The conflicting responses of ministers responsible for the National Care Service to news that COSLA will no longer work with them in its development has cast more uncertainty over the future of the service.

Both members of the Scottish government responsible for social care have spoken to the BBC, in the wake of the decision taken by council leaders last week to pull their support from the National Care Service Bill.

The minister with direct responsibility for social care, Maree Todd, was quick to criticise the move.

The social care minister told the BBC that the decision “shows total disregard for the people we all serve”.

In its statement on Friday, local authority organisation COSLA said the legislation, which was revised by Ms Todd’s team at the beginning of summer, did not represent the partnership between local and national government.

Ms Todd said the Scottish government has both listened to and acted on local government’s concerns about the plans for the past two years.

Over the weekend, her boss adopted a different tack and has instead tried to make peace with councils.

Health and Social Care Secretary Neil Gray told BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show that the decision to withdraw entirely seemed “pre-emptive” and that he is eager to get back round the table with COSLA.

He made clear that there is still “room for negotiation” within the plans, as he acknowledged council leaders’ “strongly held views” on some of the proposals.

Mr Gray added: That is why I think it is important we have a discussion over the areas there are concerns about.

“I want to get round the table and see progress on the National Care Service. I want to see it brought into being as quickly as possible, because I understand the need that is out there…the need for this reform.”

Work related to the National Care Service has so far cost the Scottish government more than £28m.

MSPs leading scrutiny of the Bill will continue to take evidence on government amendments tomorrow.

At the first session of their latest round of meetings on the National Care Service legislation last week, the health and social care committee heard from social work leaders who raised concerns around current plans for a National Social Work Agency, saying it will not have the autonomy or authority it needs to support the profession.

The committee also heard from representatives from two trade unions – GMB and UNISON – who withdrew their support from the National Care Service Bill earlier this month.

Tomorrow, it will be the turn of witnesses representing the NHS and health and social care partnerships, and a mix of regulators, watchdogs and lawyers.

Read more: Council care failures echo Shakespearean tragedy; A timeline of the National Care Service ; Fears social work agency lacks teeth

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