Social care in Scotland will be given a £50m funding boost to help meet the cost of the coronavirus crisis.

The extra money will be allocated to Integration Joint Boards (IJB) across Scotland to help ensure the sustainability of the sector.

The funding - on top of the £50m already announced - will help cover costs such as a reduction in occupancy due to the virus, additional staffing or sickness costs, infection prevention and control and PPE.

Health secretary, Jeane Freeman, said: ‘This second tranche of funding will bring our total extra allocation to the social care sector since May to £100m, a sign of our practical commitment to continuing to support the sustainability and resilience of the sector.

’I am very clear that we will meet any increasing need for social care as a result of the pandemic and we will continue to work closely with COSLA and NHS Boards to ensure they have the resources required.’