SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has promised major reforms to adult social care as part of Scotland’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) conference, Sturgeon confirmed that one of the first acts of a re-elected SNP government will be to begin work on a National Care Service.

She also pledged to abolish charges for non-residential care to ease the financial pressure on those accessing care, and support their right to independent living.

Praising the dedication and professionalism of social care workers during the pandemic, Sturgeon confirmed that an SNP government would deliver a National Wage for carers.

In government, and in partnership with local authorities and health boards, the SNP Government has already integrated health and social care in a major shake-up.

Addressing Cosla delegates, Sturgeon said: “In these dark times our frontline health and social care staff have left us again in awe with their dedication and their professionalism, even in the most trying of circumstances.

“To deliver the best possible care – in every part of Scotland – we must collectively be really bold.

“That’s why, if re-elected, one of our first acts will be to take the first formal steps to create a National Care Service.

“Delivering a National Care Service will make a real difference both to those who receive care, but also to those who care for them with such dedication.

“We will introduce a National Wage for carers, to ensure that the value of the wages of our social care workforce better reflects the value of the work that they do.

“And we will abolish charges for non-residential care – easing the financial pressures on people accessing care and helping them to realise the right to independent living that should be afforded to all.

“And as we do all this, we will make sure that local communities retain their stake in local care services.

“This is an ambitious agenda – but with open minds and with a spirit

of genuine collaboration, I know

that we can achieve something

which will fundamentally transform the way we care for those who need it most.

“And in doing so, we will properly recognise the value of care, and the role women in particular play in delivering care at all levels of our society.”

Details of a commitment to build 100,000 new homes in 10 years were also announced.

According to the SNP, the proposals would help support 14,000 jobs a year and generate investment of £16 billion.

This would make the programme the largest home building and investment scheme since devolution.

The party said 70% of the homes would be for social rent, while also promising to bring about a new single standard for housing quality, improving energy efficiency and space.

Sturgeon told the Cosla conference: “In partnership with councils and social landlords, we have delivered nearly 100,000 affordable homes in our time in office – and if the SNP is re-elected, ramping up this ambition will be central to our plans.”

She said the programme would be backed with £3.4bn of investment in the next parliamentary term with an overall target of £16bn.

Sturgeon added: “That is a huge investment in jobs, in homes and in better communities – a down-payment on Scotland’s economic recovery.”

She also stressed that housing has been a priority for her Government since it was elected, and wants to keep it at the “top of the agenda” as Scotland recovers from the pandemic.

It comes after the Scottish Government announced that more than 154,000 NHS staff will receive a 4% pay rise.

Sturgeon condemned the “miserly” pay deal being offers to health workers south of the Border, and insisted the SNP will “build a country fit for the heroes” of the pandemic.