Police continue to be made aware of an increasing number of so-called “sextortion” crimes recently, with more and more social media users falling victim to this unpleasant type of scam.
These usually involve the victim being enticed to send nude or explicit photos or videos to someone who has befriended them online, then being blackmailed into sending money (or in some incidents, gift cards) to prevent them being distributed to people they know.
Detective Sergeant Oliver Healy from Gayfield Police CID said: “The perpetrator’s aim is to build trust and convince the victim that they are interested in becoming involved in an online sexual interaction with them which often takes place via a video chat platforms initiated by the perpetrator.
“During the video chat, the perpetrator will persuade the victim to expose themselves which they record without the victim’s knowledge. This will be followed up by a demand for money from the victim and the threat of sharing the recordings with their friends and family.
“We would ask people to consider what they share and who they share it with. They should, ideally, only share pictures online that they are happy with their friends, family and others seeing. Switching communication from one platform to another is a tactic used during these scams to gain as much information about a victim.
“The simplest way to avoid falling victim is to refrain from accepting friend requests from people you don’t know.
“If you find yourself being blackmailed or extorted in this way, contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You will be given support and your report will be taken in utmost confidence.”
Further information on keeping safe online can be found on the website – http://ow.ly/yT4C50GmHjz
Fort Kinnaird is advertising over 30 job roles on its website, with vacancies available across retailers, restaurants and facilities.
There is a selection of part-time, temporary and full-time positions available across over 14 brands – ranging from beauty therapists and retail customer advisors to chefs and security officers.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “It’s been a really positive time for us and our retailers since we’ve reopened. With new brands coming to the centre in the next few months, it’s great to see such a variety of roles available via our partners at the Recruitment & Skills Centre based at Fort Kinnaird.
“We’re looking forward to bringing even more job opportunities to the city.”
Here’s a selection of some of the opportunities available:
ProCook
If you’re a customer focused and target oriented team player with an interest in cooking, ProCook is a recruiting for a number of roles at its newly opened Fort Kinnaird store. In return for providing excellent customer service and exceeding sales targets, you’ll receive fantastic company benefits, with opportunities for development and performance related progression.
Current vacancies: Deputy Managers (closes 29th October), Temporary Christmas Staff (closes 30th November 2021), Sales Advisors (closes 24th November),
Beauty lovers, this is the job for you! The MAC store within Boots at Fort Kinnaird is looking for a Retail Manager. You’ll be responsible for all areas of your business, inspiring your team day in and day out in a fast-paced environment to deliver world-class customer experience.
If you’re a commercially minded, inspirational leader with a knack for creating a real buzz around sales and artistry, you can apply for the role via the Estee Lauder website.
Three
Three’s Fort Kinnaird store is looking for friendly and ambitious individuals to join its award-winning retail team as a Customer Advisor. There will be lots of opportunities to develop and show your drive to succeed in an environment that supports and prepares you for the next level of your career.
The current vacancies available are full-time and part-time (12 hours per week) Retail Customer Advisors, with vacancies closing on 2nd November. You can find more and apply via the Three website.
PizzaExpress
If you’ve got a passion for high standards, food or just an interest in learning, PizzaExpress can help you develop a career where the sky’s the limit.
PizzaExpress opened its first restaurant over 50 years ago. Over 600 restaurants later, its passion to create hand crafted authentic pizza remains the same.
There are plenty of ways to progress your career into senior kitchen, supervisory or management roles and lots of opportunity to earn more, with plenty of benefits too.
The current vacancies available are a part-time Potwash (closing date 10th October) and part-time Front of House Support Team (closing date 17th October).
Find out more and apply via the PizzaExpress website.
For the latest job vacancies at Fort Kinnaird and further guidance, please visit www.rscfortkinnaird.co.uk.
First physical event in two years contributes £2.2m following 100% top up
Scotland’s legendary Kiltwalk Kindness has raised a remarkable £8.4 million for more than 1,200 charities across the country this year after 15,500 heroes put on a bit of tartan and took part in events.
The record-breaking sum includes £2.2 million raised last week by the first physical Kiltwalk in two years.
Scotland’s Kiltwalk, held on Sunday September 26 in Glasgow, attracted 4,000 walkers of all ages. Together they raised £1.1 million for almost 500 charities desperate for assistance following lockdown. In a video message Sir Tom Hunter revealed their fundraising total is being topped up by an astonishing 100% after The Hunter Foundation added 50% and the Kiltwalk itself provided a further 50%.
April’s Virtual event saw 11,500 Kiltwalkers raise £4.1 million, with an additional £2.05 million donated from the Hunter Foundation; assuring a massive £6.15 million for Scottish charities big and small.
Sir Tom Hunter said: “Last week we all got together to walk for charities we care about and the smiles on everyone’s faces said it all: Kiltwalk is back!
“Scotland’s Kiltwalk raised just over £1.1 million for the charities but after speaking to walkers we were so struck by how much of a lifeline Kiltwalk has been that we are topping up this figure not by 50% but by 100%; with 50% coming from The Hunter Foundation and 50% coming from the Kiltwalk itself. So that’s an amazing £2.2 million for Scottish charities.
“I’m also proud to confirm that 2021 is our biggest year ever, raising a staggering £8.4 million for more than 1,200 Scottish charities. At a time when those in need really needed help, the Kiltwalk community went beyond the call of duty, so I want to thank them and all of our sponsors, Royal Bank of Scotland, Arnold Clark and Johnston Carmichael for their Kiltwalk Kindness. We look forward to seeing you all in 2022.”
News of the 100% top up was welcomed by charities, who have faced a variety of challenges as a result of the pandemic.
Caroline Speirs, co-founder, Calum’s Cabin, which offers retreats on the Isle of Bute for families struggling with childhood cancer, said: “Kiltwalk is the largest fundraising annual event for Calum’s Cabin.
“It brings together Calum’s Cabin supporters from all walks of life including those who have been through the journey of their child suffering from cancer, families who are still going through the journey and tragically families who are walking in memory of their children.
“Receiving a 100% top up will be a great boost for us and will help make a real difference to the life of a child suffering from cancer.”
Fiona Leslie, senior community and challenge events fundraiser, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), said “After a phenomenal 100% top up from Sir Tom Hunter and the Kiltwalk CHAS walkers raised an amazing £67,832 at Scotland’s Kiltwalk, which will help our mission to reach every single baby, child and young person who needs us, despite the current situation.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been one of the biggest charities taking part and we’d like to say a massive thank you to every walker who took on the challenge – we know it wasn’t easy! It was fantastic to be back at a live event after the pandemic.”
The Kiltwalk’s 50% top up of £550,000 was donated from the charity event’s reserves, which were built up from registration and sponsorship fees, and the ongoing support of staff and volunteers.
Public bodies to prepare plans making good quality food accessible to all
Health boards and local authorities will develop wide-ranging plans to help ensure good quality, locally sourced and produced food is a practical everyday reality for everyone under new legislation.
The Good Food Nation Bill will ensure Scottish Ministers and a range of public bodies will produce good food nation plans to support social and economic wellbeing, the environment, health and economic development.
The Bill lays the foundation for Scotland to become a Good Food Nation where people from all walks of life take pride and pleasure from the food they produce, buy, cook and eat each day.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are committed to ensuring everyone in Scotland has access to healthy, nutritious fare and that businesses and public kitchens commit to producing, selling and serving good food.
“Organisations can play a leading role in this process – looking at how they boost local procurement, cut down food waste and packaging, use in-season produce as well disposing of food waste in an environmentally friendly way.
“But that’s not all. For example, a wide ranging food education can equip school pupils with the key skills they need to cook tasty, nutritious meals using the incredible array of world-class produce we have, but also to make informed food choices when they are away from home.
“We have been working across government through an extensive programme of measures to deliver on our ambition to be a Good Food Nation and our work to deliver action and practical measures will continue throughout this Parliament, not least to encourage the use of sustainable local produce and to help our children eat well.”
GB energy consumers face the biggest ever increase to the energy price cap
Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) warns that the average increase of £153 for prepayment customers and £139 from those paying by direct debit using a default tariff is likely to result in more utility debt, 500,000 extra households in fuel poverty and an increase in preventable deaths this winter
Suppliers are putting their prices up in October when millions of people will see a reduction in their incomes, as uplifts to Universal Credit are withdrawn
Charity says new Household Support Fund welcome but not enough to prevent needless deaths this winter
Calls on UK Government to take more action to directly reduce higher prices for the poorest this winter and for Ofgem to do more to protect the most vulnerable consumers when suppliers fail.
Adam Scorer, Chief Executiveat fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA), said: “The massive devastating increases in energy prices will drive over 500,000 more households into fuel poverty, leaving them unable to heat or power their homes.
“Just when they were needed most, the uplifts to Universal Credit are also being withdrawn and inflation is soaring. The new Household Support Fund will provide some welcome support for those who can access it, but on its own it is not enough to halt the erosion in incomes and deal with rising prices.
“Without a wider package of support – keeping UC uplifts and more rebates to protect those on the lowest incomes from spiralling energy prices – vulnerable people are still at dire risk of premature death this winter”.
“Falling through the gaps when suppliers fail”
NEA warns that the current crisis is likely to badly affect vulnerable customers when their suppliers fail. The charity is warning that households on older prepay meters are at risk of not being able to top up with their new supplier if their current supplier fails.
In addition, people in debt who transfer over to their new suppliers may also immediately risk aggressive debt recovery tactics from their previous suppliers’ administrators. People eligible for Warm Home Discount are also falling through the gaps when they move to their new supplier. They often can’t access all elements of this vital support.
Adam Scorer continued: “We know this situation is preventable, but Ofgem must act fast to protect the most vulnerable consumers when suppliers fail. The UK Government must also use the upcoming Budget to provide more additional emergency support so we can guard against the consequences of soaring bills and hits to millions of low incomes.
“This means enhancing current schemes and taking new steps to accelerate the repayment of utility debts across the UK”.
“Many of those on the lowest incomes live in the least efficient homes”
NEA has also stressed that one of the key reasons the situation is bleak for the poorest households is the vicious overlap between the households who live on the lowest incomes and who also live in the least energy efficient homes.
They say in England alone, more than 680,000 households on the lowest incomes also live in the least efficient homes making the impact of the price rises much more severe. Over 3 million fuel poor households will need to be prioritised for retrofits if the goal to meet Net Zero is to be met at the same time as statutory fuel poverty targets.
Adam Scorer again: “These quick emergency fixes are vital to get struggling households through this winter, but we can’t lose sight of the long-term solution to reduce the energy waste in our homes.
“We have some of the least efficient housing in Europe. This has left the UK more exposed to the current soaring gas price than many other countries and we are wasting billions of pounds each year as heat escapes through leaky roofs, floors and ceilings”.
What needs to be done
As a summary, NEA is proposing emergency provision to help fuel poor households to stay warm at home this winter, including:
Providing additional funding towards the Warm Home Discount scheme this winter as an emergency provision to guard against significantly increased gas prices
Supporting more households with the Winter Fuel Payment, especially for those eligible for the Cold Weather Payment in Northern Ireland
Helping accelerate the repayment of utility debts across the UK by enhancing Fuel and Water Direct
Continuing the Winter Grant Scheme through this winter
Additionally, through the Spending Review, NEA propose the following longer-term actions to ensure that fuel poor households can be warm at home for years to come:
Fully implement the Conservative Manifesto for the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG) and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
Ensure the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) helps end cold homes across the UK
Extend and strengthen the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit for low-income households.
Cyrenians welcomed Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Gardens this week to help mark World Mental Health Day on 10th October.
The Edinburgh-based charity tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness by offering support for people currently experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
Their community gardens projects offer mental health support to patients and the local community by providing therapeutic green spaces and wellbeing activities year-round.
Mr Stewart was invited to meet with the organisation to learn about their approach to supporting the mental wellbeing of patients of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital through ward based and in-garden activities.
Representatives from Cyrenians, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh + Lothian Health Foundation and Green Exercise partnership joined on the day, showcasing the power of partnership working to provide long-term support for those who need it most.
Cyrenians Service Manager Lucy Holroyd said: “The gardens are a wonderful safe haven in the heart of the city that provide direct support to patients in the hospital, many of whom are currently participating in long-term health care.
“The gardens complement the ward setting, offering opportunities to reconnect with others and with nature, build new relationships, and in some cases spark a passion for gardening and wildlife beyond their hospital stay, all of which aids long-term recovery, and promotes wellbeing. The work in the gardens is part of Cyrenians wide ranging work preventing homelessness.
“We were delighted to welcome Mr Stewart to our gardens. We hope, like with all our visitors, his time in the garden offered a welcome change of pace from the hustle and bustle of life.”
Minister for Mental Wellbeing & Social Care Kevin Stewart said, “I had the great pleasure of visiting the Community Gardens and was incredibly impressed with the commitment from Cyrenians to working in close partnership with both the Royal Edinburgh hospital and the wider community that has turned this garden into such an important resource to support people’s wellbeing.
“Thank you to everyone involved.”
To find out more about Cyrenians please visit: www.cyrenians.scot
ELREC have launched a new project to support people from BAME communities affected by Covid-19. A brief launch event took place at the ELREC meeting room on Monday (4 October).
The BAME RECAP will work towards restoring the livelihoods of BAME communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Edinburgh and the Lothian.
The Global Majority Fund, financed by Comic Relief in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust (NET), supports this project. In Scotland, CRER is an Intermediary Partner for Comic Relief’s Global Majority Fund.
CRER’sYasmin Luqman said: “We are delighted to act as an Intermediary Partner of The Global Majority Fund and to make grants available to support BME community organisations like ELREC to continue delivering services to communities facing racial inequality who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
“This fund is also focussed on creating a positive impact with and for communities facing racial inequality across Scotland. The Global Majority Fund, financed by Comic Relief in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust (NET), supports this project”.
Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury MBE attended the launch event as a chief guest. He said ‘’ I would like thanks to CRER and funders for providing the grants for the BME communities aftermath of the Covid-19. It will help create a positive impact and improve the livelihood of the affected communities.’’
The BAME RECAP project coordinator Mizan Rahman hosted the launch event and explained that a wide range of support is available for the Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community.
Tailor-made support and advice services freely available at ELREC. Specialised advocacy support is also available for people with ‘no recourse to public funds’.
He said that the project will address mental health and wellbeing issues by facilitating various activities over the year.
To access support and services, anyone living across Edinburgh and Lothian can contact the project team by WhatsApp +447392663851 or email: bamerecap@elrec.org.uk.
More information about the project can be found on social media @bamerecap.
Tree planted at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre to celebrate activism
It’s been a long time but community activities are, slowy but surely, starting up again at last.
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre opened it’s doors to forty guests yesterday who came together to celebrate the life of local activist Roberta Blaikie and to carry out one of Roberta’s last wishes: to have a tree planted in the grounds of the centre to celebrate community local activism.
Royston Wardieburn chair Mizan Rahman welcomed families, friends, colleagues and local activists to the community event and introduced the superb Nevis Ensemble, Scotland’s unique pop-up orchestra. The quartet played a thoughful selection of music which ended with a resounding rendition of that favourite anthem ‘Bella Ciao’
Guests then moved outside and heard a succession of tributes to Roberta. I was honoured to make the opening address (see below) and I was followed by fine contributions from Lydia Markham, Lynn McCabe, Jane Jones, Linda Garcia and Mary Mbae.
Following the speeches, poems and personal reflections, Roberta’s daughter Donna and her family went on to plant a young cherry blossom tree in front the Centre and guests were also invited to participate in the planting ceremony.
Yes, this was a celebration but it was a also a very poignant afternoon; the sense of loss remembering those who are no longer with us, and missing those others who could not be there on the day.
Roberta herself has been gone for five years now, and so much has changed. This crazy last eighteen months of pandemic, lockdown and restrictions has been particularly cruel – taking away loved ones, keeping friends and families apart and stealing precious time.
So it was day of mixed emotions: joy and melancholy all jumbled up together – but I was honoured to be part of it.
ROBERTA BLAIKIE – A TRIBUTE
Hi everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, my name’s Dave – for those of you who DO know me, my name’s still Dave!
Thanks for coming along today. I know there are many more people who can’t be with us on this special afternoon and my thoughts are with them too
I’ve been asked to say a few words about Roberta and her community activism and I’m very proud and honoured to do so.
I can’t say for certain the first time I met Roberta, but it was maybe during the campaign to Save A & E and maternity services at the Western General.
But if I can’t quite remember our first meeting, I can recall many, many more meetings over the years that followed. She was one of those people – usually women -who were always there when their community needed them: one of North Edinburgh’s magnificent, mighty band of Strong Women, some of whom I’m delighted to say are here with us today.
Roberta first got involved in community activism in the mid-1970s when she got up at a public meeting to complain about a lack of activities for young mothers in this local community centre. You’ll know that it takes quite a lot of courage to speak at a public meeting, but Roberta stood up, spoke up and spoke out … and that’s something she did and continued to do for the rest of her life.
Like everyone who gets involved in activism, Roberta was driven by a sense of social justice. She cared about people, she cared about her community and she was willing to work hard to change things for the better.
Yes, she could talk – Roberta loved to talk! – but that talk was backed up by action. She didn’t just talk about things, she DID things. And she got things done.
Roberta poured her energies into so many community campaigns: there health campaigns, housing tenants campaigns and she was at the heart of so many of the key agencies in North Edinburgh over the years – Pilton Elderly Project, Pilton Health Hut (now Pilton Community Health Project), Granton Information Centre and The Pilton Partnership to name just a few.
Throughout, Roberta was always a strong supporter of Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – community is the key word here – both as a member and an active Chairperson and she worked hard with others to ensure that the centre was at the heart of the community, offering activities for the whole community.
The centre was also the venue for the Womens International Group (WIG). Roberta was a founder member and an enthusiastic participant – and I feel privileged to have attended a number of WIG events here as the token bloke!
Whenever, wherever Roberta was involved, her enthusiasm was infectious. She didn’t seek praise or reward or pats on the back – and I do wonder how she would have responded to having a street named after her! – but her hard work, her dedication and her humour inspired others and encouraged them to get involved.
And that, I think, is the true reward for genuine, committed community activists – that others will be inspired to follow in your footsteps to campaign, to challenge, to fight to make their communities better places to live.
The planting of the cherry blossom tree symbolises this today.
Roberta was a key member of the Social History Group that produced the wonderful Never Give Up book and film and exhibition that detailed the history of community activism in North Edinburgh.
It was a real labour of love – the group met every week for two years to produce Never Give Up and it’s hard to believe that launch was over ten years ago – and it’s particularly sobering to note that so many of those involved are no longer with us. On a lighter note I know the project put years on Lynn McCabe – but it really was worth it in the end!
Roberta explained back then: “Local people have always had to fight for the services they have. It hasn’t always been the way it is now. People don’t realise that. We wanted to show people all the things that people like ourselves had achieved, all the battles we had won to give us the projects and the services we have today“
And that fight goes on to this day. Just this week the UK Government cut Universal Credit payments by £20 a week, plunging tens of thousands of families into poverty. There will always be fights – and we will always need people like Roberta to be leading the campaign.
Only exceptional people inspire others, but Roberta was one of that rare breed. Inspirational. She would never have said it herself, but Roberta was inspirational.
And if I can’t remember our first meeting, I can certainly remember one of our last – and of course it was here in this very community centre! I don’t think she always really enjoyed being centre stage, but Roberta was in her element that day, beaming with laughter, surrounded by friends and having a great time. I will never forget the love there was in that room that day – it was so powerful, you could almost touch it.
And that will be my lasting memory: The laughter, the warmth and the love for Roberta Blaikie, an inspirational woman.
And I know I speak for many when I say: Thanks for everything you did, Roberta; I am so glad to have known you.
STRUGGLE
A poem by Jim Aitken
Not to certainly means
worsening conditions
inevitable defeat.
To engage in action
even if you lose
means dignity at least.
It also means
just could mean
that you actually win.
But its more than that
for in the process
people change.
They awaken and grow
like desert seeds
receiving rain.
And give to others
a sense of vision and possible dreams.
The poem was read by Lynn McCabe
It’s from ‘A Rose Loupt Oot’: Poetry & Song Celebrating the UCS Work-in
Eight areas longlisted for UK City of Culture 2025 have been unveiled today by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.
Following a record 20 bids, the eight longlisted locations are Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Bradford, Cornwall, County Durham, Derby, Southampton, Stirling and Wrexham County Borough.
Winning the prestigious title has enormous benefits with previous hosts attracting millions of pounds in additional investment, creating jobs and attracting thousands of visitors to their local area.
The places will now work with a panel of experts and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to finalise their bids before the shortlist is announced early next year.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Winning the UK City of Culture competition has a hugely positive impact on an area, driving investment, creating jobs, and highlighting that culture is for everyone, regardless of their background.
“This year’s focus is on levelling up access to culture across the country and making sure there is a legacy that continues for generations to come. I look forward to seeing what this brilliant longlist has in store as they continue in the competition.”
Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said: The Expressions of Interest stage was introduced as an opportunity to encourage many more places to experience the benefit of coming together to define and share a cultural vision for their areas, and what the longlist demonstrates is the range and depth of cultural ambition across the whole of the UK.“
Also for the first time, each longlisted city will receive financial support to help them develop their vision. Each is different. Each has its own story to tell. All share a common aim: to demonstrate how culture can act as the creative catalyst for change. I am really looking forward to seeing how each story develops.
The competition, delivered by DCMS in collaboration with the Offices for Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive, uses culture as a tool for levelling up towns and cities across the country. The longlist was recommended by an independent advisory panel which brings together a wide range of expertise from across the UK.
All bids were asked to explain how they would use culture to grow and strengthen their local area, as well as how they would use culture to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first time, this year each longlisted place will receive £40,000 to support the development of their promising proposals.
The winner will be announced in spring 2022 and will follow Coventry’s tenure as UK City of Culture 2021 to take the lead on culture in the UK in 2025.
Previous winners Hull and Derry-Londonderry have shown how the competition can deliver greater and long-lasting cultural participation, economic regeneration and local pride, whilst Coventry City of Culture 2021 is already providing a blueprint for how culture can be at the heart of social and economic recovery.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries will also be hosting a roundtable with all unsuccessful bidders to discuss how best they can be supported.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “I’m particularly pleased that Stirling is in the running for this prestigious award. With its fascinating history and vibrant creative scene, it’s a strong contender for the title.
“The list of cities announced today is testament to the outstanding creativity and culture across the UK. I look forward to seeing proposals develop as Stirling strives to bring the UK City of Culture to Scotland for the first time.”
Tens of thousands of unpaid carers will receive a double payment of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement this winter under legislation passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament last night.
Recognising the additional pressures unpaid carers face as a result of the pandemic, the December payment of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be doubled to £462.80, benefitting more than 91,000 people.
This extra investment, forecast to be £21 million, will be the second time the Scottish Government has doubled a Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment.
The Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill will also give Ministers powers to provide eligible carers with additional financial support in future if the need arises.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “We introduced the Carer’s Allowance Supplement in September 2018 to address the fact that Carer’s Allowance was the lowest of all working age benefits. The £230 payment is in addition to the Carers Allowance in recognition of the role carers play in society.
“In recognition of the additional pressures caused by the pandemic, tens of thousands of unpaid carers will now receive another additional payment of more than £230 through our Carer’s Allowance Supplement this winter. This additional payment means that this year carers in Scotland will get £694.20 more in support than carers in the rest of the UK.
“We also made a double payment last year, so over the past two years we have invested over £120 million from our own budget to support around 91,000 unpaid carers. The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is unique in the UK and is one of seven new benefits we have introduced.
“The Scottish Government will always consider if additional payments are needed in the future, bearing in mind the broad range of support we provide across society and taking account of our limited tax and borrowing powers.
Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive of VOCAL, which supports and empowers unpaid carers in Edinburgh said: “As we emerge from the pandemic, the Coronavirus Carers’ Allowance Supplement is a welcome measure and we are delighted that the Bill has passed. This will support carers who have faced, and continue to face, enormous challenges due to Covid-19.
“Unpaid carers have propped up the health and social care sector, and it is vital that they are recognised in ways that deliver real positive impact. We look forward to seeing further measures from our new government which value the role of carers as equal partners.”
