Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services

A publication by the Accounts Commission, showing the extent of the financial stress faced by councils, serves as a wakeup call to the finance secretary say the Greens. Local government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens Andy Wightman says the report’s findings make it difficult for Derek Mackay to dismiss key Green demands for the forthcoming draft budget that include protecting public services and a real terms pay rise.

Continue reading Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services

Help to support the 1 in 4 local children living in poverty this Christmas

ONE IN FOUR CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY THIS CHRISTMAS

Please help us make Christmas special for thousands of children across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife this year, in partnership with B&M
Mission Christmas is well under way! We’re asking you to buy an extra gift and take it to B&M or one of our other drop off points across the region, so Cash for Kids can give it to a local child who could otherwise wake up to nothing on Christmas morning. Visit the website to find your nearest drop off point.

We’re also looking for organisations and schools to join in by becoming a drop off point, anyone who would like to donate and fundraise or take part in Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 8th December, as well as those who could benefit by receiving gifts and support from the appeal. Find out more at forth1.com/mission.

Together we can make a difference to local children this Christmas

 

Brexit fears blamed for fall in EU student numbers

Macpherson concern over Brexit uncertainty

The latest UCAS figures reveal that a record number of Scots were accepted to UK universities in 2017 and Scottish universities opened their doors to record numbers of new students. Scotland has also bucked the UK trend with increasing numbers of Scots accepted to universities here – but there is a note of concern: after years of positive growth, UCAS has cited Brexit as a possible cause for the 4.4% decline in EU applicants choosing to come and study in the UK. Continue reading Brexit fears blamed for fall in EU student numbers

Penny Mordaunt: Extra UK aid gives a future to persecuted Rohingya

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has announced further UK aid for the Rohingya crisis, as she warns that global funding will start to dry up in 100 days. Ms Mordaunt made the announcement during a visit to Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Continue reading Penny Mordaunt: Extra UK aid gives a future to persecuted Rohingya

Record number of Scots go to University

A record number of Scots were accepted to a UK university in 2017, figures published today show. Over 36,500 Scottish domiciled applicants accepted a place for this academic year – an increase of over 850 or 2.4%.

All other UK countries saw a decrease in the number of their residents accepted to university.

The figures were released by UCAS in their first End of Cycle Report 2017. It also shows a record number of all applicants accepted to Scottish higher education institutions in 2017 – up 1.7%.

Further and Higher Education Minister, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “It is great to see that Scotland is bucking the trend across the UK, with more of our prospective students securing a place at university. This follows on from the record numbers last year.

“It shows that our education system is supporting an increasing number of people to access higher education – giving them the skills they need to succeed.

“This is also another record year for Scotland’s universities, with the highest ever number of applicants accepted to study here. It is testament to the fact that Scotland remains a destination of choice for students, due in no small part to the reputation for excellence that our institutions have worked hard to achieve.”