THE SNP-Green Scottish government drove its “pig in a poke” National Care Service (NCS) Bill through Parliament today, despite union protestations.

The legislation passed its first Holyrood vote after SNP and Green MSPs were whipped to back the legislation, which Unison branded a “vote now — details later” Bill.

Committee stage scrutiny has proven challenging for the much-delayed Bill, with the finance committee expressing concerns that the government could not specify the costs.