Scotland spent almost a sixth – £1 billion – more on welfare than the funding provided by the UK government in 2024/25
Scotland has the highest proportion of children in long-term workless households in Great Britain with child poverty targets missed
Jobless couple with three children can receive combined benefits worth £45,500 a year in Glasgow, equivalent to a salary of £69,000
New plan ahead of Holyrood elections sets out reforms to save almost £1 billion a year and refocus support on work and mental health treatment
The case for reforming Scottish welfare
The Scottish Government has poured billions of pounds of taxpayer cash into the country’s welfare state “with abandon”, according to a new report.
The research, entitled Benefitting Scotland?, finds that nearly a decade after major welfare powers were devolved, Scotland is spending significantly more than the rest of the UK on a “smorgasbord” of conflicting benefits and entitlements.
There is “minimal” evidence that the system is succeeding even on its own terms, warns the Centre for Social Justice. Persistent child poverty is running at 23 per cent, more than double the Scottish government’s eight per cent target.
At the same time, Scotland has the highest proportion of children living in long-term workless households in Great Britain at 11.3 per cent, and its rate of economic inactivity has gone from below England’s before 2016 to persistently above it.
The £28 billion annual welfare budget – almost a quarter of which is administered by the Scottish government – has ballooned out of control.
Last year Scottish ministers spent above and beyond the “block grant adjustment” – a grant allocated by the UK government to match non-devolved benefit spending – by almost £1 billion.
The cross-party think tank argues that Scotland could save hundreds of millions of pounds while achieving better outcomes.
Restricting eligibility to disability benefits for those with less severe mental health conditions and frontloading the Scottish Child Payment would save at least £800 million for the Scottish government to re-invest in treating the root causes of mental illness and supporting families directly through Whole Family Wellbeing Funding.
The report also highlights the scale of work disincentives in the system.
A couple with three children living in Glasgow can receive almost £45,500 per year by combining benefits. To match that income from work alone would require a salary of roughly £69,000 before tax from a single earner.
Even when parents move into employment, they can lose up to 79p of every additional pound earned once benefit tapers, income tax, national insurance and pension contributions are combined.
They also risk losing access to the myriad supplements layered on by the Scottish government, including the Scottish Child Payment, several Best Start Grants, a Carer’s Allowance Supplement, new Winter Heating Payments, and a plethora of one-off grants.
Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, said: The Scottish government has missed its own child poverty targets, while pushing economic inactivity in Scotland from below to above England.
“The welfare system is over budget, overly complex, and failing on its own terms. With Holyrood elections this year, there is a real opportunity to create a much leaner, far more effective system, focused on changing lives and tackling the root causes of poverty.”
Community Councils! Its always great to hear what others are doing, right?
Join us next month for another free webinar. This time we are delighted to be joined by Lossiemouth Community Council (LCC) to hear about their activities like an award winning sand dune restoration project, a historic seafront mural and weekly soup & sweet social gatherings.
The webinar provides an excellent opportunity for community councils to not only hear about the work of LCC but to also talk about their own best practice, ideas and activities.
Local voices and leading Edinburgh ambassadors invite visitors to experience the city beyond the guidebook
Forever Edinburgh has launched Stay Like a Local, a new campaign designed to encourage visitors to experience the city through the eyes of the people who know it best.
Centred on a partnership with social enterprise Invisible Cities, the campaign showcases Edinburgh’s hidden gems, neighbourhood culture and the wide variety of stays available across the city beyond the expected.
At the heart of Stay Like a Local is a new Invisible Cities guided walking tour of the same name, created by local guides with lived experience of Edinburgh. Hear about the city from people who really know their history and the magic hidden behind the main streets and familiar tourist locations.
The tour highlights off-the-beaten-path locations, lesser-known stories and everyday places loved by locals, offering visitors a deeper and more meaningful connection with the city.
Guides share stories such as Whitefoord House on the Canongate, an 18th-century mansion that later became a print foundry before evolving into the city’s first residence for veterans, alongside hidden spaces like Dunbar’s Close Garden, a secluded pocket garden inspired by 17th-century design and Patrick Geddes’ vision for green spaces in the Old Town.
The itinerary will be available as a dedicated Stay Like a Local tour, delivered by the Invisible Cities guides, sharing their key secrets of the city with tourists.
Founded in Edinburgh, Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides in their own city. Through storytelling, guiding and meaningful employment, Invisible Cities creates opportunities for guides while offering visitors an honest and personal perspective on place.
As a social enterprise, Invisible Cities prioritises offering ethical and sustainable tours. The partnership aligns with Forever Edinburgh’s commitment to supporting responsible tourism and community-led experiences.
The campaign is further brought to life through recommendations from a collective of Edinburgh ambassadors spanning hospitality, culture, food and drink and visitor experiences. Each ambassador shares their personal take on the perfect Edinburgh break, demonstrating how the city can be enjoyed in many different ways, from literary escapes and culinary journeys to art-led adventures and maritime explorations.
Ambassadors include founders and team members of Golden Hare Books, The Balmoral, Jupiter Artland, Mercat Tours, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Maid of the Forth. Michelin Guide chef Roberta Hall-McCarron, founder of The Little Chartroom, Ardfern and Eleanore has also shared her recommendations, alongside players from Edinburgh Rugby’s men’s and women’s teams.
Together, their recommendations illustrate the diversity of holidays available in Edinburgh, whether visitors are seeking a luxury city break, a culture-rich long weekend, a food-focused escape or an experience-led stay shaped by local knowledge.
Zakia Moulaoui Guery, founder of Invisible Cities, said: “This partnership is about showing Edinburgh as it really is, through the places and stories that matter to the people who live here. Our guides bring a perspective you won’t find in a guidebook, shaped by lived experience and a deep connection to the city.
“Being part of the Stay Like a Local campaign allows us to champion more responsible tourism, create meaningful work and invite visitors to explore Edinburgh in a way that benefits local communities.”
Cllr Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: “Edinburgh is a city of neighbourhoods, stories and communities, and Stay Like a Local encourages visitors to experience this in a way that is both authentic and responsible.
“Working with Invisible Cities and their ambassadors helps visitors to discover parts of the city that they might otherwise miss – from independent bookshops and galleries to historic closes and local dining – ensuring that tourism benefits our residents and businesses, as well as our visitors.”
Stay Like a Local is part of Stay Different a three-year behaviour change campaign led by Forever Edinburgh and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Scottish Gas has officially unveiled their brand-new “Hot Seats” activation at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, giving lucky customers a truly unique way to experience the Guinness Six Nations.
The Hot Seats, which debuted during Saturday’s highly anticipated Calcutta Cup, offers lucky customers the chance to enjoy the biggest fixtures in Scottish rugby from the cosiest seats in the stadium.
With temperatures during last week’s monumental victory against England dropping to around 3 °C the Hot Seats were an instant success with fans.
They are designed to resemble the living room of Scottish Gas’ brand characters, The Things, with blue, fluffy chairs and themed visuals on the surrounding walls, creating a playful, cosy space that feels like stepping straight into the home of ‘The Things’. The Hot Seats experience includes complimentary tickets, food and drinks throughout the game, and Scottish Gas hot water bottles to help keep them warm during the match.
Located in both the North and South stands inside the stadium, the Hot Seats place fans right at the centre of the action, delivering a new and unmatched matchday experience while reinforcing Scottish Gas’ commitment to supporting fans on and off the pitch.
James Corcoran, Partnerships Director at Scottish Gas, said: “The Guinness Six Nations is one of the biggest sporting moments in Scotland, and we’re always looking at how we can create memorable experiences for fans at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
“The Hot Seats bring the comfort and warmth of home into the heart of the stadium, allowing our customers to enjoy the electric atmosphere of matchday while we take care of the things that matter most.”
Rex Hugill, Head of Partnership at Scottish Rugby, added: “The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is always a special occasion at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, and it’s fantastic to see partners like Scottish Gas enhancing the matchday experience in such a creative and fan-focused way.
“The Hot Seats add something unique to the stadium while staying true to what makes rugby here so special, the atmosphere, passion and community.”
Edinburgh’s Third Sector Reference Group is a place for sharing ideas and insights to help city leaders make better policy and investment decisions. The Group is looking for new members to shape decisions and help make positive change:
Edinburgh’s Third Sector Reference group is looking for new members to shape decisions, amplify community voices and create positive change.
The Third Sector Reference Group is a place for sharing ideas and insights from our sector to help city leaders make better policy and investment decisions.
The group aims to harness the power, knowledge and impact of our sector and to take that directly to the heart of decision-making to help influence policy, strategy and service design that affects communities across the city.
Share your experience and help shape better policy and services
Work collaboratively with peers, public sector partners and decision-makers
Influence decisions that impact communities and the third sector
Strengthen the collective voice of the third sector in the city’s decision-making
You will:
Act as an advocate for the third sector and the communities we serve
Contribute to meetings, workshops and consultations
Share insight, lived experience, challenge and constructively support advocacy and influencing activity that benefits the sector
Work collaboratively, in partnership and uphold high standards of integrity and accountability
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from people who:
Are involved in the third sector and understand organisational sustainability
Bring lived or professional experience of working with communities
Are effective communicators and collaborative team players
Care deeply about equality, inclusion and social justice
Can commit time to attend meetings and contribute to written feedback on public policy, reports and design of future provision and support for the third sector
Time Commitment
Monthly Reference Group meetings, typically 60- 90 minutes.
Occasional events
Contribute to consultations/policies/reports
We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
How to Apply
Please submit a short expression of interest (no more than one side of A4) outlining:
Your background and connection to the third sector
What you feel you would bring to the Reference Group
To celebrate 100 years since the Castle was gifted to the nation by the Reids, this year’s programme has a strong 1920s theme.
The centenary programme was officially launched with a visit from Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, who joined colleagues and volunteers at the castle to mark the beginning of a year-long celebration.
Featuring an exciting and varied selection of events, the programme will include talks, creative workshops, film screenings, and family fun activities. Highlights include:
Immersive heritage experiences inspired by different periods of the castle’s past
Interactive outdoor activities and themed trails for families
Seasonal festivals celebrating culture, craft and community
Costumed interpretation and live performances
Creative workshops, talks and special tours
A highlight of the year will be the original murder mystery plays, composed and performed by Edinburgh Living History, where guests can use their sleuthing skills to uncover the culprit.
In August, the 1920s-inspired scavenger hunt, reflecting popular leisure activities of the era, will have guests following the clues to meet some characters from the past whilst enjoying the beauty of the grounds.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the return of much-loved Japan Sakura, offering another weekend of fun, with the opportunity to take part in traditional crafts and hands-on activities for all ages.
To mark the centenary, guests can also watch a series of film screenings of titles both made and set in the 1920s starting with ‘The General’ (1926).
Many events will be free to attend, with some ticketed experiences available through advance booking. Details of all events are listed on the Culture Edinburgh website.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “Lauriston Castle is one of Edinburgh’s most treasured sites, and the centenary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both its past and its future.
“This programme brings together heritage, creativity and community in a way that reflects the spirit of Mr and Mrs Reid’s generous gift.
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to discover everything that Lauriston has to offer in 2026.”
Royal Mail has issued a set of 12 stamps to celebrate the world of Hornby Model Railways, a brand that has shaped British hobby culture for over a century.
Frank Hornby, the inventor of Meccano, produced his first clockwork Hornby Series trains in 1920. In 1929 the first models representing real British locomotives arrived.
Each stamp features an exclusive photograph of an iconic Hornby model, specially commissioned by Royal Mail.
Stamps in the set are:
1 locomotive, GNR (1920)
Princess Elizabeth, LMS (1937)
4MT tank locomotive, BR (1954)
AL1 electric locomotive, BR (1963)
InterCity 125 High Speed Train, BR (1977)
Merchant Navy class locomotive, BR (2000)
Bournemouth Belle Pullman cars, BR (2009)
Experimental ‘Hush-Hush’ locomotive, LNER (2021)
An additional four stamps presented in a vibrant miniature sheet celebrate the rich heritage of Hornby through four nostalgic designs, each featuring classic packaging, catalogue covers and promotional artwork from different eras.
The stamps are set against an illustration of a London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) locomotive in full steam.
Royal Mail worked with renowned model railway historian and author, Pat Hammond, on the stamp issue.
David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail,said: “Hornby trains entertained millions, preserved the romance of rail travel, and become a cultural icon of British design and imagination.
“Each of these stamps celebrates a piece of history, of Hornby’s craftsmanship and its role in British culture for generations.”
Martyn Weaver, Brand MD, Hornby, said: “To see Hornby Model Railways celebrated on Royal Mail stamps is a real honour.
“Hornby has been part of British life for more than a century, inspiring creativity, craftsmanship and a lifelong interest in railways and modelling. These stamps recognise the enduring appeal of model railways and the role the hobby continues to play in bringing people together across generations.”
Pat Hammond, Archivist to the Train Collectors Society, said: “The Hornby brand is over 100 years old and that is a major achievement. It is part of Britain’s heritage, and long may it be so.”
HORNBY RAILWAYS:
Hornby’s story began in 1920, when Frank Hornby, the inventor of Meccano, introduced his first clockwork Hornby Series trains.
These 0 gauge models, crafted from pressed steel, brass and tinplate, were twice the size of today’s 00 gauge scale. By the late 1920s, Hornby had launched electrically driven train sets and in 1929 introduced models based on real British locomotives. The iconic LMS Princess Elizabeth locomotive appeared in 1937, followed by the debut of the smaller 00 gauge system, Hornby Dublo, in 1938.
The introduction of plastic mouldings and a two-rail system marked a new era, and by the late 1970s Hornby was producing highly detailed models that appealed to both children and adult enthusiasts. Highlights included the British Railways High Speed Train (HST), released in 1977, which became one of the brand’s best-selling models.
Hornby continued to innovate into the 21st century, combining heritage with cutting-edge technology. From live steam locomotives and digital control systems to collaborations with beloved brands such as Thomas and Friends and Harry Potter, Hornby has remained a leader in model railways.
Today, the company boasts an extensive tooling stock and continues to create authentic, finely detailed models that celebrate Britain’s rich railway history.
The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today (12 February) at www.royalmail.com/hornby and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 12 stamps is priced at £21.30.
The stamps go on general sale on 19 February from Royal Mail and from 27 February in selected Post Office branches.
Spokes and Cycling UK are holding a joint election hustings, on Monday 16 March, for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, to hear from Holyrood candidates on cycling and related policies.
Rather than the usual hustings approach, which can be rather boring, our meeting will comprise several sections, with speakers undertaking Initiation, Interrogation, Combination, Clarification and Education, as in the agenda below.
Speakers
All the main parties currently represented at Holyrood have been invited to send along a candidate for an Edinburgh, Lothians or Lothians List seat. So far, we have…
Conservative – awaited
Green – Chas Booth [councillor, Lothians List candidate, councillor, Spokes member]
Labour – Daniel Johnson [MSP, standing again in Edinburgh Southern]
LibDem – awaited
Reform – awaited
SNP – Kate Campbell [councillor, Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh & Tranent candidate]
Time Starts 7.30, Ends 9.30. Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stalls and chat, including a special stall to join Spokes or renew your membership
Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – confirmation nearer the time – and make the recording available a few days later
Submit a question
If you have a question for all candidates (“Combination” section above) please email it in advance to spokes@ spokes.org.uk with the subject line hustings question. Note that questions to individual candidates (“Interrogation”) can only be asked in person at the meeting, after their Initiation speech.
Background
Check out the Holyrood 2026 manifesto signed by over 60 Scottish organisations, including Spokes. Commitments we’d like to see from parties include 10% of the transport budget going to active travel, and reorganised street space with well maintained, accessible networks of walking and cycling routes.
Westminster Government will give parents and carers greater clarity and support as the Prime Minister announces immediate action to make the online world safer for children
PM announces new powers to act within months to keep children safe amid rapid technology changes
New action will ensure no platform gets a free pass – as government today will close loopholes that put children at risk, and lays the groundwork for further, faster action
PM leads new crackdown on AI chatbots to protect people from illegal content
The UK Government will give parents and carers greater clarity and support as the Prime Minister announces immediate action to make the online world safer for children.
Speaking to parents and young people later today [Monday 16 February], the Prime Minister will make clear this government will act at pace to keep kids safe online as they navigate a digital world that did not exist a generation ago, and one that is shaped by powerful platforms, addictive design and fast-moving technologies.
The new measures announced today include crackdown on vile illegal content created by AI. The government will move fast to shut a legal loophole and force all AI chatbot providers to abide by illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act or face the consequences of breaking the law. This will ensure the Act keeps up with rapidly evolving harms.
This follows government action to call out abhorrent non-consensual intimate images being shared on Grok, which subsequently led to the function being removed.
The Prime Minister will also make clear today that his government is taking new legal powers to lay the groundwork for immediate action following its consultation on children’s wellbeing online. The Government is committed to following the evidence, and these powers will mean we can act fast on its findings within months, rather than waiting years for new primary legislation every time technology evolves.
That means being able to act quickly on measures like setting a minimum age limit for social media and restricting features like infinite scrolling that are harmful, in line with the consultation. The law is crystal clear: the distribution of nude images of children is already illegal. But the government will also consult on how best to ensure tech companies can safeguard children from sending or receiving such images in the first place.
The consultation will also confront the full range of risks children face online. This includes examining restrictions on children’s use of AI chatbots, as well as options to age restrict or limit children’s VPN use where it undermines safety protections and changing the age of digital consent.
The government will also strengthen protections for families facing the most devastating circumstances, by ensuring that vital data following a child’s death is preserved before it can be deleted, except in cases where online activity is clearly not relevant to the death.
This marks a clear shift in how the UK approaches child online safety, meaning the UK can continue to be a world leader in keeping children safe online.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “As a dad of two teenagers, I know the challenges and the worries that parents face making sure their kids are safe online.
“Technology is moving really fast, and the law has got to keep up. With my government, Britain will be a leader not a follower when it comes to online safety.
“The action we took on Grok sent a clear message that no platform gets a free pass.
“Today we are closing loopholes that put children at risk, and laying the groundwork for further action.
“We are acting to protect children’s wellbeing and help parents to navigate the minefield of social media.”
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “I know that parents across the country want us to act urgently to keep their children safe online. That’s why I stood up to Grok and Elon Musk when they flouted British laws and British values.
“We will not wait to take the action families need, so we will tighten the rules on AI chatbots and we are laying the ground so we can act at pace on the results of the consultation on young people and social media.
“We are determined to give children the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future at time of rapid technological change.”
The children’s digital wellbeing consultation will launch next month and will be guided by what parents and children say they need now, not in several years’ time.
Ministers are already engaging with parents, young people and civil society groups, and the message has been consistent and clear that parents want support and fast.
You won’t always know what your child is seeing online – unless you ask.
We’re supporting parents with practical guidance to talk to their children about harmful online content, from misinformation to misogynistic material.
— Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) February 10, 2026
To help parents immediately, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched the ‘You Won’t Know until You Ask’ campaign. It offers practical guidance on safety settings, conversation prompts parents can use with their children, and age‑appropriate advice on dealing with harmful content, including misogynistic material and ragebait.
Chris Sherwood, NSPCC CEO, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s promise to act quickly and decisively to hold tech companies to account and make the online world safer for children. The status quo can’t continue, and without real change the pressure for an under‑16 social media ban will only increase.
“Much of what is being proposed mirrors what we have been pressing for: proper age‑limit enforcement, an end to addictive design, and stronger action from platforms, devices, and AI tools to stop harmful content at the source. Delivered swiftly, these measures would offer far better protection than a blanket ban.
“We also strongly support putting children’s voices at the centre of this debate. They understand both the benefits and risks of being online and – after their insights have been overlooked in discussions so far – their experiences must now help guide the decisions made in the months ahead.
“We need urgent action and an ambitious agenda if the Government is going to take on tech bosses and make a difference for children and young people.”
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of Molly Rose Foundation, said: “Parents are right to demand urgent action on online safety, and we strongly welcome the Government’s ambition to move quickly and decisively to tackle appalling and preventable harm.
“This announcement should reassure parents that change is on the way. It means that children and families could see much needed safety improvements within months, including action against high-risk AI Chatbots and new measures to prevent girls from being coerced into sending nude photos.
“This a welcome downpayment but the Prime Minister must now go further. Sir Keir Starmer should commit to a new Online Safety Act that strengthens regulation and that makes clear that product safety and children’s wellbeing is the cost of doing business in the UK.”
