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Minister urges those eligible to apply for support with the cost of living

Scottish households have saved more than £3 billion in council tax since the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme was introduced almost ten years ago.

The latest figures published by the Scottish Government show 456,790 recipients received CTR in October 2022, meaning around one-in-five households were benefiting from the scheme.

People on low incomes are eligible for CTR if they live in Scotland – there is no equivalent benefit in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.

People who receive CTR save on average £750 a year and become eligible for up to 35% off their water and waste charges.

Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said: “The Council Tax Reduction scheme celebrates its tenth anniversary in April 2023 and these latest figures show the scale of support it has provided to people in Scotland over the last decade.

“The cost of living crisis is disproportionately affecting poorer households and now, more than ever, it is important everyone is aware of the help that is available.

“Some people are also eligible for other council tax discounts or sometimes full exemptions, including students, people with disabilities and carers amongst others.

“I urge people to check their eligibility for council tax reduction and other financial support by visiting our online resources or by contacting their local council.”

People can check whether they are eligible for Council Tax Reduction through mygov.scot or by contacting their local council. Details of other help available including extra financial support or for things like food, heating and electricity can be found on the Scottish Government’s cost of living crisis support website.

Highrise homes are being made merry and bright this winter thanks to big-hearted Council worker Billy McGhee.

Billy, who has been working as a concierge officer in Council blocks for 35 years, has been going out of his way to personally decorate foyers and buildings in Holyrood and Lochview Court for the benefit of the 400+ people who live there.

With this year likely to be particularly tough for many households because of rising costs, Billy’s annual tradition of bringing the festivities to people’s front doors has grown bigger than ever.

Here, Billy tells us about his work and the response he’s had from tenants

Tell us why you decided to decorate the building?

I wanted to give something back and what better time than Christmas? I’ve always loved this time of year so thought it would be a good idea to decorate the foyers.

Who was involved in planning and pulling this together?

I’ve done this for many years now and it has just kind of grown every year, I’ve donated a lot of the items myself, other items have been donated from residents or saved from landfill.

What sort of reaction have you had from tenants?

They all seem to love it and really appreciate it. People always ask me at the beginning of December “when are the decorations going up?”

What’s your favourite thing about decorating the building?

The smiles from the tenants when they see the decorations and when they hear the Christmas music playing in the foyer, especially the reaction from the younger ones, the elderly and those that live on their own.

We have a lot of families living in the building with some having relatives that live thousands of miles away, it’s great to see them taking pictures and knowing that these have been sent to loved ones and family in different parts of the world.

It can be a lonely time for some of our residents at Christmas so it’s great to see them interact in the foyer, chatting and connecting.

Can you tell us a little about your day-to-day role?

My typical day involves making sure the building is clean and safe for residents and visitors, I do have a daily routine but I learned very quickly in this role (35yrs ago) that you need to be flexible in your approach to how you manage your day as there is always something that requires attention or a resident or colleague that needs assistance. 

This could be anything from assisting residents with day-to-day repairs or sign posting to more specific services depending on their needs, to working with colleagues from other teams and departments to assist with more complex issues or cases.

I think the most challenging part of my role is working with people that are reluctant to ask for or accept help or those that are less considerate towards their neighbours or community. In these instances I’m fortunate to have a good team around me with years of experience to draw on so that in most cases it allows us make a connection and ultimately help.

I see a majority of residents on a daily basis and always stop to say hello, they really appreciate the time even if it is only for a few moments.  I think the most rewarding part of my role is being able to help people. Doing something to help however small can make a huge difference to someone’s wellbeing and their quality of life.

Councillor Jane Meagher, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Council concierges have one of the most rewarding and challenging roles in housing, making sure our multistorey blocks are kept safe and clean and often acting as the first port of call for tenants’ needs.

“Whether they are helping a family with a complex issue they have at home or providing a friendly hello to people who live alone, concierges really do provide an invaluable service which too often goes unnoticed.

“Billy is a fantastic example of one of our unsung heroes. Here we have someone who is going out of his way to bring a smile to tenants’ faces, sourcing his own decorations to create Christmas cheer and a real sense of community, not because it’s his job but because he simply wants to.

“Christmas isn’t always an easy time of year, and a lot of people are facing financial challenges, particularly this winter – which may mean Billy’s decorations are the only Christmas lights some households have this year. Thank you, Billy, for bringing the festivities to everyone’s front door.”

New deal for local government as allocations published

Details of how more than £13.2 billion in Scottish Government funding for 2023-24 will be distributed among local authorities have been published. 

They include a cash increase in day-to-day revenue funding of 3.5% for next year, compared with the 2022-23 Scottish Budget.

The settlement represents a total cash increase of £570 million or 4.5%. This is equivalent to a real terms rise of 1.3% to support vital council services and follows the most challenging Scottish Budget settlement since devolution.

The Scottish Government has enabled local authorities to make their own local decisions, with financial flexibility on council tax, employability and homelessness services, as well as early learning and schools workforce provision.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I recognise the challenge which local councils face in delivering services during the current bleak economic climate.

“The 2023-24 Budget confirms that, despite the most turbulent economic and financial context that most people can remember, and the huge pressure on public finances, we are providing councils with a real terms budget increase of 1.3% next year.

“Local government had sought even more funding but – candidly – there was no way in the current climate we were going to be able to meet the request in full. The entire country is having to make difficult choices, including government and local authorities, but we have managed to find an extra £570 million for councils on top of last year’s budget allocations.  

“We are building flexibility and autonomy into how budgets can be spent, but a more fundamental shift is required. We will work with local authorities to review how public services are delivered, so that they are designed around the needs and interests of the people and communities of Scotland.

“That means tackling problems through early intervention before they become acute. It means creating a more effective way of working together with local government by focusing on outcomes, not process.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE 2023-4: TOTAL REVENUE SUPPORT
	2022-23	2023-24	Increase	Increase
Local Authority	£m	£m	£m	%
Aberdeen City	390.6	435.9	45.3	11.6
Aberdeenshire	499.6	539.0	39.4	7.9
Angus	237.9	255.4	17.5	7.3
Argyll & Bute	219.7	232.5	12.8	5.8
Clackmannanshire	110.2	118.7	8.4	7.7
Dumfries & Galloway	329.0	354.7	25.7	7.8
Dundee City	338.0	359.9	21.9	6.5
East Ayrshire	268.7	290.8	22.1	8.2
East Dunbartonshire	217.7	232.8	15.1	6.9
East Lothian	203.6	221.0	17.5	8.6
East Renfrewshire	205.5	222.3	16.8	8.2
Edinburgh, City of	872.9	948.9	76.0	8.7
Eilean Siar	103.7	108.6	4.9	4.7
Falkirk	327.6	352.0	24.4	7.4
Fife	760.8	820.4	59.5	7.8
Glasgow City	1,407.9	1,529.3	121.4	8.6
Highland	523.6	559.7	36.2	6.9
Inverclyde	187.8	200.7	12.9	6.9
Midlothian	190.3	204.7	14.5	7.6
Moray	188.9	204.8	15.9	8.4
North Ayrshire	314.5	337.7	23.2	7.4
North Lanarkshire	719.4	774.9	55.5	7.7
Orkney	83.9	89.6	5.7	6.8
Perth & Kinross	294.8	320.4	25.6	8.7
Renfrewshire	365.2	393.2	28.1	7.7
Scottish Borders	243.0	260.1	17.1	7.0
Shetland	98.8	103.1	4.3	4.3
South Ayrshire	235.8	256.0	20.2	8.6
South Lanarkshire	651.9	702.9	50.9	7.8
Stirling	196.1	209.8	13.7	7.0
West Dunbartonshire	213.5	228.7	15.2	7.1
West Lothian	369.7	402.4	32.8	8.9
Undistributed	482.9	125.5	-357.4	-74.0
Scotland	11,853.6	12,396.5	542.9	4.6

This publication starts the formal consultation period on the 2023-24 local government settlement. Final allocations will be published following approval by the Scottish Parliament, expected in February.

The Scottish Budget 2023-24 proposal includes a net increase of £16 million for free school meals.

The Scottish Government is transferring £105 million per year to give effect to the devolution of Non-Domestic Rates Empty Property Relief. This is significantly more than the cost of replicating the existing policy, should councils wish to do so.

Full details of the provisional allocations, including capital allocations, were published yesterday.

The city council wants to hear your views on Edinburgh’s Thriving Greenspaces 2050: A Vision and Strategy.

This consultation will be the benchmark for how we move forward with greenspaces over the next 30 years

Find out more and take part until 31 December :

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/thriving…/

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year, having already helped over 24,000 households get onto the property ladder.
Launched in April 2021, the scheme supports first-time buyers, who make up 85% of scheme transactions, buy a home with a 5% deposit.
The scheme is just one of the ways the government is helping people with home ownership.
The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year to the end of December 2023, helping people with 5% deposits on to the property ladder.

Under the scheme the government offers lenders the financial guarantees they need to provide mortgages that cover the other 95%, subject to the usual affordability checks, on a house worth up to £600,000.

Launched in April 2021, the scheme has already helped over 24,000 households. It was originally planned to close at the end of this year but will now be extended until the end of 2023.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP said:

“For hard-working families facing today’s challenging economic conditions, it’s right that we continue to help them secure their first home or move into their dream house.

“Extending this scheme means thousands more have the chance to benefit, and supports the market as we navigate through these difficult times.”

Since 2010, more than 687,000 households have been helped into home ownership through government schemes. First time buyers often find it hard to save for a large deposit, and the mortgage guarantee has helped over 24,000 households (as of November 2022) overcome this barrier and secure the keys to a new home with a deposit as small as 5%.

As well as first time buyers and current homeowners, the scheme has also helped support the wider housing sector. Lenders reduced the availability of high LTV products during the Covid-19 pandemic, with just eight 95% LTV products available in January 2021. The government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helped restore competition and consumer choice to the market, which has benefited businesses and boosted the market.

To also support people to get onto the property ladder, the government has increased the level where first-time buyers start paying stamp duty from £300,000 to £425,000. Furthermore, first-time buyers can get relief on properties costing up to £625,000, as opposed to £500,00 previously. Both of these measures are time-limited to April 2025.

The government has also continued to provide a range of other options to support home ownership and the wider housing sector. For example, the Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA have collectively facilitated over 618,000 households get on to the property ladder

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year, having already helped over 24,000 households get onto the property ladder.Launched in April 2021, the scheme supports first-time buyers, who make up 85% of scheme transactions, buy a home with a 5% deposit.The scheme is just one of the ways the government is helping people with home ownership.

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme will be extended by a year to the end of December 2023, helping people with 5% deposits on to the property ladder.Under the scheme the government offers lenders the financial guarantees they need to provide mortgages that cover the other 95%, subject to the usual affordability checks, on a house worth up to £600,000.Launched in April 2021, the scheme has already helped over 24,000 households. It was originally planned to close at the end of this year but will now be extended until the end of 2023.Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP said:“For hard-working families facing today’s challenging economic conditions, it’s right that we continue to help them secure their first home or move into their dream house.“Extending this scheme means thousands more have the chance to benefit, and supports the market as we navigate through these difficult times.”    Since 2010, more than 687,000 households have been helped into home ownership through government schemes. First time buyers often find it hard to save for a large deposit, and the mortgage guarantee has helped over 24,000 households (as of November 2022) overcome this barrier and secure the keys to a new home with a deposit as small as 5%.As well as first time buyers and current homeowners, the scheme has also helped support the wider housing sector. Lenders reduced the availability of high LTV products during the Covid-19 pandemic, with just eight 95% LTV products available in January 2021. The government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helped restore competition and consumer choice to the market, which has benefited businesses and boosted the market.To also support people to get onto the property ladder, the government has increased the level where first-time buyers start paying stamp duty from £300,000 to £425,000. Furthermore, first-time buyers can get relief on properties costing up to £625,000, as opposed to £500,00 previously. Both of these measures are time-limited to April 2025.The government has also continued to provide a range of other options to support home ownership and the wider housing sector. For example, the Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA have collectively facilitated over 618,000 households get on to the property ladder

Social security spending will increase to more than £5.1 billion per year through the 2023-24 Budget, supporting around a million people and helping to drive progress towards Scotland’s long term aim of eradicating child poverty.

The centrepiece of this investment is the Scottish Child Payment, which has been increased to £25 per child per week, a 150% increase since April 2022. It is now available to all eligible under 16s – around 387,000 children.

All other Scottish benefits will be uprated in April 2023 by 10.1%, at a cost of £428 million and the Scottish Welfare Fund has been maintained at £41m.

Total spending on social security will be more than £770 million above the funding received for social security through the UK Government Block Grant Adjustment.

The Budget also includes:

• £84 million for Discretionary Housing Payment to mitigate directly the impact of UK Government policies including the bedroom tax and benefit cap
• £752 million for the affordable housing supply programme to ensure continued delivery of high quality, affordable homes across Scotland which can contribute to tackling inequality and child poverty

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “Through this Budget we are taking bold action to address the deep inequalities in our society – putting more money in people’s pockets today and working to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.

“Despite the challenging financial position and the corrosive effect of UK Government economic mismanagement and soaring inflation on our budget, our child poverty targets remain ambitious. That is why we are choosing to invest significantly more in social security than the funding we receive from Westminster and helping to mitigate the damaging impact of UK Government welfare cuts.

“The many fair and progressive decisions in this Budget – including funding for housing, education and transport – will help to deliver long-term, structural change as we continue to work with local government colleagues and our partners in the third sector to tackle poverty and support all of Scotland’s families to thrive.”

The 2023-24 Budget will tackle child poverty by:

• Forecast investment of £5.1 billion in social security including devolved benefits and the Scottish Welfare Fund
• Delivering continued investment in the Scottish Child Payment, increased to £25 per week from November 2022 – one of five family benefits, four of which are only available in Scotland
• Uprating all other Scottish benefits in April 2023 by September CPI (10.1%)
• Investing £752 million in the affordable housing supply programme
• Providing £80 million of capital funding to support the expansion of free school meals
• Providing £20 million to extend the Fuel Insecurity Fund into 2023‑24 – a lifeline against rising energy prices
• Continuing to invest in employability programmes that prioritise people who face complex barriers to accessing the labour market, including parents
• Continuing to invest around £1 billion in high quality early learning and childcare provision, with a further £42 million invested in holiday food provision and expanding our support for school age childcare.
• Providing £50 million for the whole family wellbeing programme and a further £30 million to #KeepThePromise to care experienced children and young people
• Increasing spend on concessionary travel schemes, providing access to free bus travel for over 2 million people, including all under 22 year olds.
• Maintaining £200 million annual investment in the Scottish Attainment Challenge to increase the pace of progress on closing the poverty‑related attainment gap.

Responding to the Scottish Budget, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, John Dickie, said: “The use of this Budget to invest in children and double the new Scottish child payment is absolutely the right thing to do.

“It really is a big step forward on the path to meeting Scotland’s child poverty targets. The increased payment will be welcomed by families across the country who are currently facing impossible choices trying to make ends meet as universal credit cuts bite, energy prices soar and the wider costs of living rise. They will spend the extra cash in local shops and businesses, helping to drive economic recovery.

“More action will be needed in the years ahead to ensure child poverty targets are met and every child grows up with adequate resources to give them a decent start in life.

“As a country we must build on today’s Budget breakthrough and continue to invest in the social security, childcare, decent jobs, housing and local public services that are critical to families.”

Do you ever wonder what kind of information your favourite online shops collect about you? It’s probably a lot more than you think!

Cyber security experts at VPNOverview have analysed the privacy policies of some of the biggest online retailers in the UK to establish which sites compromise your privacy the most.

Despite the ease of Christmas shopping from the comfort of your home, online shopping comes with its own hazards, and your online privacy is always at risk. It turns out that when you press the checkout button, it’s not just money that is taken from you; online shops save everything from your phone number and location to your date of birth and bank details.

Detailed below are the top five companies that collect the most data from their customers*:

Link to the infographic:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2cpg281qxy76ogk/types-of-data-online-shopping-sites-collect-full-width-table.webp?dl=0

1. Amazon: King of data collection

Overall, Amazon was found to be the site with the most points of data collected. The online retailer giant took a staggeringly high £23.19 billion of revenue in 2021 in the UK alone. But that’s not the only valuable thing they took from their customers: Amazon’s website collects 60 different pieces of personal information. This ranges from the basics of name, address, and phone number to Alexa voice recordings, your friend’s emails, and even your credit history information from credit bureaus.

2. AO: Trade your personal information for tech

For those who are looking to give home and tech gifts this year, AO’s sales might be on your radar already — but AO has its eyes on you, too. The site is responsible for collecting 38 elements of your private information, earning it a second place on the list.

The data collected ranges from expected info like your name and address to your preferences, the size of your family, and how affluent you are. You’re not alone if you’re wondering why AO needs all of this information. Does the company really need to know your gender and marital status to send you your Christmas orders? We sincerely doubt it.

3. John Lewis: From social media handles to your ID

If you’re planning on gifting homeware, fashion, and electricals for Christmas this year, you may be heading to John Lewis’ website. We found that this luxury retailer took the third-largest amount of data from its visitors, collecting 31 elements, including your social media handle, clothing size, and identification documents.

In some cases, it makes sense for the company to be aware of this kind of information. Their privacy policy mentions that your social media username will be known to them if you interact with the company through those platforms. However, they actively store and use this information to tailor your shopping experience — in other words, to hopefully get you to spend more money.

4. Currys: Share your financial position with Currys

The homeware appliance and technology online shop collected 29 pieces of information from their customers, the most notable being subscription services and your financial position. They even collect the date and time of texts and calls you receive on their network and your location at the time they take place.

Although Currys comes in at number 4 on our list, some of the details they might be gathering about you are particularly alarming. Not even Amazon asks you for data about your current job or financial status. This information might seem trivial but imagine how uncomfortable you’d feel if the person behind the counter asked you how much you earn before handing you your change.

5. ASOS: Data collection — but make it fashion

For those of you heading to ASOS to buy your Christmas presents this winter, be wary. This clothing retailer is another top contender for collecting the most data on its customers. It ends up closing our top five with 20 kinds of personal data.

The research found that the clothing site collects basic information and records your body shape and size, screen name, saved items, and past purchases.

Tips to Keep Your Data Secure While Online Shopping

If you don’t want these big corporations to gather so much information about you, you can take some easy steps to minimise the amount of data that websites collect on you. Here are the three most effective steps:

• Disable and delete third-party cookies: Next time you go online shopping, don’t click “allow all cookies” without a second thought. If you do, you give these websites permission to track you. Third-party cookies are used to track your activity between sites, so they can create a scarily accurate profile on who you are and what you like. If you can, disable these third-party cookies (along with other unnecessary trackers) and delete the existing ones from your browser.

• Think twice before you share personal details: Many platforms allow you to create your own profile with a profile picture, date of birth, checkout details, and a variety of other facts about your life. Before you fill this in, always consider whether the website actually needs that information for the service they offer. If you have the option, don’t fill out these details and leave them blank instead.

• Use a VPN: Some people might advise using your browser’s incognito mode to stay anonymous online, but this doesn’t work. “Private mode” isn’t enough if you don’t want your data to be saved anywhere. Instead, consider getting a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your information and hides your IP address, meaning that websites won’t be able to read your location and other bits of personal information as easily.

In short, if you want to stay safe while online shopping, you need to watch your cookies, think critically, and use the right technology. This will give you excellent protection against big corporations and their data collection schemes.

A representative from VPNOverview commented on the study: “Online shoppers must be careful when navigating these sites and making purchases for Christmas this year.

“Although some of the information being collected is essential to the site’s functionality, having your financial status or the number of family members you have to be shared with faceless corporations can be rather alarming. 

“In most cases, customers have no idea where that information could end up or how it could be used. 

“If you’re looking for a VPN to try, we recommend Surfshark. This VPN provider is relatively cheap and works well on desktops, smartphones, and countless other devices. Moreover, Surfshark might even enable you to get better Christmas deals and escape price discrimination. If you’re interested, you can always check out the Surfshark website.”

VPNOverview are a dedicated team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals offering guidance on these topics in the most accessible way possible.