The 2025-26 Scottish Budget has been approved by Parliament, including £21.7 billion for health & social care and more than £15 billion for local councils, alongside social security measures supporting an estimated two million people.
The Budget invests:
£21.7 billion in health and social care services, including almost £200 million to cut waiting times and help reduce delayed discharge
£6.9 billion in social security, expected to support around two million people in 2025‑26
£4.9 billion in climate-positive investment
more than £7 billion for infrastructure
more than £2 billion for colleges, universities and the wider skills system
an additional £25 million to support the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster, taking total investment to almost £90 million
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “I am pleased that Parliament has approved the Scottish Government’s Budget – confirming plans to invest in public services, lift children out of poverty, act in the face of the climate emergency and support jobs and economic growth.
“This is a Budget by Scotland for Scotland. It includes record NHS investment, social security spending to put money in the pockets of low income families and action to effectively scrap the two-child benefit cap next year. We are delivering a universal winter heating payment for the elderly, providing record funding for local government and increasing investment in affordable housing.
“This Budget has been developed through effective engagement and negotiation across Parliament to build broad support. It is through this compromise that we are delivering spending plans that will most effectively strengthen services and support Scotland’s communities.”
COUNCILLORS MISSING BUT LIFT COMMUNITY MEETING GOES AHEAD
It is looking like NO councillors will attend but Peter, Brenda, Stacey and hopefully our chair will be on the panel to take and answer your questions the best they can, we will take a list of your questions and make sure they are sent to the relevant department within the council or to the councillors
We will have a petition to request the centre receives at least one years funding to help us to stay open.
We have been told that the budget is already set in stone but we are asking for any monies left from the 24/25 budget as we already know we wouldn’t be even a thought in the new 25/26 budget
We have been told this isn’t possible but two years ago funding was found for us so we don’t see why they can’t do this again
If you can come along to the meeting please do – and sign our petition!
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
IT’S looking increasingly likely that many areas across Edinburgh will not have active community councils following the current election process.
With just ONE DAY left before nominations close:
NINETEEN (of 47) Community Councils in Edinburgh have reached the minimum number of elected members numbers needed to formbut28 Community Councils still require more elected member nominations to form.
Muirhouse/Salvesen, West Pilton/West Granton and Davidsons Mains/Silverknowes are among eight areas across the city to have received NO nominations at all so far.
At time of writing no elections will be necessary in any community council area. Elections would only be necessary if more local people came forward than there are places available.
Community Councils are an important element in local and national community planning structures, but lukewarm support at best – and complete apathy at worst – will be a disappointment to those who hoped to see a renewed appetite for community participation.
The city council is currently reviewing community planning in Edinburgh.
Election organisers continue to urge members of the public to play a part in improving their local neighbourhoods – andthere’s still time to submit a nomination form by the closing dateat 4pm TOMORROW – Thursday 27 February 2025.
If you choose to return by hand or by post please ensure you have allowed sufficient time for the nomination form to be received before the deadline at 4pm on Thursday 27 February 2025.
Example completed nomination forms are attached – see below. All sections that must be completed are highlighted in yellow.
Nomination form – further clarification
We being persons residing in and appearing on the electoral register for the area of’ – ‘area’ means the community council area that you are being nominated for. Please ensure that you include the correct name of the Community Council and not the constituency or ward information. You can check the name of your community council on our website.
An individual can be both a single proposer and a single seconder, e.g. They could propose Individual A and second Individual B. They cannot propose or second any other individuals.
A nominees family member (e.g. Wife, husband, brother etc.) can propose or second them in compliance with the point above.
Please only submit 1 nomination form via 1 method of submission e.g. via email OR by hand OR by post. Please do not send multiple copies of nomination forms to the Governance Team as this creates additional administrative pressures.
Since nominations opened we have received a number of nominations which have been assessed as not valid. All candidates have been provided with advice on how to rectify and re-submit by the closing date of 4pm on Thursday 27 February 2025.
Common ‘not valid’ reasons
Below are common reasons why nomination forms have been assessed as not valid:
The nomination form does not detail the name of the Community Council area that the candidate has been nominated for.
The nomination form has not been signed in ink by the proposer, seconder and candidate.
The nomination form has not been dated by the proposer, seconder and candidate.
Photo of nomination form and signatures must be legible.
Below are common reasons why Local Interest Group nomination forms have been assessed as not valid:
The LIG nomination form has not been signed in ink by the President/Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer.
A copy of the LIGs constitution has not been supplied.
The LIG nomination does not include the name(s) of the Community Council.
If you need any assistance with completing a nomination form then please do not hesitate to contact the Governance Team at community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk
Defence spending to increase to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament.
Reinvigorated approach to defence industry will drive economic growth and create jobs across the UK, while bolstering national security and protecting borders.
Commitment will see the biggest investment in defence spending since the Cold War as the UK enters era of intensifying geopolitical competition and conflict.
As the UK faces a period of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has today (Tuesday 25 February) set out that his commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.
He has also set an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow, in order to keep the British people safe and secure for generations to come.
As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the government. In recent years, the world has been reshaped by global instability, including Russian aggression in Ukraine, increasing threats from malign actors, rapid technological change, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.
The Prime Minister yesterday set out how the UK will be stepping up to meet this generational challenge with a generational response.
The announcement comes the day after the third anniversary of Russia’s barbaric illegal war in Ukraine and shows that the UK will step up and meet this pivotal moment of global instability head-on, with a commitment that will see the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.
The Prime Minister knows that the working people of Britain have paid the cost of malign actors abroad, whether through increased energy bills, or threats to British interests and values. He is committed to making the country safer, more secure, and increasingly resilient against these interconnected threats.
Today’s announcement demonstrates the UK’s global leadership in this space. In calls with foreign leaders over the weekend, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to securing a just and enduring peace in Ukraine and the need for Europe to step up for the good of collective European security.
The investment in defence will protect UK citizens from threats at home but will also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth.
The increased spending will sustain our globally competitive industry, supporting highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the whole of the UK. In 2023-24, defence spending by the UK Government supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60.
68% of defence spending goes to businesses outside London and the South East, bolstering regional economies from Scotland to the North West.
Through the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, this substantial investment will drive R&D and innovation across the UK, including developing technologies such as AI, quantum and space capabilities.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “It is my first duty as Prime Minister to keep our country safe. In an ever more dangerous world, increasing the resilience of our country so we can protect the British people, resist future shocks and bolster British interests, is vital.
“In my Plan for Change, I pledged to improve the lives of people in every corner of the UK, by growing the economy. By spending more on defence, we will deliver the stability that underpins economic growth, and will unlock prosperity through new jobs, skills and opportunity across the country.
“As we enter this new era for national security, Britain will once again lead the way.”
In addition to our plan to reach 2.5%, the Prime Minister also announced that the definition of defence spending will be updated to recognise what our security and intelligence agencies do to boost our security, as well as our military. This change means that the UK will now spend 2.6% of GDP on defence in 2027.
This shift recognises that the activities of our intelligence increasingly overlap and complement that of our Armed Forces, emphasising the need for total deterrence against the modern hybrid threats we face, from cyber-attacks to sabotage.
The increase in defence spending will be funded by reducing Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI and reinvesting it into defence.
This difficult choice reflects the evolving nature of the threat and the strategic shift required to meet it whilst maintaining economic stability, a core foundation of the Plan for Change. Meeting the fiscal rules is non-negotiable, and the government will take the tough but necessary decisions to ensure they are met.
The UK remains fully committed to making the world a safer and more prosperous place. In the current geopolitical environment, the Prime Minister is clear that the best way to do that is by deterring and preventing conflict and targeting our aid more effectively.
For example, we have delivered an increase of £113m in humanitarian funding for people in Sudan and those who have fled to neighbouring countries, which will help to reduce migration flows to the UK and help address one of the major humanitarian crises of our era.
The government remains committed to reverting spending on overseas aid to 0.7% of Gross National Income, when the fiscal conditions allow.
This comes alongside an ongoing review into ODA spend which will ensure that every pound of development assistance is spent in the most impactful way.
This increase in defence investment will help us build a modern and resilient Armed Forces. It will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge capabilities that are vital to retain a decisive edge as threats rapidly evolve. Targeted investment will reverse the hollowing out of recent decades and rebuild stockpiles, munitions, and enablers depleted after a period focused on international terrorism and global crises.
This modernisation will be supported through improved productivity, efficiency, and financial discipline across defence.
The Prime Minister has also committed to publishing a single new national security strategy, bringing together all reviews into one document and reflecting the decisions on resource set out today. This will be published following the Spring Statement next month and ahead of the NATO Summit in June.
The new commitment on spending comes ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Washington DC this week, where he will tell President Trump that he wants to see the UK-USA bilateral relationship strengthened and deepened even further, to secure the prosperity and security of both nations for decades to come.
The government has already significantly increased investment in its national security capabilities, increasing spending on defence by nearly £3 billion in this year alone at the Budget. In addition to growing the defence budget, spending on the Single Intelligence Account was increased by around £340 million between 2023-24 and 2025-26, ensuring that our world-leading intelligence agencies maintain their cutting-edge capabilities.
Street Child condemns UK Aid Cuts: “You can’t have global security without global development”
Charity founder Tom Dannatt opposes government decision
Street Child strongly opposes the UK Government’s decision to fund increased defence spending at the expense of international aid, warning that the move will have devastating consequences for the world’s most vulnerable children.
“Street Child are horrified that we’re effectively making the world’s very poorest people foot the ENTIRE increase in UK defence spending,” said Tom Dannatt, CEO & Founder of Street Child.
True global security is built on education, self-sufficiency, opportunity, and stability—not through slashing life-changing development aid.
The UK has long played a leadership role in education and development, driving progress and fostering stability alongside global partners.
By stepping back now, rather than stepping up, the government is not only threatening hard-won gains but also retreating from its shared responsibility – weakening vital partnerships and diminishing the impact of past investments.
Right now, 251 million children worldwide are being denied their right to education, including 72 million out of school due to crises such as armed conflict and displacement.
Without urgent action, these children face futures marked by poverty, exploitation, and instability—fuelling the very crises the UK seeks to prevent.
“Investing in international education isn’t charity; it’s a strategic necessity,” continued Tom Dannatt. “A more educated world is a safer, more prosperous world for everyone — including the UK.”
We know that as governments around the world take a step back, the role of the private sector, philanthropists, and other donors becomes even more critical.
Their sustained investment is needed now more than ever to ensure children are safe, in school, and learning. The cost of inaction will be far greater—for the world’s most vulnerable and for global stability.
Ashleigh Urwin, Partner, Aberdein Considine, said: “The upcoming 8% increase in Council Tax in Edinburgh could have a marked impact on the housing market – not only does it add to the financial pressure faced by homeowners, but it will also make properties less affordable, especially for first time buyers.
“The knock-on impacts could include a slowdown in demand for properties, or a reduction in housing price growth.
“Larger family homes in the higher Council Tax bands, particularly in areas like Morningside, Bruntsfield and The Grange, are likely to see the biggest cost increases. And landlords in high demand rental areas, such as Leith and the city centre, could pass on extra costs to tenants, driving up rents.
“Both buyers and sellers will need time to adjust to these changes, so the impact on house prices and rental costs will likely not become known until a few months down the line.
“Buyers should carefully consider these rising costs when planning their budgets, and explore their financial options, negotiating on price where possible.
“It would also be wise for buyers to compare areas, as some neighbourhoods may be more impacted by the tax increase than others.”
An exciting new toolkit aimed at supporting workers and businesses within Scotland’s hospitality sector has been launched.
The Tourism and Hospitality toolkit is aimed at supporting the growth and success of Scotland’s hospitality sector by providing a one-stop shop with the tools and resources businesses and employees need to thrive.
It has also been shaped by industry experts and key players such as Skills Development Scotland, Scotland’s Tourism & Hospitality Industry Leadership Group, and industry charity Springboard.
The toolkit will provide support to the sector on key areas such as training and development, achieving net zero, recruitment and retention, and fair work. Employees will be able to access information on their rights at work, education and training, visa sponsorship and immigration, and more links to support when working in hospitality.
Kelly Johnstone, Chief Operations Officer of Springboard said: “Our mission with this toolkit is to support the growth and success of Scotland’s hospitality sector so both employers and employees can thrive.
“The toolkit brings together expert advice and practical solutions into one accessible platform to help the hospitality industry excel.
“Case studies included in the toolkit from Serving the Future highlight good practice which is already happening in Scotland – we hope many more businesses and employees can benefit from accessing this information.”
Dr Laura Robertson, research manager at The Poverty Alliance, which is a partner in Serving the Future said: “We know that low-pay and job insecurity have a big impact on households in Scotland.
“We hope this toolkit will empower businesses and workers to strengthen fair work and living wages in the hospitality sector. Scotland has signed up to legal child poverty targets and we know that making positive change in the world of work can contribute to reaching them. We are excited to see how the toolkit does that.”
Chirsty McFadyen, economist at the Fraser of Allander Institute and lead investigator on Serving the Future said: “We feel very privileged as a research team to have been let into the hospitality industry with such a warm welcome.
“Few research projects have worked with both employers and employees to create sustainable solutions in the way that Serving the Future has.
“We are keen to continue building the relationships we’ve gained from this work, and we’re looking forward to seeing the industry’s reaction to the toolkit.”
The toolkit includes a feedback form so that that businesses and employees can reflect on the usefulness of the information available.
The team behind the website will be evaluating responses and adapting the content throughout 2025.
Aberdeen charity, TechFest, has launched its ‘Maths into Wind’ programme in celebration of mathematics and its real-world applications across Scottish schools.
‘Maths into Wind’ is the latest programme in TechFest’s ‘Maths into’ series; an exciting initiative for S2-S4 students to witness firsthand how mathematical concepts taught in classrooms translate in industry context.
The project, sponsored by Stromar Offshore Wind Farm, kicked off with an event day in Fraserburgh, where schools could travel and experience the content in one day. A further format is also being delivered in Bucksburn Academy using a modular approach, allowing a longer term and tailored approach to suit pupils needs.
Martha Gavan, Deputy Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Maths is at the heart of innovation, and ‘Maths into Wind’ helps students across Scotland see its power in action. By exploring real-world applications and connecting with industry professionals, we’re inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.”
TechFest, an Aberdeen-based charity, has launched ‘Maths into Wind’ to celebrate mathematics and showcase its practicality in the workplace.
The initiative, designed for S2-S4 secondary school students, kicked off with an event day in Fraserburgh, giving students the chance to engage with hands-on STEM experiences in just one day.
Sponsored by Stromar Offshore Wind Farm, the programme enabled students to explore the mechanics of electrical generation, compare energy sources and tasked them with real-world challenges like designing their own wind farm.
It was also made available in a six-week modular format in Bucksburn Academy, offering flexible learning for schools and pupils.
Both methods of delivery entailed interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations and practical calculations to explore energy concepts and the power of wind generation.
TechFest is a charity focused on making STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country whilst helping to connect STEM to various sectors and delivering a new generation of talent for the industry.
Martha Gavan, Deputy Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Our ‘Maths into Wind’ programme demonstrates how the skills students are learning in the classroom can be applied in an industry context.
“We want to use our industry connections to create real opportunities for students. By connecting them with professionals in the field, we’re not only making STEM more engaging, but also changing the status quo in STEM education.
“Together, we’re helping inspire the next generation to explore STEM and opening doors to exciting future career opportunities.”
The programme was sponsored by offshore wind farm, Stromar, as part of TechFest’s mission to host fun initiatives that make STEM education more engaging and inclusive in schools throughout the country.
Nicholas Ritchie, Project Director at Stromar, said: “We’re really excited to partner with TechFest on this mission to show students how maths applies in the real world and help them see its practical value.
“’Maths into Wind’ provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain hands-on industry experience while building their ambition and confidence as they take their first steps in their career.”
Jon Scally, teacher at Bucksburn Academy, said: “‘Maths into Wind’ has allowed our pupils to gain hands-on experience while deepening their understanding of wind energy.
“With the support of the team at TechFest, we’ve seen them grow in confidence and develop the skills they need to showcase their knowledge of the industry.”
The project-based learning programme is the second instalment in TechFest’s “Maths into” series, which aims to reduce barriers to STEM engagement and attainment across Scottish schools.
The ‘Maths into’ series also includes ‘Maths into the Energy Mix’ and the third instalment, ‘Maths into Hydrogen’ is set to be released later this year.
BBC teams across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are calling on audiences to nominate their local heroes for the Make a Difference Awards, which will span the entire UK for the first time
BBC teams across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are calling on audiences to nominate their local heroes for the Make a Difference Awards.
For the first time, the awards will span the entire UK, with BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal all joining the search for community heroes. All stations will be part of this annual celebration of kindness, alongside all 39 local BBC radio stations in England.
There are also two new categories introduced this year: The Young Hero Award, which will honour an individual under the age of 16 who has made a significant positive impact in their community, and The Active Award, which will recognise individuals or groups who have used physical activity or sport to improve the lives of those in their community.
Nominations are open now with Kevin Duala from BBC Radio Merseyside kicking the proceedings off live on The One Show yesterday. Morning Live will once again support the Community Group Award.
Listeners can nominate their local heroes in eight categories (see below). Since the awards began in 2022, thousands of listeners have nominated people from where they live who go that extra mile for their communities. The aim is to shine a light on these every day, unsung heroes. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 31st March.
Winners will be announced at Make a Difference Awards events hosted by local and national BBC radio stations across the country in September.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC Director of Nations, said: “For the first time, BBC Make a Difference will celebrate the achievements of community heroes right across the UK – inspirational individuals and teams who go the extra mile to strengthen our villages, towns and cities.
“It’s a wonderful celebration of the human spirit and I can’t wait to hear the remarkable stories of those nominated.”
For a full list of categories, see below – and details of how to nominate someone – go to bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see full Terms and our Privacy Notice.
Nominations are open now and close at 5pm on Monday 31st March.
Make A Difference – Categories 2025
The Volunteer Award: awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.
The Young Hero Award: awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.
The Great Neighbour Award: awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.
The Active Award: awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community.
The Animal Award: awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people’s lives, or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals.
The Green Award: awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment.
The Fundraiser Award: awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.
The Community Group Award: awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community. Supported by the BBC daytime show Morning Live.
HOUSEHOLDS FACE MORE MISERY WITH YET ANOTHER ENERGY PRICE HIKE
Energy regulator Ofgem has today [Tuesday 25 February 2025] announced a 6.4% increase of the energy price cap for the period covering April to June 2025.
A recent spike in wholesale prices is the main driver of today’s price rise, accounting for around 78% of the total increase. A small increase in policy costs and associated inflationary pressures make up a further 22%.
The price cap – which sets a maximum rate per unit and standing charge that can be billed to customers for their energy use – will rise by £111 for an average household per year, or around £9.25 a month, over the three-month period of the price cap.
For an average household paying by Direct Debit for dual fuel this equates to £1,849 per year. This is 9.4% (£159) higher than this time last year (£1,690) but £531 (22%) lower than at the height of the energy crisis at the start of 2023, when the Energy Price Guarantee was in place.
Since Ofgem’s last price cap announcement in November 2024, four million customers have moved to a fixed tariff. Now, 11 million people are on a fixed deal and won’t be affected by the change in the price cap. This is the largest movement of customers coming off the price cap and on to a fixed deal since the energy crisis.
Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, says: “We know that no price rise is ever welcome, and that the cost of energy remains a huge challenge for many households.
“But our reliance on international gas markets leads to volatile wholesale prices, and continues to drive up bills, which is why it’s more important than ever that we’re driving forward investment in a cleaner, homegrown system.
“Energy debts that began during the energy crisis have reached record levels and without intervention will continue to grow. This puts families under huge stress and increases costs for all customers. We’re developing plans that could give households with unmanageable debt the clean slate they need to move forward.
“We welcome the government’s support for these plans, and their plans to expand the Warm Home Discount, which will also offer financial help to nearly three million more households that need it most.
“If anyone is worried about paying their bills, I would urge them to reach out to their supplier to make sure they’re getting all the help they can. Where possible, switching or fixing tariffs now could also help to bring costs down and provide certainty over coming payments.”
From 1 April, Britain’s standing charges will reduce for most households, but some regional variation remains. As a result, some households will see a small increase in standing charges of up to £20 per year for a typical dual fuel consumer. This is due to changes in network costs – the price paid to transport energy around the country and power Britain’s homes.
Ofgem is also today welcoming the government’s support of its plans to tackle the growing impacts of rising debt in the energy system and create lasting change in the way debt is managed and customers in debt are supported.
The plans could see a Debt Relief Scheme established, which suppliers would use to either write off debt that is so significant it will never be paid back or help pay off debt by ‘debt matching’ customer payments.
The Debt Relief Scheme would form part of a wider package of measures, supported by the Government’s proposed expansion of the WHD, which aims to reduce debt to levels seen before the energy crisis reducing costs to all consumers by £25-30 per year*.
The regulator has also set out ambitions to improve the standard of service from suppliers when supporting customers that are struggling to pay their bills. The proposals would make it easier for consumers to get help from charities and debt support agencies and ensure a consistent approach is taken across the board, to help to limit the risk of unsustainable levels of debt building up in the future once again.
The plans have also received backing from a number of stakeholders, who recognise how important the scheme could be for helping those in severe payment difficulty to get back on track, while also encouraging more onto repayment plans, driving down debt costs for all.
The regulator continues to encourage customers to look for the best deal to help keep their household bills down and to consider switching to a new supplier or fixing to a tariff with their existing supplier. There are a number of fixed, Direct Debit tariffs tracking below the April price cap level, with savings of around £50 available compared to the upcoming price cap level.
Backbench Labour MP Richard Burgon said: The so-called energy regulator Ofgem says energy bills from April will rise by 6.4%. The Government must step in and impose a real price cap and tax energy profits more to provide extra help to people.
“And to end this rip off, we must bring energy back into public ownership.”
