Month: April 2025

Promoting local produce

£100,000 funding for Regional Food Fund

Encouraging small businesses to thrive and foster collaboration amongst producers and food groups to promote local produce.

The Scottish Government is providing £100,000 funding for the sixth round of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to Scottish food business for projects aimed at elevating Scotland’s food and drink industry, enhancing food tourism and showcasing the best local produce the country has to offer.

Since 2021, the Scottish Government has provided over £500,000 to the fund, which has supported 104 collaborative projects, varying from creative artwork to increase customer numbers, new equipment and regional marketing campaigns.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry is worth £15 billion to the Scottish economy; it is one of the country’s largest employers and is already well-recognised and established across the world.  

“However, we realise how vital engaging with regional markets is in achieving our industry strategy and growth ambitions for the next ten years. That’s why, through remarkable initiatives like the Regional Food Fund, we are providing small projects the opportunity to promote and showcase their regional goods.  

“This funding enables businesses to raise awareness of locally available produce to communities and showcase some of Scotland’s most exciting food and drink ventures.”

Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, Fiona Richmond said: “As the Regional Food Fund enters its sixth round, we look forward to reviewing a diverse range of applications.

“Over the years, the fund has supported everything from food and drink festivals and campaigns to collaborative initiatives showcasing the journey from field to fork. This highlights the strength of the desire for local produce and the growing food tourism scene in Scotland.  

“The fund encourages regional collaboration and celebrates unique food and drink stories that continue to nurture and elevate Scotland’s thriving food culture, making it a renowned destination for food experiences.” 

Applications for the sixth round of the fund are now open on the Scotland Food & Drink website. The closing date for applications is 17:00 on 30 April 2025.

All application guidance and application forms are available on the Scotland Food & Drink website, along with previous successful applicants and success stories.

New economic index shows brutal reality of poverty in later life in Scotland

  • Just one in five (21%) older people say the State Pension is enough to cover basic living expenses.
  • ‘Older people living on a low income, with caring responsibilities, or with a health condition are more likely to have cut back on heating and food.’
  • Independent Age call on Scottish Government to create a Pensioner Poverty strategy. 

A charity’s new annual index on the economic wellbeing of older people in Scotland has revealed the difficult reality of being on a low income in 2025.  

‘Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index: Scotland 2024-25’, commissioned by Independent Age and conducted by the Diffley Partnership is a nationally representative poll of people aged 66 and over. This year marks the first year of the Index. The research will be repeated annually to track trends over time.  

The Index shows that nearly one in five (19%) older people in Scotland have a household income of less than £15,000 a year, and paints a stark picture of difficulties in later life in income, costs, housing, quality of life and political representation. The research shows that certain groups are being particularly affected by the cost of living on a low income, including carers, people in one-person households and people living with a disability.  

The number of older people in poverty is rising, with 156,000 or one in seven currently affected, a number that has risen by 25% in the last decade. Independent Age are calling for the Scottish Government to create a dedicated strategy to tackle this and for the UK Government to make sure that all social security payments provide enough to live on.  

Income and financial wellbeing 

The Index shows that older people across Scotland on a low income generally do not feel positive about their financial situation and that Government support for older people does not feel sufficient.  

  • Just over one in five (22%) older people with an income of less than £15,000 rate their financial situation as good. 
  • Three in five (61%) older people say the amount they receive from the State Pension isn’t enough to cover basic living expenses.
  • One in four (24%) older people with a health condition are not aware of Attendance Allowance/Pension Age Disability Payments.
  • One in four (24%) older women reported having an income of less than £15,000 compared to one in eight (13%) men. 

Costs and cutbacks 

Rising costs are hitting older people across Scotland, especially those living on a low income. Women, disabled people, carers and one-person households were found to be at particular risk of being financially forced to cut back on heating, skip meals and reduce social interaction. 

  • Almost one in three (29%) older people in Scotland have skipped meals in the last 12 months
  • Less than half (47%) of older people in Scotland on an income of less than £15,000 are confident they will be able to pay their heating bills over next 12 months
  • Half (50%) of older people report that they have cut back on heating or utilities at least occasionally because of financial difficulties.
  • Over four in five (83%) older people with an income of less than £15,000 have cut back on heating or utilities.
  • Almost a third (32%) of older people with a health condition have skipped meals because of costs, compared to a fifth (21%) without a health condition.
  • Almost one in four (23%) women frequently or always cut back on heating or utilities, compared to one in six (17%) men. 

Housing  

The number of older private renters is rising across Scotland, yet this group often feel ignored by society. The Index shows that for too large a number, their housing situation is less than ideal.  

  • People in the most deprived neighbourhoods (SIMD 1) are least likely to own their home outright and the most likely to rent from a social landlord compared to those in all other neighbourhoods (SIMD 2-5). 
  • Older people renting from a private landlord were the least likely to say their home is ‘entirely suitable’ (40%) compared to those who own with a mortgage or loan (61%) or those who out-right owned (63%). 
  • One in four (24%) older people report a challenge with the affordability of their housing, with it becoming unaffordable for them to live there.  

Quality of life and political representation 

Although most older Scottish residents polled said they are satisfied with their quality of life, most felt they were not well represented by political offices.  

  • 63% of people of pensionable age say they are not represented by the Scottish Government. This increases to 77% when it comes to the UK Government. 
  • 85% of older people supported the Scottish Government creating a pensioner poverty strategy and 81% supported the creation of an Older People’s Commissioner. 
  • Across the board, older individuals with one or more health conditions are less likely to be satisfied with each aspect of life than those without any health conditions, including their quality of life as a whole (67%; 90%), their level of social interaction with others (66%; 83%), their general health (50%; 90%) and their ability to access public transport (54%; 73%). 

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager said: “In a fair and just society, no one should be living their later years cutting back on food or not using the heating. They shouldn’t be living in a home that doesn’t meet their needs. Our new Index paints a stark picture of the reality of living on a low income in Scotland in 2025. 

“We’re calling on the Scottish Government to develop a Pensioner Poverty strategy to address the misery felt by a rising number of older Scots on a low income. This should set out actions to boost incomes and social security take up and improve housing affordability and energy efficiency.

“They should also work to create an Older People’s Commissioner who could make sure that the voices of older people across Scotland are heard in policy making. Also, the UK Government must make sure that the social security payments that they control are adequate to live on. 

“An Index to measure the economic wellbeing of older people across Scotland is overdue. We know that many in this group feel ignored by wider society, and that the poverty facing many of them isn’t given the attention it needs. We hope that the Index will change that.” 

Mark Diffley, Founder and Director of the Diffley Partnership said: “This important new survey provides valuable insight into the challenges older Scots face and highlights areas where support is needed, particularly for those on low incomes. 

“Many are struggling financially and feel poorly supported and represented by government bodies and political representatives. Cost cutting behaviours are pervasive amongst older people and are especially prevalent amongst those who are further marginalised, such as those living in deprived neighbourhoods and people with health conditions.  

“As the population ages, it’s vital to develop policies which ensure financial security and confidence to support continued independence and dignity in later years. We look forward to continuing to work with Independent Age to measure how these attitudes change over time.” 

INDEPENDENT-AGE-REPORTDownload

Eligible people urged to take up COVID-19 vaccine this spring

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is encouraging everyone offered a COVID-19 vaccine this spring to come forward, get vaccinated and stay protected – because COVID-19 hasn’t disappeared.

Last summer in Scotland, there were more than 10,000 reported cases of COVID-19 and over 4,000 people hospitalised.

This year’s spring vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes older adults in care homes, people aged 75 and over, and those with a weakened immune system, as they are at greater risk of illness from COVID-19.

If you’re invited for a COVID-19 vaccination this spring, it’s because experts know that your age or health condition mean you’re at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at PHS, said:
“Being vaccinated is the safest and most effective way for older people and those with certain underlying conditions to protect themselves against COVID-19.

“You get your strongest protection from the vaccine in the first three months after getting it. Over time, this protection gradually fades so, even if you had your winter vaccination, it’s important to get another dose this spring to reinforce your immunity and help keep you safe.

“Getting vaccinated could mean the difference between a mild illness and a hospital stay.”

The spring vaccination programme runs from 31 March until 30 June. If you’re eligible, you’ll be invited by letter, email or text message, depending on your selected communication preference.

You can reschedule your appointment using the online portal or via the National Vaccination Helpline (0800 030 8013).

Find more information on the spring programme at: 

www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine

End of rent protections will punish households in Edinburgh, says Green MSP

The Scottish Government’s decision to end renter protection will harm households and families in Edinburgh. says Lorna Slater the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian region. 

The protections, which ended this week, were introduced by the then Green Minister Patrick Harvie following the year long rent freeze. This mechanism potentially allows rent increases to be limited to no higher than 12% if a tenant applies to a rent officer for a decision. 

The Scottish Government had said the system would support the transition away from the rent freeze and to the forthcoming system of Rent Control Areas, avoiding a ‘cliff edge’ for renters and protecting them from excessively large increases. 

The cost of renting a two bedroom home in Scotland’s capital is £1,358, which is an increase of 14% since 2010. 

Lorna Slater MSP said: “Households and families all over the citywill be getting notices hiking up their rents with little chance to appeal. Meanwhile rogue landlords will be celebrating in the knowledge that they are no longer being constrained.

“It doesn’t need to be like this. The Scottish Government can stop it. The protections that the Scottish Greens secured can be extended, offering renters supporters from the most predatory landlords. 

“People in Edinburgh have already seen their costs soaring and this decision will only make that worse and will make further price hikes inevitable. 

“All parties agree that we are in a housing emergency. The last thing we should be doing is allowing rents to be increased without limit. 

“We need a robust and permanent system of rent controls that can support renters and offer protection and stability. 

“Homes are for living in, not for profiteering. We need fundamental change if we are to ensure everyone in the city and beyond has a warm, comfortable and affordable place to call home.” 

RCEM demands clear government strategy as Scotland’s EDs record worst-ever February performance

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has asked ‘where are the tangible plans for Emergency Care?’ after Scotland’s A&Es experienced the worst February on record for performance.  

The figures, released yesterday (1 April 2025) by Public Health Scotland comes just a day after the Scottish government revealed its ‘operational improvement plan’ which RCEM says ‘missed the mark’ in tackling extreme and dangerous long stays in A&Es.  

The new PHS data shows that in A&Es in Scotland in February, 6,072 patients waited 12 hours or longer before being admitted, discharged or transferred.  

They also reveal just how much long waits have increased since the 2010s.    

Since February 2018, for example, the number of people waiting four hours or more in major EDs has increased by 3.4 times (10,979 to 37,274) eight hours or more by 13 times (1,023 to 13,638) and 12 hours or more by almost 35 times (174 to 6,072).    

Patients are often experiencing these extreme long stays on trolleys in corridors due to the lack of available in-patient beds.  

People in these beds are often stuck in hospital, despite being well enough to be discharged, because there is no appropriate social care support.  

So called ‘delayed discharges’ meant there was an average of 1,986 patients in hospital each day, waiting to be discharged, even though they are well enough to leave. This is the highest number for the month of February since 2016, when guidelines changes.  

Responding to the data, Dr Fiona Hunter, Vice President of RCEM Scotland said: “Scotland’s Health Secretary has said he is ‘encouraged’ by a weekly improvement to the four-hour target for admission, treatment or discharge – but our members and their colleagues certainly don’t feel encouraged when you look at the bigger picture.  

“Across the board – four, eight and 12 hour waits – were the worst on record for the month of February. 

“This should sound alarm bells to politicians and galvanise them to act before A&Es delve into an even deeper crisis.  

“This data comes hot on the heels of the government’s NHS improvement plan, which did little to reassure burnout Emergency Medicine clinicians that they won’t be treating patients, who have endured a stay on trolley in a corridor for 12 hours or more, in the weeks, months and years to come.  

“It was a golden opportunity, and it missed the mark.  

“It’s left us asking, where are the tangible plans for Emergency Care? 

“Time is ticking for the government to act and #ResuscitateEmergencyCare.” 

Yesterday’s data also comes after the release of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Review, published last week, which clearly evidenced the systemic problems in Urgent and Emergency Care across Scotland, and set out national recommendations.  

Statement on organised immigration crime

Statement from the representatives of the governments of Albania, China, Sweden, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam

We, the representatives of the governments of Albania, China, Sweden, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, united as an international community in the fight against organised immigration crime (OIC), meeting within the framework of the Border Security Summit hosted by the United Kingdom, hereby affirm our collective responsibility to address the threat posed by organised criminal groups exploiting online platforms for the facilitation of irregular immigration including human trafficking.

Acknowledging the scope of the threat

We recognise the role that online platforms can play in the facilitation of OIC. Organised criminal groups are exploiting these platforms to advertise and facilitate illegal immigration services, generating illegal profits at the expense of vulnerable migrants. Inaccurate information is spread online, with claims to guarantee passage with shared ‘success stories’ of being able to remain in country despite illegal entry.

These stories are shared despite the increasing risk of fatalities from clandestine entry by boats and lorries. As online platforms evolve, criminal networks adapt their methods, making a co-ordinated global response essential. We recognise the harm that irregular migration can cause nations’ citizens.

Commitment to collective action

The fight against OIC requires collaboration across borders, sectors, and jurisdictions to effectively counter the global scale of the threat. No single government can combat this threat alone. We call upon all governments, international organisations, and industry partners to join us in this endeavour to work together to prevent the misuse of online platforms for illegal immigration services.

Disrupting the facilitation of OIC

The online environment should not be permissive for immigration crimes.  We call on industry partners to design out from platforms opportunities for exploitation and to prevent the proliferation of glorifying illegal migration. Fatalities as a result of people smuggling are increasing globally and we must ensure those seeking illegal entry are aware of the grave risks.

A collective responsibility to prevent exploitation

We commit to strengthening our collective efforts to prevent, disrupt, and degrade the capacity of organised criminal groups to exploit online platforms for OIC. Online platforms should not enable facilitation of organised crime, and we are committed to working together to prevent this.

International governments, industry partners, and international organisations should join forces in a global effort to stop criminals from exploiting online platforms.

Platforms should invest in strong detection and moderation tools, while governments must back them with effective laws and international cooperation.

Collaborative framework for action

We commit to share trends in use of the online environment by organised criminal groups and the principle approaches for detecting and disrupting the facilitation of OIC online. Following this summit, the UK will provide opportunities for global collaboration, learning from the approach taken to other tech-enabled harms.

Towards a secure digital environment for all

Looking ahead, we recognise that addressing OIC in the digital age requires innovation, prevention, and sustained cooperation. Only through collective action can we prevent criminal groups from exploiting online platforms for irregular immigration. Together, we will work to ensure that online spaces remain secure and safe for everyone and do not provide the opportunity for people smuggling services to be advertised and accessed by vulnerable migrants.

A call to action

In conclusion, we call for ongoing dialogue and swift action to address the challenges posed by OIC online content and the threat it presents to the integrity of our borders. We reaffirm our commitment to a global response that prevents the exploitation of online platforms for criminal purposes.

We call for global action to prevent the spread of OIC content and protect the integrity of online spaces. By acting decisively, we can safeguard vulnerable people and uphold the security of our collective borders.

Support for people in priority groups to buy a house

Home ownership scheme reopens

A scheme to help people in priority groups buy a home on the open market has reopened for applications.

The Open Market Shared Equity Scheme will be available to people across Scotland who can’t afford the full price of a home from groups which include social renters, disabled people, people aged 60 and over, members of the armed forces and veterans.

Applicants can apply for between 60% and 90% of the property’s value without having to purchase it in full, with the Scottish Government owning the remaining share.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The cost of living crisis, high energy prices, inflation and interest rates make it increasingly difficult for some people to buy their own home.

“We want to give people in the priority groups the same opportunity as other buyers to own their home and I would encourage anyone looking to buy a home to apply to the scheme.

“Giving more people the chance to buy an affordable home also plays a crucial role in reducing homelessness and eradicating child poverty in Scotland.”

Applications to the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme can be made on the Link Housing website.

Offences against retail workers: Two women face Court

The East Retail Crime Task Force has launched following increased offending against retailers.

Two women (both 42) arrested in separate incidents will appear in court facing 25 charges including theft, police assault, breach of bail and offences against retail workers.

Essential bills “eating away” at incomes of lowest earners

As consumers brace themselves for the higher prices kicking in from today across bills including energy, water and broadband, those on the lowest incomes are running out of options, Citizens Advice warns.

Households in the lowest 10% for income already spend around two fifths (41%) of their earnings – after housing – on water, energy, broadband and car insurance bills. This compares to 11% for those on middle incomes, with those in the top 10% for income spending just 5%. 

These latest findings come from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), as part of a Citizens Advice led-partnership with IPPR, abrdn Financial Fairness Trust and Policy in Practice looking at social tariffs. 

Their research found single-adult households, and particularly those with children, are more likely than other groups to be spending 20% or more of their post-housing income on these bills, leaving them more exposed to price shocks.

If well-targeted social tariffs and bill support schemes were rolled out across water, energy, broadband and car insurance markets, the IPPR found that could save households hundreds of pounds a year.

For example, if social tariffs reduced these essential bills by 25%, for those in the lowest 10% for income, it could bring in savings of around £13 a week or £680 a year. This would be equivalent to a boost of income (after housing costs) of around a tenth for a typical household in this group.

Sara’s story

Citizens Advice sees the difference social tariffs can make. The charity supported Sara [not her real name], whose disability, medical conditions and her son’s needs make it vital for her to have a phone and internet. 

She said: “Citizens Advice gave me advice on benefits, food banks and utility bills – how to cut down on them with social tariffs for water, phone and broadband. I can’t let go of my phone and the internet.

It’s very important because of my illness. I’ve got a special telecom alarm for when I fall, so I need wifi in the house. It helps a lot.”

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice said: “After years of cost-of-living pressures, households across the country are about to feel the extra shock of rising essential bills. But for those on the lowest incomes, these unavoidable costs are already eating away at their finances, leaving their budgets stretched beyond breaking point.

“Social tariffs could be an effective safety net and put money back in people’s pockets, but the government and providers must work together to make sure nobody struggling to make ends meet misses out.

“We want to see people eligible for bill support automatically enrolled to receive it. This change can’t come soon enough.”

Professor Ashwin Kumar, Director of Research and Policy at IPPR, said:  “Essential bills are leaving lowest earners with little room to breathe and causing huge anxieties.

“Well-designed social tariffs and bill support – across water, energy, broadband and insurance markets – could save households hundreds of pounds a year and provide a vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people across the country.”

Deven Ghelani, Director of Policy in Practice, said: “Leading utility companies are showing the benefits of data-sharing to support auto-enrolment and streamlined assessments.

“The government can take action today that makes straightforward access to social tariffs and bill support the core and expected response from utility companies to customers facing affordability issues.”

University of Edinburgh: Money Mangement for Students

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