Scottish Child Payment key to eradicating child poverty
Across Scotland, 321,885 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics.
Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household.
Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2026–27. This underlines the critical role that Scottish Child Payment plays in eradicating child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is a key focus for this government.
“It’s clear that the Scottish Child Payment is making a major difference to families which is why we will now go further by increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for families with children under the age of one.
We remain fully committed to doing everything we can to support families and give every child the best possible start in life. Scottish Child Payment remains central to that mission.”
POLICE are appealing for information following a fire in Edinburgh. Around 7.05pm on Monday, 25 May, 2026, we received a report of a fire at Arthur’s Seat.
Emergency services attended, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remained at the scene to dampen down hot spots.
No injuries were reported.
Enquiries are ongoing alongside partners to establish the cause of the fire.
Local Area Commander Alison MacDonald said: “We know that the area around Arthur’s seat was busy last night due to the good weather and would ask that anyone with any information surrounding the cause of the fire come forwand ard and speak with officers.
“Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2975 of 25 May, 2026.
“As the good weather continues, we will continue to work with our partner agencies and would encourage members of the public to stay safe and behave responsibly.”
Area Commander David Dourley is the Local Senior Officer for City of Edinburgh. He said: “At 6.50pm on Monday, 25 May, we were alerted to reports of a large grass fire on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
“We know many people will be wanting to enjoy the good weather, but we ask they do so responsibly. Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.
“Please avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread rapidly, causing a large amount of damage.
“If you spot an outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
Jamie Hamilton, Senior Ranger at Holyrood Park said; “We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the emergency services for their quick response to this incident and would encourage anyone with any further information to come forward.
“We know that people are keen to enjoy the good weather but would ask them to remain vigilant and not to use any form of naked flame within the parameters of the park, dispose of rubbish properly, and to report anything of concern immediately.
“The High Road within the park has been closed to vehicles, and we would ask visitors to continue to follow guidance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and avoid the affected areas.”
Plant-Based Edinburgh campaigners organised a protest outside the City Chambers yesterday, speaking to the public and to the councillors as they entered the building.
Demonstrators urged people to support their campaign and called on councillors to help implement a just transition towards a sustainable food system.
After the demonstration, campaigners Lydia Elliott and Luke Ryan gave a deputation inside the chambers to explain why plant-based menus should be adopted.
During the deputation, graphs and statistics were handed to councillors which showed how devastating animal agriculture is to our planet in terms of carbon emissions, deforestation and freshwater consumption.
The council rejected adopting plant-based menus, citing a lack of demand as the key reason. Although, recently they trialled providing an option for a fully plant-based menu at City Chambers events, but they did not trial mandating plant-based menus for events or canteen meals.
Lydia Elliott said: “We feel that 100% plant-based menus have not been given a fair chance. Although the report states that 100% plant-based menus were made available for events, on the menus we’ve seen, the vegan options are at the very bottom, which has a strong psychological effect on emphasising that animal products are the ‘normal’ choice.” Over 450 Edinburgh residents signed the petition urging the council to switch to plant-based menus.
The petition reads:
“Farming animals is one of the largest causes of methane emissions, which are rapidly accelerating climate change. Increasing demand for animal products is the biggest driver for deforestation and habitat loss globally.
‘Waste from animals is a major source of water pollution, causing algal blooms in rivers and creating oceanic dead zones. Switching to plant based eating is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can address these key environmental issues.‘
Council officers created a report into the petition proposal, which was then evaluated by councillors.
The report states: “Animal-based meals can have an environmental impact 14 times higher than that of PB meals. If the Council were to remove meat and dairy products within internal catering, this would reduce goods and services emissions by a calculated estimate of 60,896 kg CO2e.”
At yesterday’s Policy and Sustainability Committee meeting, the councillors voted to endorse the report unamended. The report recommended against a 100% plant-based commitment, and advised further monitoring of food choices, but contained no commitment to increase plant-based options, despite saying that “there is a potential risk to reputation if the Council does not proceed with an approach that fully removes animal-based products”.
Green Party Councillors proposed an amendment to the report, and suggested that at least for council meetings, if not events such as weddings, vegetarian menus should be adopted. Unfortunately the Green amendment was voted down 14-3.
Green Councillors were frustrated by the council staff not looking into the possibility of lowering the price of plant-based options compared to options with animal products. This was proposed at the previous policy and sustainability meeting in October but got dropped.
Councillors cited concerns with accessibility and allergies as one of the reasons to reject fully plant based menus. This is despite the fact that plant based food avoids key allergens such as dairy, fish and shellfish and is compatible with religious food requirements such as halal and kosher. Plant-based meals can easily be prepared which avoid allergens.
Astonishingly, one vegetarian councillor argued against adopting plant based menus on the basis that they were taking choices away from vegetarians, despite the fact that plant based meals are all suitable for vegetarians.
The council’s report states in Section 7.2 [3]: “Sustainable food choices, procurement and production are key to Edinburgh’s ambition to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as well as supporting nature’s recovery from the current biodiversity crisis.”
During the debate, Green councillor Alys Mumford emphasised that this statement is contradicted by the report’s conclusion that the council should not adopt plant-based menus.
Luke Ryan from Plant-Based Edinburgh said: “The council’s decision to adopt the report unamended is a betrayal of its Net Zero commitment and its Plant Based Treaty endorsement.
“We are disappointed by this decision, but we will not give up on engaging with the council, alongside other institutions in Edinburgh, to campaign for plant-based menus. The science tells us that this change is urgently necessary.”
Projects supporting children and young people in Edinburgh will benefit from over £800k (£809,595) thanks to Young Start funding announced today (Wednesday 27th May) by The National Lottery Community Fund.
13 organisations aimed at children and young people in the city, including, Capella Charity, Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, LinkLiving Limited, Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, and Theatre of the Oppressed Scotland will receive the funding boost thanks to the programme.
Young Start is funded by the Dormant Assets Scheme, delivered by the National Lottery Community fund, with priorities set by the Scottish Government. The funding programme aims to enrich the lives of children and young people through projects that matter to them.
One group benefiting from today’s announcement, is the Capella Charity who received a grant of £85,456 to support their Teens+ Next Steps project over the next three years.
The Teens+ Next Steps project provides valuable experience to young people with complex learning disabilities from Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian like Carina, 24 from Dunbar.
The project helped Carina to develop new entrepreneurial skills, work toward Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and supported her to find employment.
When asked what she enjoys most about Teens+ Next Steps, she said: “I like cooking, being active, hanging out with friends, and being able to complete my Duke of Edinburgh, because I feel like it’s a real achievement that I had never dreamed of doing.”
Over the three-year funding period, the Capella Charity will support 20 young people per year, aged 17 to 24.
When asked what impact the funding has had on the charity, Hub Manager, Robbie Stabler said: “The Young Start Funding has allowed us to create an environment that nurtures the independence and growth of the young people accessing the hub whilst also ensuring that we can offer support where needed.
“Whether it is learning independent skills such as cooking, health and wellbeing and or money skills, or moving towards volunteering employment, each trainee is in control of setting goals that feel meaningful to them, and the Young Start Funding has allowed us to support them to take steps toward achieving them.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “I’m happy to announce the latest round of Young Start funding that will benefit around 70 organisations across Scotland to continue to deliver activities for young people that will help them to develop and thrive in their communities.
“By supporting children and young people through a range of creative and practical projects our Young Start grant holders can help them to shape their present and their future for the better.”
LinkLiving Limited, in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart received £56,666 to fund their The Right Track project.
The funding will support the delivery of a two-year intensive, early intervention pilot programme for around 60 young people, aged 11 to 13, who are at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
The Right Track project will focus support on young people presenting violent and aggressive behaviour. They will be supported in small groups to develop effective anger management skills, learn how to use coping strategies to manage everyday challenges and to better understand the impact of their behaviour as part of the programme over the next 2 years.
Young Start provides funding of up to £150,000 for projects lasting up to three years through its Main Grants programme, and up to £20,000 through its Small Grants programme.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge has offered his congratulations to Hearts Women following their SWPL title win on Sunday (24 May).
The City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “On behalf of the people of Edinburgh, I want to offer my warmest congratulations to Hearts Women on becoming SWPL Champions.
“To win the league title for the first time in their history is a remarkable accomplishment, marking a dramatic rise from amateur football to league champions in just a few years.
“After the disappointment of the previous weekend, I’m sure this will have been just the tonic for everyone at the club and their fans.
“Just as importantly, it represents the continued growth and strength of women’s football across Edinburgh, and I have no doubt these Hearts players will inspire generations of girls and young women looking to get involved in football, or any sport.
“I look forward to welcoming the team to the City Chambers for a Civic Reception to celebrate this wonderful achievement.“
Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce has supported over 1,300 arrests for retail crime offences since it launched in April last year.
The dedicated unit was established following an initial £3m funding allocation from the Scottish Government to address a rise in retail offences, including shoplifting and assault of retail workers.
In its first 12 months of operation, the Taskforce’s four-strand approach to prevent, pursue, protect and prepare has resulted in over 6,400 charges for retail crime, with the detection rate having risen to just under 51%, compared with 49% the previous year.
Despite successes in improving detection rates, increasing arrest numbers and enhancing retailer confidence in reporting incidents to police, Scotland continues to experience an ongoing rise in retail crime, with theft by shoplifting offences having risen by 19% in comparison with last year.
To address this, the Taskforce will continue to work alongside local policing divisions and a range of key partners and stakeholders to improve security on-site for retail premises, enhance the safety of retail workers and use all resources at their disposal to undertake effective enforcement activity against retail crime offenders.
In addition, dedicated Taskforce resources are now in place within Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Tayside to ensure areas most adversely affected by retail crime are being fully supported.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced and additional £9m in funding to Police Scotland to tackle retail crime over the next three years, meaning the Retail Crime Taskforce will operate until at least 2029.
Year two for the Retail Crime Taskforce will see significant changes to the way that retail premises can report crime to police, through the use of an online reporting form to directly report incidents of shop theft.
This form was developed by Police Scotland’s Contact, Command and Control Division and allows retailers to report incidents where a shoplifting has occurred and there is no ongoing threat or risk to safety.
Not only will this reduce the time businesses need to wait for reporting a crime, it will also assist in reducing demand on call handling, allowing for priority calls to be better serviced.
Inspector Emma Wright, Tactical Lead for the Retail Crime Taskforce, said: “There have been successes across the country in the first 12 months of the Taskforce as part of our ongoing efforts to tackle retail crime.
“The efforts of the unit and work carried out by local divisions has resulted in a significant number of detections of both shoplifting offences and offences against retail workers.
“While we continue to see an increase in the number of shopliftings reported, there are indications that this is in part due to an increased confidence in reporting from retailers and the resulting police response.
“The additional three years of funding received from the Scottish Government will enable us to continue our efforts to reduce shoplifting and provide support and education to businesses across the country.
“We want to thank retailers for their continued support and engagement as we collaboratively tackle the issue of retail crime.
“We cannot and will not become complacent and we recognise that further work is needed to reduce the number of offences occurring across Scotland. We take these offences extremely seriously and through continued partnership working we strive to make our communities a hostile environment for retail crime offenders.”
Changes to energy price cap between 1 July and 30 September 2026
Changes to the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge people on default tariffs for each unit of energy and the daily standing charge. From 1 July to 30 September 2026 energy prices will go up by 13% for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit.
You are not affected by the changes to the energy price cap if you have changed to a fixed rate tariff.
Electricty rates
If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your electricity by Direct Debit, you will pay on average 26.11 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). The daily standing charge is 57.19 pence per day. This is based on the average across England, Scotland and Wales and includes VAT at 5%.
Gas rates
If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your gas by Direct Debit, you will pay on average 7.33 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). The daily standing charge is 29.04 pence per day. This is based on the average across England, Scotland and Wales and includes VAT at 5%.
This increase is a result of higher wholesale gas prices, caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, prices are still very much below the height of the energy crisis in 2022. The government then put a limit on bills of £2,500.
Managing your energy bills and tariff
You are covered by the energy price cap if you are on a default tariff and pay for your electricity and gas by:
standard credit (payment made when you get your electricity and gas bill)
Direct Debit
prepayment meter
Economy 7 (E7) meter
The actual amount you pay will depend on how much energy your household uses, where you live and the type of meter you have.
You could pay less for your energy by changing your energy tariff or payment type. Find out if you can change or fix your tariff and how to switch energy supplier.
You could also save money if your supplier offers half price or lower cost electricity at weekends. Most people who have a smart meter or other low carbon technologies can take advantage of these offers.
Tell your energy supplier if you cannot pay your bills. They must help you if you ask. They could set up a repayment plan or provide you with emergency credit.
Costs included in the energy price cap
The level of the energy price cap is made up of different costs, for example the wholesale cost of gas and electricity, costs to supply energy on the network and VAT. These costs are split within the energy price cap between the unit rate and the standing charge.
Next energy price cap review
We review and set a level on how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy including the standing charge every 3 months.
The levels for the period 1 October to 31 December 2026 will be published by 26 August. We may publish before this date if we need to because of external reasons.
Independent Age calls energy price increase “devastating”
Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said: “Today’s energy price cap announcement will be devastating for the older people in financial hardship we support.
“We now know a typical household energy bill will increase by 13% to £1,862. While this rise comes during the summer months when energy usage is lower, low-income households will already be anxiously looking ahead to October when the cap is expected to remain painfully high.
“In an increasingly volatile world and with prices rising across many everyday essentials, people on low incomes need long-term protection from future spikes in energy costs. The recent extension of the Warm Home Discount is welcome, but as soaring bills continue to stretch budgets, the support should be increased from £150 to £400 to match the high cost of energy and lift people out of fuel poverty.
“Introducing a more comprehensive energy social tariff would lower bills further for customers in financial hardship, helping them keep their homes warm during the coldest months.
“If the UK Government is serious about tackling the high cost of living, it must take quick and meaningful action so no older person is left in the cold this winter.”
FM: “I will lead a government that is always on Scotland’s side.”
Prosperity, security and fairness are the principles driving an ambitious vision for Scotland’s future, First Minister John Swinney has said.
In a statement to Parliament setting out ambitious plans that his government will drive forward, the First Minister outlined measures to expand cost of living support, accelerate sustainable economic growth, strengthen public services and to unlock Scotland’s potential by delivering a fresh start with Independence.
Mr Swinney said: “Realising the potential of every part of our country, supporting families with rising costs and securing our nations’ future are at the core of my vision for Scotland. I will lead a government that is always on Scotland’s side.
“Our cost of living support is already the best of any UK nation, but we will go further to protect and expand support for families. I want to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed – regardless of their background – and eradicate the scourge of poverty on our society.
“Strong public services are at the heart of every successful society, and my government will do all we can to make services more effective and easier to access. That includes strengthening our NHS, reducing waiting times and improving more schools and colleges.
Prosperity, security and fairness drive our vision for Scotland's future.
• expand cost of living support • strengthen public services • drive forward economic innovation • deliver a fresh start with independence pic.twitter.com/moDmDvompc
“Strengthened public services and generous cost of living support must work in tandem with a high-performing economy, one that harnesses our countries resources, potential and talent to boost success and create opportunity.
My government will work to empower our regions to make the most of their economic advantages and streamline regulation to support investment and growth.
“A truly prosperous, secure Scotland can only reach its full potential outside the confines of the United Kingdom.
The recent, emphatic election result, with the largest ever pro-independence majority within the Scottish Parliament, has given the clear mandate for Scotland to decide its own future, which is why this parliament calls on the UK Government to transfer the power to hold a referendum on independence.
“I hope that giving Scotland the legal right to decide its own future will help build the foundations of a fairer, more prosperous nation as an independent member of the European Union.”
Almost two thirds (64%) of children and young people said they spend too much or far too much time online, in responses to a new survey published by Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity today.
Warning that ‘Scotland risks sleepwalking into the digital destruction of childhood,’ the charity revealed the figures as it unveiled its strategic priorities for the next five years.
Eighty four percent of the 1032 children and young people aged between 11 and 25 surveyed by Young Scot for Children First felt that being online prevented them from having enough time for other activities they want to do.
Forty six percent of children and young people said being online stopped them from having time to relax without a screen, 43% said it stopped them from sleeping or resting, 36% said it stopped them being active or playing outside and 35% said it stopped them spending time with family.
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said: “Today children are more at risk and childhood is under threat in a way that has never been seen before.
“It is alarming that 84% of children and young people say that being online is stopping them from spending enough time on other activities that are vital to their healthy wellbeing and development. Without more urgent and sustained action across all sectors Scotland risks sleepwalking into the digital destruction of childhood.
“Increasingly digital devices are being placed in children’s hands before they are ready – not just children and teenagers but also babies and toddlers. So at best, a social media ban can only ever be a small part of the answer – we need to go further and faster if we are to protect Scotland’s children and protect childhood.
“At Children First we are committing to do everything we can to protect children from online harm by campaigning for a public health approach that includes stronger regulation, delayed access to devices, better advice and support for parents and caregivers and investment in play, creativity and sport so children have real alternatives to being online.
“Together, we can reclaim childhood and make sure it is protected and celebrated at every stage.”
Ten year old Poppy*, who was one of over 60 children and young people from across Scotland who shared their voices and views to inform Children First’s strategic priorities, said:“Having a phone has ruined my time as a child.
“I still go outside but not as much. Whenever I ask friends to do stuff they are either busy or on their phones too much – a friend once had 16 hours [on their phone].
“When you get off your phone you realise there are so many things you can do.”
Last week with the support of 16 other organisations and national leaders, Children First wrote to the newly re-appointed First Minister and opposition parties to urge them to ‘act swiftly to tackle online harm’ in the first 100 days of the new Parliament calling it ‘the childhood emergency of our time.’
As well as campaigning against online harm, Children First, which has been supporting babies, children and families in Scotland for over 140 years, has set out plans to:
Invest in the Children First support line so that every family in Scotland has somewhere to turn for help.
Strengthen families ability to protect their children by developing and delivering family support and therapeutic support.
Campaign to make sure the United Nations on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and delivery of the promise results in radical transformation for children within family support, health, child protection and justice systems.
Demand sustainable investment in prevention to keep children safe, loved and well with their families.
Improve support for children in need of care, protection and justice by growing their access to Bairns Hoose services.
Expand family group decision making services to make sure no child is unnecessarily removed from their home.
Children First’s support line can provide practical, emotional and financial support to parents and carers across Scotland, including those who are worried about their child being harmed online on 08000 28 22 33 or via webchat at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline.
It’s important to talk to children and young people about their safety around water. Have a conversation about it today and explain:
• They should never swim in an unsupervised area like lochs, rivers, sea or ponds where there isn’t an adult to help if they get into trouble
• It’s much safer to go to a swimming pool where there’s a lifeguard on duty
• They shouldn’t play with or touch lifesaving equipment like life rings by the side of waterways. That equipment might be used to save someone’s life.
