Over half a million people get payments for winter 2024/2025
Last winter over half a million children and families across Scotland enjoyed warmer homes after receiving a total of £37.3million towards their heating bills from Social Security Scotland.
Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to people who get certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people or older people. It has replaced the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Cold Weather Payment in Scotland.
It is a guaranteed payment that everyone who is eligible receives, no matter what the weather. Cold Weather Payment is only paid if the average temperature falls – or is forecast to fall – to freezing or below for a full week.
Child Winter Heating Payment was introduced by the Scottish Government in November 2020 and is only available in Scotland.
It is paid once a year to children and young people if they are under 19 years old and get certain benefits.
The figures, taken from statistics released today (Tuesday 29 April), also show that 95% of Winter Heating Payments were made by December 2024 and 93% of Child Winter Heating Payments were made by October 2024.
A total of 465,510 Winter Heating Payments, worth £27.3 million, were made for 2024/2025, along with 39,590 Child Winter Heating Payments, worth £10 million.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:“We have issued over 505,100 payments to families on low incomes, and those supporting children or young people with a disability, to help with the cost of heating their homes.
“Many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and higher energy bills. The importance of these payments was brought home to everyone this month with the Energy Price Cap rising by 6.4%. Ofgem estimates that this will add £9.25 a month to the typical household’s energy bill.
“This year we will also be providing extra support to pensioners. While the DWP’s Winter Fuel Payment will only be available to some pensioners, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will provide money to every pensioner household in the country. The Scottish Government will continue to protect pensioners and people on low incomes in Scotland.”
Petroineos, the company which runs the refinery, has informed staff that all oil refining work at Grangemouth had ended.
Workers were told by email yesterday: ‘With the shutdown of CDU2 today, Grangemouth Refinery will cease processing crude oil and the era of refining at Grangemouth comes to an end.’
The news of the final confirmation of the site has come as a hammer blow to staff and is the latest nail in the coffin of Scottish industry.
Reacting to the news that oil refining at Grangemouth has ended Alba Party Leader Kenny MacAskill said:“This is a dark day for Scotland and a betrayal of the workforce by Labour. At the election, they promised to save the refinery but have gone back on that pledge whilst at the same saving British Steel in Scunthorpe.
“Labour have cynically pocketed the votes of the workers and then abandoned them once elected. This is a betrayal for which Labour will never be forgiven.
“Scotland is now the only major oil producing nation in the world not to have its own refining capacity.
“The skills of the workforce have been sacrificed and Grangemouth reduced to an import export terminal.
“This is the cost of the Union and demonstrates how Scotland is powerless without Independence.
“Independence is required so we can protect what is left of Scottish industry and put Scottish workers first.”
The UK Labour Westminster government and the SNP Holyrood government have yet to make an official statement on the end of oil refining at Grangemouth.
Motorists are being warned of the rise in car cloning crimes, amid a worrying increase in vehicle identity theft.
Car insurance comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk have urged drivers to stay alert, avoid posting images of their car online and park in garages when possible to minimise the risk of car cloning.
This comes after an investigation revealed a 64% surge in car cloning in London alone.
The crime is a form of fraud and involves stealing or copying another person’s car registration plates, allowing criminals to run up fines for speeding, driving through low emission zones or to hide the identity of stolen or salvaged vehicles.
Number plates can be physically stolen or purchased through fraudulent suppliers.
Those who have fallen victim to car cloning will start to receive fines for crimes they have not committed, and proving innocence can be difficult, so it’s important to understand ways to prevent cloning.
The car insurance experts also say people can fall victim to car cloning through buying a used cloned vehicle, which can lead to significant legal and financial problems which could see motorists losing the car and the money they paid for it.
Motorists are not able to completely prevent car cloning, but there are some things which can help minimise the risk, including parking in a garage whenever possible, or using a car cover so your number plate is not easily visible.
The experts are advising motorists to be careful with what they post online, as images including number plates can make your vehicle more susceptible to criminals.
Those buying used cars must also be careful and make sure to check all car details beforehand. Make sure all VINs on the vehicle match each other and those in the logbook.
Anyone concerned they may be buying a cloned car should run the registration number, make and model of the car through the DVLAs vehicle enquiry service.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone said: “The sharp rise in car cloning across London is very worrying and highlights a need for more awareness around the crime, as all drivers are susceptible to this growing type of fraud.
“Car cloning is not just a minor inconvenience – it can have serious legal and financial consequences for victims, who often find themselves receiving fines or penalty points for offences they had no part in.
“In some cases, people have unknowingly bought cloned vehicles and lost both the car and the money they paid for it. An increase in penalty points can also increase insurance premiums from 5-25%, depending on the number of points accrued.
“Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent car cloning, but there are ways motorists can minimise the risk. It’s also not sensible to share pictures of your vehicle online where the number plate is clearly visible – social media can be a goldmine for those looking to illegally copy registration details.
“While insurance companies can’t prevent car cloning, some may offer advice and assistance with legal expenses – which may help if you’ve unknowingly purchased a cloned vehicle, just be sure to check the policy details to see what’s included.
“If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned it’s important to report it to the police, DVLA and your insurer immediately and consider getting a new registration number.”
Payit by NatWest provides Utilita with a simple and safe way for their customers to top up their smart meter or wallet
Payit™ is now available to customers through the My Utilita app to allow them to instantly add funds to their smart meter or wallet.
Payit™’s open banking technology means no card details are required and no customer’s sensitive information will be stored by a third party.
Digital alternative to card payments that negates the need for One Time Passcode.
The UK’s leader in smart Pay As You Go energy and the original pro-pocket, pro-planet supplier, Utilita, has rolled out NatWest’s multi award-winning1 open banking payments solution Payit™, to enable their customers to instantly add funds to their smart meter or wallet through the My Utilita app.
Utilita currently has more than 800k households using their services and as part of their mission to offer consumers better service and a fairer deal has added the Payit service.
Adding Pay by Bank from Payit as a payment option in the My Utilita app allows customers to instantly add funds to their smart meter or wallet.
Powered by open banking technology through payments initiation, Payit™ by NatWest provides customers with an additional digital payment method to be able to manage their energy payments in a safe and simple way.
This means that Utilita customers can link their bank account and experience one-click payments with reduced friction caused by the need for a card and One Time Passcodes.
The use of Strong Customer Authentication to prove the account is live and accessible and means sharing account information digitally, in real time also removes the risk of manual error.
The option is available to all Utilita customers using the My Utilita app with a bank account with access to online banking or a mobile banking app.
James Hodgson, CEO of Payit™ by NatWest, comments: “We are delighted to be helping Utilita leverage the benefits of open banking through Payit to streamline and simplify making and collecting payments.
“Payit™’s safe and secure platform provides a flexible and seamless way for people to make payments directly from their bank accounts and for businesses to improve their operational costs.”
Utilita Founder and CEO, Bill Bullen, comments: “At Utilita, we’re constantly innovating and developing solutions to ensure our customers have a smooth journey on our award-winning My Utilita app. We are immensely grateful to Procode for providing us with the required technical expertise to enable easy access of Payit on the My Utilita app for our customers.
“With Payit, our customers can make secure and fast payments directly from their bank account, via mobile banking. The added security afforded by open banking technology also massively reduces the risk of sensitive information such as card details falling into the wrong hands. Payit offers an efficient and secure service – one that will make life easier for many of our customers.”
Payit™ by NatWest offers key benefits to businesses and their customers, including:
Speed: Payit™ directly opens the customer’s banking app of choice and allows them to select the appropriate bank account to pay with. Transactions are completed quickly and securely and businesses receive funds immediately.
Simple and secure: As there is no need for card details to be stored by a third party, the risk of online fraud is minimised, allowing both the business and customer peace of mind.
Cash flow management: Instant availability of funds is essential for businesses managing cash flow.
Reduced transaction costs for the business.
1 2023 Banking Tech Project Awards Best Use of Tech in Payments, Best Open Banking Initiative at Payment Awards 2024
Expansion of pricing structure to offer greater flexibility for families
SCOTLAND’S only all-boys’ independent boarding and day school has introduced a new day pupil option, offering families greater choice and a pricing structure that prioritises clarity, transparency and value.
The existing wraparound care option available at Merchiston Castle School for day boys, now known as “Day Plus” remains unchanged, offering a full day of lessons, co-curricular activities, wraparound care until 9pm, and two hot meals – an offering which has proven popular with busy, working families.
Now, a new “Day” option is being introduced that covers the core academic school day (8am to 4.30pm) and lunch, priced at £24,000 per annum.
Unlike many other independent schools, the quoted price is all-inclusive, with no additional charges for lunch or other standard services, providing full transparency and removing the burden of hidden extras often found elsewhere in the sector.
The new “Day” structure has been created in direct response to the changing financial pressures facing families in 2025, including the introduction of VAT on school fees and wider inflationary challenges. In addition, a new flexible boarding package has been introduced giving families a two-night boarding option.
Gareth Baird, Chairman of the Board of Governors, welcomes the move as an important step in ensuring the school remains accessible to a broad range of families.
He said: “Merchiston has a long-standing reputation for excellence in both education and character development. By expanding our day offering, we are responding to the wider challenges following the introduction of VAT and rising inflation this year, while demonstrating that as a business we are agile and responsive to the needs of our families, both existing and prospective.
“The introduction of a flexible day offering is a natural evolution for the school. It ensures we continue to provide the highest quality education while recognising the diverse and changing needs of families.
“We want to ensure that more families can benefit from the exceptional education and sporting facilities available across our 100 acre campus, and with class sizes averaging around 16 students, we believe our new day proposition will be very attractive to local families.”
Founded nearly 200 years ago, the introduction of this new structure reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of modern families, while maintaining the highest standard of academic excellence, pastoral care and co-curricular activities.
The school’s boarding provision, for which it is renowned, will remain unchanged, with Merchiston continuing to offer a vibrant and nurturing environment for students who choose to board.
Founded in Edinburgh in 1833, Merchiston Castle School is Scotland’s only all-boys independent day and boarding school. It focuses on providing a transformative educational experience that nurtures young men to become confident, compassionate, and accomplished individuals.
Aldi Scotland’s much-loved Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Edinburgh, and one lucky local winner has raised £726.77 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) while picking up the same amount in Aldi favourites for herself.
Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep is inspired by the legendary gameshow and arrived at the Chesser store on 16 April 2025. Lucky shopper Amy Utzinger. who was chosen as the winner of a competition, took part in the five-minute trolley dash for CHAS.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Aldi Scotland matched the cash value of Amy’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025 every penny raised through the initiative will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Amy Utzinger, said:“What a fantastic experience! I’ve never had five minutes fly by so quickly.
“I had a strategy all planned out, but it flew right out of my head as soon as I started, and I just started grabbing things.
“The people at Aldi were so kind and helpful, and I was so pleased to help CHAS get more donations, they deserve every penny. Thanks so much to Aldi for a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
“Our work to keep the joy alive for children and families is made possible by the kindness and generosity of our volunteers, supporters and fundraisers, and partnerships with organisations like Aldi Scotland, without whom we could not deliver our vital services for children and families to ensure that no family in Scotland faces the death of their child alone.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said: “Our annual Supermarket Sweep holds a special place in the Aldi calendar, and we’re so pleased to bring it back for another year. Congratulations to Amy who managed to raise a fantastic £726.77 for CHAS, while snapping up a whole load of Aldi favourites for herself.
“CHAS is an incredible organisation which does invaluable work for families in Scotland. We are committed to raising as much money as possible so the charity can continue to provide vital hospice care to children with life-shortening conditions, and unwavering support to families during the most difficult moments imaginable.”
For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit:
This time, we will be working with some experienced gardeners from our local Salvation Army North, who are going to share some plants and plant cutting from their garden .
We already have some plant pots and are looking for donations of both indoor and outdoor plants, plant cuttings and seeds.
And remember, you do not need to bring a plant to swap on the day, we hope to have some variety on offer for everyone needing some for their houses or gardens.
POLICE are appealing for information following a crash involving a pedestrian and a car on Ashley Terrace.
The incident happened around 12.30pm yesterday (Monday, 28 April, 2025) and involved a black BMW 118i Sport.
Emergency services attended and the 80-year-old female pedestrian was taken the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries.
The female driver did not require medical treatment.
The road was closed and re-opened around 5pm.
Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this crash, and I would appeal to anyone with any information to please contact police.
“I’m also keen to speak to any drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dash-cam footage which has captured something of significance.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 1421 of 28 April, 2025.”
Lothians list MSP, Foysol Choudhury, has called for an immediate pause on proposed cuts to vital community mental health services in the city, urging the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to undertake a thorough strategic assessment of the city’s mental health provision.
The Labour MSP argues that the current decision-making process lacks the necessary time and consideration to evaluate the long-term impact on those who rely on these essential services.
The call comes in response to proposed cuts, including the potential cancellation of a £188,000 contract with Change Mental Health for the Thriving Spaces and Places initiative leaving 650 people with mental health challenges and mental health illness without support, Foysol Choudhury MSP, emphasised the need for proper planning, engagement with stakeholders, and an evidence-based approach to reforming mental health services in Edinburgh.
Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, a charity which runs services under the Thriving Spaces and Places initiative, has strongly criticised the approach taken by the EIJB, highlighting the flaws in both the economic and clinical rationale behind the cuts.
He stated: “On economic, clinical, and process grounds, the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board has approached this all wrong. It’s outrageous and short-sighted that vulnerable people will not be getting the support they need.
“Thrive and the wider Edinburgh third sector recognise the tight budgetary environment and the case for reform. However, this is not about scrapping services entirely. It’s about working together to redesign services that meet the needs of our communities.
“Removing the services will not remove the need and will just shift it to more expensive NHS services. We estimate that the Stafford Centre alone saves the NHS £4 million a year at a cost of only £188,000.
“The decision to remove funding risks undermining the stability and quality of services that so many depend on. It would be devastating to the population of Edinburgh.
“This approach, if carried forward, would leave Edinburgh as an outlier in Western Europe, where other cities continue to support community-based mental health services as an essential part of their healthcare systems.
“We call upon the EIJB and in particular the councillors on it, to reject this self-defeating proposal and instead work collaboratively with the third sector to redesign services to save money and deliver support for our city’s most vulnerable.”
Foysol Choudhury MSP pointed out that the proposal threatens to destabilise key services such as drop-in support, carer services, and veteran support, which have been fundamental in improving the mental health and wellbeing of hundreds of Edinburgh residents.
The lack of consultation and the rushed timeline undermine the collaborative approach that was promised after earlier breakdowns in communication with third-sector partners.
Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said:“This is not just an issue for those directly impacted by these cuts. It is a question of public health, social cohesion, and responsible governance.
“Do Councillors, MSPs, and MPs across Edinburgh fully understand the magnitude of the decisions being made in their names? The risks associated with these cuts are profound, and it is crucial that we pause to reassess the long-term impact on mental health provision and the health system as a whole.”
Foysol Choudhury MSP concluded by calling for urgent engagement with the third sector, health professionals, and local communities to ensure a sustainable and effective redesign of services that meets the needs of the city’s population.
Mr. Choudhury also suggested a full review of the process before any further cuts are made.
Incorrectly discarded batteries and electrical devices cause more than 1,200 waste fires every year in the UK – with the number of fires growing by more than 70% year on year.
Total annual cost of battery-related waste fires now in excess of £1bn – threatening vital infrastructure and placing additional burden on taxpayers
Every UK household on average incorrectly discards nearly 6kg of electrical items each year and more than 3,000 batteries are chucked out every minute
New independent research recommends that rolling out council kerbside collections for small electrical devices and batteries across the UK could solve the problem and save more than £6billion associated with battery fires over the coming decade
A coalition representing the waste management sector and local authorities have written to Defra minister, Mary Creagh, calling for urgent policy reform to implement universal kerbside collection of batteries and waste electricals, and to ensure producers of these products pay their fair share for this vital new service
Implementing universal kerbside collections for waste batteries and electricals across the UK could save £6bn over the next decade by increasing recycling and avoiding the costs associated with waste fires.
This was the key finding of independent research conducted by expert consultancy Eunomia for the Environmental Services Association (ESA), published today (30th April 2025), which investigated the costs and benefits of various options for collecting small waste electrical devices and batteries at the kerbside.
Only a quarter (100 of 391) of local authorities currently offer kerbside collection for small mixed waste electric and electronic equipment, which includes devices like old mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, vapes, power tools and toys – but these voluntary services only cover around 23% of households in the UK, and collection methods vary significantly between participating councils.
Because of this lack of convenient and consistent recycling options, waste electrical items, which often contain powerful batteries, are commonly (but incorrectly) discarded in the general rubbish or mixed with other recycling – where they can explode or ignite and pose a significant fire risk.
It is estimated that every household, on average, incorrectly discards nearly 6kg of waste electricals each year – or 155,000 tonnes in total.
Furthermore, Material Focus reports that 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in 2023/24 in the UK, or 3,000 every minute – with just over a billion of these hidden in electrical devices.
This has contributed to what recycling and waste operators are calling an ‘epidemic’ of battery fires. In 2023, more than 1,200 serious battery-related fires in waste facilities or vehicles were reported and the problem is rapidly growing year on year – with a 70% increase in fires between 2022 and 2023 alone.
The total annual cost of the impacts of battery-related waste fires in the UK is now estimated at more than £1billion. These costs have sky-rocketed from previous estimates, owing to increased frequency of incidents and higher associated costs of the impacts (such as repairs, insurance premiums and public service impacts etc).
The risks posed by battery fires include not just the obvious risks to peoples’ safety but also damage and downtime to essential infrastructure; the loss of valuable recyclable materials, and pollution to water-courses and the wider environment.
In its report, Eunomia recommends that the best way to address this growing epidemic of battery fires is to implement universal kerbside collections of batteries and small waste electrical devices as part of normal council recycling collections – making correct recycling more convenient for all householders, not just those living in councils where collections already happen.
The report suggests that the best cost/benefit balance would be achieved by retrofitting existing refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) with external cages, where possible, to safely store batteries and small waste electricals – collecting them on existing recycling rounds. This would be supported by both national and local communications campaigns, which would be enabled and made more cost-effective by a consistent approach across the country.
If such a scheme were rolled out today, Eunomia estimates that the number of waste fires would drop correspondingly (with anticipated increased compliance levels) from over 700 a year to just over 100, and that the capital expenditure needed to implement the new service would equate to around just 70 pence per household.
Responsibility for this service would continue to fall to local authorities, but the relatively modest additional operational expense could be supported by producers of batteries and electrical devices under a reformed Extended Producer Responsibility regime – which UK Government consulted on in early 2024.
Chairman of the Environmental Services Association, and Chief Executive Officer of Biffa, Michael Topham, said: “The UK is facing a growing epidemic of battery-related waste fires which threatens lives, vital infrastructure and the environment.
“Whether discarded on their own or hidden inside electronic devices, batteries wreak havoc when they are thrown in the wrong bin, but this sadly happens all too often because of a lack of convenient recycling options for householders.
“Eunomia’s report provides clear evidence of the huge benefits of implementing a nation-wide kerbside WEEE and battery recycling scheme – not just for preventing fires and protecting infrastructure but also realising a £6billion economic benefit while supporting a more circular economy for batteries and waste electricals.
“We urge government to commit to rolling out mandatory universal kerbside recycling services for waste electricals and batteries, and to ensure all parties pay their fair share towards delivering them.”
Leyla Lugal, Principal Consultant at Eunomia, adds: “Lithium battery fires are hurting people, the economy, and the environment.
“With the number of electrical products on the market set to rise, this problem will get worse without intervention. The only way to implement change effectively and cost-efficiently is through collective action, ensuring strong communications campaigns and widespread national engagement.
“Some local authorities are already undertaking safer battery collections. This research highlights the wide-ranging benefits of such measures, but to drive real progress, we need policy reform as a catalyst for broader industry and consumer change.”
Jon Hastings, Chair of the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), said:“Fires in waste collection vehicles and treatment facilities pose a risk to staff working in this critical industry, and are causing operational disruption and higher costs for local authorities.
“It is essential that producers are made responsible for the costs of providing more convenient collection services for batteries and small electrical items to help tackle this growing and dangerous issue, and as such NAWDO joins with the ESA in urging the Government to bring forward the proposed reforms to WEEE regulations as a matter of urgency.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste at Somerset Council, said: “Collection of batteries from the kerbside is positive for both our residents and the environment.
“Batteries are becoming more prominent in the things we use everyday. Introducing the collection of batteries and small electricals was a simple way to make sure the right thing was done with them.
“We know Somerset residents are keen to recycle, our recycling rates are in the top 10% in England and more than 100 tonnes of small batteries and electricals were collected from the kerbside last year.”
James Kelly, CEO of the British Metals Recycling Association, said: “The increase in the number of fires across the waste industry is deeply concerning. Be they caused by waste electricals and electronic equipment or orphan lithium-ion batteries, urgent action clearly needs to be taken.
“The best way to tackle this is by introducing a kerbside collection scheme, which would make it easier and simpler for the householder to recycle these items.
“However, this would need to be supported by a national communications campaign to educate householders about the dangers of the incorrect disposal of WEEE and orphan batteries.”
Toni McNamara, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) Executive Director, said:“While there is no consensus on local authority-operated collections from LARAC membership, we strongly support producer-funded battery and small WEEE collection schemes, and any initiatives focused on reducing the risk of battery fires.”
