MINISTERS are facing calls to abolish the so-called care tax after it was revealed more than 14,000 people are in arrears with bills.
Labour MSP Ken Macintosh urged Deputy First Minister John Swinney to support his party's effort to scrap charges for personal and social care.
He said a member's bill was about to be launched at Holyrood to stop councils charging for care after talks between the government and local authorities' body Cosla failed to produce a fairer charging regime.
A consultation on the new bill, which will need government support if it is to stand a chance of becoming law, is about to be launched by Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon.
Speaking during First Minister's Questions, Mr Macintosh, who is standing for the leadership of Scottish Labour, said: "Will the Deputy First Minister reach out across the chamber to other parties and work with us to abolish the tax on Scotland's disabled community?"
Mr Swinney, who was standing in for Nicola Sturgeon as the First Minister continued her visit to the US, told MSPs councils had a duty to ensure charges were "fair and affordable".
He added: "I certainly can say to Mr Macintosh that the Government will engage carefully with the proposals that Siobhan McMahon brings forward, and that ministers will be happy to discuss with her how they can be progressed.
"There are, of course, a range of complexities around the care charging regime, which varies from area to area, with different positions being taken by different local authorities."
The Herald revealed earlier this week figures showing more than 14,000 people were in arrears.
It has created a major problem for councils as they struggle to find ways to claw back money from some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The Scotland Against The Care Tax campaign group described charges as a "truly unfair and unpopular tax".
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