that the government remains committed to reform. While statutory changes have been shelved, the government will establish a non-statutory advisory board to steer future development.
A Scottish Government spokesperson stressed that local authorities are responsible for delivering timely care assessments, and that the government has invested £2.2 billion to support social care and integration.
