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“Out of control, complicated and failing” – new report on Scottish benefit system

Scotland spent almost a sixth – £1 billion – more on welfare than the funding provided by the UK government in 2024/25
Scotland has the highest proportion of children in long-term workless households in Great Britain with child poverty targets missed
Jobless couple with three children can receive combined benefits worth £45,500 a year in Glasgow, equivalent to a salary of £69,000
New plan ahead of Holyrood elections sets out reforms to save almost £1 billion a year and refocus support on work and mental health treatment

The Scottish Government has poured billions of pounds of taxpayer cash into the country’s welfare state “with abandon”, according to a new report.

The research, entitled Benefitting Scotland?, finds that nearly a decade after major welfare powers were devolved, Scotland is spending significantly more than the rest of the UK on a “smorgasbord” of conflicting benefits and entitlements.

There is “minimal” evidence that the system is succeeding even on its own terms, warns the Centre for Social Justice. Persistent child poverty is running at 23 per cent, more than double the Scottish government’s eight per cent target.

At the same time, Scotland has the highest proportion of children living in long-term workless households in Great Britain at 11.3 per cent, and its rate of economic inactivity has gone from below England’s before 2016 to persistently above it.

The £28 billion annual welfare budget – almost a quarter of which is administered by the Scottish government – has ballooned out of control.

Last year Scottish ministers spent above and beyond the “block grant adjustment” – a grant allocated by the UK government to match non-devolved benefit spending – by almost £1 billion.

The cross-party think tank argues that Scotland could save hundreds of millions of pounds while achieving better outcomes.

Restricting eligibility to disability benefits for those with less severe mental health conditions and frontloading the Scottish Child Payment would save at least £800 million for the Scottish government to re-invest in treating the root causes of mental illness and supporting families directly through Whole Family Wellbeing Funding.

The report also highlights the scale of work disincentives in the system.

A couple with three children living in Glasgow can receive almost £45,500 per year by combining benefits. To match that income from work alone would require a salary of roughly £69,000 before tax from a single earner.

Even when parents move into employment, they can lose up to 79p of every additional pound earned once benefit tapers, income tax, national insurance and pension contributions are combined.

They also risk losing access to the myriad supplements layered on by the Scottish government, including the Scottish Child Payment, several Best Start Grants, a Carer’s Allowance Supplement, new Winter Heating Payments, and a plethora of one-off grants.

Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, said: The Scottish government has missed its own child poverty targets, while pushing economic inactivity in Scotland from below to above England.

“The welfare system is over budget, overly complex, and failing on its own terms. With Holyrood elections this year, there is a real opportunity to create a much leaner, far more effective system, focused on changing lives and tackling the root causes of poverty.”

CSJ-Benefitting_Scotland Download

Team Mouat win Olympic Silver

Scottish curlers Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, Hammy McMillan and Kyle Waddell (alternate) have won silver at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The curlers lost last night’s final with Canada 9-6.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “Congratulations to Team Mouat on winning a silver medal at the Winter Olympic Games.

“The team’s back‑to‑back Olympic medals and two World Championship titles underlines their remarkable consistency on the world stage and they had the whole nation enthralled throughout this competition.

“Scottish athletes continue to deliver consistently on the world stage across a range of sports, demonstrating that Scotland’s approach to developing a pathway to performance sport is paying off.”

Traitors star addresses Scotland’s Disability Summit at Holyrood

Meryl Williams, star of The Traitors, joined an influential Summit aimed at championing the rights of disabled people and shaping a future where the next Parliament drives meaningful progress towards equality and opportunity.

Scotland’s Disability Summit took place yesterday – Saturday 21 February 2026 and was held in partnership with the Cross-Party Group on Disability.

Following on from Meryl’s appearance on The Traitors, she has used her significant social media platform to raise awareness about her condition, Achondroplasia. Meryl is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging outdated perceptions around disability in society.

Meryl addressed hundreds of disabled people across Scotland in the Debating Chamber of the Parliament, as well as those joining online. The Summit also considered what progress can be made around transport, social care, education, social security and voting.

Speaking before the Summit, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: “This Summit brings together people from across the country to look at how we can create a more inclusive society, which is so important as we look towards what the next Parliament will achieve for people in Scotland.

“We’ll be meeting in the Chamber and online to share ideas and I’m delighted that this important event is returning to Holyrood.”

Meryl Williams said: “I wanted to take part in this Summit because disabled people are still too often spoken about, rather than listened to.

“Living with Dwarfism has shown me how systems around transport, healthcare, education and social security can unintentionally exclude people when accessibility isn’t built in from the start.

“I hope this Summit helps shift the conversation from awareness to action, and that the next Parliament listens directly to disabled people and uses those lived experiences to drive meaningful, lasting change”.

Jeremy Balfour MSP, Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Disability said: “This is a unique opportunity for disabled people of all ages from across Scotland to share their policy priorities with the Scottish Parliament as we approach the May elections, a crucial moment in Scottish politics.”

“I am really looking forward to hearing from disabled people across Scotland at what I know will be an excellent, informative and important opportunity to help shape the debate on the issues that matter most to disabled people.”

Edinburgh Tattoo Says “Cheerio” to Brisbane and “Kia Ora” to Auckland

Following a sold-out run in Brisbane, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo leaves Australia’s east coast on a high note, with audiences delivering rave reviews and standing ovations at every performance.

Over the past week, more than 1,000 performers from 15 nations came together for The Heroes Who Made Us, a breathtaking production honouring the remarkable individuals who have shaped the Tattoo’s iconic performances over its 75-year history.

From the tarmac welcome at Brisbane Airport to the final curtain call, audiences were treated to the world-famous pageantry that has made the Tattoo a spectacle not to be missed. The Show’s success here marks another unforgettable chapter in its international journey.

Now, the cast and crew have pack their kilts and instruments, crossing the Tasman for Auckland, where the New Zealand leg of the tour will begin and a new audience will share in the magic.

Scotland’s Culture Hustings

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY from 7 – 8.30pm

Do you want to hear all of Scotland’s main political parties discuss their plans for culture ahead of May’s elections?

Then join us for a FREE, open-access, livestreamed event next Thursday evening:

https://campaignforthearts.org/events/scottish-arts-hustings-2026/

SCOTLAND’S CULTURE HUSTINGS 2026 will be the only chance to hear all the main political parties set out their values and vision for Scotland’s cultural future at this critical moment.

The event is chaired by Halla Mohieddeen and features:

Angus Robertson, Scottish National Party
Euan Davidson, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Malcolm Offord, Reform UK Scotland
Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour
Q Manivannan, Scottish Green Party

Captions and BSL interpretation available.

Organised in partnership with Culture Counts, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Scottish Contemporary Art Network, Festivals Edinburgh, Equal Media & Culture Centre and the Campaign for the Arts.

Tesco accident victim named

A pedestrian who died in a crash in the Corstorphine area has been named as Bill Hepburn, aged 66, from Edinburgh.

His family has asked for privacy and released the following statement:

“Our family are heartbroken at the loss of Bill who was a loving husband and father.”

The incident happened around 9am on Wednesday, 18 February, in a supermarket car park off Meadow Road Place and involved a blue Volkswagen Polo.

Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Bill and enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

“Anyone who has not spoken to us and has any information that could help is asked to get in touch with road policing officers via 101, quoting incident number 0688 of Wednesday, 18 February, 2026.”

Edinburgh-born artist Alice Campbell awarded prestigious national fellowship

An Edinburgh-born painter who built her practice in Glasgow has been awarded a major UK art residency, securing a year-long Freelands Studio Fellowship at the University of Brighton.

Alice Campbell, who graduated with First-Class Honours from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee in 2017, has been selected for the highly competitive fellowship, which supports emerging artists with time, funding and studio space to develop their work within a leading art school environment.

The fellowship, delivered in partnership with the Freelands Foundation, is designed to foster exchange between professional artists and students, combining teaching, mentorship and creative development. Hosted within the School of Art and Media at the University of Brighton, the fellowship will enable Alice enjoy institutional support while deepening her practice over the year.

Originally from Edinburgh and having lived and worked in Glasgow for several years, Alice has recently relocated to Brighton to begin the 12-month residency. The fellowship provides a £33,000 bursary alongside a dedicated studio and mentoring support, enabling her to expand her large-scale oil painting practice while working closely with students.

Alice is known for richly layered paintings influenced by magical realism and the Proto-Renaissance period, blending historical visual language with contemporary questions around identity, connection and storytelling.

Her work often depicts groups of figures at ease in one another’s company, inviting viewers to actively participate in constructing meaning within the scene.

Alice said: “I’m so delighted to have been selected for the Freelands Fellowship at the Brighton School of Art and Media. It really feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity to have the time and space to experiment in order to develop my practice in a nurturing art school environment.

“Having just moved down to Brighton from Scotland, I’m excited to see how the change in location as well as the wealth of new influences affects my work. Additionally, I’m looking forward to working with the painting students and enjoying being in such a vibrant, creative atmosphere.”

Throughout her career, Alice has remained closely connected to the Scottish art community, having developed her practice between Edinburgh and Glasgow. She is also represented by Castlegate House Gallery in Cumbria.

The fellowship is designed to create a dynamic environment where artists and students benefit from mutual learning, mentorship and creative exchange.

Professor Tamar Jeffers McDonald, Dean of the School of Art and Media at the University of Brighton, said: “The Freelands Fellowship brings enormous value to our painting community. It gives students direct insight into sustaining a contemporary artistic practice while contributing to a rich exchange of ideas across the School.

“Alice’s imaginative, narrative-driven work and her engagement with historical influences in a contemporary context will offer a compelling perspective for our students. We are thrilled to welcome her to Brighton.”

The Freelands Studio Fellowship and residency at the University of Brighton will culminate in a solo exhibition at Phoenix Art Space in Brighton.

Lucy Day, Executive Director at Phoenix Art Space, said: “In recent years, Phoenix Art Space has welcomed Freelands Fellows whose exhibitions have been enjoyed by our artistic community and attracted strong public engagement.

“We are delighted to be working with this year’s Fellow, Alice Campbell, through our partnership with the University of Brighton and Freelands Foundation. We look forward to hosting the exhibition and sharing her work with audiences.”

A spokesperson of the Freelands Foundation, said: “We believe in the symbiotic benefits of teaching and making, and that placing an artist in residence in the art school studios is an invaluable resource for students and staff alike.

“We are delighted to welcome Alice Campbell as Brighton’s next Studio Fellow and look forward to seeing how her practice evolves over the coming year.”

Through the fellowship, Alice hopes to have the time and freedom to experient and develop her practice in exciting, rewarding and possibly unpredictable ways. She hopes to create an ambitious body of new work by the end of the year.

Visit Alice’s website for more information on her work.

The Answer Run: Casting OPEN

Think fast! BBC One’s The Answer Run is back for Series 3!

BBC One’s fast-paced quiz show The Answer Run is back for a third series – and casting is now open!

Producers are looking for quick-thinking, speedy-swiping, competitive pairs ready to take on The Answer Run for a chance to win a cash prize.

Whether you’re friends, colleagues, siblings, partners, or any other dynamic duo – this is your time to shine!

Apply now: www.shortaudition.com/Answer-Run
Closing date: Monday 23rd March 2026
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18+ and have the right to reside in the UK.
T&Cs apply.

We’re casting quick-thinking pairs ready to swipe their way to a cash prize!

Apply by 23rd March: www.shortaudition.com/Answer-Run

theSpaceUK announces first shows on sale for 2026 Festival Fringe

theSpaceUK has announced the first wave of shows on sale for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, offering an early snapshot of a programme rooted in bold new writing, distinctive solo performance and genre-spanning cabaret and musicals.

Elsa Jean McTaggart marks 15 years of touring with #SHORN, a music-led theatre piece that combines original songs and spoken reflections, performed with long-time collaborator Gary Lister. Triple Lutz Productions’ Dear Michelle Kwan is a darkly comic coming-of-age story set inside a hyper-competitive figure skating rink, where teenage rituals, obsession, and girlhood collide.

Solo storytelling features prominently. In A Cat in a Box, Tom Nemec delivers an autobiographical play exploring love, trauma and recovery within a dysfunctional family, while Raising Cain Productions’ award-winning thriller The Night Ali Died reconstructs a single catastrophic evening through multiple perspectives.

Julie Flower returns following a five-star Fringe run with Grandma’s Shop, a multi-character solo show blending family history, subculture and community, set in a Sheffield second-hand clothes shop in the late 1980s.

Dark ensemble work is represented by Minotaur Theatre Company’s And The Little One Said, a late-90s-set black comedy in which a summer holiday unravels into violence and moral collapse. Political satire arrives in January 6th The Musical, where two aspiring performers attempt to sing and dance their way out of alleged involvement in the US Capitol insurrection.

From Italy, Action Theatre presents Democrazy, a physical-theatre, mask-led examination of populism and dictatorship, dedicated to Alexei Navalny.

The first on-sale announcement also includes cabaret and musical theatre. Canada’s The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, winners of Best Large Group at the 2024 Burlesque Hall of Fame Awards, celebrate 20 years with a body-positive variety spectacular. Vocal trio The Sundaes return with Diva Las Vegas, a short-run cabaret celebrating iconic divas, while Thank You for the Muesli offers an ABBA-inspired musical comedy with pun-heavy exuberance.

Musical theatre highlights include Music & Murder By…, a darkly comic new musical set at a writers’ retreat that turns fatal, and Spraywatch: A Beautiful Rescue, an unauthorised 90s-inspired seaside musical comedy from Low Fat Productions.

I Made You a Mixtape by Response Theatre Company is a movement-led dance theatre piece set at a 1990s dorm party, using popular music to explore friendship, identity and memory, with each performance shaped live in response to sound.