Month: May 2018

Government acts to tackle period poverty

Access to free sanitary products extended

People from low-income households across the country will be able to receive free sanitary products. Following the successful pilot in Aberdeen, charity FareShare will receive over £500,000 to distribute sanitary products with the aim of reaching an estimated 18,800 more people. Continue reading Government acts to tackle period poverty

Be a Holyrood Star – donate a night’s sleep at The MoonWalk Scotland

Walk the Walk is calling on people to sparkle like a Holyrood star by volunteering at The MoonWalk Scotland on Saturday 9th June. The grant-making breast cancer charity is looking for fantastic Volunteers to help at the event which starts and finishes at Holyrood Park. Continue reading Be a Holyrood Star – donate a night’s sleep at The MoonWalk Scotland

Scottish business confidence fell in May

Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for May 2018 shows: 

  • Scottish firms’ confidence in their own business prospects sits at 26 per cent
  • Economic optimism stood at three per cent, 15 points below last month 

Overall businesses confidence in Scotland fell during May, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking. Continue reading Scottish business confidence fell in May

Leith’s Fort is Affordable Housing Development of the Year

An ambitious 94 affordable homes project, which is creating a new community at Edinburgh’s Leith Fort, has been named as affordable development of the year at this year’s Homes for Scotland awards. Continue reading Leith’s Fort is Affordable Housing Development of the Year

Child burial and cremation fees to end

Scottish Government and COSLA have agreed to work together to remove all local authority charges for child burials and cremations.

While most local authorities have already removed their fees, this new commitment – which is supported by Scottish Government funding – will see the removal of their fees consistently and completely across all areas.

Confirming the agreement, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities Angela Constance said: “The death of a child is one of the most tragic experiences that anyone can go through. 

“At such difficult times, it is important that we look to support parents and families.  We have been actively looking for some time at ways in which we can further support bereaved parents in Scotland with funeral costs.

“Most local authorities do not charge child burial and cremation fees but the picture across Scotland is a mixed one, as local authorities introduce adult burial and cremation charges at different ages across the country.

“We agree with COSLA that no family should have to pay to bury or cremate their child.  I am therefore delighted to confirm this agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA.”

Cllr Elena Whitham, COSLA spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, said: “Scottish local authorities have had a long-standing commitment to waiving or discounting their charges for children’s funerals and cremations.

“It is truly awful to have to manage the burden of a funeral or cremation for a child. We are acutely aware that none of us plan for the financial costs because we don’t expect it to happen to our families. For some, any charges can lead to high cost borrowing and financial crisis.

“We are pleased to work together with the Scottish Government to ensure that all local authorities can fully commit to removing their charges for the burial or cremation of those aged under 18.”