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Letters: Charity urges older people to check Pension Credit eligiblity

Dear Editor

With the days feeling shorter, our thoughts are turning to the winter ahead and people up and down the country will be thinking about switching their heating on soon. But now, many older people, including millions living on a low income, will head into the colder months justifiably anxious about having their Winter Fuel Payment taken away from them as they do not receive Pension Credit.

The latest figures show that only 63% of eligible people are receiving Pension Credit, meaning up to 1.2 million older people could be missing out on an important entitlement, and so could have their Winter Fuel Payment taken away despite living on an extremely low income. In Edinburgh a massive £12.5 million in Pension Credit is going unclaimed.

Our helpline is regularly receiving calls from older people that are frightened about losing the money, and we are concerned that many will feel forced to keep their heating off. Being cold can be damaging to your physical and mental health, but the people we speak to think this is their only option as they simply do not have enough money to cover even higher energy bills.

If you are 66 and over and are concerned about losing the Winter Fuel Payment, we urge you to check your Pension Credit eligibility as the one-off payment is now tied to this entitlement.

Your claim for Pension Credit can be backdated, and if you successfully apply before the 21st December you will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment as long as you lived in the UK during the qualifying week which is between 16th and 22nd September 2024, and you can show you were entitled to Pension Credit during that time.

You can check your eligibility through the UK Government’s Pension Credit Calculator and apply direct by calling this number 0800 99 1234. Or you can come to a charity like us at Independent Age by calling our free and confidential helpline on 0800 319 6789 and we can help work out what you might be eligible for and help you apply if needed.

Pension Credit can be transformative, it tops up income by on average, almost £4,000 a year. It also acts as a gateway to other benefits such as free TV licences for over 75s, free NHS prescriptions, council tax reduction, Housing Benefit, free eye tests and much more.

Yours Faithfully,

Joanna Elson, CBE

Chief Executive of Independent Age

Preparing health and social care for winter

Record high NHS 24 workforce to meet increased demand

A record number of NHS 24 call handlers will support the public to access the most appropriate care this winter as services deal with increased demand.

Through the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint Winter Preparedness Plan, continued investment for NHS 24 will increase service capacity to provide clinical supervision for at least 150,000 additional calls per year and help prevent unnecessary A&E attendances.

Key measures to support services in the face of increased demand, include; improving discharge planning for patients admitted to acute or community hospitals, maintaining established care at home packages and a Government led delayed discharge response team to directly support Boards in need of assistance. Planned care capacity will also be safeguarded with a continued focus on clearing long waits.

The annual winter vaccination programme, which includes respiratory condition RSV for the first time, will support a reduction in severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality – while protecting health and social care service capacity. The joint plan also sets out action to support the mental health and well-being of service staff through increased flexible working options and dedicated mental health resources.

This year’s plan has been published a month ahead of last year, and earlier than ever before, to allow more time for NHS Boards and care providers to prepare for winter surges in demand.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “As winter approaches, the NHS will see surges in demand across all health, social care and social work services. Our joint Winter Plan with COSLA is just one part of a wider programme of work to respond to heightened demand.

“A record number of NHS 24 call handlers will be available this winter to direct people to the most appropriate care, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances. We will continue our work to reduce delayed discharge in hospitals with an increased focus on effective discharge planning and protecting care at home packages. We will also ensure planned care capacity is protected as much as possible in the face of winter pressure so patients are seen as quickly as possible.

“We are prioritising frontline services with over £14.2 billion investment in our boards this year – an almost 3% real terms uplift – and also investing £2 billion in social care services.

“I thank all health, social care and social work staff for their continued efforts and dedication to deliver high quality care. It is fundamental we safeguard their wellbeing, and improved options on flexible working and continued access to mental health resources will ensure staff are supported over this challenging period.”

COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly said: “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that people and communities have timely access to quality care and support when they need it most.

“We know that Local Government and Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland are working hard to plan and deliver the essential health and social care services our communities rely on every day.

“The context within which this takes place is increasingly challenging, which is why COSLA have worked jointly with the Scottish Government to produce this plan. Local Government plays a key role in supporting people to experience better wellbeing and better outcomes, so it was only right that this plan reflects the whole system of integrated health and social care, from acute and primary care to social work, our care homes, community settings, and our partners across the sector.

“Winter is often a time of exceptional pressure on our services so I am pleased that this plan, produced with our partners across the sector, reflects the challenges and the opportunities we face.”

Health & Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan for 2024-25

Warning: Telford traffic misery to continue for a while yet

Telford Road

🚦

TWO-way temporary traffic lights at the top of Groathill Avenue from 7am on Tuesday 24 September for ongoing power cable renewal works – expected until 11 October.

Closures on Groathill Avenue and Groathill Road South remain in place for a few more weeks.

#edintravel

HMRC: 671,000 young people urged to cash in their government savings pot

  • Young people urged to claim their Child Trust Fund
  • £2,200 on average waiting in unclaimed accounts

More than 670,000 18-22 year olds yet to claim their Child Trust Fund are reminded to cash in their stash as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals the average savings pot is worth £2,212.

Child Trust Funds are long term, tax-free savings accounts which were set up, with the government depositing £250, for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. Young people can take control of their Child Trust Fund at 16 and withdraw funds when they turn 18 and the account matures.

The savings are not held by government but are held in banks, building societies or other saving providers. The money stays in the account until it’s withdrawn or re-invested.

If teenagers or their parents and guardians already know who their Child Trust Fund provider is, they can contact them directly. If they do not know where their account is, they can use the online tool on GOV.UK to find out their Child Trust Fund provider. Young people will need their National Insurance number – which can be found easily using the HMRC App –  and their date of birth to access the information.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Thousands of Child Trust Fund accounts are sitting unclaimed – we want to reunite young people with their money and we’re making the process as simple as possible. 

“You don’t need to pay anyone to find your Child Trust Fund for you, locate yours today by searching ‘find your Child Trust Fund’ on GOV.UK.”

Third-party agents are advertising their services offering to search for Child Trust Funds and agents will always charge – with one charging up to £350 or 25% of the value of the savings account.

Using an agent can significantly reduce the amount received; is likely to take longer and customers still need to supply them with the same information they need to do the search themselves.

Gavin Oldham from The Share Foundation said: “If you are 18-21 years old, the government would have put money aside for you shortly after birth.

“This investment would have grown quite a bit and it’s in your name. The Share Foundation has linked over 65,000 young people to their Child Trust Fund accounts. It’s easy and free to find out where your money is.

“Go to findCTF.sharefound.org or GOV.UK to locate it today”.

In the last year more than 450,000 customers, with just their National Insurance number and date of birth, used the free GOV.UK tool to locate their Child Trust Fund.

More information on Child Trust Funds and how to access your savings can be found on GOV.UK.  

Council & Cruden Complete Energy-Efficient Passivhaus Social Housing Development

Midlothian Council and Cruden celebrated the completion of an energy-efficient Passivhaus development on Scottish Housing Day. 

The milestone marked the official completion of 20 new council flats at St Cuthbert’s on Bonnyrigg High Street, built to the energy-efficient Passivhaus standard.

These flats include assisted living apartments and homes for residents aged 55 and over and were designed by the award-winning architecture firm AHR. The project is part of the most ambitious Passivhaus programme in Scotland, with a total of 182 new homes constructed by Midlothian Council to meet stringent building standards and achieve up to 90% in energy savings.

Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Housing commented: “It’s fantastic to see what was once a building site transformed into a modern, attractive development that our tenants are now calling home.

“Hearing first-hand how local people are enjoying warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes while helping us make progress towards our net zero target by 2030 is truly inspiring.”

The Passivhaus-certified homes feature bright, spacious interiors designed to reduce energy consumption, with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems providing fresh air circulation while retaining the heat already generated in the apartments.

With an exterior designed to complement the surrounding architecture, the development seamlessly blends into the local community, enhancing the character of Bonnyrigg High Street.

Fraser Lynes, Managing Director at Cruden, expressed the company’s pleasure in working with Midlothian Council on these new homes: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see tenants already settling in and benefiting from energy-efficient living. This year’s Scottish Housing Day theme, ‘Homes for Life,’ truly reflects what we’ve accomplished here—creating a sustainable, future-proof community that addresses the environmental challenges of tomorrow.

“Knowing we’ve built homes that not only protect the environment but also significantly enhance the comfort and quality of life for residents is what makes projects like this so fulfilling.”

Midlothian Council’s commitment to sustainable housing is part of its wider strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. With this latest Passivhaus development, the council continues to set an example for local authorities across Scotland, providing residents with affordable, energy-efficient homes while supporting environmental goals.

Lothian couple conquers the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for deaf children

Broxburn residents Stuart and Mhairi Shand conquered the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in support of the National Deaf Children’s Society on Sunday 15 September. 

The couple took part in the Big Stroll Kiltwalk, which started in Musselburgh and passed through Portobello and Leith before finishing at Murrayfield Stadium, where they were greeted by their family. They completed the 11.2-mile course in three hours, 50 minutes.  

They chose to support the National Deaf Children’s Society because their son Tommy was born deaf in April of last year and the family has been receiving ongoing support from the charity.  

They’ve smashed their original fundraising target of £500, with over £1,000 raised so far for the charity, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families. 

Stuart and Mhairi live in Broxburn, West Lothian, with their four children, Amelia, 14, Kian, 11, Annie, 6, and Tommy. 

Stuart said: “The overall experience was amazing. It was a great atmosphere during the event and great to be part of it! Choosing the National Deaf Children’s Society was a no brainer for us.

“The support the charity has given us from day one has been great and the British Sign Language classes have been invaluable in helping us communicate with Tommy. 

“The main inspiration though was Tommy. He’s our wee superhero and we just want to help make his life as easy as possible. He was waiting at the finish line for us but he was sleeping!” 

Hannah Awesome, who supports fundraisers for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Stuart and Mhairi for taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for us. We’re all very proud of you. 

“The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families. The efforts of selfless fundraisers like Stuart and Mhairi will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future.” 

Holyrood committee seeks views on impact of funding deals to boost economies and create new jobs

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee will examine how effective funding deals have been in improving Scotland’s local economies, in a new inquiry launched on Friday.

The Committee has opened a consultation to look at the implementation and effectiveness of Scotland’s City Region and Regional Growth Deals.

These are funding agreements between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and local partners to boost regional economic growth. Calling for views, the Committee aims to find out how the deals have contributed to addressing local issues, and supported development and inclusive growth.

There are currently 12 deals in Scotland, each tailored to local circumstances and priorities. This might include improved broadband and mobile coverage, reducing unemployment or supporting the life sciences industry.

Claire Baker MSP, Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, said: “City Region and Regional Growth Deals have the potential to deliver significant transformations in communities across Scotland by attracting investment, creating new jobs and improving economic growth.

“We would like to understand more about how these impacts have been and are being measured, and how far lessons learned from earlier deals are informing newer deals.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from Scottish businesses to gauge experiences of engaging with local city region deals and about what support has been provided to bid for work.

“As a Committee, we will examine the progress of the Deals so far and identify whether they are delivering what they intended for the people of Scotland.”

Royal Highland Centre to host Fawkes Festival – Scotland’s largest fireworks event this year

Scotland’s Largest Fireworks Event Will Welcome 15,000 Visitors And Offer a Safer Way to Experience the Fun

  • New professionally managed festival set to welcome over 15,000 visitors, creating a safer Fawkes alternative to individual family shows 
  • One night extravaganza will take place on Sunday 3rd November

The Royal Highland Centre and Showground located at Ingliston on the western outskirts of Edinburgh, is set to host Scotland’s largest fireworks event this year. The new professionally managed festival – Fawkes Festival – is set to welcome over 15,000 visitors, creating a safer Guy Fawkes alternative to individual family shows and will take place on Sunday 3rd November.

Designed and produced by the team at GC Live and delivered by technical partners, 21CC Group, Fawkes Festival promises a feel-good evening for the whole family to enjoy. The spectacular fireworks event will be a unique and immersive safer way to experience the fun of Guy Fawkes Night.

With breathtaking fireworks accompanied by entertainment including the world-famous Scottish bagpipe band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the sensational street theatre and LED drummers’ troupe, Spark! who magically transform the landscape with mysterious characters, there’s something for everyone. 

Sponsored by Taylor Wimpey, Fawkes Festival’s feel-good programme of entertainment will boast everything from fairground rides to food and drink, a roaring bonfire, sky trackers, lasers and more. 

Geoff Crow, Director of GC Live said: “We are thrilled to bring Scotland’s Red Hot Fawkes Festival to the Royal Highland Centre this year and look forward to welcoming over 15,000 visitors for an evening filled with delicious food and drinks, breathtaking performances and a spectacular fireworks display.

“At GC Live we are committed to creating events which are both enjoyable and safe for all attendees. An organised and large-scale fireworks events such as Fawkes Festival, held under strict safety regulations, offers a very secure and enjoyable experience for all visitors at the fireworks event. 

“With professional oversight, designated viewing areas, clear signs throughout the site, crowd management strategies and compliance with established guidelines, Fawkes Festival will ensure that the excitement of fireworks can be enjoyed responsibly and safely.”

Bori Sallaiova, Event Manager at the Royal Highland Centre said: “It has been a privilege to plan and bring this exciting fireworks event to life in collaboration with the team at GC Live. We are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Royal Highland Centre this November for Fawkes Festival.

“At the Royal Highland Centre we are committed to the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, we are excited to host Fawkes Festival which will be conducted under strict safety protocols and expert supervision, reducing the risks associated with private fireworks use.

“GC Live will ensure that guests can experience the excitement of a fireworks display in a secure setting.”

For more information on the Fawkes Festival and to book tickets, go to: 

www.fawkesfestival.com

Ferry Gait Drive incident: Do you know ‘goggles man’?

Police have released an image of a male officers would like to speak to in connection with an assault and robbery which occurred on Sunday, 7 July, 2024 at around 11.30pm on Ferry Gait Drive.

Officers believe the man in the image could assist them in their ongoing enquiries and are appealing for the man himself or anyone who may recognise him, or has information about this incident, to get in touch. 

The male (pictured) is described as aged in his 30s, between 5ft 7ins and 5ft 10ins in height, was seen to be wearing a suit, goggles over his eyes and a blue baseball cap with an ‘LA’ logo.

Anyone who recognises the male pictured or has any information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 3947 of 7 July, 2024.

Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give information anonymously.

Thousands of Scottish students facing homelessness, says new report

Thousands of students across Scotland are at risk of homelessness unable to access the right housing in the country’s biggest cities, according to a new report for a cross party group of MSPs.

It says there is a severe student housing crisis in cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee and calls on the Scottish Government to take immediate action to tackle the issue.

The report for the Cross Party Group on Housing highlights significant shortfalls in student accommodation, including a shortfall of 13,852 bedspaces in Edinburgh, 6,093 in Glasgow, and 6,084 in Dundee.

An acute shortage of accommodation compounded by a lack of affordable and/or accessible options for students with additional support needs or mature students with families, has left many students facing precarious living situations.

“The Scottish Government declared a housing emergency earlier this year, but students are often left out of the conversation,” said Graham Simpson MSP, Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Housing.

“We have come up with a set of recommendations for the government that are clear and challenging. These include the need for a collaborative approach to student housing, more robust data on student accommodation, and the integration of student housing into local housing strategies.”

The report, co-authored by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE), the University of Stirling, StudentCrowd, the Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative (ESHC) and Slurp Edinburgh (Students for Action on Homelessness), also stresses the importance of city-wide one-stop shops that would guide students to suitable and affordable accommodation, an initiative that could help alleviate some of the pressure on housing markets in major student cities.

“The issue of student housing can be contentious as developers compete for prized land and local residents may feel pushed out due to lack of affordable housing supply,” said Ashley Campbell, Policy and Practice Manager, Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland.

“The challenge for government, local authorities and universities is to work together more proactively to ensure that everyone can access a home to meet their needs and that students can find their place within existing communities.”

Lawrence Williams of Slurp Edinburgh added: “From hidden homelessness to unaffordable rents, students in Scotland face a range of housing issues that have long been overlooked by policy-makers and universities.

“This report is a promising first step towards recognising the crisis and identifying structural barriers to student housing security.

“We urgently need bold measures like rent controls, cooperative student housing, and guaranteed emergency accommodation for homeless students.”

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