Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider giving hospices £5 million in addition to further funding in its Budget for 2025-26 aligned to the Agenda for Change and medical 2025-26 pay awards once agreed.
The Scottish Budget 2025-26 identified funding of £5 million to help support independent hospices deliver pay parity with Agenda for Change (AfC) levels for 2025-26. Officials continue to work with the chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group and Hospice UK to understand the requirements from each hospice. Officials are also undertaking work to explore the mechanisms for providing this funding, while respecting local commissioning arrangements. Funding will be provided in financial year 2025-26.
To note, it is the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to commission palliative care services, including independent hospices, to meet the needs of their local populations.