Month: August 2025

Parents urged to extend their teen’s Child Benefit claim online as deadline approaches

  • As teenagers get their exam results, parents are urged to renew their Child Benefit claim by 31 August for payments to continue in September
  • Parents can quickly and easily extend their Child Benefit claim via the HMRC app or online to guarantee their payments
  • Record numbers of parents of 16 to 19-year-olds staying in education or training have extended their Child Benefit online

With Scottish National and Higher exam results already known, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging parents who know their teenager’s plans in September to extend their claim now to continue to receive Child Benefit.

More than 509,000 parents of teenagers, who are staying in full-time education or approved training, have already extended their Child Benefit claim. A record-breaking 67% have done it online to guarantee their payments will continue in September. Parents need to extend their claim by 31 August or payments will automatically stop.

Child Benefit is worth £26.05 per week – or £1,354.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week – or £897 a year – for each additional child.

HMRC has written to 1.5 million eligible parents reminding them to extend their Child Benefit claim for their 16 to 19-year-old.

The quickest and easiest way to ensure payments continue is to extend via the HMRC app or online through the digital service.

Parents can also scan the QR code in their reminder letter which will take them straight to the digital service.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Teenagers can be expensive and Child Benefit is an important source of income for your household. As soon as you know what your teen is doing in September, don’t miss out.

“You can extend your claim in minutes through the HMRC app or online to ensure your payments continue.”

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for young people who are studying full time in non-advanced education as well as unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK for a full list of approved courses.

If either the claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.

As part of the government’s Plan for Change, many families will soon have the option to use a new digital service to pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.

The new service will cut red tape for eligible employed parents who are liable to the charge. Those who choose to pay through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.

Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app

£450,000 fund to spark innovation across Scotland’s public libraries

Public libraries across Scotland are set to benefit from a share of £450,000 as part of a fund which supports bold, community-focused projects that strengthen their role as trusted hubs for learning, wellbeing and inclusion.

The annual Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) awards grants to projects which align with the vision set out in FORWARD: Scotland’s Public Library Strategy 2021-2025, with the strategic aims grouped under the themes of ‘People’, ‘Place’ and ‘Partnership’.

This national strategy maps out an exciting future for Scotland’s public libraries with work set to continue into 2026 to ensure services are able to build on the groundbreaking work of the past four years.

The 2025/26 PLIF – administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) on behalf of the Scottish Government – has opened for applications (Monday 18 August) to promote innovation across Scotland’s public library sector.

This year’s funding priorities reflect the expanding role of libraries as a hub for trusted information, upskilling and guidance, with applications which address key societal challenges encouraged.

The 2025/26 PLIF will prioritise projects that support:

  • Tackling mis/dis information  
  • Supporting democracy  
  • Tackling child poverty through support for attainment  
  • Support for family wellbeing
  • Economic growth and co-production

As well as providing funding for innovative library projects across the country, PLIF also supports the delivery of Scotland’s national public library strategy (FORWARD), and allows SLIC to continue its valuable research work. This £450,000 investment takes the total to £5.5 million over the lifetime of the PLIF scheme.

Scotland’s Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “We believe libraries are at the heart of Scotland’s communities.

“That is why we provide annual funding to the Scottish Library and Information Council, including £450,000 towards the Public Library Improvement Fund, which exemplifies the transformative power of libraries, from introducing digital inclusiveness to teaching about economic wellbeing.”

Last year, 13 projects received a share of PLIF funding, supporting Gaelic and Scots language and new Scots languages, digital inclusion and sustainability initiatives.

One of the projects awarded an £11,000 grant was the Interactive Orcadian Flora Trail, an initiative created by Orkney Library and Archive to tackle social isolation while highlighting the diverse and varied plant life that can be found across the islands.

The trail, which officially launches later this week, also celebrates Orcadian culture by providing an opportunity to hear the Orcadian dialect, with flower poems created and recorded by Orkney Voices.

Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “PLIF has transformative power for public library services. Projects like Orkney Library’s Orcadian Flora Trail showcase libraries’ place at the heart of cultural, educational and social life.

“Over the years, we’ve seen inspiring PLIF projects which preserve heritage, spark creativity and serve local needs flourish long beyond the initial funding term, becoming lasting assets to the communities they serve.

“The thread running through all the PLIF applications we see is a clear commitment to delivering something meaningful and impactful for local people. PLIF gives services the opportunity to bring ambitious ideas to life, and I would strongly encourage libraries across the country to apply.

“We’re looking forward to receiving fresh applications that reflect the innovation, dedication and community pride that defines Scotland’s public library services and that bring this year’s themes into focus to ensure libraries continue to lead as trusted, inclusive spaces at the heart of every community.”

The PLIF 2025/26 is now open to applications and will close at 12pm on Friday 19 September 2025.

For more information on how to apply, visit: 

The Public Library Improvement Fund (scottishlibraries.org).

Risk of dying from cancer at lowest on record

11.1% reduction in mortality rates since 2013

New figures show the risk of dying from cancer for people living in Scotland is at the lowest on record.

Public health Scotland (PHS) statistics show from 2013 to 2022 the risk of dying from cancer in Scotland decreased by 11.1%, from 333.7 per 100,000 in 2013 to 296.8 per 100,000 in 2022. This is the lowest rate in the data published by PHS today that goes back to 1998. In 2022, there were 16,265 deaths from cancer  – 8,453 in males, 7,812 in females.

Due to an ageing population and the fact that more people are living with cancer, there has been an overall increase in the total number of cancer deaths since 2013, but a slight decrease from 2021 to 2022. In 2022, more than two-thirds (69%) of all cancer deaths were in people aged seventy and over.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “It is encouraging to see the risk of dying from cancer in Scotland is at a record low.

“This is down to the hard work of NHS staff, improved treatment options, and people reporting their symptoms at an earlier stage. We are determined to further improve cancer survival, reduce waiting times and provide excellent, equitably accessible care right across Scotland.

“We are taking action to improve the awareness and earlier diagnosis of cancers, including expanding our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services and our investment of more than £14 million towards cancer waiting times this year.

“Reducing health inequalities is a clear ambition for this government. Cutting smoking rates is key to tackling lung cancer incidence in areas of deprivation – our world-leading tobacco control measures are helping us in our goal of a Tobacco-Free Scotland by 2034.”

Cancer mortality in Scotland – Annual update to 2022

Scottish Book Trust celebrates 10 years of Read Write Count

Scottish Book Trust celebrates 10 years of Read Write Count book gifting with Edinburgh International Book Festival

National charity Scottish Book Trust has partnered with the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) to host a special free event for 300 school children to celebrate 10 years of Read Write Count, on Wednesday 20 August.

Read Write Count with the First Minister is a universal national book gifting programme for pupils in Primary 2 and 3 all over Scotland. Since 2015 over 2.5 million books have been gifted to children.

The book Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam by Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton was in the very first Read Write Count bag in 2015. The writer and illustrator duo will now host a special event at EIBF tomorrow at 11am. 300 school children will attend the free event with hundreds more watching on live stream across Scotland.

Research by Scottish Book Trust revealed that 85% of parents said that Read Write Count bags helped them to engage better with their children’s learning, while 90% of schools felt that gifting the bags had made a positive impact to their relationship with families.

One parent of brother Ollie, who received the first Read Write Count bag in 2015, and younger sister Elia, who will receive her own bag this year in Primary 2, commented: “We have always loved getting our Bookbug bags so when Ollie got his drawstring Read Write Count bag we were chuffed to have new books and games to use as a family!

“Now Elia will get her own P2 bag this year – we can’t wait!”

First Minister John Swinney said: “Books have the power to open our imagination to new worlds, which makes introducing reading from a young age so vitally important. We also know that nurturing positive relationships with reading supports improved wellbeing and attainment for children.

“Over the past ten years, the Read Write Count programme has played a vital role in supporting more children to access and take joy in reading, and it is more important than ever to recognise and celebrate this incredible milestone.”

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It is wonderful to mark the milestone and legacy of ten years of Read Write Count.

“Gifting books to children to enjoy with their families and carers is vital, helping to give them not only the best start in life but the lasting benefits that comes with having books at home.”

The event will also launch the books and contents of the 2025 Read Write Count bag, which will be distributed through schools during Book Week Scotland in November. Read Write Count with the First Minister is funded by Scottish Government.

Duke takes Salute at Tattoo

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended the 75th Anniversary of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle at the weekend (Friday 15th).

The Duke took the role of Salute Taker during the performance, joining audiences in celebrating this milestone year that spotlights the heroes who have made the show over the last 75 years. 

University to hold first Osteoporosis Community Café

In a bid to raise awareness of osteoporosis, the Lydia Osteoporosis team at Queen Margaret University (QMU) will be holding its first Osteoporosis Community Café at QMU.

The event offers a supportive environment for people with osteoporosis or caring for someone living with the condition to share their experiences, challenges and successes and learn more about ways of living well with the condition.

In the UK, osteoporosis affects over 3 million people, including 250,000 in Scotland, causing approximately 527,000 fractures each year. Although it is frequently perceived as a condition primarily affecting postmenopausal women (affecting 1 in 2 women over 50), evidence indicates that osteoporosis affects approximately 1 in 5 men over the age of 50. Given its often ‘silent’ progression until fractures occur, it frequently evades diagnosis until it reaches an advanced stage.

Osteoporosis is a common condition which silently undermines bone strength, due to a loss of bone mass, over time. It can go undetected until a simple fall or sudden impact results in a debilitating fracture. Typically, individuals with osteoporosis experience fractures in their wrists, hips, or vertebrae. Compression fractures in the spine can happen with little or no trauma, leading to back pain, loss of height and changes in posture.

The group, which will bring people together from across Edinburgh, The Lothians and beyond, will enjoy a light lunch and the opportunity to chat with each other and the research team at Queen Margaret University.

The Lydia Osteoporosis Project team conducts research, education and awareness raising about osteoporosis, and was established by a group of nurses at Queen Margaret University in 2011, and has since grown to include additional nurses and Allied Health Care Professionals.

Dr Karen Matthews is the lead for the project and is on a mission to highlight the risks of osteoporosis and increase awareness of it as a public health priority. Preventative strategies, such as promoting healthy lifestyles, calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as weight bearing exercises, are so important in both preventing and managing osteoporosis.

As part of her outreach work, Victoria Waqa, Nurse Lecturer for Lydia Osteoporosis Project, is keen to bring people together who are living with the condition, and enable supportive conversations around osteoporosis. She said: “Often people are unaware they have osteoporosis until they facture a bone, so the condition can creep up on people.

“A diagnosis of the condition can be a major shock and often people don’t know which way to turn or how to move forward with managing the condition, but there is so much people can do to live well. It’s important we share that message.”

Victoria confirmed: “Currently, there’s just not enough public awareness of osteoporosis – how to avoid it or how to best manage the condition after diagnosis. The point of the Osteoporosis Community Café at QMU is to find out what people need and want to know more about, and to support them with helpful information and tips for managing the condition.

“This may be around safe exercise, healthy lifestyle choices, or so much more. We can also share our research with people and inform them about our Osteoporosis Symposium that we are planning to hold at Queen Margaret University in 2026.”

The group will meet on Thursday 28th August from 1-3pm (meet at reception at 12.45pm).

Secure your place by email by 21st August to lydiaosteoporosisproject@qmu.ac.uk  

Give details of any dietary or accessibility needs when booking.

Car parking is free for visitors in August (access QMU car park off A1).

Tracy Gilbert MP meets with youth workers and police to discuss rise in anti-social behaviour

Tracy Gilbert, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith, has met with Citadel Youth Club and local police officers to discuss growing concerns around youth anti-social behaviour and so-called “baby gangs” in Edinburgh.

The meeting, held yesterday at Citadel Youth Club, focused on the challenges faced by communities and the importance of early intervention and support for young people.

Ms. Gilbert stressed the need for greater investment in youth services and preventative measures, highlighting that providing young people with safe spaces and positive opportunities is essential to tackling anti-social behaviour.

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “I was grateful to meet with local police and the Citadel Youth to listen to their concerns about the rise in youth anti-social behaviour. It’s clear that prevention is key.

“We need more investment in youth services to give young people the opportunities and support they deserve, while also keeping our communities safe.

“I will continue to work closely with community partners, the police, and youth organisations to push for the resources our young people and locals urgently need.”

Councillor jailed for child sex abuse

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years after being convicted of sexual offences against a teenage girl.

David Graham, a local authority councillor, had been found guilty on Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

The offences took place at various locations in Fife and Edinburgh between February and August, 2023.

Detective Inspector Graham Watson, of the child abuse investigation unit in Glenrothes, said: “Graham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim. He was well-known and abused his position of power when the offending took place.

“We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it.

“Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Graham held a position of trust and authority in the community which he chose to exploit to groom and sexually abuse a vulnerable teenage girl. She has shown immense courage in helping to ensure that Graham faced justice for his crimes.

“It is now vital she gets the support she needs to move forward with her life. No matter how long ago it happened or who the perpetrator was, we would urge victims of sexual abuse to reach out for help with the knowledge they will be listened to and supported. 

“Childline is available 24/7 for any child or young person who needs someone to speak to by calling 0800 1111 or visiting childline.org.uk.

“Adults with concerns over the wellbeing of a child and victims of abuse can contact the NSPCC Helpline for support and advice on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.”