Scottish Labour has reiterated demands for fair pay for social care staff, as it emerges that people are missing out on care because of the workforce crisis.

It has been reported that thousands of people with complex needs have been told their care may not be fully met because of staff shortages.

A number of areas, including Fife, Argyll and Bute and the Lothians, have sent letters to those being cared for saying they may have to cut existing care packages.

Some people with serious disabilities and terminal illnesses have already lost their carers.

Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader and Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:

“These letters are incredibly troubling for carers.

“”This puts an added burden on hard-pressed families, many of whom have already taken on additional caring responsibilities for their loved ones throughout the pandemic.

“This is a direct result of the staffing crisis in the sector and years of pitifully low pay deals for social care staff from the SNP.

“I am meeting carers who are telling me they can get paid more on the supermarket checkout at Lidl or in the local pub.

“We need to value social care workers and pay them a fair wage of £15 an hour.”