State funded care for the elderly is not facing a shortfall in funding north of the border, according to the government.

Scotland's deputy health minister, Rhona Brankin, said resources had been made readily available in co-operation with the private sector.

"Absolutely I deny there's a shortfall," she told the BBC.

"We've worked very closely with the private sector, and the independent voluntary sector, and local authorities, in recent years to ensure we have got a properly funded sector."

Ms Brankin went on to argue that the Scottish Executive had met the care home fees shortfall, discovered in an independent review into the problem.

In addition, she stated an additional £3 million had been invested in the care home sector on top of the shortfall.