“We are working on a strong presumption – supported by the landlords, and underpinned by our contingency arrangements – that older people will not be moved.  The welfare of all the residents will be maintained with minimum possible disruption. 

“The Scottish Government is working with COSLA and other partners such as ADSW [Association of Directors of Social Work] and SCSWIS [Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland] to ensure continuity of care for all residents in Southern Cross care homes in Scotland.

“This formal announcement signals the start of a process to break up the southern cross group on a consensual basis, it does not mean that the business has gone into administration, or that any care homes will close in the immediate future.”

The background to this statement is the announcement on Monday of this week that Southern Cross is to transfer all of its care homes to other operators.