A life-changing partnership between Age UK, Age Cymru, Age Scotland and Britain’s gas network companies is being extended to help more older people. The £1.7m partnership builds on the success of a previous nationwide initiative and has been co-designed by the organisations using insight and learning gathered from older people and frontline advisers. Its aim is to provide meaningful, practical and trusted support to older people across England, Scotland and Wales.
Led by SGN and funded by the organisation as well as Cadent, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities, the programme extends their existing partnerships for a further two years and will run until March 2028 to help even more older people stay safe, warm and independent at home.
Almost 118,000 older households across Britain have already received personalised energy support thanks to the partnership. Thousands more benefitted from online information, benefits checks and practical guidance to help them manage energy costs and stay safe at home.
The programme has also strengthened the skills and expertise of advice teams across the Age UK, Age Cymru and Age Scotland networks. The partnership has enabled the charities to support thousands of vulnerable households through immediate practical assistance, including providing heat packs, longer-term energy advice, safety information and support to manage energy bills.
The enhanced knowledge developed through the programme continues to help advisers identify vulnerable customers and connect them with available support.
In one case, a 90-year-old man living alone had received a free carbon monoxide alarm through an Age Scotland partnership programme. When the alarm began flashing and beeping, he was unsure what the warning meant or what he should do.
While speaking with the man, an adviser recognised he was struggling to understand the vital safety advice and may not have been able to take the necessary action independently.
Concerned for his safety, the adviser contacted SGN directly, and an engineer was at the man’s home within an hour. While the carbon monoxide detector itself was found to be faulty, the engineer also discovered a gas leak in the property, allowing the issue to be identified and resolved before it could cause serious harm.
Pippa Lock, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at Age UK, said: “Older people are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of fuel poverty, often spending more time at home and needing to use more energy to maintain their health and wellbeing.
“Through the renewed partnership, they will be able to access specialist support designed around their specific needs.”
Through the next phase of the partnership, older people will continue to receive support with energy-related concerns and be connected to specialist services where needed by the national Age UK, Age Scotland and Age Cymru advice lines.
It will also provide trusted, accessible information tailored specifically for older people, alongside a learning-led and nation-responsive approach that reflects local needs and challenges.
Margaret Hamilton, Community Partnership Manager at SGN, said: “The Gas Distribution Networks and Age UK, Age Cymru and Age Scotland charities are extending our commitment to working together to ensure older people can access trusted advice, practical support and potentially life-saving interventions, helping them live safely, confidently and independently in their own homes for longer.”
Action is being taken to ensure domestic abuse survivors are not unfairly burdened by council tax debt.
The Scottish Government will create a statutory exception to joint and several liability rules to protect those who have faced domestic abuse, with a consultation launching as the first step in the process of reform.
This will mean that, where relevant criteria are met, survivors would only be liable for 50% of their liability for both council tax and water & sewerage charges. They would also be able to seek support from the local authority in reducing that remaining liability or removing it entirely.
From 1 April 2027, survivors and all council taxpayers will also benefit from a 63-day period after missing a council tax payment before any enforcement action can be taken.
The consultation will consider other reforms planned for all council taxpayers including:
Improving processes around council tax administration and enforcement
Easing rules around the backdating of council tax reduction
Exploring changes to the rules around the twenty-year debt expiration (prescription) period
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “This government is taking action to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls.
We know that financial issues can too often be a barrier to leave an abusive relationship and so we must act where we have the power. We will ensure that our council tax system protects and supports those who have experienced domestic abuse.
“Controlling a person’s finances, building up debt in their name without their knowledge, or forcing them to take on debt through threats or coercion are all forms of abuse.
“This package of reforms will ensure women are not unfairly burdened by council tax debt, and prevent women being tied to men who abuse them by a debt to the state.”
Dr Marsha Scott, CEO of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to introducing a statutory exception from joint and several liability for council tax.
“Women experiencing domestic abuse can be left facing debts they knew nothing about because of an abusive partner’s financial control.
“This financial abuse can leave women facing significant debt and hardship, making it harder to leave the abusive partner and rebuild their lives. This change is a step towards reducing women’s liability for debt that is not their own.”
Derek Mitchell, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland, said: “Council tax debt is the most common type of debt people seek advice about from our network of local Citizens Advice Bureaus (CAB).
“We very much welcome the extension to the period before debt recovery begins. This will be crucial for helping people who are struggling to pay their council tax, giving them much-needed time to get advice and support from their CAB.
“The wider review of council tax administration can play a vital role in rewiring the system to prevent unnecessary debt and support people to make payments.”
The Scottish Government’s Statement of Action following the statutory review of joint and several liability for council tax arrears and how they impact victim-survivors of domestic abuse can be found here –
Thousands of patients left waiting 12 hours EVERY SINGLE MONTH
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is raising the alarm ahead of winter, as new stats show that Emergency Departments (EDs) are struggling more than they were this time last year.
The latest data, from Public Health Scotland, showed that in September 2026 8,441 patients (6.7% of total attendances) at major EDs waited more than 12 hours before being admitted, discharged or transferred.
That’s almost 2,000 more than in September 2025.
RCEM is calling on the Scottish Government to tackle the bed capacity issue which is largely driving many of these long waits and for a reduction in corridor care by 50%.
When patients at the ‘back door’ of the hospital can be discharged in good time, it allows A&E to admit new patients into beds, freeing up Emergency Care space.
Meanwhile, just 60.6% of patients waited fewer than four hours – well below the 95% target set by the NHS.
Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Scotland Vice President, said: “Throughout 2026, EDs have been in a state of crisis with absolutely no room to stretch when extra pressure comes our way.
“Thousands of patients each month have been waiting for more than half a day in our EDs. That’s thousands of our own parents, children, brothers and sisters experiencing agonising waits because of a total breakdown in patient flow.
“As these latest figures show, our Emergency Departments (EDs) are far from ready for the surge in demand which we know will come when winter hits, as it does every year.
“Last winter was incredibly tough – both for patients and for the staff trying their best to look after them. We are entering the cold months now in a worse state than this time last year, despite promise after promise that things would be different.
“We once again call on the government to urgently send support our way in the form of improvements to the ‘back door’ of our hospitals. Lives are at stake, and without immediate intervention, EDs are at risk of collapse.”
Today’s data also showed that:
An average of 1,973 inpatient beds were occupied by patients medically fit to be discharged
12-hour waits in September 2026 were 28 times higher than September 2019
19,589 patients waited more than eight hours – the highest number on record
British Sign Language (BSL) users can now get immediate help communicating with pharmacists anywhere in Scotland through a new UK-first video interpreting service.
The pilot lets BSL users connect with an interpreter via their own smartphone. They can then speak face-to-face with pharmacy staff about minor illnesses such as a sore throat or cough, with no need to book in advance.
Deaf people who rely on BSL have previously faced communication barriers when engaging with community pharmacies and this represents a new way of independently obtaining support. The Contact Scotland BSL Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) pilot was introduced by the Scottish Government following engagement with Scotland’s deaf community and will run for six months.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Pharmacy First is a vital service that gives quick and easy access to advice and treatment for everyday health concerns, often without needing an appointment.
“Now deaf BSL users can also walk into any pharmacy and receive the same fast, independent healthcare advice as everyone else.
“This is removing barriers and ensuring BSL users are not left waiting or without support when they need it. I want to help people access more services at their fingertips, in their communities and closer to home.
“Scotland is the first part of the UK to have a fully funded free-to-use service which has been shaped by the views of BSL users themselves and this pilot is the next step in expanding access. I thank everyone who helped the Scottish Government bring this forward.”
A spokesperson for Community Pharmacy Scotland said: “We are pleased to see that this initiative seeks to enhance the experience of people who use British Sign Language.
“We expect that pharmacy teams will have even greater confidence that they are understanding and meeting the needs of the people in their surrounding areas.”
Contact Scotland BSL interpreters are supplied by Sign Solutions and Managing Director Clare Vale said: ‘We are delighted to see the VRI pilot now live, marking a significant milestone for the Contact Scotland BSL service.
“This is an important step towards improving access to pharmacy services for deaf and deafblind BSL users across Scotland. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on accessibility.”
The Readers-in-Residence campaign is a public literacy initiative launched by the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust. Trained volunteer “Readers-in-Residence” are placed in public and community spaces around Edinburgh—such as galleries, cinemas, parks, and local businesses—to sit and read books openly for 1–2 hours.
The campaign aims to make reading a visible daily habit and encourage people to put down their phones. Volunteers are equipped to chat with visitors, customers, and commuters about books, reading culture, and literature.
Last week we were delighted to have Kirsty read at the Museum of Edinburgh in our cosy Sensory Room.
Watch out for readers in The Writers’ Museum, Museum of Edinburgh and at the City Art Centre.
POLICE are appealing for the help of the public in tracing Murray Poole, 38, who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.
Murray was last heard from around 8.15am this morning (Tuesday, 3 November, 2026), and is understood to have been in the West Colonsay View area of Edinburgh.
He is described as around 6ft 2ins tall, of heavy build, has a bald head and has dark brown facial hair. It is not known what Murray is wearing.
From enquiries carried out so far, Murray is believed to be travelling west towards the Bannockburn area and potentially further. He has access to his grey Volvo V40, VRM, SY19 FTT.
Sergeant Michael Blyth said: “Concerns are growing for Murray’s welfare, and we are keen to trace him as soon as possible to make sure he is safe.
“I am appealing to anyone who has seen someone matching Murray’s description, or a grey Volvo V40, to contact officers.
“We understand Murray may be travelling towards Forth Valley and potentially further into Argyll and Bute or the Highlands and would ask people in those areas to also be vigilant and come forward with any information.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0707 of 3 November, 2026.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Maree Todd has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling the underlying factors and inequalities which cause suicide, as the number of deaths by suicide reach their lowest level in the past eight years.
National Records of Scotland figures show that, whilst rates of probable deaths by suicide in the most deprived areas of Scotland have fallen by over 40% since 2001, the rates of probable deaths by suicide were still 2.7 times higher in the most deprived areas in 2025 than in the least deprived.
In January, the Scottish Government and COSLA published a national action plan, setting out Scotland’s priorities for suicide prevention over the next three years. Backed by least £3 million funding in 2026-27, the plan includes actions to reduce inequalities to prevent suicide deaths, including supporting people living in poverty.
Visiting Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust in Rutherglen, Ms Todd said: “Behind every one of these statistics is a person who leaves behind family and friends and a wider community. The effect is devastating and lasting, and our thoughts today are with everyone who have lost a loved one to suicide.
“Whilst the reduction shown in last year’s figures has been sustained, we are not complacent. Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need.
“We know that poverty is closely linked to poor mental health and suicide, and these figures show that people in our most deprived communities are still far more likely to die by suicide. That is why we are working with partners to invest in communities across Scotland, including Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust here in Rutherglen, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
“Our suicide prevention strategy with COSLA prioritises people at higher risk including those living in poverty. We will keep listening and learning, guided by evidence and by people with lived and living experience.”
COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Cllr Paul Kelly, said: “Every suicide is a tragedy that has a profound impact on families, friends, and communities. Today, our thoughts are with everyone affected by suicide.
“We know that suicide is complex and that the wider circumstances in people’s lives, including poverty and inequality, can increase the risk of suicide. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and local government is determined to do all that we can to address these wider factors.
“Across Scotland, local suicide prevention partnerships, people with lived and living experience, and community organisations such as Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust are doing crucial work to strengthen support and create hope in our communities.
“Through our national strategy, Creating Hope Together, COSLA and the Scottish Government are committed to working with partners across Scotland to prevent suicide, tackle inequalities, and ensure that people can access the support they need, when they need it.”
Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust Executive Director Mark Soanes said: “We work across communities, providing a wide range of activities – including a community radio station, which is mostly run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
“Our Healthy n Happy ‘Creating Hope in our Community’ campaign aims to support mental health and suicide prevention. We believe that everybody across the community, residents, public health, businesses or charities should share the responsibility, as this potentially affects everybody.
“This campaign is not just about raising awareness, it is about giving practical support right across the community to give people the tools to face and have conversations around mental health and suicide.”
The latest data published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows almost no change to the number of deaths by probable suicide in Scotland last year, says Suicide Prevention Scotland .
In 2025, 703 suicides were registered in Scotland. This represents a 0.14% reduction from 2024 (704 deaths, a 11% decrease from 2023).
Every one of those people who lost their lives are in our hearts and minds today, and that weighs heavily upon us.
The rate of probable suicide deaths in Scotland per 100,000 people (aged 10+ years) was 14.2 in 2025, which is the same as 2024. Last year there was a drop in the suicide rate of 16.1 from 2023, and this drop has been maintained.
Every number represents an individual, and the loss of any life to suicide is a profound tragedy that impacts families, friends, and entire communities.
Changes over time
Suicide statistics fluctuate from year to year, and examining patterns over-time allows for a better understanding.
Over the past five years, Scotland has seen a variation in suicide rates, with this year’s figure of 703 representing a decrease compared with the five-year average of 742 deaths (2021–2025).
Looking further back, the past decade shows an overall downward trend despite year-on-year changes, with 2024 and 2025 marking the lowest rates of probable suicide deaths per 100,000 since 2017 (14.0 per 100,000).
Gender and age
Men’s suicide rates remain three times higher than those of women, and this has been the case since 1994 when recording of suicide rates began, with men rates between 2.6 to 3.7 times as higher than females.
However, it does appear this decrease in suicide rates over the last two years is driven by a decrease in male suicides, with 67 less men dying by suicide than in 2023, compared to 19 fewer women.
The average age of death for probable suicides has increased over time, from 42 years in 2000 to 48.2 years in 2025. This year the average age of death by suicide has increased from 2024 (47.6 years).
In 2025, age-specific rates of probable suicide deaths were highest for those aged 45-64 years (19.9 per 100,000) followed by those aged 25-44 years (16.8). The lowest suicide rates are for those aged 10-24 years (6.1 per 100,000).
Lisa Marshalllost her husband to suicide in 2023. She reflected on today’s data and said: “703 lives lost to suicide is 703 too many. One fewer death than last year offers little comfort to the families whose lives have been changed forever.
“Behind every number is someone loved, missed and desperately wanted here.
“These figures cannot become something we simply accept.
“We need sustained funding for mental health services and the charities working on the frontline, alongside compassionate support for those bereaved.
“The stark link with deprivation must also drive action. Every life matters, and preventing these deaths must remain a priority.”
Suicide Prevention Scotland national delivery lead Haylis Smith said: “Today our thoughts are with everyone who lost someone to suicide in 2025.
“When you analyse the data in this work, you’re never looking at numbers, because behind every point on a graph is a human being who is now gone.
“In 2025 there was one fewer suicide than 2026, and although the five year average has declined for a second successive year, there’s little comfort, when you know the heartbreak that suicide leaves behind.
“We continue to work relentlessly to prevent suicide, in what is now the fourth year of the Creating Hope Together strategy.
“Importantly, people with lived and living experience are always at the heart of how we work together, alongside those with practice experience and academic expertise.
“Our work with marginalised communities, in at risk settings, how we respond to people in a suicide crisis, and supporting those who are bereaved are key parts of our programme.
“Co-produced public awareness campaigns, including our first TV advert in five years, have helped heighten people’s understanding that talking about suicide won’t put the idea in someone’s head.
“This work is far from complete, so we need to keep encouraging people to have open conversations, because no suicide ever need be inevitable.
“And as we well know from our documentary, What I want you to know, awareness is only the start. It has to become action.”
Analysis of the data is provided by Dr Karen Wetherall, a research fellow with the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory (SBRL) at the University of Glasgow.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
Samaritans 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org
Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
NHS 24 mental health hub on 111
If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
We are hosting FREE story telling sessions for little ones
Sat 21st Nov at 10.45-11.45 Winter Coorie In storytelling (details below)
Sat 28th Nov 12.00-13.15 St.Andrews Story Ripple (details below)
No booking required, just come along! Guardians must accompany children.
LifeCare, 2 Cheyne St, EH4 1JB
Winter Coorie-In Story Session:
Come along and coorie-in to enjoy tales of the winter season with storyteller Fergus McNicol… when the wind blows outside and the frost bites, these stories will warm your heart and and bring a smile to your lips. We will create a wintery story-scene to display for the folks at Life Care to enjoy! Cosy Family storytelling at LifeCare courtesy of the Scottish Storytelling Festival ‘Story Ripple’ initiative.
St Andrew’s Story Ripple:
Storyteller Fergus McNicol shares some of his favourite fun-filled Scottish themed stories, songs and rhymes for all the family… and you’ll have the chance to tell a tale or sing a song yourself!
