Results published last week from the Scottish Household Survey 2024 show that 83% of households with a two to five year old child (not yet at school) used at least one form of childcare, similar to previous years.
The most common forms of childcare used were local authority nurseries and private nurseries, used by 40% and 32% of households respectively.
Around 5% of households used childminders, a decrease from 10% in 2018.
The survey asks respondents about their satisfaction with any funded early learning and childcare they receive, and 91% of households receiving this provision said they were either very or fairly satisfied with the quality of it.
63% of households with a child aged two to five years stated that all childcare used was either free or funded by the local authority or Scottish Government.
When households with at least one child aged 0 to 11 years were asked about the affordability of childcare, 10% said that they found it difficult and a further 6% said they found it very difficult to afford.
The full statistical publication Scottish Household Survey 2024 Childcare – gov.scot is available with further information on the use of childcare within Scotland, including information on types of childcare used, use of funded early learning and childcare, satisfaction with funded provision, and affordability of childcare.
An innovative funding programme to help make sure residential rehabilitation placements are available where they are most needed has been extended by the Scottish Government.
The £2 million Additional Placement Fund allows Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in areas where demand is high, to more easily access money if their existing funding has run out.
Speaking at Phoenix Futures residential service in Glasgow, during Challenge Poverty Week, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “We know that drug deaths are more likely in the most deprived areas, so it is encouraging that Phoenix Futures is committed to ensuring equality of access to treatment.
“The Scottish Government is also focused on tackling the causes of poverty and deprivation.
“Improving access to residential rehab is a key part of the National Mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives.
“Public Health Scotland recently confirmed that 984 people started a publicly funded residential rehab placement and that we are on track to reach our target of 1,000 people being publicly funded to go to residential rehab by 2026.
“But we want to go further. We have provided a record £115 million direct to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships – but have also listened to what residential rehabilitation providers and those with lived experience have told us about improving access.
“This fund ensures that extra – and longer – placements are more readily available. The fund has already helped dozens of people and extending it will provide even more support.”
Phoenix Futures chief executive Karen Biggs said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to improving access to residential rehabilitation through the extension of the Additional Placement Fund.
“At Phoenix Futures, we see every day the life-changing impact that residential treatment has on people, families, and communities across Scotland. This extension will help increase equity of access for those who might otherwise struggle to receive the support they need.
“We are pleased to see the Scottish Government’s recognition of the importance of residential treatment and its efforts to ensure that those in greatest need are not left behind. We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and colleagues across the sector to build a sustainable and equitable system that ensures consistent access to residential treatment for everyone who needs it.”
Phoenix Futures Deputy Director of Operations – Scotland Jeanne Rutherford said: “Access to residential treatment can change and often save lives. It gives people the time, space, and support they need to recover, rebuild and start to hope again.
“We’re really pleased to see the Scottish Government extend the Additional Placement Fund. This will help break down barriers such as geography and funding, creating greater equity of access for people across the country.
“Residential treatment is a lifeline for many of the people we support, especially those facing the greatest challenges. The Government’s continued commitment helps ensure that lifeline remains available to everyone who needs it.”
We would like to thank the Wooden Spoon Charity for their very generous funding towards the upgrade of our kitchen at Pilton Retreat in Ratho (writes LESLEY ROSS).
The kitchen has been well used over the years and was dated and in need of repair. This funding has transformed the kitchen.
It was officially opened on Friday by Roger Baird, former Scotland International rugby player.
What a great afternoon it was meeting members of the Wooden Spoon, talking about the work of MYDG and all the groups that visit and stay at Pilton Retreat.
It was a chance to showcase the facility and talk about the importance of the centre for children, young people and their families in particular those from the North Edinburgh area.
We spoke about the history of Pilton Retreat and we hope this afternoon has raised the profile of the centre – we have grown our contacts and partnership opportunities and the chance of more funding in the future from a range of sources.
Removing barriers for migrant workers in Scotland’s care sector
Migrant social care workers impacted by the UK Government’s changes to immigration policy are to be offered targeted support in Scotland.
In the year ending June 2025, the number of Health and Care Worker visas issued to migrant workers in Caring Personal Service Occupations fell by 88%, following restrictions introduced by the UK Government to the visa route.
The subsequent decision by the UK Home Office in July to close the Social Care Visa Route altogether will have a further impact on the social care sector.
According to a Scottish Care survey, more than a quarter of the social care workforce in Scotland is made up by international workers – with many sector leaders citing concerns with workforce shortages and recruitment.
The Scottish Government is continuing to call on the Home Office to reverse its decision to close the route and is investing £500,000 to fund a tailored offer to help ‘displaced’ international social care workers who have found themselves without sponsored employment elsewhere in the UK at no fault of their own.
The funding will be used to help support international social care workers meet the costs associated with moving to and working in Scotland’s social care sector.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The UK Government’s hostile and restrictive migration policies are damaging Scotland’s health and social care sector.
“In Scotland we need a migration system that works for our NHS, our social care sector, our businesses and third sector. Until we have the full powers over migration that will come with independence, we will do all we can within the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament to mitigate the UK Government’s harmful approach to migration.
“I am therefore pleased to confirm today that the Scottish Government will create a bespoke offering to help social care workers who have been displaced to come to Scotland and contribute to our care sector.
“We will provide £500,000 to mitigate the devastating impact of the UK Government’s closure of the care worker visa route and provide targeted support to help displaced social care workers.
“This will support international social care workers already in the UK who have lost their social care jobs as a result of their employer losing their visa sponsor licence, to come to Scotland and contribute their valuable skills to our social care sector.
“It is our intention for this work to begin immediately so that social care workers can settle into new jobs before Christmas.”
Co-op Corner Café will open at Coffee Saints, 2a Little King St, Edinburgh EH1 3AR on Thursday 16th October 09.30 – 17.00
New YouGov research for the Co-op reveals:
76% of people in Scotland say that their local high street has declined over the last few years
4 in 5 believe their community “would lose part of its identity” without local shops
Co-op is bringing its special blend of co-operation and community to Edinburgh on Thursday 16th October with the pop up of the Co-op Corner Café.
Hosted at Coffee Saints on Little King Street, the event invites members and the wider public to discover how co-operation can help revitalise local high streets and strengthen community spirit.
Part of Co-op’s On Your Corner, In Your Corner campaign, the event will be packed with fun and engaging activities, designed to spark conversations about the benefits of co-operatives and the role of local businesses in creating thriving neighbourhoods and helping the people that live there thrive too.
Open to both members and non-members, there will be the opportunity to understand more about the wide-ranging social, economic and ownership benefits of membership and how it shapes the future of the Co-op.
Guests can enjoy free Fairtrade tea and coffee, sample and feedback on new food innovations and even enter to win tickets to a hamper.
The event will also spotlight local and community-owned businesses including Scotmid Co-op, West Granton Housing Co-op and West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust, showing how businesses built on shared values can deliver positive change.
Co-op’s own team members will be in attendance, including Jess Clarke, Democratic Services & Engagement Manager. Jess said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting our members and the wider community in Edinburgh.
“Being at the heart of local life is a real privilege and we want to show how co-operation can help address some of the challenges facing high streets today. It’s sure to be a fun and thought-provoking day – and a great chance for members to tell us how we can do even more to support Edinburgh’s communities.”
On Your Corner, In Your Corner is part of Co-op’s Social Value Strategy – a commitment led by 6.9 million active member-owners to stand firm on climate, opportunity and community.
Since 2016, the Co-op Local Community Fund has shared over £480,000 with 216 community projects across the City of Edinburgh, supporting people to connect, access opportunities and thrive together.
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back 180 years. Its members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation.
Co-op is on track to its ambition of growing to eight million members by 2030.
Further information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available at coop.co.uk/membership
For more information about the pop-up cafés and to find local events, visit coopmemberevents.uk
New research from Public Health Scotland (PHS), conducted in collaboration with Sciensano* and recently published in Public Health, the journal of the Royal Society of Public Health, projects a surge in the number of adult cases of excess weight in Scotland by 2040.
The findings highlight the scale of the challenge for both population health and future care services.
Current estimates from the Scottish Health Survey show that around two-thirds of Scottish adults are overweight, and one-third are living with obesity. These figures are disproportionately higher than other UK nations and among the highest compared to other European Union countries.
This new research analysed data from the Scottish Health Survey and found that, without urgent and sustained intervention, the number of adults who are overweight or living with obesity is set to rise significantly.
Dr Grant Wyper, Principal Epidemiologist, PHS, said:“Our findings highlight the stark challenge ahead. We estimate 3.3 million cases of adult excess weight by 2040, with more pronounced increases for obesity. Between 2025 and 2040, we estimate an additional 118,000 female and 36,000 male cases of obesity.
“Furthermore, recent increases in excess weight among adults aged 65 and above are projected to intensify towards 2040, signalling growing and more complex pressures on Scotland’s health and social care systems in the coming decades.
“These findings should be seen as a clear warning, but the projections are not inevitable. Delivering on the Population Health Framework priority to improve healthy weight is vital.
“Excess weight is linked to a wide range of health conditions, including premature death, meaning that our findings point to the risk of future adverse impacts on population health and unsustainable pressure on healthcare services.”
Claire Hislop RNutr (Public Health), Organisational Lead – Food & Physical Activity, PHS, added:“The time for incremental change is over. The evidence shows we must accelerate progress on bold, preventative measures that reshape the food environment and ensure healthier options are accessible, affordable and widely available.
“At the same time, we must strengthen comprehensive weight management and support services to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. This approach aligns with the ambitions of the Population Health Framework.
“The framework priority for improving healthy weight needs a whole system package of prevention and treatment measures to improve levels of healthy weight, alongside ongoing policy developments to create conditions for better health and reduced inequalities.”
SCATHING REPORT HIGHLIGHTS HOMES INSULATION SCANDAL
98% of homes with external wall insulation installed under the UK government’s ECO scheme require work to correct major issues that will cause problems such as damp and mould.
DESNZ’s consumer protection system, which was set up in 2021, did not alert it to significant issues with the quality of installations until late 2024.
The NAO recommends that DESNZ sets out how and when affected households can have faulty installations repaired, and reforms the consumer protection system.
A new National Audit Office (NAO) report sets out the reasons for failures in the government’s energy efficiency scheme for homes, including poor-quality installations, weak government oversight and inadequate audit and monitoring, which the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) believes have led to tens of thousands of households needing repair work to correct major issues that will cause problems such as damp and mould.
The government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme aims to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions in Great Britain by requiring energy companies to fund the installation of energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, in homes.
But poor installation work has resulted in an estimated 22,000 to 23,000 homes with external wall insulation fitted under the scheme (98% of the total) and 9,000 to 13,000 homes with internal insulation (29% of the total) having major issues that need fixing. A small percentage of these installations also pose immediate health and safety risks.
Possible explanations why so many installations have been carried out to such a poor standard include an under-skilled workforce, with work being subcontracted to individuals and firms who are not competent or certified; uncertainty over which standards apply to which jobs; and businesses ‘cutting corners’ when undertaking design and installation work.
DESNZ implemented a new consumer protection system for the scheme in 2021, which included appointing TrustMark as its government-endorsed quality scheme.
But this system failed to alert DESNZ to significant issues with the quality of installations until October 2024, by which time the media had already reported on individual cases of bad mould in homes.
Reasons for the ECO scheme’s shortcomings include:
weak government oversight resulting in widespread issues with the ECO scheme not being identified sooner;
an overly complex consumer protection system that ultimately failed due to unclear and fragmented roles, responsibilities and accountabilities among DESNZ, Ofgem and private sector certification bodies and scheme providers;5
TrustMark’s funding arrangements limiting its ability to have analytical systems fully up and running until the latter half of 2024; and
insufficient audit and monitoring, in part due to weaknesses that allowed installers to ‘game’ the system.6
In addition to these issues, in November 2024 Ofgem estimated that businesses had falsified claims for ECO installations in between 5,600 and 16,500 homes, potentially claiming between £56 million and £165 million from the energy suppliers operating under the scheme.7
DESNZ and Ofgem took action once TrustMark made them aware of the extent of the problems. This included asking certification bodies and scheme providers to suspend the worst performing installers; communicating the issues to potentially affected households and to the wider public; and implementing immediate changes to theconsumer protection system.
DESNZ also plans to apply the lessons learned from this experience to the design of its future schemes and its forthcoming Warm Homes Plan.
To improve the consumer protection system, and to boost householders’ confidence in government-backed schemes, the NAO recommends that DESNZ:
takes clear responsibility for schemes such as ECO, even when they are funded through consumers’ electricity bills;
clarifies its approach to repairing faulty ECO scheme installations alongside its Warm Homes Plan;
reforms the consumer protection system for retrofit schemes; and
reports annually on a statistically robust estimate of the level of fraud and non-compliance in each of its retrofit schemes.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “ECO and other such schemes are important to help reduce fuel poverty and meet the government’s ambitions for energy efficiency.
“But clear failures in the design and set-up of ECO and in the consumer protection system have led to poor-quality installations, as well as suspected fraud.
“DESNZ must now ensure that businesses meet their obligations to repair all affected homes as quickly as possible. It must also reform the system so that this cannot happen again.”
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of Westminster’s Committee of Public Accounts. said: “The failures of the two current Energy Company Obligation (ECO) schemes are stark, with nearly all external and nearly a third of internal wall insulation fitted under the schemes requiring remediation.
“The potential impact of major issues to the health and safety of affected households must not be understated.
“Despite allegations of fraud, lack of sufficient quality data means that overall levels of fraud in ECO remain unknown.
“DESNZ and Ofgem have been quick to act after becoming aware of widespread problems, but their efforts remain hampered by weak government oversight and an overly complex consumer protection system.
“It is imperative that households receive clarity on how they can fix their homes and a system is put in place whereby these failings do not reoccur.”
