Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026-2031 published
New support for parents to increase their incomes and reduce the burden of everyday costs, on top of existing work, will help to keep approximately 100,000 children out of poverty in 2026-27.
More than £111 million is being committed to updated plans to eradicate child poverty through Bringing Hope, Building Futures.
It builds on existing Scottish Government action which has already reduced relative child poverty rates in Scotland to the lowest levels in almost a decade – with rates nine percentage points lower than the UK in 2023-24.
Action includes:
Investing £61.5 million in the Tackling Child Poverty Fund to strengthen and introduce measures, including to expand childcare support for low-income parents, help employers offer progression opportunities, grow the Family Nurse Partnership to help up to 500 more young parents during pregnancy and into parenthood, and to expand Bookbug
A £20 million Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund for charities to help families in their communities
£30 million to boost incomes through work, create more training opportunities for parents by investing in the college sector, and to reduce transport costs for low-income parents travelling to work
£9 million to mitigate the UK Government’s freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates, which caps the amount of housing support a household can receive, to support up to 18,000 families
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s driving mission – no child should live in poverty in a country as rich as Scotland.
“This plan builds on a great deal of progress and sets out a broad range of actions to help parents – by reducing the cost of living, helping increase incomes received through work and social security, and helping their children to thrive.
“I am proud that Scotland is the only part of the UK to have statutory targets to drive down child poverty, which were unanimously agreed by parliament.
“Our plan focusses on concrete action this year while providing the foundations on which any incoming administration can build and reflect its own policy priorities, working with industry, local authorities and charities, to give children in Scotland a future free from the scourge of poverty.”
The findings of a Dignity at Work survey conducted by the Scottish Parliament have been published.
All staff who work for MSPs, or for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), were invited to take part in the survey under the SPCB’s ‘Inclusive Parliament’ review.
The review takes account of forthcoming changes in employment law arising from the Employment Act 2025.
The Act will bring in stronger whistleblowing protections and a duty for all employers – including MSPs in that capacity – to take proactive, preventative steps to stop harassment, including third-party harassment.
The survey asked all staff for their views and experience of working at Holyrood and in constituency offices, including whether they had confidence in the Parliament’s current procedures for reporting inappropriate behaviour.
The findings from the survey and its accompanying report have been communicated jointly by the Parliament’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP and Clerk / Chief Executive of the Parliament David McGill.
Writing to all MSPs and staff they said many staff work in positive, supportive environments, but they were both “deeply concerned” by new findings on bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
The review also identified areas where the Parliament’s systems and culture must improve.
The full text of the joint message is published below along with the SPCB’s report:
Dear colleagues
Inclusive Parliament Review: Dignity at Work survey findings and report
Reason for the Review
In June 2025 we commissioned a review of our Dignity at Work policies and systems. This was to help ensure the SPCB and MSPs, as employers, were prepared for the forthcoming changes in employment law arising from the Employment Act 2025. These changes bring in stronger whistleblowing protections and a duty to take proactive, preventative steps to stop harassment, including third-party harassment.
This means not only responding when concerns are raised but creating the right conditions so that harassment is less likely to happen in the first place, helping everyone feel safe, respected and supported.
As part of the review, we asked all staff who work for MSPs and the SPCB to take part in our Dignity at Work survey. While SPCB staff are surveyed regularly, this is the first report since 2018 that has included feedback from a survey of MSP staff.
We also consulted with staff, trade unions, staff forums, external equalities groups and MSPs and undertook a benchmarking exercise looking at the approach taken in other parliaments, including the Senedd Cymru which has just completed a similar exercise.
In addition, our Independent Support and Advocacy Service invited people to give feedback on their experiences. The results from the survey and associated work have been published [here] today.
Main Findings
Many teams across Parliament demonstrate positive and supportive working cultures, and the vast majority of Members, managers and staff uphold the standards of dignity, courtesy and respect that the public rightly expect.
However, the review also identifies areas where our systems and culture must improve. Fragmented reporting routes, barriers to speaking up and low confidence in existing processes undermine our commitment to a safe and respectful workplace.
We are deeply concerned by the findings on bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. These incidents during this session only came to light through this review, making it clear that some colleagues did not previously feel safe or confident to share their experiences.
Our foremost concern is for those affected. Coming forward is never easy, and we are grateful to everyone who took part in this review. Anyone who raises concerns must be supported and assured that their concerns will be handled with independence, expertise and empathy. There can, and must, be zero tolerance of inappropriate behaviour.
It is important to stress that most Members, managers and staff will not recognise themselves in these findings. The clear majority conduct themselves in a way that reflects the standards of this Parliament and the expectations of the public. Nevertheless, the issues identified show that our systems and culture are not yet providing the safety, trust and consistency that everyone should be able to rely on. That must change.
To build an environment where people feel safe to speak up, and confident that concerns will be handled fairly and consistently, we must learn from these findings and ensure the necessary reforms are taken forward swiftly, transparently and with care.
Next Steps
The SPCB considered the report earlier today and gave its full support to the recommendations. It wished to place on record its thanks to the staff and external expert providers who took forward the review.
We will update you on the implementation of these recommendations over the weeks ahead. While some of the actions can, and will, be implemented swiftly, others will necessarily take a little more time. However, we will make the most of the momentum that this comprehensive report has provided.
Once again, we would like to thank all those who took part in this review.
Yours sincerely,
David McGill Clerk/Chief Executive Chair, Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of missing person Kerry Stubbs. If you have seen her please call 101 quoting incident number 1906 of 8th March 2026.
She was last seen in the Gorgie Road area. She is described as white female, 43 years old, average build, long faded dyed red hair.
Last seen wearing her hair tied up in a pony tail, dark coloured baseball cap, light blue jacket, black t-shirt with a love heart on it and black trousers, with a cream/stone shoulder bag and a red/maroon backpack.
An Edinburgh-based tour operator is turning a personal storytelling project into a sustainable tourism activity thanks to tailored guidance from Business Gateway.
Un Italiano ad Edimburgo (An Italian in Edinburgh), founded by Andrea Moretti, offers private walking tours of Edinburgh, bespoke car tours across Scotland and personalised itineraries, all delivered entirely in Italian. Andrea combines the knowledge of a local guide with the flexibility of a personal tour leader, ensuring visitors experience Scotland authentically and at their own pace.
Having moved to Scotland from Italy six years ago, Andrea’s passion for Scotland led him to author The Slowness of the Thistle: A Journey into the Soul of Scotland, a book encouraging travellers to explore the country with curiosity and attention to detail. Sharing his travels across Scotland on his Facebook page, Andrea gradually built a community of followers. Step by step, he realised visitors were not only looking for a guide, but for help interpreting the country, which led him to formalise the project as a business.
The business champions slow, responsible tourism through small, private tours that offer visitors an authentic and meaningful connection to Scotland’s people, landscapes and culture.
Since starting last year, Andrea has expanded his offering to include multi-day experiences and collaborations with local producers, giving Italian travellers a truly immersive Scottish journey. Tours are designed to be accessible for everyone, including families with children, travellers with pets, or those with mobility or sensory needs. Every experience is tailor-made, combining history, curiosity and local stories.
Business Gateway has helped Andrea structure and formalise the project as a recognised tourism activity. Adviser Lee Briggs provided one-to-one guidance through the early stages, from business planning and registration to defining clear offers for individual travellers, families and travel agencies.
Andrea also received expert support on marketing strategy, digital presence, SEO, social media planning and client communication, alongside workshops and webinars to strengthen his business knowledge.
Thanks to this support, Andrea launched an official website for Un Italiano ad Edimburgo, building a strong online presence to support its social platforms. The business also became officially listed on VisitScotland.com and Forever Edinburgh as a registered tour operator, marking a significant achievement for a small independent business.
Andrea Moretti said: “At the beginning, the project An Italian in Edinburgh was just a way to share my experiences with friends – a diary of photos, stories and tips born out of passion. Step by step, post by post, the community grew, and so did my role: from enthusiast to guide for many Italian travellers.
“As a new Scot, I’ve been amazed at the level of support available. Business Gateway helped me structure the idea, refine my offer and gain the confidence to make the project sustainable without losing its original purpose: helping visitors understand Scotland rather than simply see it.
“Lee’s guidance and support in accessing funding have made a real difference, giving me the foundation and tools to grow and show visitors a side of Scotland they might never see otherwise.”
Lee Briggs, Business Gateway adviser, said:“Andrea’s passion for Scotland is infectious. Our guidance helped him take a personal idea and turn it into a real, sustainable business, with a clear identity and strong online presence.
“Supporting him as he brought Un Italiano ad Edimburgo to life has been a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing how he continues to grow his tours and expand his experiences in the years ahead.”
To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit:
Congratulations to puppy raiser Julia Yarker, who was recently presented with a Community Hero Award by Ian Murray MP.
Julia was chosen for this award for her outstanding contribution to Guide Dogs, helping to change the lives of people with a vision impairment over the last 23 years.
Guide Dogs’ Puppy Development Advisor, Lynsey Anderson Fell, said: “Julia has been an integral part of our Edinburgh puppy raising scheme for more than two decades and is now on her 22nd puppy, Kristal.
“She has lots of experience but is always willing to try new methods, as training has changed over that time. Julia also supports other puppy raisers to learn and develop, alongside the voluntary work she does in the local community.”
Speaking after receiving the award, Julia added: “I started puppy raising for Guide Dogs in 2003. Life then was quite different with no online training, but monthly classes and meetings with a supervisor.
“Through volunteering with Guide Dogs, I found a group of great people all puppy raising and I’ve made many friends over the years. I have had lots of wonderful pups and lots of great memories of some great characters!”
Thank you to Ian Murray MP for recognising this life-changing contribution, and of course, to Julia herself for 23 fantastic years of giving people with sight loss freedom and independence.
Become a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs Scotland here:
22nd March run hopes to raise £10k for FetLor, Scotland’s oldest youth club
An annual charity fun run organised by Fettes College will this year raise money for Scotland’s oldest youth club, enabling local school children to embark on the invaluable experience of a Duke of Edinburgh award.
FetLor Youth Club regularly welcome over 350 young people throughout the week to engage in entirely free sport and creative activity in a safe and warm environment.
The club was established in 1924 by former pupils from Fettes College and Loretto School and continues to maintain strong relationships with both schools.
One of its primary aims is to provide opportunities that would ordinarily be out of reach for its members and this year Fettes has chosen to dedicate all the money raised from its fun run to FetLor.
The event, taking place on Sunday 22 March, will see hundreds of people running a 5K, 10K or half marathon distance both within Fettes’ grounds, around the city and further afield with Fettes alumni also undertaking their own runs from wherever they are in the world.
An inclusive event, participants are able to join in by cycling, rowing, walking or running on treadmills too.
FetLor will use any moneys raised to fund their Duke of Edinburgh award which currently has 18 participants enrolled on it – a life changing experience for many that develops new skills and helps participants achieve their potential.
Dr Richie Adams, Chief Executive, FetLor Youth Club said: “We’ve had the privilege of offering many young people the chance to take part in Duke of Edinburgh and have seen first-hand just how transformational it has been.
“With expanded horizons comes new aspirations and participating in the award helps our members see new opportunities and discover a higher potential.”
Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College, said: “The annual charity run at Fettes College is always a joyous spectacle and provides a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and Give Back.
“I am continually inspired by the team at FetLor Youth Club and their support of young people across Edinburgh. We are very proud to fundraise for them and their young members.”
In addition to a warm and welcoming space at its youth club, FetLor also provide volunteering opportunities with SQA awarded points as well as wide-ranging educational assistance.
The youth club is open to young people of all ages and all activities are free. For more information, visit: https://www.fetlor.org.uk/
The Scottish Government has announced £245,000 of funding to support the King’s Baton Relay (KBR) in Scotland ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The funding, awarded to Commonwealth Games Scotland, will support at least 22 community events during the host nation leg from 1 to 23 July 2026, with the relay travelling to cities, rural areas and island communities. It will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
Communities and sports clubs are encouraged to express their interest in hosting a visit, with the call for expressions of interest open until the end of March 2026.
Sport Minister Maree Todd visited GalGael, a social enterprise based in Govan, Glasgow, whose craftspeople hand-made the batons for the relay using ash from Pollok Park.
She said: “Visiting GalGael and seeing the craftsmanship that has gone into creating the batons is a wonderful reminder of what makes this relay so special. I’m pleased that Scottish Government funding will help bring the King’s Baton Relay to communities right across Scotland this summer.
“Whether a sports club, a community group, or you simply want to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026, I’d encourage everyone to get involved. These free community events are a real opportunity to get active, connect with others, and improve wellbeing right across Scotland.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what makes Scotland unique on a truly global stage, and I want as many people as possible to be part of it.”
Gayle McPherson, Director of Legacy and Community Engagement at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “The King’s Baton Relay is a special part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026 and will connect communities across Scotland with the excitement of a home Games.
“The baton itself carries the message of a sustainable Games, made from reclaimed ash from a Glasgow park by the traditional craftspeople at GalGael in Govan.
“The Scottish Government’s support will help bring the relay to towns, cities and island communities right across the country to ensure everyone is part of the celebrations and provide fans with the opportunity to show their support for Team Scotland as our athletes make their final preparations for Glasgow 2026.”
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, said: ‘The King’s Baton Relay heralds the arrival of the Games into Scotland, with every Commonwealth nation and territory receiving their own baton to celebrate Glasgow 2026 in their own unique way.
‘This investment from Scottish Government to our partners at Team Scotland builds on our collective commitment to a spectacular summer of sport. We are excited to play our part in the journey from 1 July as Commonwealth Games Scotland take the Baton to all four corners of the country, showcasing Scotland to the world and gathering communities together to celebrate and share in the spirit of Glasgow 2026.’
Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Sport said: “The King’s Baton Relay is such a special tradition of the Commonwealth Games, bringing people together through sport, shared values and a sense of connection across the Commonwealth.
“With the support of the Scottish Government, Scotland’s leg will inspire communities across the country and help shine a light on our shared ambition to remove one million pieces of plastic from Commonwealth waters.”
The KBR activation in Scotland will deliver free public events, creating opportunities for communities and sports clubs the length and breadth of the country to be part of the build-up to Glasgow 2026.
The Scottish Government is also providing £15 million of funding for sporting organisations to offer free, accessible and inclusive physical activity opportunities to capitalise on a “spectacular summer of sport”.
Glasgow 2026 is projected to deliver a £150 million economic benefit to Scotland, with no public funding required from the Scottish Government for the core delivery of the event.
STRACHAN HOUSE RESIDENTS VISIT WEE MUSEUM OF MEMORY
Residents from Strachan House care home have recently enjoyed a trip to the wee museum of memory in Leith to take a trip down memory lane. The museum which brings to life objects from the not so distant past is a perfect way for the Strachan House residents to reconnect and be nostalgic about days gone by.
Following a recent meeting whereby residents and their loved ones expressed a wish to have more dementia outings added to our programme we were blessed to find this museum.
General Manager Fran Fisher was blown away with the amount of things that the residents were able to view and engage with, stating: “It’s amazing that our residents are able to see things that they used and enjoyed when they were young, the wedding dress was a particular favourite of both myself and the two ladies lucky enough to go on the trip”.
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan house provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
The repairs service is now being trialed across three Primark stores , including Edinburgh Princes Street
Primark is offering local shoppers simple same-day repairs and alterations alongside more complex repairs’ services for the first time.
Primark has announced it is expanding the trial of its clothing repairs service with The Seam to more of its stores across the UK high street. The move will give Primark shoppers the chance to try a simple, same-day repair and alterations service in store, as well as providing access to more complex services for the first time.
The service will continue to run in Primark’s Manchester Market Street store after its first successful trial last year, and now its Bromley store in South London and Edinburgh Princes Street flagship store will also offer the service – expanding access for the first time to local shoppers in the South of England and Scotland.
The Seam’s services will be available in all three Primark stores every Friday from now until 5 June 2026, with bookable appointments available during each store’s regular opening hours. Local shoppers can already start to pre-book their local store appointments via Eventbrite, with walk-ins also welcome subject to availability.
The expansion of the service follows strong demand from customers in Manchester during its initial 12-week trial period in 2025, where nearly 90% of all appointments available were pre-booked in advance. For Mancunians, their most repaired items were trousers, jeans, and dresses while the most popular repairs included length adjustments and seam repairs.
Based on feedback from customers in Manchester, The Seam will continue to offer simple same-day repairs, such as seam mending and length adjustments, as well as adding more complex services for the first time including knit repairs, zip replacements and dress reshaping, which will require a one-week turnaround.
Primark will continue to subsidise the cost of its simple same-day repairs service to offer a more affordable option to high street shoppers.
Commenting on the service’s expansion, Vicki Swain, Product Longevity Lead at Primark, said: “Last year’s trial in Manchester shows there is demand from high street shoppers for a more simple and accessible solution to fixing their favourite pieces pieces.
“We’re genuinely excited to see how more customers embrace this next step as we expand The Seam to three UK stores and introduce more complex repairs for the first time.”
Layla Sargent, CEO of The Seam, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Primark to make clothing repair more accessible for customers.
“By bringing these services directly into store, we’re helping extend the life of garments while celebrating the skill of local Makers. It’s an exciting step towards making care and repair a natural part of the retail experience.”
How to access The Seam services at Primark – Book your local appointment today:
At their appointment, the customer will meet The Seam Maker, discuss their garment requirements.
For simple services, customers can return later in the day.
For more complex services, customers can return after 1-week when the service is available the following Friday (Please note the last available appointments will be on Friday 29th of May).
The item will then be ready to collect, freshly repaired and ready to wear.
Primark is committed to moving towards a more circular approach to fashion that extends the life of products and materials while reducing waste over time.
To support this, the retailer offers customers nationwide access to free repair workshops and online tutorials so they can learn how to repair their clothes at home.
Since 2021, Primark has delivered more than 730 free repair workshops across nine markets. The expansion of The Seam into three UK stores marks the retailer’s next step towards helping more shoppers love their clothes for longer.
#SpringCleanScotland 2026 will be held between 13 March and 24 April
Spring Clean Scotlandis our annual campaign which brings together people from across Scotland to tackle litter. During this month-long campaign, thousands of volunteers spend time outdoors cleaning up the environment through sociable, fun, litter picking sessions.
We are looking for funding and support. Please get in touch if you can support our charity and help us deliver one of the biggest mass litter picking activities in Scotland.
Each year we release bespoke posters and social cards with dates of our #SpringCleanScotland campaign to promote local activities, check out our Handy Resources page for these.
We have also included an editable poster for you to share all the details of events with your community.
Keep Scotland Beautiful has now passed 9,000 registrations. Can we make it to 10,000 before Friday? Remember every registration before then is a chance to win a £100 One4All gift card!
