THE voice of Scottish trade unionism called on the Scottish government today to ditch its National Care Service (NCS) plan that fails to “address fundamental issues” of profiteering and low pay.

The STUC’s call for a rethink comes just days after the council umbrella body Cosla withdrew its support last week, following the example of social care unions Unite, GMB and Unison.

Criticisms of the NCS (Scotland) Bill range from council concerns over the centralisation of social services to unions arguing it neither challenges the underfunding or the “rampant” profiteering in a sector notorious for job insecurity and low pay.