Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell has warned councils that they must provide free personal care for the elderly, or face the consequences.

He told MSPs last week that councils which were not providing free care ‘should step up to the mark and meet their obligations. If they do not, there are clear procedures that will be followed'. No-one from the Scottish Executive was available to comment on what procedures could be used. COSLA has claimed that councils were having to subsidise care packages from their own funds. ‘To imply that councils are not spending the money they are given for free personal care on free personal care is simply untrue – councils spend every penny they are given, plus an extra £70m,' claimed COSLA president, Pat Watters.