‘Strong support’ for National Care Service, says Scottish Government

Analysis of consultation responses published

A consultation has revealed strong support for proposals to establish a National Care Service accountable to Scottish ministers.

More than three-quarters (77%) of people who responded to the official consultation thought the main benefit of the proposed change would be more consistent outcomes for people accessing care and support across Scotland.

Meanwhile more than two-thirds (72%) of those responding agreed that the Scottish Government should be accountable for the delivery of social care through a National Care Service.

There were over 1200 responses to the consultation.

An analysis of responses from individuals and organisations on plans was published yesterday, following publication of the individual responses last week. The responses also highlight the risks which could emerge from such significant reform, but the need for change in the immediate and longer term is a key theme.  

The consultation process represents the first phase of engagement for the National Care Service programme.

Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said: “We will consider all views expressed in the consultation very carefully and I would like to thank all those who took part. It is clear that there is a real appetite for change.

“We will continue to engage with people with lived experience of the service whether they are people accessing care and support, their families, care workers or providers.

“The final scope of the National Care Service has not yet been concluded.  Over the coming weeks, we will have the opportunity to reflect on these views of the public. We will then be in a position to bring forward the detailed plans for improvement to be undertaken over the course of this Parliament. 

“However we are not waiting to act to enhance Scotland’s social care services that’s why we invested £300 million to help deal with winter pressures, and we’re determined to go further.

“We are committed to acting now to improve things for people. I am therefore delighted to announce today that we will develop and publish a standalone Carer’s Strategy with a focus on Covid recovery and improving carer support in a meaningful and sustainable way. We will engage with unpaid carers about its scope and purpose in the coming months to inform its development.

“Our aim will be to draw on the knowledge and lived experience of unpaid carers so that the strategy is shaped by those who best understand the many challenges faced.

“We will seek to publish the strategy by late spring to provide a clear vision for how we will respond to the challenges faced by so many carers.”                                   

 National Care Service Consultation: Analysis of responses was published by the Scottish Government on Thursday, following the publication of the responses themselves last week.

Published responses for A National Care Service for Scotland – Scottish Government – Citizen Space (consult.gov.scot)

The public consultation attracted nearly 1,300 responses, from around 703 individuals and just over 575 organisations. A significant proportion of the responses came from individuals with lived experience, or bodies that represent them.

The social care workforce are also well represented in the responses, along with providers

Actions taken to support immediate improvements on social care include:

  • Investing £300 million of winter pressures funding in October, to maximise the capacity of the NHS and social care system this winter and in particular to bolster the caring workforce by increasing their numbers, providing them with additional support
  • Making additional funding of up to £48 million available to enable employers to provide an uplift to the hourly rate of pay for staff offering direct care within Adult Social Care to a minimum £10.02 per hour from the 1 December 2021
  • An additional £4 million to expand support for unpaid carers this winter, including to enable them to take breaks from caring
  • Developing options to remove non-residential charging as soon as possible

Scotmid Co-operative initiative helps young women in India

More than 40 young Indian women now equipped with new skills and regular income

Scotmid Co-operative has helped more than forty young women in India develop new skills and secure a regular income through a partnership with co-ops across the UK.

When the Delta variant hit India with devastating effect last year, Scotmid and a group of co-operative retailers collectively raised over £100,000 to support the crisis response, initially providing essential basic supplies, health kits and education.

The support evolved to helping young female workers to grow a sustainable future out of the pandemic through a two-year incubator programme to help them develop skills in journalism, graphic design, photography, new media, research methodology and report writing.

Pranaliben, a 20-year-old woman from Ahmedabad City, is one of the women who will benefit from this support. After completing her graduate studies from a local university, Pranaliben struggled to find sustained employment which was made worse by the pandemic.

Through her mother, a member of the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), she got in touch with SEWA Cooperative Federation and learnt about cooperatives. Now she is eager to work together with young women like herself and lead her own cooperative.

Co-operatives UK worked with the Co-operative College and Co-op News to co-ordinate the appeal, partnering with SEWA in India who are delivering the programme.

Mirai Chatterjee, Chairperson SEWA Cooperative Federation said: “Women in India mainly work informally meaning their earnings can be unreliable and as soon as the crisis hit many lost their income overnight.

“Thanks to the vital support provided by our co-operative friends in the UK, we’re helping them to form two grassroots co-operatives to create a sustainable livelihood for themselves.

“As well as learning technical skills in communications and research, around forty young women will develop leadership and business management skills, and we’re developing market links to help them secure regular work and provide income security.”

Harry Cairney, Scotmid President, said: “This worthwhile partnership demonstrates the strength of co-operation. We’re proud to be a part of this initiative to grant young women in India, like Pranaliben, the necessary skills and opportunities needed to secure a regular income.”

During the initial crisis period, £70,000 of the donation from Scotmid and other UK co-ops was used to provide emergency support. This included the distribution of 4,000 household health kits, with masks, soap and immune boosters distributed across eight states of India.

Lifesaving information about the symptoms and spread of Covid was also provided to families in rural and low-income urban areas – to dispel myths and provide accurate health information.

The remaining £30,000 is now being used to deliver a two-year programme supporting the development of two young women’s incubator co-operatives.

A grassroots media co-operative will support young women to build capacity in media, journalism, graphic design, photography and new media, whilst a second grassroots co-operative will focus on research, conducting surveys, focus group discussion and report writing. 

British nationals advised to leave Ukraine immediately

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has updated its travel advice to Ukraine, and is now advising British nationals against all travel to Ukraine.

British nationals currently in Ukraine should leave now while commercial means are still available.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: “The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, which is why we have updated our travel advice.

“We urge British nationals in Ukraine to leave now via commercial means while they remain available.“

It’s thought that fewer than one thousand British citizens are currently in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister held a virtual meeting with the leaders of the US, Canada, Italy, Poland, Romania, France, Germany, the European Council, the European Commission and NATO to discuss the situation in Ukraine last night.

The Prime Minister told the group that he feared for the security of Europe in the current circumstances.

He impressed the need for NATO Allies to make it absolutely clear that there will be a heavy package of economic sanctions ready to go, should Russia make the devastating and destructive decision to invade Ukraine.

The Prime Minister added that President Putin had to understand that there would be severe penalties that would be extremely damaging to Russia’s economy, and that Allies needed to continue with efforts to reinforce and support the Eastern frontiers of NATO. He urged the leaders to work together to deliver economic and defensive support to Ukraine.

The leaders agreed that if President Putin de-escalated, there was another way forward, and they pledged to redouble diplomatic efforts in the coming days.

Ford Fiesta is Britain’s favourite car

  • Ford Fiesta is the most popular car in the UK
  • Ford Focus is second most popular, followed by Vauxhall Corsa in third
  • The top four car models make up 15% of cars on the road

The Ford Fiesta is the most owned car model in the UK, new research has revealed.

The study by car insurance experts CarInsurance.ae analysed government data of the car models in the UK and the number of registered vehicles for each model to show the most popular in the country.

Analysis of the data revealed that the Ford Fiesta is Britain’s most owned car model, with 1,521,680 being registered. The most popular specification of the Ford Fiesta is the Ford Fiesta Zetec, 386,882 cars.

Another Ford to appear on the list, the Ford Focus, comes in at second, where more than 1,100,000 cars are on the road. Among the many specifications available for the Ford Focus, the most common is the Ford Focus Zetec, with just below 75,000 models.

Vauxhall Corsa ranks third on the list of popular car models in the UK, with 1,053,949 owned throughout the country. The most prevalent version with 58,472 registered is the Vauxhall Corsa SE.

Coming in at fourth on the list is the Volkswagen Golf, which saw 1,040,051 versions of the German car being registered in the UK. The most owned version of the hatchback is the Volkswagen Golf GT TDI which has a 2-litre diesel engine, with 37,576 vehicles on the road.

Vauxhall Astra is the fifth most popular car model in the UK, as the small family car has more than 829,000 around the country.

10 Most Popular Car Models in the UK, CarInsurance.ae

RankModelNumber of Model
1Ford Fiesta1,521,680
2Ford Focus1,179,024
3Vauxhall Corsa1,053,949
4Volkswagen Golf1,040,051
5Vauxhall Astra829,198
6Volkswagen Polo676,350
7Nissan Qashqai555,342
8Toyota Yaris488,589
9Audi A3428,223
10Renault Clio407,147

The second Volkswagen hatchback, the Volkswagen Polo, comes in at sixth. The car model has 676,350 versions owned by the British public.

The only non-hatchback car model to appear on the list, the Nissan Qashqai, places in at seventh. The crossover has more than 555,000 registered in the country.

Toyota Yaris comes in at the eighth spot on the list, with 488,589 models being owned. Audi A3 appears at ninth, with 428,223 versions on British roads. The French hatchback, Renault Clio, finishes off the top ten with 407,147 models registered in the UK.

A spokesperson for CarInsurance.ae commented on the study: “It is fascinating to see which car models the UK favours out of the hundreds available.

“The data shows that the Ford Fiesta is the most popular car in the UK, and is one of nine hatchbacks in the top ten, showing how popular small cars are throughout the country. In fact, the Ford Fiesta is so popular that there are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than there are every type of Peugeot.”

10 Most Popular Car Makes in the UK, CarInsurance.ae

RankMakeNumber of Make
1Ford4,138,817
2Vauxhall3,156,726
3Volkswagen2,857,784
4BMW1,940,108
5Audi1,786,402
6Mercedes1,635,132
7Toyota1,566,813
8Nissan1,557,420
9Peugeot1,387,361
10Honda1,029,659

The analysis was conducted by CarInsurance.ae, which is dedicated to helping drivers save time and money while picking car insurance in UAE.

The top three ways businesses are putting their cybersecurity at risk – and how to fix them!

Cyber crime is on the increase. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber attacks on businesses have surged, and a UK Government survey found that a shocking 39% of businesses came under attack in the first quarter of 2021.

Even more worryingly, attackers are starting to move away from large corporations to focus on small businesses, which are seen as softer targets, but in many cases find it more difficult to recover from an attack.

With cyber attacks on the rise, many executives ramped up their cybersecurity spending in 2021. However, research by cyber security specialists FoxTech has found that numerous industries are still at a significant risk of cyber attack.

CTO of FoxTech Anthony Green explains why: “Unfortunately, money spent on cybersecurity is not always spent in the right places, due to a lack of knowledge around the issue. This has left many companies who have invested in security measures, still vulnerable to attack.”

To help combat the problem, FoxTech has put together a guide to the top three cybersecurity problems they see in the companies they work with:

Buying products and forgetting the people to run them

Many business owners believe that the best ways to protect themselves against cyber attack is to buy and install the latest security products. However, far from offering infallible protection from cybercrime and malware, products such as endpoint detection, firewalls, and anti-virus software should be thought of as tools which can be utilised by your security team, rather than an end in themselves.

Anthony explains: “You can have the best cybersecurity and compliance products money can buy, but without the staff and expertise to run them you’re wasting your money.”

With Cyber Security specialists in high demand, it is not practical for the typical SME to have this expertise in-house – which is often why they are drawn to expensive cybersecurity products, when they could significantly improve their security using the basic products they already have, if only they had the skills and knowledge to configure them appropriately.

The UK DCMS 2021 report found that while 83% of UK Companies have up to date anti-malware software, only 29% have all the NCSC’s recommended “Cyber Essentials” in place to protect themselves from the attacks every organisation faces. Most commonly missing are simple things like installing software updates and securely configuring laptops.

Many UK small and medium sized businesses could make significant improvements to the security of their system by engaging a cybersecurity firm as a trusted advisor, rather than relying solely on expensive software. Getting an expert on side can help companies discover where their current security controls are lacking, and develop the tools and business processes to put them right.

Lack of education around email protection

Email is the number one initial attack point for malicious cyber activity. Every company uses email, and many do not have sufficient email security set up, meaning attackers can easily gain access and send phishing emails, with the intent to steal your company’s information and carry out further attacks via ransomware, trojan horse installation or credential theft.

Alarmingly, only a single employee has to fall for a phishing email for an attacker to gain access to your company’s email.

It is therefore essential for every business to take simple steps to reduce the risk of phishing and business email compromise:

Security Awareness Training for staff
Two Factor Authentication on email accounts
Secure configuration of your email service

Only 14% of UK companies perform security awareness training even though the NCSC provides free security awareness training available here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/training/top-tips-for-staff-scorm-v2/scormcontent/index.html

What if a malicious email still gets through? Anthony provides some reassurance: “If one of your employees falls for a phishing attempt, there is still time to avoid significant financial damage.

Email accounts are often compromised weeks or months before the damage is done – with compromised accounts being traded on the black markets to the highest bidder who can monetise your account through ransomware, or impersonate your CEO to redirect a large payment.

Careful monitoring by cyber security experts can stop the kill chain before the final payload is delivered – turning what could be a major disaster into just a minor incident.”

Not knowing your company’s vulnerabilities

Of all the threats to the cybersecurity of businesses, the biggest is a lack of knowledge about vulnerabilities in their systems. “It’s not that businesses don’t take their cybersecurity seriously” says Anthony, “but that they don’t realise their current strategy is inadequate, until it is too late.”

One of the only ways to learn exactly where the weaknesses are in your system (places where hackers could gain a foothold) is to get a cyber security assessment done by an independent cybersecurity specialist, who can scan for the same weaknesses that hackers are looking for.

Identifying where you are vulnerable, before implementing a strategy to secure your IT systems, process and procedures from attack is the most reliable way to protect your business as we go into 2022.

Companies interested in finding out their cyber risk score can order this for free from FoxTech by contacting them using this link Get in touch | FoxTech (foxtrot-technologies.com).

Every weekend: Operation NightGuard

Every weekend in Edinburgh city centre #OpNightGuard is in place to prevent disorder and provide reassurance to the public.

Dedicated teams of officers are deployed on foot during the evening and night time to prevent incidents, assist vulnerable people and ensure that everyone gets home safely.We are always out and about supported by The City of Edinburgh Council who have additional staff out including taxi marshals, environmental wardens, night time teams and CCTV operators.

There are always volunteers from Edinburgh Street Pastors, Street Assist Edinburgh and other outreach services who are on hand to help and support vulnerable people.

#KeepingPeopleSafe

Incineration contracts stopping Scots from recycling, says FoE Scotland

New research shows that Scotland’s incineration capacity is so high that it is likely to stop councils from recycling waste. Campaigners are calling for a ban on new incinerators so that councils focus on reducing and recycling waste, rather than sending it up in smoke.

The Scottish Government set up an independent review into incineration which is currently taking place. As part of this, the reviewers have researched whether existing and planned incineration capacity matches Scotland’s projected waste levels.

It shows that if Scotland meets its recycling targets, by next year we will already have more incineration capacity than we need. Even if we make no progress towards these targets, there will still be overcapacity by 2026.

The 2025 ban on sending biodegradable municipal waste to landfill means councils have had to find some other way to dispose of waste. Rather than attempting to reduce the waste through recycling and other measures, councils have signed up to expensive and lengthy incineration contracts.

It is now emerging that the amount of waste councils have agreed to supply is greater than the waste available. This means to fulfil their contracts, councils must supply huge amounts of waste to be burnt, instead of focusing on reducing and recycling.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:
“The Scottish Government has unwittingly created the perfect conditions for waste management companies to make as much money as possible from keeping Scotland’s waste levels high. The ban on biodegradable waste to landfill means councils have sought alternative waste management solutions in a hurry.

“Councils have panicked and signed up to contracts that now create a conflict of interests. They are faced with choosing between helping residents reduce and recycle their waste and fulfilling the incineration contracts. Through a lack of strategic thinking, the Government and councils have ensured Scotland’s recycling targets are now much harder to achieve.

“It’s vital we stop burning our valuable resources if we are to bring down the consumption levels that are wrecking the planet. We need to see an end to new incinerators being built in Scotland, and an immediate ban on burning plastics.”

This overcapacity problem is evident at a local level, as well as a national one. Three councils in the North East of Scotland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils, have signed a joint contract to build and supply a privately run incinerator. The NESS Energy Project is due to start operating later this year.

The incinerator has been built to take 150,000 tonnes of waste. The Environmental Statement for the project shows this was based on the amount of residual waste generated from the councils in 2016 when planning permission was granted.

However, data from SEPA shows that, even before the plant has opened, there will not be enough household residual waste to supply the plant. The 20-year contracts mean these councils will be looking for more material to burn, rather than supporting residents to reduce and recycle waste.

Scotland is now burning almost as much of its household waste as it is sending to landfill. Household waste statistics published in December show a 33.6% increase in waste being incinerated between 2019 and 2020 – that’s an extra 152,000 tonnes burnt in one year.

As well as burning valuable resources, incinerators contribute to climate change by emitting greenhouse gases from the waste they burn.

To find out more visit: www.foe.scot/campaign/plastic-pollution/incineration/

Roads, transport and parking tops the agenda for Scots

Science-based technology company 3M urges local authorities to address concerns felt by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians

 

Roads, transport and parking should be the number one agenda item for local authorities in 2022, according to almost half of residents living in Scotland (47%).

The new research from science-based technology company, 3M reveals that within the region, this is the area most in need of attention alongside housing (47%) and followed by jobs, business and investment (41%), and education (35%). 

After more time spent working, travelling and exercising close to home in the past two years, 80% of people in Britain believe the pandemic has highlighted the need for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians to be able to co-exist. However, there are specific factors preventing these groups from doing so in harmony.  

Accessibility for cyclists in Scotland

It is estimated that one in five Brits now cycle in a typical week. However, in Scotland nearly a quarter of those who already cycle (23%) say that despite having access to cycle lanes where they live, they still wouldn’t feel safe enough to travel on a bike during peak times. 

74% of this group don’t believe the right infrastructure is in place to allow them to ride safely and 62% say that their local authorities could do more to make the area more accessible to cyclists. 

Drivers vs cyclists – the perception gap

The research has brought prevalent safety concerns and the contrasting opinions of road users to the fore, particularly when it comes to motorists and cyclists. Seven in 10 (70%) cyclists worry that drivers don’t know the correct etiquette when using roads with cycle lanes in their area.

Meanwhile, only 53% of drivers confidently say that they know the latest Highway Code rules in relation to cyclists, which at the time of the study had not been updated since 2015.

Outside of lane usage, overtaking is a bone of contention for motorists and cyclists alike; 93% of drivers say they leave as much room when overtaking a cyclist as they would a car whereas 73% of cyclists say drivers pass too closely. 

In Scotland, one thing both parties do agree on is there not being clear enough road markings on cycle lanes for all road users – only 27% of motorists and 25% of cyclists feel there are clear visible markings in their area.

The lack of visual guidance could be part of the problem when it comes to navigating shared road spaces, easily improved by solutions such as better signage that incorporates retroreflective technology, while also improving education on the Highway Code.

Andy Fish, Technical Specialist for 3M Transportation Safety Division, said: “Its fantastic that investment in new cycle lanes, walkways and other infrastructure is being put to good use.

“This research shows that irrespective of mode of transport, the majority of people want to be able to share spaces with others safely, and they are looking to their local authorities for support. 

“At 3M we are actively encouraging local councils and highway authorities in Scotland to participate in a pilot scheme that would allow their communities to benefit from traffic safety solutions designed to address some of the concerns expressed by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.” 

Drivers’ admitted lack of understanding of the Highway Code could be to blame for some of the frustrations they have towards cyclists – 86% say seeing two or more ride side-by-side is frustrating and 72% say they become frustrated simply by driving behind one. 

This is in spite of it being legal for two cyclists to ride next to each other unless on narrow or busy roads or cycling round bends, along with recent rule changes including cyclists riding alone being instructed to use the centre of the lane in slower moving traffic.

To find out more about 3M’s leading road marking and signage solutions, such as 3M Diamond Grade DG3 reflective sheeting. and 3M Stamark road marking tape, visit www.3m.co.uk.

Cost of Living Crisis: Join the protests!

Prices are rising but people are fighting back!

The cost of living crisis is going to cause hardship for millions of people. Huge rises in energy prices will see oil companies make vast profits whilst people struggle to heat their homes.

Protests will take place across the UK this weekend.

Speakers from lots of organisations making demands for a fairer society.

Join an event near you!

📅Sat 12 Feb 1pm

📍Glasgow: facebook.com/events/1545395552527681

📍Edinburgh: facebook.com/events/628238008287873

Letters: The Propertied Class

Dear Editor

We have to ask:

  1. Whe did the propertied class begin to clear the land of the people?
  2. Howlong did ot take and is it now completed?
  3. What was the timescale between clearances and the industrial expansion?

We know that following the industrial expansion the working class became wage labourers, their working time and hours under the tight control of the propertied class. It still remains that this is the source of the power of the propertied class.

The length of the working day/week/the shift work/all variations of day work/night work are still owned and controlled by the propertied class.

Finally, everything that is made becomes the outright property of this class solely.

But we have seen a degree of organisation of the working class in the formation of the Trade Unions, for example. They fight to reduce the amount of people’s time stolen by the propertied class.

The struggle continues!

TONY DELAHOY

Silverknowes Gardens