Care ruling impact considered

The Lords said assets should not have to be sold

Talks over a landmark House of Lords ruling on care for the elderly, which could cost taxpayers millions, have been taking place between the Scottish Executive and local authorities.

A ruling by law lords means that family assets may not have to be used to pay for elderly relatives' care.

The Lords overturned a Court of Session ruling on the case of elderly Fife woman Mary Robertson, 79, who transferred assets, including her home, to her family before she was taken into care.

This issue must be cleared up so that councils know where they stand

David McLetchie
Tory leader

Fife Council had requested the sale of the Newmills house to pay for care but five senior judges said the family should not have to sell up.

Councils fear that the ruling could cost taxpayers millions of pounds.

A meeting on Friday, involving executive officials and the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), was described as "useful".

They said they would meet again in "a couple of weeks".

A Cosla spokesman said: "Scotland's local authorities and the executive are in this together.

'Act swiftly'

"Both are trying to jointly get an understanding of the legal implications of the ruling and will then, again jointly, deal with its practical implementation."

Scots Tory leader David McLetchie has urged the executive to act swiftly to end the uncertainty.

"This issue must be cleared up so that councils know where they stand and the elderly and their families can plan ahead with certainty," he said.