SNP ‘sitting on cash’ rather than investing in hospices, claims Labour

Scottish Labour has called on the Government to boost funding for hospices.

The call comes after UK ministers announced £75 million would be shared among 170 facilities in England – believed to be the biggest boost ever for the sector.

The Scottish Government pledged in its budget to fund hospices to allow pay for staff to be increased to match levels in the NHS, but Labour has claimed the funding has not yet been released.

The party’s deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “While the UK Labour Government is investing in hospices, the SNP is sitting on cash rather than giving this vital part of our health system the resources it needs.

“The SNP committed to £5 million in this year’s budget to cover salary rises for last year, yet so far this has not been delivered.

“The SNP must give hospices the money they are owed and match Scottish Labour’s pledge on pay so that staff are treated fairly and patients get the specialist support they deserve.”

This week, Dame Jackie vowed Scottish Labour would increase hospice funding by a further £3.6 million this year and £3.3 million next year, in line with NHS spending, if the party wins the 2026 Holyrood election.

The UK Government announced its funding increase in the Sunday Mirror, with minister Stephen Kinnock praising the impact of the facilities.

“Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most,” he told the paper.

“At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressures hospices are facing and we greatly value the essential palliative care services delivered by hard-working staff.

“That is why we have already committed this year to supporting hospices to provide pay parity with NHS levels.

“It remains the responsibility of integration joint boards (IJBs) to commission palliative care services, including independent hospices, to meet the needs of their local communities.

“As such, we expect Scottish hospices and IJBs to continue to engage on any matters that may impact on the delivery of local palliative care services.”