Rule changes extend eligibility for help with food shopping
Changes to a key Scottish Government benefit will see an estimated 20,000 people able to access money to help with the cost of food shopping for the first time.
Rule changes around eligibility for Best Start Foods come into force today, (Monday Feb 26) extending eligibility by making it easier to qualify.
Best Start Foods, which was paid to more than 46,000 people in 2022/23, is money every four weeks to help pay for healthy food from pregnancy until a child turns three.
It’s delivered on a pre-paid chip and pin card which can be used in most stores and online.
Before the changes which come into force today, it was paid to people who receive qualifying benefits as long as their incomes did not pass certain limits. Those income thresholds have now been removed in a move which means thousands more will be able to successfully apply for a card.
Other rule changes have made it simpler for eligible young parents to receive the benefit.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This is an important day for the Scottish Government in terms of our mission to tackle poverty and protect people from harm.
“In 2024-25 we are committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure, providing support to over 1.2 million people.
“This is £1.1 billion more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security, demonstrating our commitment to tackling poverty.
“Making this investment allows us to take measures like the one which comes into force today – giving critical help with buying healthy foods to those who need it most.
“It will further benefit the whole economy when cards are used and the cash is spent.”
The changes were welcomed by charity Edinburgh Community Food Aid Network. Chief Executive Officer, Brenda Black said: “The importance of nourishing food for both mother-to-be and infant cannot be overstated: the first 1000 days of a child’s life are crucial for growth, development, and long-term health.
“We welcome the positive changes in ‘Best Start Foods’ to help thousands of extra families in Scotland access a healthier diet.
“Edinburgh Community Food’s team of skilled nutritionists promotes Best Start Foods’ within our communities, to improve and sustain the health and wellbeing of future generations of Scots.”
The Scot’s 2013 Wimbledon triumph was also voted the greatest UK sporting moment of the century
Take part in this quiz to test your knowledge of the UK’s 21st century sporting success
Scotland’s greatest sportsperson of the 21st century has been revealed – with tennis legend Sir Andy Murray coming out on top.
Sports fans from Scotland have had their say and the three-time Grand Slam champion won with 61 per cent of the vote.
Second place went to six-time Olympic champion, Sir Chris Hoy, while third spot went to seven-time snooker World Champion, Stephen Hendry.
Scotland’s men’s football captain, Andy Robertson picked up fourth, tied with long-distance runner Eilish McColgan.
They were followed by Winter Olympic champion Eve Muirhead, and Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir, who received the same number of votes.
Commissioned by CopyBet.com, the poll of Scottish adults who watch sport also identified the greatest UK sporting moment of the century – with Sir Andy Murray coming out on top again for his 2013 Wimbledon triumph, followed by Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
A spokesperson for the betting platform said: “Scotland has a proud sporting history and it’s always enjoyable to reflect on the moments and sportspeople we remember most fondly.
“As the study shows, Scotland have had lots of success this century, and with the Summer Olympics and European Championships on the horizon, 2024 will surely see more memorable sporting moments.”
78 per cent of Scottish sports fans believe the UK’s sporting successes boost the morale of the nation – with 62 per cent of the opinion that it’s in need of another sporting triumph or two.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 59 per cent of Scottish sports fans believe the current generation of UK sportspeople holds up to those from past eras, with the same number being optimistic about the UK’s sporting prospects for the decade ahead.
A spokesperson for the betting platform added: “Recent successes will surely inspire the next generation of athletes to match or better past achievements.
“The future is looking bright for Scotland – no doubt sports fans will be excited to see what happens next.”
TOP 10 – SCOTTISH SPORTSPEOPLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY
1. Sir Andy Murray
2. Sir Chris Hoy
3. Stephen Hendry MBE
4. Andy Robertson
5. Eilish McColgan
6. Laura Muir
7. Eve Muirhead OBE
8. Stuart Hogg MBE
9. Jamie Murray OBE
10. John Higgins MBE
TOP 5 – UK SPORTING MOMENTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013
Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling
Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16
‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ – Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan
Sir Mo Farah’s double gold at the 2012 Olympics – 5,000m and 10,000m
On Friday night, the winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, were announced to an audience of almost 500 filmmakers, industry professionals, and FilmG devotees.
The event took place in the Lomond Auditorium of the SEC in Glasgow and was hosted by BBC ALBA stars Lana Pheutan and Hannah McKirdy who saw winners crowned across 16 categories.
Taking top spot in the under 18 competition was Parker Dawes who won the Best Film for Iomlaineachd (Perfection).
This is the second year in a row that Dawes has picked up the Best Film Award, a testament to his Gaelic storytelling ability and continued investment in his craft, earmarking him as one of Scotland’s best young film talents.
Parker Dawes, Best Film winner (-18), said: “It was an amazing night and it was great that people had the opportunity to view and appreciate my film.
“I enjoy entertaining people with my stories and competitions like FilmG enable me to do this and to pursue filmmaking which is something I really love. This is my second year winning, but it still came as a big surprise – it’s still sinking in!”
Securing first place in the over 18 category for Best Film was Kayleigh Bell’s documentary, Sealladh mo Sheanair, which explores her “Grandfather’s Perspective” through a series of interviews. This is Kayleigh’s first win in this category at the FilmG Awards.
Kayleigh Bell, Best Film winner (18+), said: “I’m quite shocked I won – I thought all the nominees were fantastic. I still can’t quite believe it.
“It’s my first time winning FilmG ever and I’m so glad it was with a personal story – my Granda would have been very proud and I think he’d be very happy to see himself on TV. This win has been really encouraging – I’ve definitely got lots of ideas and plans for next year’s competition.”
Other winners include Thurso High School who won the new Inspiration Award in the under 18 competition for their film, Ar Sealladh aig Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa, a documentary that explores the views of Thurso’s teachers and pupils on Gaelic medium education.
The Inspiration Award in the over 18 competition went to Edinburgh-based filmmaker, Luca Kerr, for his horror Campachadh (Camping).
Glasgow-based production company, Lost Rollerskate Pictures, picked up the award for Best Story (-18) for their film, A bheil thu an sin? (Are you there?). This is the first year the production company entered FilmG, headed up by high school student, Tomas Dimbleby Weber.
Individual prizes went to Inverness filmmaker Rachel Urquhart who won the Technical Excellence Award (18+) for her work on her documentary, Còisir – Mgr M!, about the impact of Mr MacMillan and his choir at Inverness Gaelic Primary School. The Rionnag Award (-18), for the best off-screen contribution, went to polyglot Jasmine Krzyzanowska-Pawlak from Millburn Academy in Inverness – who is learning Gaelic as her third language – for her camera work on Sealladh na Bànrigh.
Last year’s Best Performance winner, Finlay Morrison, has once again won the award in the under 18 competition, however, this year he shares the accolade with his brother Calum for their performances in the comedy, Bràthair Mòr Nan Gàidheal!!.
In the over 18 competition, the Best Performance Award was won by Evie Waddell, a Gaelic and Scots singer hailing from Stirlingshire, for her film, Fios no Fois. Her film explores the confusions of deaf experience through Gaelic song, accompanying choreography, and BSL.
There were also two winners for the FilmG Choice Award – the only awards selected by public vote via the FilmG website. In the under 18 competition the winner was Sgoil Lionacleit, on the Isle of Benbecula, for their moving film, Aillse, Sealladh Marsaili, which explores Marsaili’s journey with cancer from a young age.
In the over 18 competition, Skye’s Niamh MacKinnon took home the Choice Award for her film, Glac an Latha, which encourages everyone to embrace the present.
A highlights programme will be shown on BBC ALBA at 8pm this evening (Sunday 25 February). Watch live on BBC ALBA or on demand on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wsfr.
The livestream of the whole event is also available now on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel.
FilmG Project Manager, Megan Dale, said: “What a brilliant night! We’re still reflecting on the wealth of talent and enthusiasm displayed during the FilmG Awards.
“2024 has been a year of firsts for FilmG; we had our first entrants from Canada; it was our first year at the SEC; we had new presenters; and our biggest-ever audience of 500 attending the awards. Our bigger venue meant that more nominees and FilmG enthusiasts could attend the awards and this added a real buzz to the event.
“A huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners – it was fantastic seeing them all dressed up for the awards night and it truly felt like the Gaelic Baftas.”
MG ALBA’s Head of Publishing, Maggie Taylor, said: “A huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners – what a brilliant night celebrating the best of Gaelic storytelling.
“What becomes evident – looking at the talented list of FilmG winners – is that Gaelic storytellers hail from all over Scotland. We have winners from Thurso, Inverness, Skye, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Western Isles.
“A big thank-you to Lana and Hannah who did a fantastic job at keeping the room captivated whilst presenting awards to the next generation of Gaelic filmmakers. Hopefully nights like the FilmG Awards encourage Gaelic speakers to continue making films and that their stories and voices are incredibly important in shaping Scotland’s storytelling.”
A full list of films from FilmG can be found at www.filmg.co.uk.
‘As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7’s support for as long as it takes’.
The leaders of G7 countries issued a joint statement on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine:
We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and salute once more the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who have been fighting tirelessly for Ukraine’s freedom and democratic future.
They have resisted for two years Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked full-scale invasion which constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter. They have proven their will to defeat President Putin’s war machine, restore their nation’s territorial integrity, and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
President Putin has failed to achieve his strategic objective of subjugating Ukraine. Instead, he is forcing his own people to pay a heavy price for his government’s reckless actions each day. He has drained Russia’s resources to fund an unnecessary war, torn Russian families apart, and claimed hundreds of thousands of Russian lives.
We remain convinced that we can ensure the people of Ukraine prevail in fighting for their future and help to forge a comprehensive, just and durable peace.
On this occasion, we also pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of Alexei Navalny and stand with his wife, children, and loved ones. He sacrificed his life fighting against the Kremlin’s corruption and for free and fair elections in Russia. We call on the Russian government to fully clarify the circumstances around his death. We equally call on the Russian government to free all unjustly detained prisoners and to stop the persecution of political opposition and the systematic repression of Russians’ rights and freedoms. We will hold those culpable for Navalny’s death accountable, including by continuing to impose restrictive measures in response to human rights violations and abuses in Russia and taking other actions.
1.
We will continue to support Ukraine’s right to self-defence and reiterate our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, including by concluding and implementing bilateral security commitments and arrangements, based on the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine we endorsed in Vilnius last July. We are stepping up our security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities, to assist the country.
Ten years after the Maidan protests, we stand with the Ukrainian government and people as they buttress the foundations of their democratic state through vital reforms, especially to reinforce their justice system and rule of law, and tackle corruption. These endeavours are part of Ukraine’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration. We praise Ukraine’s achievements to date and welcome the European Council’s decision last December to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. We welcome Ukraine’s progress towards meeting the IMF Extended Fund Facility programme’s conditionality.
Russia must not succeed in wrecking Ukraine’s economy to make up for its failures on the battlefield. We will help Ukraine meet its urgent financing needs, and assist other vulnerable countries severely affected by the impacts of Russia’s war. We strongly welcome the EU’s approval of the Ukraine Facility of EUR 50 billion.
It will provide crucial financial support to Ukraine until 2027. We also welcome additional economic support others have approved as we seek to close Ukraine’s remaining financing gap, as well as Japan’s swift delivery of its budget support in the first quarter of 2024 and Canada’s new funding. We urge the approval of additional support to close Ukraine’s remaining budget gap for 2024.
Ukraine’s reconstruction, starting with early recovery measures, remains a key priority. We will continue to work, with the Ukrainian authorities and International Financial Institutions through the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine and by leveraging private investments.
We welcome the Platform’s expansion to include the Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Further to the successful Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, we look forward to the Ukraine Recovery Conferences, to be hosted in Berlin in 2024 and in Rome in 2025.
2.
We call on Russia to immediately cease its war of aggression and completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. We call on all countries to uphold international law and in no way validate or condone Russia’s attempts to acquire territory by force. We will never recognise so-called “elections”, past and future, held by Russia in the territories of Ukraine, nor their results. Russia’s stated intention to hold votes for its Presidential elections in Ukrainian regions is an outrageous violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
We strongly condemn Russia’s continuous brutal attacks on civilians and critical civil infrastructure and war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including sexual violence. We strongly condemn Russia’s human rights violations in the territories Russia occupies. W
e remain committed to holding those responsible accountable for their atrocities against the people of Ukraine, in line with international law. We support investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Prosecutor-General of Ukraine, and other national prosecutors within their jurisdictions.
We welcome ongoing discussions in the Core Group, exploring the establishment of a tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We call on Russia to release all persons it has unlawfully detained and to safely return all civilians it has illegally transferred or deported, starting with thousands of children.
We welcome the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, launched by Ukraine and Canada. We also stress the importance of advancing towards an exchange of all prisoners of war and welcome efforts in this regard by other partner countries and actors.
Finally, we will continue to support Ukrainian displaced persons and refugees and protect those in need. We reiterate our support for the Council of Europe Register of Damage for Ukraine.
As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to undermine global food security, we celebrate Ukraine’s success in significantly expanding food exports through the Black Sea, which will help feed the world. Thanks to Ukraine’s maritime corridor and the EU’s solidarity lanes, Ukraine is on track to export all grain from its 2023 harvest despite Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian ports and its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
We will continue to help Ukraine export its grain and agricultural products to the most vulnerable nations, including through the implementation of the Grain Verification Scheme that Ukraine will lead this year. We call on Russia to cease its efforts to weaponise food supply and support safe commercial navigation of the Black Sea.
Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its posture of strategic intimidation and its undermining of arms control regimes are unacceptable. Threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible.
3.
We will continue to raise the cost of Russia’s war, degrade Russia’s sources of revenue and impede its efforts to build its war machine, as demonstrated by our recently approved sanctions packages.
We remain committed to fully implementing and enforcing our sanctions on Russia and adopting new measures as necessary. We continue to counter, in close cooperation with third countries, any attempts to evade and circumvent our sanctions and export control measures.
We will impose additional sanctions on companies and individuals in third countries who help Russia acquire weapons or key inputs for weapons. We will also impose sanctions on those who help Russia acquire tools and other equipment that aid Russian weapons production or military-industrial development.
We will continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy and other commodities. We will continue to take steps to tighten compliance and enforcement of the oil price cap.
While working to maintain supply stability, we will respond to price cap violations, including by imposing additional sanctions measures on those engaged in deceptive practices while transporting Russian oil and against the networks Russia has developed to extract additional revenue from price cap violations.
We will continue taking steps to limit Russia’s future energy revenues. We will continue to impede Russia’s development of future energy projects and disrupt its development of alternatives for energy shipping and other services. We will continue efforts to reduce Russia’s revenues from metals.
We will continue to take action against third-country actors who materially support Russia’s war including by imposing additional measures on entities, where appropriate, in third countries.
We call on financial institutions to refrain from supporting Russia’s war machine and we will take appropriate steps, consistent with our legal systems, to deter this behaviour. Financial institutions and other entities that facilitate Russia’s acquisition of items or equipment for its defence industrial base are supporting actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.
We strongly condemn North Korea’s exports and Russia’s procurement of North Korea’s ballistic missiles in direct violation of relevant UNSCRs and call upon them to immediately cease such activities.
We call upon Iran to stop assisting the Russian military and its war in Ukraine. We express our concern about transfers to Russia from businesses in the People’s Republic of China of dual-use materials and components for weapons and equipment for military production.
It is not right for Russia to decide if or when it will pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. These damages now exceed USD486 billion, according to the World Bank. Russia’s obligations under international law to pay for the damage it is causing are clear.
We are determined to dispel any false notion that time is on Russia’s side, that destroying infrastructure and livelihoods has no consequences for Russia, or that Russia could prevail by causing Ukraine to fail economically.
Russia should not be able to indefinitely delay payment it owes. We recognise the urgency of disrupting Russia’s attempts to destroy the Ukrainian economy and Russia’s continued failure to abide by its international law obligations. We are determined to ensure full accountability and we support Ukraine in obtaining compensation for the loss, injury and damage resulting from Russia’s aggression.
We reaffirm that, consistent with our respective legal systems, Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilised until Russia pays for the damage it caused to Ukraine.
We welcome the adoption of the EU legal acts concerning extraordinary revenues of central securities depositories gained from Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets and encourage further steps to enable their use, consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with applicable laws.
We ask our ministers to continue their work and update ahead of the Apulia Summit on all possible avenues by which immobilised Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law.
4.
As we move forward, we continue our support to Ukraine in further developing President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula and commit ourselves to supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace consistent with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and respectful of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7’s support for as long as it takes.
UK to boost Ukraine’s artillery reserves with £245 million munitions package
The UK will spend £245 million throughout the next year to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition for Ukraine.
This week marks two years since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and ten years since he first invaded Crimea
Defence Secretary says UK will do whatever it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory
New package of funding will replenish Ukraine’s artillery ammunition reserves, which are critical to the war effort
The UK will spend nearly a quarter of a billion pounds throughout the next year to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition to boost Ukraine’s reserves.
Today’s £245 million announcement comes exactly two years to the day since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine – with artillery having proved critical to Ukraine’s battlefield successes, continuously degrading Russia’s forces and preventing them from making significant breakthroughs.
Ukraine has been particularly noted for its highly effective use of its artillery to conduct counter-battery fire – using drones and UK-supplied radar systems to quickly identify the locations of active Russian artillery and rapidly return fire to destroy them.
The UK has been leading international support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) for ten years since Russia first invaded Crimea in 2014, training more than 60,000 new recruits since 2015 and committing almost £12 billion in economic, humanitarian, and military aid since 2022.
In an update to Parliament on Thursday, the Defence Secretary confirmed delivery of an additional 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles to the AFU, bringing the total number of Brimstone provided to Ukraine to more than 1,300 – further building on the UK’s enduring support to Ukraine – having been the first country to announce it would provide modern, Western tanks in the form of Challenger 2 and the first country to provide long-range precision strike missiles in the form of Storm Shadow.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Two years ago to the day, Putin defied all rationality and regulation to launch his reckless and illegal full-scale invasion – throwing tens of thousands of unprepared and unwitting troops into what he described as a limited military operation. But as the war now enters its third year, the steadfast determination and resilience of the brave people of Ukraine continues to inspire the world.
“Against all odds, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have pushed back the Russian invaders to recapture half of the land Putin stole, while significantly degrading Russia’s capabilities – with around 30 per cent of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet destroyed or damaged, and thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles reduced to scrap.
“But they cannot win this fight without the support of the international community – and that’s why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory.
“Nearly a quarter of a billion pounds’ worth of UK funding will boost their critical stockpiles of artillery ammunition, while the Royal Air Force completes a further delivery of advanced tank-busting missiles. Together, we will ensure Putin fails, and a victory for democracy, the rules-based international order, and the Ukrainian people.
Further to the artillery funding and missiles package, a new multi-million pound series of contracts has been signed between the MOD’s procurement arm, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and UK-based Cook Defence Systems to provide hundreds of spare caterpillar tracks for tanks and armoured vehicles – which will allow the AFU to recover and restore vehicles damaged by anti-tank weapons and landmines. The contracts will involve a mixture of UK funding and funds from the International Fund for Ukraine.
Last week, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the UK will further co-lead an international capability coalition to supply cutting-edge drones to Ukraine, alongside Latvia, alongside the UK’s co-leadership of the international maritime capability coalition announced in December. During meetings with counterparts last week at NATO headquarters in Brussels and at the Munich Security Conference, the Defence Secretary urged partners and allies to commit to long-term support for Ukraine.
The contracts with Cook Defence Systems, a family-owned business in Northeast England, will boost the local economy and have so far delivered 15 new jobs – delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy. The company’s experts have been examining and analysing Soviet-era vehicles, some salvaged from Ukraine, to create new tracks to fit a range of requirements.
Tracks will be produced to support hundreds of types of vehicle including Soviet-era platforms abandoned by Russian forces and recovered by the AFU, as well as those provided by the UK such as Challenger 2 tanks and CVR(T) reconnaissance vehicles.
UK-provided capabilities have proved highly effective on the battlefield – with Challenger 2 having been described my members of the AFU as being “like a sniper rifle” due to its accuracy at long distances. Brimstone anti-tank missiles have also seen significant use on the battlefield – in one instance, they were used to help force a Russian formation to withdraw from attempting a river crossing.
Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said: “During the past two years, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have become one of the largest, most capable and respected fighting forces in the world.
“They have presided over extraordinary feats of operational and strategic success, from repelling Russian forces on the outskirts of Kyiv in the opening stages of the war to the spectacular and ongoing campaign in the Black Sea.
“Today the Russian Army has lost half the territory it seized, over 350,000 men killed or wounded, thousands of tanks, artillery pieces and armoured fighting vehicles, the Russian Fleet has been driven from Crimea and Ukraine’s maritime exports are returning to pre-war levels. Russia is failing in all of its strategic objectives to subjugate Ukraine and challenge NATO.
“If we maintain the unity and cohesion we’ve seen to date, and keep strongly supporting our brave Ukrainian partners – militarily, economically and diplomatically – Russia will continue to fail and Ukraine will build the foundations to flourish as a strong, prosperous and sovereign nation. And NATO continues to get even stronger.”
During a visit to Kyiv last month, the Prime Minister announced a further £18 million in humanitarian and economic aid for Ukraine, building on almost £340 million already provided.
Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and £8 million will go to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.
The UK’s non-military support to Ukraine since the start of the invasion comes to £4.7 billion. This includes £4.1 billion in fiscal support, and over £660 million in bilateral assistance. We have introduced the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on Russia or indeed any major economy. And we have now sanctioned over 1,700 individuals and entities since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Defence Secretary are all committed to continuing military support for Ukraine, which is why the UK’s military aid budget for FY24/25 has been increased for the first time to £2.5 billion.
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025, under proposed legislation published today.
The move takes forward the recommendation to ban single use vapes from a consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’, which ran across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year.
The draft legislation, which is open for consultation until 8 March, is being taken forward in Scotland using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. And, while separate legislation on banning the sale and supply of single use vapes will need to be introduced by each nation, the governments have worked together to agree on a date for when the ban will come into force, to provide certainty for businesses and consumers.
Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater said: “Legislating to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and take action to tackle their environmental impact.
“The public consultation demonstrated that there is strong support for tougher action on vaping. From causing fires in waste facilities to more than 26 million disposable vapes being consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the past year, single-use vapes are a threat to our environment as well as to our public health.
“These proposed changes to the law demonstrate our absolute commitment to further improve the wellbeing of communities and protecting our beautiful natural environment.”
Chancellor urged to prioritise investment in public services
The Chancellor’s Spring Budget must provide Scotland with the increased funding needed for public services, infrastructure and cost of living support, Ministers have urged.
The UK Government should also heed the recent advice from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) against further tax cuts, Ministers added.
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has written to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget on 6 March, urging him to:
provide increased funding for public services and capital investment
increase cost of living support, including by ending the two-child limit, benefits cap, young parent penalty in Universal Credit, bedroom tax and Local Housing Allowance freeze
legislate for an essentials guarantee giving basic necessities and a social tariff for energy bills for those who need them most
transfer National Insurance powers so the Scottish Government can design a tax system fully suited to Scotland’s needs
urgently review the support needed for businesses that are continuing to struggle with bills which are too high, including through use of VAT powers
support measures to reduce carbon emissions, including by making it easier for existing buildings to be retrofitted with energy-saving materials
Separately, Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur wrote to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott arguing that tax cuts funded by cuts to public spending would “further damage the services our most vulnerable rely on”.
The Deputy First Minister said: “When I presented our draft Budget for 2024-25 in December, I set out that the UK Government’s Autumn Statement had been a worst case scenario for Scotland’s finances.
“Our Block Grant has fallen by 1.2% in real terms since 2022-23 and the UK Treasury is slashing our capital funding by almost 10% in real terms between 2023-24 and 2027-28. Similar pressures are faced by the other devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland.
“With the UK Government’s Spring Budget it is vital that they change course. There is a clear need for increased investment by the UK Government in public services and infrastructure, as has been recognised by the IMF. I would urge the Chancellor to use whatever headroom may be available to prioritise investment in public services and infrastructure over tax cuts.
“The Scottish Budget has prioritised funding for social security and public services in line with our three missions. Yet our spending remains constrained by the decisions of the UK Government.
“The UK Spring Budget is a key opportunity to increase funding for our vital public services and the infrastructure that supports our economy and communities, as well as supporting people with the cost of living and investing in our net zero future.
Two years on since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, a Ukrainian woman has expressed her ‘enormous thanks’ to Edinburgh Leisure for a leisure pass which has proved a lifeline for her and her family.
Fleeing from the war in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Maryna Ivanova, a Ukrainian refugee who arrived in Edinburgh on 25th April 2022, with her two 7-year-old twins, Sasha and Kit, has had support to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities as part of the Relocated People Access Programme (RPAP). Maryna shared some feedback with Edinburgh Leisure saying: ‘I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us. I believe that this has been pivotal in preventing me from succumbing to depression.”
Phil Trodden, Active Communities Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Making a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing is at the heart of what Edinburgh Leisure does.
“In 2018, the Relocated People Access Programme was created by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Refugee and Migration team to support relocated individuals new to Edinburgh.
“Fast forward to 2022 and the programme had to quickly respond to the Ukrainian Refugee crisis and, since then has been making a substantial impact on the lives of those seeking refuge in Edinburgh.
“Since April 2022, the Relocated People Access Programme has been working together with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Refugee and Migration team and Welcome Hubs, providing valuable information on how to access Edinburgh Leisure activities.
“We were so touched that Maryna reached out to Edinburgh Leisure to thank us for the contribution it has had to her and her family’s mental and physical well-being and quality of life. This is just one of the ways that Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team is helping people overcome the barriers to being and staying active and enabling more people to enjoy the life-changing benefits of an active life.”
In recognition of the high numbers of refugees accessing Edinburgh Leisure services and the contribution the programme was making to the refugees’ wellbeing, the City of Edinburgh Council awarded Edinburgh Leisure £100,000 for the programme in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Since April 2023, Edinburgh Leisure has supported 1,192 refugees to be active and there have been 19,502 visits to Edinburgh Leisure activities e.g. gym, swimming, fitness classes, and coached activities, including tennis, gymnastics, climbing, trampolining, and diving.
Referral rates peaked in 2022 and have now reduced to around 50 participants per month, mirroring the changing refugee population in the city.
Maryna Ivanova wrote to Edinburgh Leisure saying: “Over the past one and a half years, my family and I have been recipients of the privileges granted by Edinburgh Leisure, and I cannot emphasize enough how significant this opportunity has been for us.
“Before the war, both my children, my husband, and I were regular attendees at a sports complex in Kharkiv, engaging in various sports activities almost daily.
“When the war forced us to flee to Scotland, seeking refuge and safety for our children, the initial weeks and even months were filled with a sense of disorientation. Everything was new and unfamiliar, there was a lack of employment opportunities, and the overall situation was both challenging and frightening, especially considering my pregnancy. It was at this critical juncture that we received our Edinburgh Leisure membership card.
“We immediately utilized the facilities, heading to the gym and swimming pools. I believe that this decision played a pivotal role in preventing me from succumbing to depression. The routine of morning exercises brought me back to a more balanced perception of reality and fuelled my determination to overcome adversity.
“Every lap in the pool and every workout in the gym was infused with gratitude towards your organization. It enabled me to push myself to attend English language courses and secure employment in the local school. I continued with sports activities until the very end of my pregnancy, and now, my little one, a new resident of Scotland, accompanies me to the pool.
“We managed to get back on our feet, and secure housing, and currently, my children participate in various sections of your network (gymnastics, trampolining, swimming, and diving), and we are grateful that we can afford to pay for these activities now. However, it all started with the initial impulse from the ‘RPAP’ card.
“I want to extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of all Ukrainians in Edinburgh for the crucial support that was so desperately needed and that we received from your organisation. Thank you once again for making a significant difference in our lives.”
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The feedback received from Maryna, one of the Ukrainian refugees is a touching testament to the value of the Relocated People Access Programme and the impact it is having on people’s lives. We’re proud to support refugees as they settle into their new lives in our city.
“In the face of unimaginable adversity, Maryna Ivanova’s story exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the transformative power of community support and sport and physical activity. Through her resilience and perseverance, Maryna has overcome the trauma of displacement.
“As she continues her journey of rebuilding her family’s life in Edinburgh, Maryna’s story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for refugees worldwide and we’re glad to have been able to play a part.”
The Management Committee of C. C. C. (Corstorphine Community Centre) is delighted to announce that The Hub (formerly Westfield House) on Kirk Loan is now in community ownership.
Negotiations with the City of Edinburgh Council for the purchase of the building and grounds have been successfully completed, and the building became the property of C. C. C. on 20th February 2024.
It has been a long journey to secure a new home for a community centre in the heart of Corstorphine, following the fire in 2013 which devastated the Public Hall.
We are more than grateful to the individuals and organisations who have got us to this point, offering invaluable expertise and time, and raising and awarding funding over the 10 plus years it has taken.
We now have a building, situated in the heart of Corstorphine which will be devoted to promoting community wellbeing and activities.
We will do this by being the home for organisations needing a local base, by delivering a growing programme of activities in-house, by providing letting space for groups and organisations to deliver their activities within Corstorphine, and by offering space for events.
The next big task, so that this all becomes a reality, is to make the building fit for purpose by ensuring it is fully accessible, inviting to use, and environmentally sound. It will be a major works programme and plans are already in the making.
We want to ensure that the end result is a community centre for the 21st century, with a viable business model, which serves and enhances life for folk in our community.
Scotland can lead the net zero revolution, using its natural resources, world-class universities and entrepreneurial spirit to build the industries of the future, according to Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan.
Ms McAllan said the announcement of a £24.5 million grant to secure Japanese company Sumitomo Electric Industries’ investment in a new cable factory for the offshore wind sector at Nigg highlighted how net zero went hand-in-hand with economic growth. The plant will create around 330 jobs and bring £350 million inward investment to Scotland.
In her first speech since taking over the new portfolio, the Cabinet Secretary outlined her vision for delivering on the economic opportunities of Scotland’s transition to net zero. And she expressed a commitment to ensuring the key sectors on which Scotland’s economy is currently built continue to grow and thrive.
Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero & Energy @MairiMcAllan set out her vision for delivering on the economic opportunities of a just transition to net zero.
She announced a £24 million grant to secure investment in a new offshore wind cable factory at Nigg. pic.twitter.com/tUCFGIanKq
Addressing business leaders in Edinburgh, Ms McAllan said: “The future of the global economy is green – and I think it’s my job and our job collectively to make sure that Scotland can derive the greatest possible benefit from that future. Our Green Industrial Strategy will be a key tool in helping business and investors realise the enormous opportunities ahead.
“While the economic opportunities of net zero are huge, they are far from the only game in town. Today I am announcing a pilot Techscaler hub in Silicon Valley to help promising start ups from Scotland in areas from health technology to space, build contacts with international investors and customers.
“My commitment is to take an approach across the whole of government to actively listen, engage and communicate – to help achieve business success and in turn Scotland’s economic success.”
