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Latest Pension Credit take-up figures for Scotland ‘disappointing’ says Independent Age

Statistics published today by the DWP, reveal that just 65% of older people who are entitled to Pension Credit were receiving the payment between April 2022 and March 2023.

Independent Age estimate that in Scotland this means that up to 70,000 older households could be missing out on the Pension Credit they are entitled to, with a combined value of £140 million.

We know there has been an increase in applications since the UK Government announcement that the Winter Fuel Payment would be means tested, but it is unclear how many of these will result in successful claims.

Both Governments must work together to address the issue of low take-up of Pension Credit and the unacceptably high levels of poverty in later life. Independent Age is urging the UK Government to review and ensure overall adequacy of the social security system for older people, to prevent pensioner poverty.

Alongside calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a pensioner poverty strategy for Scotland – setting out the actions that can be taken  alongside with local authorities, to tackle poverty in Scotland.

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “What is clear from the figures released today is that too many older people living on a low income are still missing out on Pension Credit in Scotland, and across the UK.

“There has been a disappointing lack of progress on Pension Credit take-up. We estimate that up to 70,000 older households could be missing out on Pension Credit between April 2022 and March 2023 worth a combined £140 million.

“Independent Age is urging the UK Government to maintain the Winter Fuel Payment in its current form until significant action can be taken to substantially increase Pension Credit take-up.

Previous strategies have not moved the dial, we can’t have more of the same. We need an innovative, evidence-based, long-term take-up strategy that maps out how older people living in, or on the edge of, poverty can access the financial support they are entitled to.

“It is too early to say what the impact of the recent increase in claims for Pension Credit will have on overall take-up rates. However, there is no room for complacency when an estimated 70,000 older households in Scotland are missing out on this much needed money and 150,000 live in poverty. In a socially just and compassionate society, we can and should do more.”

Five Kingdoms takes glory in bottled beer competition

Five Kingdoms’ Dark Storm Stout (6.9%) has been awarded CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award.

The annual competition recognises the best bottle-conditioned beers in the country, and this year the winner was announced at an event at The Bohemia in North Finchley, London. 

Five Kingdoms, a small brewing team based out of the Isle of Whithorn, Scotland, started in 2015 as a hobby and passion project between Alastair Scoular, owner of the local pub and restaurant The Steam Packet Inn, and head chef Brendon Dennett. 

Alastair said: “The brewery team were thrilled to have won this award for the whole of the UK. We are a tiny brewery from a remote corner of Scotland, so to win an award at this level is incredible, great recognition for years of hard work. 

“It is also fantastic publicity for our local CAMRA branch who have been incredibly supportive since we started brewing.”

Champion Bottled Beer of Britain judge Alex Lines said: “Judges commented on the enticing chocolate aroma, the notes of coffee, liquorice and chocolate on the palate and dry finish. The panel was also impressed by its drinkability despite its strength.” 

The well-deserved runners up were Lacons’ Audit, an 8% Barley Wine which scooped the Silver award, and Bronze award winner Milk Stout by Incredible Brewing Co in Bristol. 

CAMRA Awards Director Laura Emson said: “Huge congratulations to this year’s worthy winner of the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award.

“It’s great to see some of the big names alongside some of the up-and-coming brewers, I hope beer drinkers will go and search out these brews to give them a try for themselves.” 

Full list of Champion Bottled Beer of Britain finalists: 

Gold: Five Kingdoms, Dark Storm Stout

Silver: Lacons, Audit

Bronze: Incredible Brewing Co, Milk Stout

Finalists: 

Lynn Brewery, Lynn Ferry Bitter (4%)

Merlin Brewery, Sir Galahad (4.3%)

Monty’s Brewery, Dark Secret (5.6%) 

Capital marks Challenge Poverty Week

The city council and partners from across the city are marking Challenge Poverty Week.

Running from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October 2024, Challenge Poverty Week is a national campaign highlighting the challenges people living in poverty are facing and how we can work together to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live.

The Edinburgh Tenants Federation held a free event at Norton Park Conference Centre on Monday, featuring stalls, support and guest speakers discussing Edinburgh’s housing emergency.

On Wednesday, End Poverty Edinburgh, a group of people with lived experience of poverty, held their second citizen-led conference at the Grassmarket Community Project, supported by the Council.

This year’s event focused on collective action to combat community exclusion, focusing on child poverty, health and wellbeing,

The Council will publish the results of the city’s latest annual poverty report tomorrow (Friday 11 October).

This report will provide the fourth annual overview on progress made by the Council and partners in response to the calls to action made by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to end poverty by 2030, and will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee later this month (22 October).

Throughout the week, a series of blogs will be shared by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission shining a light on council support and services.

Edinburgh Leisure is also highlighting the help and support it can offer people experiencing barriers to an active lifestyle, including the option of a Get Active Card which provides affordable access to venues for people in receipt of certain benefits.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “In a thriving Capital city like Edinburgh it is shocking that thousands of people are suffering from low incomes, high living costs and even homelessness.

“That’s why we’ve made it a commitment of this Council to do all that we can with our partners to end poverty. Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for us to focus our efforts and make sure people know where to turn to for support.

“We’ve made good progress delivering against the targets set by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission four years ago and we’re looking forward to publishing the results of our annual report later this week.

“The funding and the support we’ve put in place is making a real difference to people’s lives, but the cost of living has risen. We face a housing emergency, and we need to prioritise this work now, more than ever.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week.

“In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

More information about events taking place across Edinburgh can be found on Eventbrite. Information, advice and support for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages.

Holyrood votes for action on Winter Fuel Payment

UK Government urged to reverse ‘damaging’ decision

The UK Government’s decision to introduce means testing for the Winter Fuel Payment must be reversed, according to MSPs.

Following a debate as part of Challenge Poverty Week, the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of a motion that the UK Government reverse its decision to restrict entitlement to the benefit. Labour MPs Richard Leonard and Alex Rowley supported the motion.

Fourteen Scottish Labour MSPs, including Edinburgh MSPs Sarah Boyack, Foysol Choudhury and Daniel Johnson, voted with their leader Anas Sarwar against the motion.

First Minister John Swinney said that as a result of this damaging decision, Scottish Government analysis indicates roughly 900,000 Scottish pensioners will no longer be entitled to support with heating costs this winter.

Commenting after the debate, the First Minister said: “More austerity is not the solution to the restrictive fiscal environment in which the UK Government, and governments across the globe, find themselves.

“It is a mistake to think that action to tackle poverty for our most vulnerable citizens are costs to be mitigated. These measures are investments in our people, our communities and our nation’s future. I have urged the UK Government to deliver an Autumn Budget that recognises this reality.

“Scotland’s Parliament has spoken, and I repeat my call for the UK Government to reverse its damaging decision to restrict entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

“The Scottish Government will continue to support households with their energy bills and tackle fuel poverty. However the UK Government must ensure their budget in October provides the necessary support to those who need it most.”

Gordon Macdonald marks Challenge Poverty Week with focus on transport

SNP CONCESSIONARY BUS TRAVEL SCHEMES HELPING TO TACKLE POVERTY IN EDINBURGH

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has said that the SNP Scottish Government’s policy of free bus travel for under 22s, over 60s and disabled people is helping to tackle poverty in Edinburgh.

This year’s Challenge Poverty Week (7th-13th October) is placing an emphasis on key themes each day, highlighting the injustice of poverty in Scotland and showing that policy interventions can make a huge difference in alleviating poverty.

Tuesday’s focus on transport is to ensure that people can get to where they need to go – enabling access to employment, education and essential services.

Scotland has the most generous concessionary fare scheme in the UK, with more than 2.3 million people eligible for free bus travel. The SNP Scottish Government’s firm commitment to bus travel continues with almost £430 million in funding for concessionary travel planned for 2024-25.

Recent figures show that young people across Scotland have now made over 150 million journeys using the Free Bus Travel Scheme since it was introduced by the SNP in 2022.

Commenting, SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Good, affordable public transport enables people to access jobs, education and training which can raise household income and protect people from being swept into poverty or pulled in deeper.

“Action taken by the SNP Scottish Government has ensured that over 235,000 people, including those often on the lowest incomes, can access free bus travel throughout the City of Edinburgh.  With more than 2.3million benefiting across Scotland.

“This free bus travel makes a huge difference to the lives of young, disabled and older people in Edinburgh – removing a significant barrier to escaping poverty and opening up employment, education, social and leisure opportunities.

“Whilst the new Labour government at Westminster seem determined to push more people into poverty by following the Tories’ austerity agenda, the SNP Scottish Government is committed to using all its powers to improve people’s lives and to eradicate poverty.”

Best Beer: Twin Golds for Scotland

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) held the Champion Beer of Scotland competition at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival on 4th October 2024.

After a close competition, in which all the finalists are blind judged, Cairngorm Brewery’s Black Gold, a 4.4% Session Stout, was chosen to be the Champion Beer of Scotland for 2024, retaining the title that it won last year, as well as back in 2015 and 2005.

Black Gold is described as having roast malt which dominates throughout, slight smokiness in aroma leading to a liquorice and blackcurrant background taste giving it a background sweetness. Very long, dry bitter finish. No less than four colours of malt make the grist! 

CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said “Cairngorm Brewery, which is based in Aviemore, continues to brew a variety of tasty beers.

“Black Gold was a very worthy winner, despite the strong competition from the other category winners. It is a very good example of a rich stout, with the strong roast and burnt malts to the fore, but with a lovely smooth, bitter but sweet aftertaste. Since it was initially brewed, Black Gold has now received the most awards issued by CAMRA in Scotland.”

Five Kingdoms Brewery, Scotland’s most southerly brewery based in Isle of Whithorn took the Champion Beer of Scotland’s silver award, with Dark Storm, a 6.9% strong stout.

However, at a recent competition held in London the bottle-conditioned version of Dark Storm won CAMRA’s National Champion Bottled Beer of the Year – a testament and well-deserved award for the high quality of beers the small brewery is currently producing.

10,000 boost State Pension with online payments

  • Individuals have less than 6 months to fill any gaps in their National Insurance records from 2006 onwards to maximise their State Pension
  • Thousands have topped up their National Insurance record using the government’s online service
  • Government encourages people to act now and check their National Insurance record

More than 10,000 payments worth £12.5 million have been made through the new digital service to boost people’s State Pension since it launched in April 2024, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.

People have until 5 April 2025 to maximise their State Pension by making voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill any gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018.

HMRC and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are encouraging people to act now and use the Check your State Pension forecast tool on GOV.UK to see if they can increase their retirement income.

The service enables people to check if they have gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record, calculate if making a payment would increase their State Pension, and then make a payment if they wish to do so.

Further analysis of the use of the online service shows:

  • the majority of customers (51%) topped up one year of their NI record
  • the average online payment is £1,193
  • the largest weekly State Pension increase is £107.44

After the 5 April 2025 deadline, people will only be able to make voluntary contributions for the previous 6 tax years, in line with normal time limits.

Since its launch in April, 3.7 million people have used the online checking tool on GOV.UK to view their State Pension forecast.

Emma Reynolds, Minister for Pensions, said: “We want pensioners of today and tomorrow to enjoy the dignity and support they deserve in retirement.

“That’s why I urge everyone to check if they could benefit by filling gaps before the deadline passes. Using our online tool means only a few clicks could make a huge difference to your future.”

Customers can use the Check your State Pension forecast tool by logging into their online account or via the free and secure HMRC app. Those without an online HMRC account can register on GOV.UK.

HMRC app users can see their pension details at their fingertips including their current potential retirement date as well as annual, monthly and weekly forecasts as well as checking their NI record.

Everyone should be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.

More information on voluntary NI contributions

Tesco shopper selects Firrhill High School to receive a £5,000 donation

Firrhill High School is celebrating after being selected by a Tesco customer to receive a £5,000 donation.

On Saturday 21st September, Tesco customers in Edinburgh were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find a specially created gold version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token.

Firrhill High School was one of three local charities that customers could vote for to receive the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme.

Alexa Brown, Pupil Support Officer at Firrhill High School, said: “£5000 will make an enormous difference to us – it will mean security for the Breakfast Club and the ability to continue providing a healthy and nutritious breakfast to ensure the best start to the day for all our pupils.”

Over one hundred Tesco stores across the country took part in the Golden Grants event, with £500,000 in total being donated to good causes that help children and young people.

Golden Grants are awarded twice a year as part of Tesco’s £8 million Stronger Starts grant programme, in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK.

Stronger Starts grants help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, as well as purchasing equipment for healthy activities.

Claire De Silva, Tesco Head of Communities said: “We know that £5,000 can make a huge difference to a school or community project, so we are incredibly proud to have been able to award Golden Grants to over one hundred schools and local projects to support the vital work they do for our children and communities.

“Our Stronger Starts programme continues to support our local communities year-round, and we encourage all customers to get involved by using a blue token to vote for a local project they feel will benefit people in their community.”

Since Tesco launched its Community Grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups.

First Minister confirms awards from Marine Fund Scotland

£14 MILLION FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES

First Minister John Swinney has confirmed that 67 projects will share a total of £14 million in support from the latest round of Marine Fund Scotland.

The First Minister made the announcement in Shetland, where this morning he will tour Lerwick’s daily electronic fish auction and meet the Shetland Fishermen’s Association before attending the Convention of the Highlands and Islands.

This year’s awards include seven to Shetland-based projects, including support for a new fisher from Scalloway to help secure a vessel to enter the industry, along with grants for Blueshell Mussels in Brae to enhance its mussel-growing process and to Cooke Aquaculture to trial an innovative water-borne feeding system.

Other awards to island-based businesses include for Vonin Scotland to help establish a net service station for the aquaculture sector at Kyleakin on Skye, initially creating 15 new jobs. This project means nets will now only need to be transported a short distance by boat rather than via an extended road journey to the Central Belt, reducing CO2 emissions, and will improve recycling rates of nets preventing material ending up in landfill or incineration.  

First Minister John Swinney said: “Our island and coastal communities and the marine industries based here make a huge contribution to Scotland – not just to our economy but also to our efforts to drive innovation and sustainability.

“I’m very pleased therefore to be here in Shetland to confirm these awards to a wide range of projects, all of which have demonstrated that they will help to drive innovation in the marine sector and help sustain coastal communities.

“Over the last four years, Marine Fund Scotland has supported hundreds of pioneering projects that are already contributing to building prosperity whilst at the same time protecting the planet.”

The First Minister is also expected to visit Scottish Sea Farms salmon processing facilities later before meeting Lerwick Port Authority leadership.  

Sectors receiving support include sea fisheries; aquaculture; seafood processing; wild fisheries including wild salmon; projects that tackle marine litter and improve recycling; and the wider marine environment. Applicants are assessed against strict eligibility criteria including alignment with Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision.

David Brown, Shetland Regional Manager at Cooke Scotland, said: “We are grateful for the grant assistance which will enable us to trial and develop a new waterborne feed delivery method where rural communities such as Shetland can continue feeding the world with premium Scottish salmon.

“The health and welfare of our fish is a top priority and the project aims to enhance their wellbeing by encouraging the salmon to feed lower down in the pens, minimising the impact from environmental challenges and wildlife, as well as reducing our energy consumption and ensuring the durability of our feed pipes.”

Marine Fund Scotland

List of 2024/25 awards

Blue Economy Vision