Month: October 2019

Scottish Welfare Fund has helped more than 347,000 ‘struggling’ Scottish households

poverty family JRF

Nearly £210 million has been paid to 347,045 low income households by the Scottish Welfare Fund since it was established in 2013, latest figures show.

Crisis grant applications to the fund for basic essentials such as food and heating increased by 12% from April to June compared to the same period last year.

In addition, for the first time exceptional pressure is the main reason for Community Care Grant applications. Previously, the biggest reason for these applications was helping people to stay in their community.

The fund, which enables local authorities to provide grants for people on low incomes, is part of the Scottish Government’s mitigation efforts for UK Government welfare cuts. Estimates suggest social security spending in Scotland is set to reduce by £3.7 billion per year by 2021.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “These are yet more signals of how much families are struggling.

“In the face of UK Government cuts and with the threat of a ‘no deal’ Brexit still alive – the risk is real that tens of thousands more people could be pushed into poverty in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government will not stand by and let people who are already struggling continue to face a reliance on food banks and the stress of debt and rent arrears.

“We will continue to spend at least £100 million each year to mitigate the worst effects of the UK government welfare cuts – part of the £1.4 billion we spent last year to support low income households.

“This is money we should be able to invest elsewhere to help pull people out of poverty but we instead we need to use to protect the poorest and most vulnerable in our country.

“And we are introducing the Scottish Child Payment to tackle child poverty head on. But there is no doubt that without the cuts inflicted on families by the UK Government this could go so much further.”

 

Super Chefs! Shannon and Sophie do Scotland proud

Two Edinburgh College Professional Cookery and Hospitality students can now say they’re among the world’s best student chefs after an amazing performance at a global culinary competition. Continue reading Super Chefs! Shannon and Sophie do Scotland proud

Information film for adult survivors of childhood abuse launched

A new animated film aimed at adult survivors of childhood abuse and people working with survivors has been launched by Police Scotland.

The Information for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse film aims to raise awareness amongst adult survivors of how to report childhood abuse to police, the criminal justice process and the existence of survivor support services. The animation follows two survivors through the journey of reporting to police whilst focussing on key areas and covering some frequently asked questions.

Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, Major Crime and Public Protection, Police Scotland, said: “Child abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, sexual or neglect. How people deal with and react to abuse is very individual. Some survivors have told us they didn’t realise what they had experienced as a child was abuse. Others simply haven’t felt ready or able to talk about the abuse they experienced during childhood.

“We would like to reassure survivors, that when they are ready to report, we will listen and we will provide advice about relevant support services.

“Police Scotland is fully committed to thoroughly investigating child abuse no matter when or where this happened or who was involved.  The priorities for any investigation will include identifying the perpetrator or perpetrators, establishing if they still have access to children and, if so, whether they pose a risk to any child.

“The film, and our other information products, provide survivors with information to enable them to make an informed choice about whether or not they wish to report the abuse they experienced to police, whilst at the same time ensuring that they are signposted to relevant support services.”

As well as the film, information for adult survivors of childhood abuse is also available on Police Scotland’s website and via an information leaflet (below).

The film, which has been produced following extensive consultation with survivors and survivor support services and with funding from Scottish Government, can be viewed above.

information-for-adult-survivors-of-childhood-abuse

Man sexually assaulted on North Edinburgh cycle path

Police are investigating following the rape of a 36 year old man in North Edinburgh. The serious sexual assault took place early on Monday morning on the cycle path near Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.

A police cordon was put in place by police officers who carried out an investigation at the scene.

A spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh are investigating a report that a 36-year-old man was the victim of a serious sexual assault in the Pilton area in the early hours of Monday, 28 October.”

No further details are available at this time.

Hot summer for Edinburgh’s property market

PROPERTY sales in Edinburgh were up 38% on last year in the final months of summer.

The city’s leading experts, Warners Solicitors & Estate Agents, have released their quarterly review showing that property sales took a significant jump this year compared to the same three month period in 2019. Continue reading Hot summer for Edinburgh’s property market

Person-centred reform to disability payments “will reduce anxiety and stress”

A sea change in social security policy to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with the current UK Government disability payments process has been given strong public support.

A consultation found that Scottish Government proposals for a person-centred approach was favoured over the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ system of the UK Government.

The new Scottish social security system has fairness, dignity and respect designed in from the start. Measures will include:

  • face-to-face pre-application support delivered across the country
  • a multi-channel approach for submitting applications, including telephone, paper-based and face-to-face
  • clear eligibility criteria
  • simplified application form
  • enhanced role for carers in provision of evidence
  • greater choice and control over the timing and locations of assessment, with home-based assessments provided where required
  • profit making companies will not be involved in carrying out assessments for disability payments

This contrasts with the UK Government system which users have criticised for having complicated and inaccessible application routes, unnecessary face-to-face assessments and inaccurate reports.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I have heard from far too many ill and disabled people who currently know only of stigma, stress and anxiety when it comes to accessing welfare support and fear the ‘dreaded brown envelope’ from the Department for Work and Pensions. 

“That is why I want a sea change in accessing disability payments. A new system designed from the ground up – together with users themselves – that puts people first.

“We are supporting people to access the financial support they are entitled to and actively seeking to move away from the stigma of benefits to recognise they are an investment in our people.

“That means a process that is clear and accessible from start to finish and ensures people understand how and when their application will be dealt with.

“It is part of our promise to the people of Scotland that our social security system is a public service and will treat everybody with fairness, dignity and respect.”

Disability Assistance in Scotland

Disability Assistance Consultation responses

 

 

Woman found injured in West Pilton stair

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a report of serious injuries to a woman in West Pilton.

The woman was discovered around 5.25am yesterday, inside a common stairwell at an address in West Pilton Avenue and police are investigating how she obtained her injuries. Continue reading Woman found injured in West Pilton stair

Tomorrow is Primary Schools Open Day

Find out about all the great learning taking place in your local primary school – drop in for a visit on Primary Schools Open Day TOMORROW: bit.ly/2h0tQan

If your child’s date of birth is between 1 March 2015 and 29 February 2016 they are due to start primary school in August 2020.

If you are in the City of Edinburgh Council area you must register your child for P1 at one of your catchment schools.

Registration week is 4 to 8 November 2019. Please check opening times with the school you are registering at.

Short-term Lets: wide support for regulation

A consultation on short-term lets has found wide support for regulation, according to independent analysis published yesterday.

More than 1,000 responses from communities, landlords and businesses raised a number of concerns about the effects of short-term lets, including anti-social behaviour, safety fears and the impact on the housing market. Continue reading Short-term Lets: wide support for regulation