The team from the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh has donated a total of £1,500 worth of toys and pyjamas to Cancer & Leukemia Advice & Support for Parents (CCLASP) and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity as part of the company’s global Amazon Goes Gold campaign during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Amazon Goes Gold is Amazon’s annual campaign to raise awareness and funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to partnering with hospitals and research organisations around the world, Amazon also wraps a selection of its delivery fleet in gold ribbons during the month of September to further increase awareness across its network. The Amazon Goes Gold campaign was launched in 2017.
Valerie Simpson, from CCLASP, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many of the team at the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh working in their pyjamas in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness month!
“I’d like to thank Rachel and the team for raising awareness through #AmazonGoesGold and for providing us with a donation, which will be greatly appreciated by everyone at CCLASP. We could hardly believe it when the team showed up with all the pyjamas and toys – the children will love them.”
While we’re all facing a global pandemic, more than 300,000 children will also be diagnosed with pediatric cancer this year, and it’s the number one non-communicable disease causing the death of children around the world.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with CCLASP and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital for Amazon Goes Gold,” said Rachel Seaward-Simpson, Site Leader at the Amazon Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh.
“We want patients and kids everywhere affected by childhood cancer to imagine the future innovators in themselves. It’s an honour to make a difference for such an important cause that affects families around the world.”
This donation will support CCLASP and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital in their missions to provide practical and emotional support to families affected by childhood cancer.
More than half of children living in some constituencies are living in poverty after housing costs are factored in.
Highest rates of child poverty in London and Birmingham
Sharpest increases in child poverty in Midlands and northern cities.
Local authority and constituency data available below.
Child poverty has risen most sharply in parts of the Midlands and Northern towns and cities in the past four years, according to research published today by the End Child Poverty coalition showing the scale of the challenge faced by government if it is to realise its ambition to build back better and level up opportunities for children across the UK.
The research by Loughborough University shows that, before the pandemic, in some parts of the country the majority of children were growing up in poverty, once housing costs are taken into account.
The greatest concentrations of children living in poverty are in London, with London boroughs and parts of Birmingham dominating the list of local authorities where child poverty is highest. In a dozen constituencies in London and Birmingham, more than half the children are living below the poverty line.
Yet the research also shows that the problem is not confined to the UK’s two largest cities. In the last four years, child poverty has risen fastest in parts of the Midlands and Northern towns and cities. Middlesbrough and parts of Tyneside have seen child poverty rates soar by over 10 percentage points since 2014/15.
In the past, low incomes in these areas were counteracted by cheaper housing costs, but during the five years leading up to 2018/19, rents in other parts of the country have risen by the same amount as in the capital, so in places where incomes are being depressed, this is less likely to be offset by falling relative housing costs.
Many of these families find, that once their housing costs are paid, they do not have enough money to meet their children’s needs and are left no option but to turn to crisis help, like food banks, and are increasingly reliant on free school meals.
The impact of poverty on children is well documented with children from low income families more likely to experience worse physical and mental health; do less well in school; and have fewer opportunities in the future.
The coalition is calling on the Government to recognise the scale of the problem and its impact on children’s lives. They are urging the Government to set out an ambitious plan to tackle child poverty encompassing not only social security spending but the high cost of housing and childcare and investment in children’s services.
The report is based on data published by the Department for Work and Pensions in March 2020, and on estimates of the effect of housing costs on poverty rates produced by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, based on survey evidence.
Earlier this year, Boris Johnson was rebuked by the statistics watchdog for his repeated misuse of child poverty statistics. The Statistics Authority upheld a complaint from the End Child Poverty coalition judging that on three separate occasions his statements on child poverty were ‘incorrect’.
Anna Feuchtwang, Chair of End Child Poverty which commissioned the research, said: “The Government can be in no doubt about the challenge it faces if it is serious about ‘levelling up’ disadvantaged parts of the country.
“This new data reveals the true extent of the hardship experienced by families on low incomes – the overwhelming majority of which were working households before the pandemic. The children affected are on a cliff edge, and the pandemic will only sweep them further into danger.
“The Prime Minister must urgently admit to the true extent of child poverty in our country rather than resorting to his own inaccurate statistics. An ambitious plan to put this shameful situation right would be transformational for millions of children.
“As a matter of urgency we are calling on the Chancellor not to go ahead with planned cuts to Universal Credit which would see families lose out on £1000 a year. Given today’s data, this cut is unconscionable.”
End Child Poverty is calling for an urgent Government plan to end child poverty including:
Uprating of housing assistance in line with inflation;
Retain the £20 uplift in Universal Credit introduced at the start of the pandemic, which the Government has indicated will end in April 2021(a move supported by over 63k people and counting who have signed a petition to the Government);
End the benefit cap and the two-child limit on benefits;
Invest in all children with an increase to child benefit
Extend Free School Meals to all families in receipt of Universal Credit and those with No Recourse to Public Funds
The full report ‘Local indicators of child poverty after housing costs, 2018/19’, as well as tables with local data, are available at: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
THE PICTURE IN SCOTLAND
Child poverty has risen in nearly every Scottish local authority and Westminster constituency since 2014/15, according to research published today by the End Child Poverty coalition.
The new data shows the scale of the challenge faced by UK, Scottish and local government if commitments to end child poverty in Scotland are to be met and the promise to level up opportunities for children across the UK realised.
The research by Loughborough University shows that, even before the pandemic, levels of child poverty in Scotland ranged from one in seven children in the Shetland Islands to nearly one in three in Glasgow, once housing costs are taken into account. The varying impact of housing costs on levels of child poverty in different parts of the country is highlighted.
The data shows London boroughs and parts of Birmingham dominating the list of UK local authorities where child poverty is highest – however the campaigners say that there can be no room for complacency in Scotland.
They highlight that the impact of poverty on children is well documented with children from low income families more likely to experience worse physical and mental health; do less well in school; and have fewer opportunities in the future.
The coalition is calling on the UK Government to recognise the scale of the problem and its impact on children’s lives. They are urging UK Ministers to set out an ambitious plan to use Westminster powers to tackle child poverty across the UK, and are asking the Holyrood government to build on the Scottish child poverty delivery plan already in place.
They welcome the new Scottish child payment which will see eligible children under six entitled to £10 per week additional support from February 2021, with all under 16s benefitting by the end of 2022.
However they say that just to stop child poverty rising will require a doubling in the value of the new payment, and that families need urgent cash support now to bridge the gap until it’s roll out.
The report is based on data published by the Department for Work and Pensions in March 2020, and on estimates of the effect of housing costs on poverty rates produced by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, based on survey evidence.
Earlier this year, Boris Johnson was rebuked by the statistics watchdog for his repeated misuse of child poverty statistics. The Statistics Authority upheld a complaint from the End Child Poverty coalition judging that on three separate occasions his statements on child poverty were ‘incorrect’.
Speaking on behalf of members of End Child Poverty in Scotland, John Dickie, said: “The Prime Minister must urgently face up to the true extent of child poverty across the UK rather than resorting to his own inaccurate statistics. An ambitious plan to put this shameful situation right would be transformational for millions of children in Scotland and across the UK.
“As a matter of urgency we are calling on the Chancellor not to go ahead with planned cuts to Universal Credit which would see families lose out on £1000 a year. Given today’s data, this cut is unconscionable.”
Mr Dickie also called for more action from government in Scotland: “Here in Scotland the Holyrood government’s child poverty delivery plan and prioritisation of the new Scottish child payment are hugely welcome.
“But these new figures highlight the importance of keeping housing costs affordable, the importance of reviewing the value of the Scottish child payment and the urgent need to use existing payment mechanisms, like local authority school clothing grants, to provide extra financial support to families right now.”
End Child Poverty is calling for an urgent UK Government plan to end child poverty including:
Uprating of housing assistance in line with inflation;
Retaining the £20 uplift in Universal Credit introduced at the start of the pandemic, which the Government has indicated will end in April 2021(retaining the uplift is supported by over 63k people who have signed a petition to the UK Government);
Ending the benefit cap and the two-child limit on benefits;
Investing in all children with an increase to child benefit
The full report ‘Local indicators of child poverty after housing costs, 2018/19’, as well as tables with local data, are available at: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
Children living in poverty, below 60% median income after housing costs, by Scottish local authority
Local authority
Number
Percentage
Percentage point change (2015-19)
2014/15
2018/19
2014/15
2018/19
Aberdeen City
6439
7471
19.2%
21.5%
2.3
Aberdeenshire
7622
7938
15.6%
16.1%
0.5
Angus
4253
4608
21.6%
24.0%
2.4
Argyll and Bute
2876
3056
21.2%
23.4%
2.2
City of Edinburgh
14145
15295
18.8%
19.5%
0.7
Clackmannanshire
2250
2409
24.8%
26.8%
2.0
Dumfries and Galloway
5610
6141
23.4%
26.2%
2.8
Dundee City
5812
6540
24.5%
27.3%
2.8
East Ayrshire
5250
5899
24.8%
27.9%
3.1
East Dunbartonshire
2899
3109
15.7%
16.1%
0.5
East Lothian
4188
4489
22.3%
23.3%
1.0
East Renfrewshire
2791
2940
15.4%
15.2%
-0.2
Falkirk
6555
6929
23.1%
24.5%
1.4
Fife
15390
16993
24.0%
26.3%
2.4
Glasgow City
26146
31823
27.0%
31.8%
4.8
Highland
8637
9054
21.5%
23.0%
1.6
Inverclyde
2904
3013
22.1%
23.8%
1.7
Midlothian
3713
4068
22.8%
23.2%
0.4
Moray
3480
3617
21.0%
22.4%
1.5
Na h-Eileanan Siar
768
847
17.3%
19.5%
2.2
North Ayrshire
5895
6448
25.2%
28.3%
3.0
North Lanarkshire
15503
16528
24.4%
26.2%
1.8
Orkney Islands
691
779
19.8%
21.9%
2.1
Perth and Kinross
5013
5403
20.4%
22.2%
1.7
Renfrewshire
6083
6958
20.2%
23.0%
2.8
Scottish Borders
4132
4544
21.6%
23.9%
2.3
Shetland Islands
549
608
12.8%
14.4%
1.6
South Ayrshire
4167
4404
23.3%
25.0%
1.7
South Lanarkshire
12083
12799
22.0%
23.2%
1.2
Stirling
3168
3285
20.5%
21.3%
0.8
West Dunbartonshire
3861
4310
24.6%
27.4%
2.8
West Lothian
7632
8380
21.7%
23.7%
1.9
Child poverty, % of children below 60% median income, before (BHC) and after (AHC) housing costs, by Scottish local authority
2018/19
2018/19
BHC
AHC
percentage point difference
between BHC and AHC
Aberdeen City
14.9%
21.5%
6.6
Aberdeenshire
10.4%
16.1%
5.7
Angus
17.6%
24.0%
6.4
Argyll and Bute
17.3%
23.4%
6.1
City of Edinburgh
12.6%
19.5%
6.9
Clackmannanshire
20.8%
26.8%
6.0
Dumfries and Galloway
20.6%
26.2%
5.6
Dundee City
21.4%
27.3%
5.9
East Ayrshire
22.9%
27.9%
5.0
East Dunbartonshire
10.4%
16.1%
5.7
East Lothian
15.8%
23.3%
7.5
East Renfrewshire
10.0%
15.2%
5.2
Falkirk
18.1%
24.5%
6.4
Fife
20.5%
26.3%
5.8
Glasgow City
28.0%
31.8%
3.8
Highland
16.7%
23.0%
6.3
Inverclyde
17.7%
23.8%
6.1
Midlothian
15.7%
23.2%
7.5
Moray
16.1%
22.4%
6.3
Na h-Eileanan Siar
13.4%
19.5%
6.1
North Ayrshire
23.4%
28.3%
4.9
North Lanarkshire
20.6%
26.2%
5.6
Orkney Islands
15.6%
21.9%
6.3
Perth and Kinross
15.7%
22.2%
6.5
Renfrewshire
16.9%
23.0%
6.1
Scottish Borders
17.6%
23.9%
6.3
Shetland Islands
9.3%
14.4%
5.1
South Ayrshire
19.2%
25.0%
5.8
South Lanarkshire
17.2%
23.2%
6.0
Stirling
14.9%
21.3%
6.4
West Dunbartonshire
21.9%
27.4%
5.5
West Lothian
17.1%
23.7%
6.6
Child poverty, % of children below 60% median income after housing costs (AHC), by Westminster constituency
Parliamentary constituency
Number
Percentage
Percentage point change (2015-19)
2014/15
2018/19
2014/15
2018/19
Aberdeen North
3334
4087
22.0%
26.5%
4.5
Aberdeen South
1925
2322
13.9%
16.0%
2.1
Airdrie and Shotts
4151
4410
25.5%
27.2%
1.7
Angus
3320
3649
22.9%
25.7%
2.8
Argyll and Bute
2809
3021
20.6%
23.2%
2.5
Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
3913
4212
26.2%
28.6%
2.5
Banff and Buchan
3246
3365
20.1%
20.8%
0.7
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
3436
3886
22.4%
25.2%
2.8
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
2385
2546
23.1%
25.6%
2.5
Central Ayrshire
3630
3959
24.7%
27.0%
2.3
Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
4294
4548
24.0%
25.9%
1.8
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
3398
3745
21.3%
23.3%
2.0
Dumfries and Galloway
3753
4058
24.3%
26.8%
2.5
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
3014
3310
21.2%
23.8%
2.6
Dundee East
3385
3607
21.5%
23.1%
1.7
Dundee West
3236
3801
24.6%
28.2%
3.6
Dunfermline and West Fife
3887
4342
21.1%
23.2%
2.1
East Dunbartonshire
2289
2292
16.2%
15.6%
-0.7
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
3242
3602
18.3%
20.3%
2.0
East Lothian
4172
5058
22.2%
26.2%
3.9
East Renfrewshire
3119
3326
17.2%
17.2%
0.0
Edinburgh East
2808
3088
21.6%
22.8%
1.2
Edinburgh North and Leith
2909
3116
19.0%
19.9%
0.9
Edinburgh South
2105
2180
14.7%
14.7%
0.0
Edinburgh South West
2884
3049
18.6%
19.2%
0.6
Edinburgh West
2432
2900
14.3%
15.8%
1.5
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
700
799
15.8%
18.4%
2.6
Falkirk
4274
4594
21.8%
23.8%
2.0
Glasgow Central
3859
5561
32.8%
41.3%
8.5
Glasgow East
4316
5313
27.1%
30.6%
3.5
Glasgow North
2473
2882
27.7%
31.2%
3.5
Glasgow North East
4150
4850
28.0%
33.4%
5.4
Glasgow North West
3672
4289
24.8%
29.0%
4.2
Glasgow South
3820
4350
26.4%
30.8%
4.4
Glasgow South West
4549
5298
28.0%
31.8%
3.9
Glenrothes
4390
4853
27.1%
29.8%
2.7
Gordon
2098
2550
11.5%
13.5%
2.0
Inverclyde
2818
2926
21.4%
23.2%
1.7
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
3697
3912
20.4%
21.5%
1.1
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
4091
4624
24.3%
27.6%
3.3
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
4706
5293
26.2%
29.2%
3.0
Lanark and Hamilton East
3673
3865
23.0%
23.8%
0.7
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
4885
5173
22.1%
22.5%
0.4
Livingston
4580
5152
21.2%
24.2%
3.1
Midlothian
3497
3843
21.4%
21.8%
0.4
Moray
3367
3552
20.4%
22.0%
1.6
Motherwell and Wishaw
4518
4821
26.2%
27.7%
1.5
North Ayrshire and Arran
3957
4237
24.8%
27.6%
2.8
North East Fife
2158
2402
18.9%
21.1%
2.3
Ochil and South Perthshire
3790
4031
21.2%
22.5%
1.3
Orkney and Shetland
1346
1470
17.3%
19.0%
1.7
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
2954
3421
18.7%
20.8%
2.0
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
2817
3380
19.8%
24.8%
5.0
Perth and North Perthshire
3438
3690
22.0%
23.8%
1.9
Ross, Skye and Lochaber
2399
2478
20.7%
22.3%
1.6
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
4491
4720
23.3%
24.4%
1.0
Stirling
3099
3202
20.0%
20.7%
0.7
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
1904
2139
10.2%
11.4%
1.2
West Dunbartonshire
3867
4305
24.7%
27.4%
2.7
About End Child Poverty
End Child Poverty is a coalition of organisations from civic society including children’s charities, child welfare organisations, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others, united in our vision of a UK free of child poverty. For more details visit: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
End Child Poverty members in Scotland include Aberlour, Action for Children, Barnardo’s Scotland, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, Children 1st, Close the Gap, Engender, One Parent Families Scotland, Oxfam Scotland, Poverty Alliance, and Save the Children.
The 20 UK constituencies with the highest increases in AHC (after housing costs) child poverty 2014/15 -2018/19
Constituency
% of children below 60% median income AHC
2014/15
2018/19
%age point increase
UK
28%
30%
2%
Middlesbrough
31.2%
47.2%
16.0%
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
31.7%
45.2%
13.5%
Birmingham Hodge Hill
40.5%
53.8%
13.4%
Bradford West
34.9%
47.8%
12.9%
Birmingham Ladywood
41.8%
54.5%
12.7%
Birmingham Yardley
32.4%
44.7%
12.4%
South Shields
28.2%
39.3%
11.1%
Bradford East
36.4%
46.9%
10.5%
Newcastle upon Tyne East
27.1%
36.8%
9.7%
Bolton South East
37.1%
46.7%
9.6%
Sedgefield
23.5%
33.0%
9.5%
Hartlepool
27.6%
37.1%
9.5%
Oldham West and Royton
38.5%
48.0%
9.4%
Gateshead
26.0%
35.3%
9.3%
Blackburn
38.1%
47.3%
9.2%
Jarrow
23.5%
32.6%
9.1%
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
24.2%
33.2%
9.0%
Manchester Gorton
38.6%
47.6%
9.0%
North Durham
24.3%
33.3%
9.0%
Easington
25.8%
34.6%
8.8%
The 20 UK constituencies with the highest AHC compared to BHC (before housing costs) poverty rates, 2018/19
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is underlining the dangers of fireworks as large scale public events including organised displays are being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Families and communities are being reminded that bonfires and the private use of fireworks can cause significant injury and present a particular risk to children, and can also upset pets.
This type of activity can further impact on the emergency services – firefighters attended more than 2,300 deliberate fires during the four-week period leading to Bonfire Night 2019.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer (DACO) Alasdair Perry is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention and Protection. He said: “First and foremost we would urge all of our communities to follow advice and guidelines around social distancing to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“We know this means that people may consider hosting their own events this year but we would urge caution around doing so because every year people are injured by fireworks and admitted to hospital – and children are particularly at risk.
“This is already a traditionally busy period of the year for ourselves and our partners and it is very important that we maintain an ability to respond to other emergencies.
“We are therefore strongly encouraging anyone who does wish to host a private event to reduce the risk by ensuring to familiarise themselves with our firework code and fire safety guidance. Do not take risks because the consequences can be devastating.”
November 5 is traditionally a busy night for the SFRS. Last year, Operations Control received 882 calls from members of the public and crews also responded to more than 350 bonfires within an eight-hour period – with six recorded attacks on firefighters.
DACO Perry said: “We know it’s a very small minority of people who engage in anti-social behaviour, but there’s no question it can impact on our firefighters and Operations Control colleagues as well as our partners.
“A deliberate fire can also put property, resources and indeed lives at risk so it goes without saying that we will always take a zero-tolerance approach to fire-setting and attacks on our crews.”
The safety message was also backed by Community Safety Minister Ash Denham (above), who said: “Bonfire Night this year is going to feel very different and at this usual time for celebration I urge everyone to follow to the Scottish Government’s public health guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19).
“It is absolutely vital the public adhere to the rules on meeting up with other households to help stop the spread of the virus.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and all emergency service workers have my complete support, particularly over the busy bonfire season.
“If you are planning to use fireworks please ensure you do this responsibly and safely and follow the appropriate advice on the SFRS website.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to proactively work with communities across Scotland to highlight the dangers and this includes engaging with young people.
DACO Perry continued: “We are proud to work with young people wherever possible and open up positive pathways to them through initiatives like our Youth Volunteer Scheme.
“I would encourage others to consider initiatives like the YVS which not only teaches fire safety advice but equips young people with skills and ambitions for future success in life, learning or employment.”
For more on how to stay safe this Bonfire Night follow our fireworks code at:
Jennifer Young, alongside Make 2nds Count, is gifting 10,000 skincare products from her Beauty Despite Cancer range in support of UK cancer patients and small charities from the local area and beyond throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Over the past few weeks, the organisation has been asking people to nominate their favourite small charities, hospices and cancer support groups, through which they will give away the natural products.
Those being treated for, living with or recovering from cancer will know finding the right skincare can be an additional source of anxiety during an already trying time. Finding products that can help to calm the side effects that some cancer treatments may have on the skin can be difficult, especially given the increased skin sensitivity chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause.
Recent Challenges
Recent Macmillan research found that 91% of cancer patients suffer a loss of income, causing stress and mental health issues. With the current pandemic also affecting the job market across the region, this can be an even more distressing prospect to those going through treatment.
The ‘Ten Thousand Gifts’ project not only supports those most affected by cancer poverty by providing them with skincare which is of significant benefit during treatment, but also spreads joy in the form of receiving gifts which lifts mood and increases emotional health and wellbeing.
Additionally, many charities’ fundraising efforts have been affected by the restrictions enlisted to prevent spread of the coronavirus. ‘Ten Thousand Gifts’ will not only provide those who deserve it with luxury products but will raise awareness for charitable causes across the region.
The Company
Jennifer realised her passion for working with cancer patients when her local NHS hospital invited her to meet those going through treatment. Since then, Jennifer has created more than 300 specialist products to calm the effects of cancer treatment on the skin, available through BeautyDespiteCancer.com. The Midlands-based company is now known for its pioneering development of new products that are gentle and luxurious.
The Giveaway
Products included in the giveaway are the Defiant Beauty Nail Oil (4g) and the Defiant Beauty Healing Hand Balm (15g). The Defiant Beauty Nail Oil is a gentle, moisturising oil designed to care for brittle nails caused by the effects of cancer treatment. Meanwhile, the Defiant Beauty Healing Hand Balm is a gentle multi-tasking balm that acts as a hand mask, nail moisturiser and a hand cream to soothe and restore the skin.
Jennifer said: “Everything we do at Jennifer Young and Beauty Despite Cancer, is about supporting individuals each day of their cancer experience. Reducing skin irritation and soreness, creating nurturing rituals from everyday routines and giving a sense of restoration are invaluable when you’re experiencing something as challenging as cancer and cancer treatment.
” Knowing that options are available and that you are not alone, can make a huge difference to how someone feels. Local and national independent charities, hospices and support organisations are incredibly important in delivering that message of care and community, which is why we aim to provide sustainable support to them as well in the work that we do.
“It is important to us that the charities we help are those that reflect the experiences of our customers, and this month is an opportunity to celebrate that connected support network between products, charities and clients.”
Francesca Arbury, Charity Service Manager for Something To Look Forward To, says: “It’s amazing for people to receive things that will boost their emotional health, make them look and feel better but also because we know as a charity how badly people have been affected by the pandemic, and especially the cancer community.
“With delays and cancellations, screenings, treatments and surgery, a lot of strain has been put on people, they are scared and are feeling low. More than that finances may be tough and life’s little luxuries that some people may see it as, may no longer be affordable now. So ‘Ten Thousand Gifts’ is going to be so popular!”
Applications for the Self-Isolation Support Grant have opened for low income workers who are asked to self-isolate and would lose income if they needed to isolate.
The £500 grant will help those who have been asked by Test and Protect to isolate, following testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or having been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
These payments are designed to help people self-isolate for the required period to stop the spread of the virus, but who would face financial hardship due to being asked to self-isolate and will be targeted at those in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits who are employed or self-employed.
The Local Self-Isolation Assistance Service is also being introduced to support people needing to isolate. As well as being able to self-refer for support through the existing National Assistance Helpline, local authorities will now proactively contact those being asked to self-isolate to offer help, advice and assistance including help to access essential food and medication or local support services.
The service will deliver an initial 30 minute call, followed up by two 10 minute calls during the period of self-isolation and will initially prioritise the most vulnerable individuals. This will ensure people are referred to the relevant services for support while maximising uptake of the Self-Isolation Support Grant for those who are eligible.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Self-isolation is essential to protect people and reduce the spread of COVID-19 but we do not want people to experience financial hardship, particularly those with no access to public funds, due to a loss of income as a result of doing the right thing.
“Whilst employers should do everything they can to allow people to work from home we know this isn’t always possible so this £500 grant is there to help.
“We know self-isolating can be tough, and want to do everything we can to support people throughout this challenging time. Our new assistance phone service will proactively contact people who have been asked to self-isolate and direct them to support that they may need, for example access to food or medicines, the Self-Isolation Grant or other financial support they may be eligible for, as well as other local services including community volunteering, emotional support and social work.
“This service will initially focus on those who are on the shielding list, people aged 70+, disabled people, and people in low income households. We are considering how we roll this service out to further groups to reach even more people and provide support for them to isolate.”
COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Councillor Kelly Parry said: “We are pleased that the Scottish Government, working in partnership with Scottish local government, have made available this grant to provide financial assistance to those on low incomes who need to self-isolate.
“Local councils are well placed to provide advice, support and assistance which will help reduce the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.
“Staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19 is the right thing to do to ensure that members of our communities who are most at risk and vulnerable to the effects of the virus are kept safe. This grant will assist those who will lose income as a result and are at most risk of financial hardship, including those with no recourse to public funds, stay home and reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
People will be informed on how to apply for the Self-Isolation Support Grant after they have been contacted by Test and Protect and asked to self-isolate through a follow up call from their local authority. People may make an application of their own accord prior to the follow-up call from their local authority.
Payments are available to eligible people who were told to self-isolate from 28 September onwards.
The Self-Isolation Support Grant does not cover people who are quarantining after returning to the UK from abroad, unless they have tested positive for coronavirus or have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by the Test and Protect Service.
Grants can be received more than once if people are asked to self-isolate on more than one occasion, as long as these do not overlap.
The Local Self-Isolation Assistance Service will deliver an initial 30 minute triaging call, followed up by two 10 minute calls through the individuals period of self-isolation. People contacted and informed of the need to self-isolate by contact tracers will be asked whether they wish to opt-in to their details being passed to local authorities to receive this new service. For people who are not in priority groups or are self-isolating but have not been contacted by contact tracing teams, the existing National Assistance Helpline is available to support them.
Clients may opt-out at this stage, or on any of the calls from local authorities if they choose to opt-in. If they opt-out, they can still access support by phoning the existing National Assistance Helpline.
The candidates standing in the forthcoming Craigentinny/Duddingston Council by-election have been confirmed. Seven candidates have been nominated to stand in the by-election, which is due to take place on 12 November.
There will be additional hygiene and distancing measures at polling places on the day to keep voters and staff safe. These include a new pencil for each voter, protective screens for polling staff, limits to the number of voters in polling places at one time and one-way systems in some venues.
The candidates standing for election are: –
Elaine Ford, Scottish Liberal Democrats Margaret Arma Graham, Scottish Labour Party Tam Laird, Scottish Libertarian Party Andrew McDonald, Independent Ben Parker, Scottish Green Party Eleanor Price, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Ethan Young, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Returning Officer for Edinburgh Andrew Kerr said: “Now that nominations have closed residents in the Craigentinny/Duddingston ward can begin to think about who they will vote for in the upcoming by-election. However, it’s crucial that you make sure you’re registered to vote by 27 October to take part.
“With less than a month to go our Elections Team are finalising plans for a safe, physically distanced by-election, with several hygiene and distancing measures to be put in place. Anyone can also register for a postal vote before 28 October if they’d prefer not to vote in person.”
If you live in the Craigentinny/Duddingston ward you must register to vote by 27 October and anyone wishing to vote by post can sign up for a new postal vote up until 28 October. Residents will begin receiving poll cards from tomorrow (Tuesday, 13 October).
You can also apply for someone to vote on your behalf via proxy voting, with the deadline for new proxy vote applications on 4 November (for registered voters). After this, anyone who is unable to vote in person because of a medical emergency or who is following advice in relation to Covid-19 can apply for a proxy vote before 5pm on 12 November.
The by-election follows the resignation of SNP Councillor Ian Campbell in February. Craigentinny/Duddingston is one of the city’s larger wards, with an electorate of 24,258.
As of 9 October, 3,693 people had registered for a postal vote.
While the Conservatives are currently now the biggest party group in the City Chambers with 17 councillors, the capital is run by the SNP (16) with the support of Labour(11) in a ‘Capital Coalition’.
Projects which support people with neurological conditions are to benefit from the latest round of funding announced as part of a five-year action plan.
The investment of £492,535 is focussed on initiatives where partnership working is key. Many of the 17 funded activities see NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and Third Sector organisations joining forces to achieve better outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.
Funding recipients include Pain Association Scotland who will develop online courses to support the wellbeing of unpaid carers and the MS Society who will deliver online and telephone sessions to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of people living with MS in response to the pandemic.
‘Neurological care and support: framework for action – 2020 to 2025’ aims to ensure people get access to personalised care and support regardless of their condition or where in Scotland they live.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “Around one million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition ranging from common conditions such as migraines to life-limiting illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease.
“We recognise the scale, variety and context of neurological conditions and how distressing they can be for the person with the condition and their family and the framework for action aims to support those responsible for providing care and support to people affected.
“This latest round of funding will ensure this vital work not only continues but is strengthened despite the challenges faced during the pandemic.”
PSPA provides information and support to people affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).
CEO Andrew Symons said: “Neurological Care and Support Framework Funding will allow us to map provision for PSP and CBD in Scotland, simultaneously highlighting the information and support that we can offer from PSPA.
“This will contribute to the aim of earlier diagnosis of these rare conditions and reduce the time spent by people in the wrong part of the system with the result they can benefit from the provisions of the Framework as soon as their disease is recognised.”
Love Gorgie Farm and the Marie Curie Hospice have received £1,000 each as part of the Barratt Homes East Scotland Community Fund.
The former will be using its £1,000 boost from the housebuilder on improving storage in the foodbank, with a new fridge freezer to contain fresh produce and food packages. For Marie Curie Hospice, the money will help towards essential running costs, as they aim to raise over £250,000 a week to continue delivering their Scottish services
On the site of the former Gorgie City Farm, Love Gorgie Farm, supports vulnerable children, young people and adults, using innovative ways to engage them in learning. On the day of lockdown, March 22nd 2020, Love Gorgie Farm opened its doors as a foodbank giving out hundreds of parcels to vulnerable people and families in Edinburgh, East Lothian and West Lothian every month.
Marie Curie Hospice aims to give those with critical illnesses the best quality of life, and support them to keep them independence and dignity for as long as possible. This includes treating or managing pain with medicines, therapies and other specialist approaches while also giving emotional support to the patient and their family.
Alison Condie, managing director at Barratt East Scotland, said: “Love Gorgie Farm and Marie Curie Hospice do a fantastic job at supporting the communities around them with food packages and care.
“We’re thrilled to be able to help them and we hope that our donation will allow them continue to provide their crucial services.”
Dolina Gorman, charity fundraiser at Love Gorgie Farm, added:“We would like to thank Barratt Homes for their generous donation; this will enable us to continue to fight food poverty and offer this essential service to the most vulnerable in the community.
“To date we have delivered over 1000 food parcels and 450 facemasks, the demand for this service remains high and the foodbank will now be a permanent fixture on the farm. The donation will certainly make a huge impact on how Love Gorgie farm provides for those in the community.”
Fiona Bushby, Community Fundraiser at the Marie Curie Hospice said: “Thank you to Barratt East Scotland for this exceptionally generous funding.
“Coronavirus has had a devastating effect on Marie Curie, with the crisis also seriously affecting our ability to fundraise and the public donations on which we rely. Currently, our work is needed more than ever as we continue to care for dying people and support their loved ones.“
Now in its second year, the Barratt Homes Community Fund has pledged to donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation in the East of Scotland. Charities are nominated by and voted for by employees of Barratt Homes and the focus for the fund continues to be on organisations that improve the quality of life for those living in the area
For more information on Barratt Homes, visit the website.
