Funding stability for more third sector organisations
More than a hundred third sector organisations that work to address violence against women and girls have received a multi-year funding agreement from the Scottish Government.
Funding of £43.28 million over two years through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund will support organisations to deliver projects across Scotland. These will provide direct services to victims and survivors of gender-based violence and carry out vital prevention work.
This two-year funding agreement marks a significant step in the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing a more sustainable funding model for the third sector in line with fairer funding principles.
It follows a multi-year commitment of £3.5 million a year over the next three years for disability organisations as set out in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27.
In addition to the Fairer Funding pilot announced last year, this means that almost 50% of the value of third sector grants in the Social Justice Portfolio in 2025-26 are now covered by multi-year funding agreements. This approach aims to protect the sector’s future by providing the certainty organisations need to plan ahead, retain specialist staff and sustain their vital services.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have listened carefully to the third sector about the challenges they face.
“This includes the impact of single-year funding settlements on their ability to plan ahead and retain the specialist staff who are so vital to delivering these services.
“This multi-year investment demonstrates that we have heard and responded to those concerns. It will give organisations the stability and greater certainty they need to continue their essential work to protect victims and survivors of gender-based violence across Scotland.”
The Delivering Equally Safe Fund supports the work of the Equally Safe strategy, which underpins Scotland’s approach to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.
COUNCILLORS APPROVE NEW FIVE-YEAR EMPTY HOMES STRATEGY
The City of Edinburgh Council has made ‘strong progress’ over the past year in bringing empty homes back into use, as councillors approved a new five-year Empty Homes Strategy yesterday.
In the last year, 81 privately owned empty properties have been brought back into use bringing the total since 2023 to 149.
Edinburgh declared a housing emergency in November 2023 in response to challenges including rising homelessness, an acute shortage of social housing and growing pressure on temporary accommodation.
Bringing empty homes back into use is a key action within the Council’s Housing Emergency Action Plan, with a focus on supporting homeless households.
Following the recruitment of two additional Empty Homes Officers and a Housing Development Officer the team has increased efforts to identify properties earlier, work directly with owners and secure quicker routes to bring homes back into use.
Progress includes offering advice to owners of properties that have been empty for close to twelve months, participating in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership matchmaker scheme and developing proposals for a new grant scheme linked to the Council’s Private Sector Leasing programme that would help owners make empty homes lettable, which would increase the supply of temporary accommodation available in the city.
Councillors approved the Empty Homes Strategy and Annual Report at Tuesday’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee which sets out how the Council will accelerate work over the next five years.
The strategy focuses on earlier identification of empty homes, targeted support for owners and the use of legal powers where appropriate to bring homes back into use.
Cllr Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We’re committed to addressing the issue of empty homes across the city, to make sure that more properties are brought back into use and contribute to our housing stock.
“There are a variety of reasons why properties become empty, from legal and financial issues to personal circumstances and market dynamics. Our Empty Homes Team focuses on advising owners about their options, including selling their property or becoming a private landlord, helping to make more homes available to buyers and renters.
“With 149 homes made available since 2023 it’s great that people and families now have homes they would otherwise not have had, but there is still much more to do. We estimate there are over 3,000 empty homes in the city, with around 2,500 empty for more than twelve months.
“That is why we will continue to build on what has already been a very successful approach and encourage owners of empty homes to contact the Council for support to bring their property back into use.”
The Community Wealth Building Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.It will support investment in communities with councils, health boards and other public bodies focusing on the generation, circulation and retention of wealth in local and regional economies.
This could include buying or procuring more goods and services from local businesses, boosting social enterprises or helping community groups to acquire vacant buildings and land.
The Community Wealth Building Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
It will support investment in local economies.
This could include buying more goods and services from local businesses or boosting social enterprises.
Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Community Wealth Building is an approach to economic development that can deliver sustainable growth and foster resilience in our local economies.
“This unique legislation will help to deliver more benefit from investment in local economies so that they become fairer, greener and more prosperous.
“It will also strengthen partnership working in our communities, and I look forward to working closely with public bodies to building on existing links.”
Neil McInroy, Chair of the Economic Development Association Scotland, commented: “We support the Bill because it marks a positive shift in economic development amid wider global crises and upheaval.
“Some local councils and many organisations across Scotland are already advancing Community Wealth Building, and this Bill provides the enabling framework that secures that progress and deepens it.
“By changing patterns of wealth, it boosts productivity, helps tackle child poverty and cost‑of‑living pressures, and builds economic dynamism. Crucially, it advances economic democracy by giving communities, workers, and all of us a fuller stake in Scotland’s future.”
Stacey Dingwall, Head of Policy & External Affairs (Scotland) at the Federation of Small Business (FSB) said: “FSB is a long-time supporter of the Community Wealth Building agenda, therefore it’s welcome to see the Bill pass today.
“Opening up public procurement contracts to small businesses is crucial to boosting economic growth, yet many still face barriers to accessing opportunities.
“Passing this legislation gives us a real chance to make progress here. Investing more public money in local businesses is also an investment in local job opportunities, ensuring as much wealth as possible is retained in local communities.”
Scotland will become the first country in the world to legislate for implementation of the Community Wealth Building economic development model at national, regional and local level.
2026 is both an election year and the National Year of Reading — a year when literacy, libraries and the future of our young people should be firmly at the top of the political agenda.
Across the UK and around the world, governments are taking decisive action to tackle declining literacy and reinvest in school libraries. Yet Scotland, once regarded as a leader in library provision, now risks falling behind.
When Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools launched in 2018, Scotland was setting the pace. We were seen as progressive — a nation that recognised libraries as essential to education, wellbeing and community life. Today, however, the landscape is shifting, and not in our favour.
Recent months have brought renewed focus on education, reading for pleasure and school libraries, but largely south of the border. England has committed to delivering a library in every primary school by 2029, backed by more than £10 million in dormant assets, alongside £5 million to provide every secondary school with new library books.
Wales has pledged dedicated funding for its National Year of Reading. Meanwhile in Scotland, funding gaps, inconsistent provision and ageing facilities are undermining the vital role libraries play in literacy, learning and community wellbeing.
Across our 32 local authorities, school library provision is fragmented. Only five authorities — just 16% — offer full professional librarian coverage in secondary schools, while at least five have none at all. More than a third rely on assistants, teaching staff or volunteers, despite clear evidence that professionally trained librarians are essential for literacy, information skills and wellbeing.
Recent developments only show the situation worsening. Qualified librarians are being replaced, dedicated library spaces reduced, and purpose-built libraries moved into smaller rooms with sharply curtailed stock and access. Some areas are exploring new models to stretch limited resources but these often involve cutting trained roles and introducing inconsistent provision with little central oversight. These are not minor operational changes, they signal a systemic unravelling of Scotland’s school library infrastructure.
The evidence is clear. Research by the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Book Trust shows school librarians foster reading enjoyment, create inclusive spaces, support minority pupils and strengthen personal development. A CILIPS-funded study found librarians are uniquely placed to tackle misinformation, yet lack of time, training and recognition prevents them from doing so. In an age of disinformation, this should be a wake-up call.
At the same time, National Literacy Trust data shows reading enjoyment among children and young people has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. Only one in three enjoy reading, fewer than one in five read daily and one in ten children in Scotland does not own a single book. Boys, pupils from lower-income families and those in disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected.
Scotland’s latest Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels report shows record-high literacy attainment and narrowing gaps, yet school libraries are absent from the narrative. This omission is striking. The challenges highlighted — uneven engagement, slower progress for some groups and persistent inequality — are precisely where school libraries make the greatest difference.
Reading for pleasure remains the strongest predictor of a child’s future success, more powerful than parental income. Being read to at age five is a protective factor against poverty at age 30. Libraries are not cultural luxuries, they are engines of social mobility.
Other nations understand this. Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands are investing heavily in school libraries and staffing. Scotland, meanwhile, is cutting posts, shrinking spaces and relying on goodwill to sustain essential services.
SLIC’s vision statement, Securing the Future of Scotland’s Libraries, sets out what is needed: sustainable funding, modern facilities, protected professional roles and universal standards. Without decisive action to make libraries financed, fairer and future-proofed, Scotland risks entrenching a postcode lottery of literacy and opportunity.
As we approach the 2026 Holyrood election, MSPs face a clear choice. With strong evidence, a practical vision and broad public support, you can secure libraries as essential infrastructure at the heart of Scotland’s learning, wellbeing and future prosperity. Or you can allow further erosion that deepens inequalities and limits life chances for the next generation.
Scotland once led the way. We can do so again — but only if we act now, with ambition that matches the opportunity our communities deserve.
Yours sincerely,
ALISON NOLAN
Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC)
A partnership of 17 leading Scottish mental health organisations is hosting a special online Hustings event to ensure that mental health is at the top of the political agenda ahead of the Scottish elections in May.
Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership will host the online Mental Health Hustings event on Monday 9th March between 1pm and 2.30pm.
The Hustings event will be an opportunity to hear Scotland’s political leaders discuss mental health, along with answering questions from attendees during a time when mental health has never mattered more.
Political leaders will detail their vision for the nation’s mental health and their plans to reform society to improve wellbeing for all.
Speakers will come from five Scottish political parties:
SNP – Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing
Conservatives – Brian Whittle MSP, Spokesperson on Mental Wellbeing
Labour – Paul Sweeney MSP, Spokesperson on Mental Health
Greens – Gillian Mackay MSP, Party Co-Leader and Spokesperson on Health and Social Care
Lib Dems – Councillor Sally Pattle, Spokesperson on Mental Health
The Mental Health Hustings is a chance for people to engage with those responsible for shaping Scotland’s future.
Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership announced its manifesto late last year, ‘Scotland’s Mental Health: It’s Time For Action’, which presses the Scottish Government to address the current crisis and transform the country’s mental health in the longer term.
The manifesto states that mental health services are struggling to cope with an unprecedented increase in demand, with no corresponding increase in funding or resource, and a burnt-out workforce that is collectively creating a spike in waiting lists for support and treatment.
It has also expressed the need for commitment around increasing resources for early intervention and preventing, along with a choice of support, care and treatment in the right place and at the right time.
Other recommendations revolve around the Partnership’s 3Ps framework – Promote, Prevent and Provide – to tackle the mental health emergency.
Gordon Johnson, Policy Lead for Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership, said:“Mental health really has never mattered more. There is a mental health emergency in Scotland, and we need bold and decisive action to ensure that this crisis is addressed.
“The Hustings is an opportunity for people to have their voice heard – whether you’re a person with lived experience, working in mental health, a campaigner or someone who cares about Scotland’s future.
“Scotland needs radical change. That starts will voices in the room. We look forward to this conversation between attendees and speakers at the Hustings, and we will work hard to ensure that mental health is at the top of the political agenda ahead of this election and beyond.”
Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership (SMHP) is made up of seventeen (17) professional bodies and mental health third sector organisations.
Our members represent, among others, those with lived experience, providers, clinical professionals, carers, community support networks and the wider third sector. Each organisation contributes its direct experience and unique perspective to create an informed collective voice on mental health.
The Partnership was developed out of a collective desire to offer new perspectives and a progressive vision for mental health in Scotland. It is committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people across Scotland and, in line with the Christie Commission recommendations, promote the prevention of mental health issues and early intervention where problems do arise.
Further details can be found on our website: www.smhp.scot.
Five days of runway shows, creative collaborations, and unmissable shopping land at the end of March 2026
St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s most stylish retail and lifestyle destination, is delighted to announce the return of its much-loved Edinburgh STYLE event for 2026, with an expanded five-day programme running fromWednesday 25th to Sunday 29th March.
Bringing together fashion, beauty and culture in the heart of the capital, Edinburgh STYLE 2026 will deliver a city-wide moment packed with runway shows, trend-led talks, live music and in-store experiences.
Two headline fashion moments will anchor the programme, bringing the drama and energy of the runway to the Quarter. Wednesday 25thMarch will launch this year’s event with a high-octane catwalk show featuring Essential Edinburgh backed brands from the City’sGeorge Street and St James Quarter BID area. In B3 the underground vibe of the location will be brought to life with a runway filled with breakers, skaters, influencers and models.
Then on Saturday 28thMarch during the afternoon there will be a beautifully crafted moment of fashion, dance and music which will surprise and entertain guests. The final show of this year’s event will be a very special one in partnership with Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh, on behalf of Cancer Research UK, during the evening of Saturday 28th March.
At the heart of the event will be the ever-popular STYLE Stage, located on Level 3 of the Galleria, hosting a packed programme of free beauty masterclasses, style workshops and expert panel talks. From confidence-boosting beauty tips and capsule wardrobe refreshes to trend forecasting and insider advice, the stage will offer guests the chance to learn directly from industry leaders and discover what’s shaping the season ahead.
Across the five days visitors can also enjoy a vibrant schedule of in-store activations including exclusive events, live music, refreshments, giveaways and gifts with purchase, bringing fashion, hospitality and culture together under one roof. A beautifully illustrated collectible map by collaborator Holly Sharpe will highlight all the brands across George Street and the Quarter who are participating.
To celebrate the return of Edinburgh STYLE for 2026, St James Quarter has also partnered with Timorous Beasties to create a striking visual takeover within the Quarter. Selected pillars on Level 4 of the Galleria will be wrapped in the studio’s bold new Graffiti Skater wallpaper design for 2026 transforming the space into an unexpected editorial backdrop.
Blending contemporary urban expression with Timorous Beasties’ signature subversive classicism, the design draws on Rococo swirls and Victorian silhouette paper cuts layered with expressive graffiti repeats, creating a visual narrative that feels both anarchic and poetic while celebrating individuality, defiance and the beauty found in urban chaos.
Susan Hewlett, Brand & Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh STYLE has become one of the most anticipated moments in our annual calendar, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it back for 2026 with a more diverse and inspiring cultural programme.
“From the return of our STYLE Stage masterclasses and panel talks to incredible in-store experiences, live music and three standout fashion shows, this year is all about celebrating creativity, confidence and self-expression.
“We are also especially proud to partner with Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh, supporting their vital fundraising efforts whilst providing cancer survivors with a meaningful platform to showcase their resilience and inspiring journeys.”
With more still to be announced, Edinburgh STYLE 2026 is set to become the defining moment where fashion, culture and the city come together cementing its place as the biggest shopping and style event of the year in Scotland.
Young adults encouraged to find their matured Child Trust Fund quickly and for free using the GOV.UK locator tool
Child Trust Funds worth on average £2,242 each
Those starting an apprenticeship can use the HMRC App for essential information needed by their employer
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging young people in Scotland who have yet to claim their Child Trust Fund to do so during National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February).
While an apprenticeship can provide a good start to life in work, latest figures show 758,000 young people could be missing out on cash as they have yet to claim the savings in their Child Trust Fund account.
Child Trust Funds are long term, tax-free savings accounts which were set up for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 with an initial government deposit of at least £250.
Young people can take control of their account at 16, but once they turn 18 years old the account matures and they can decide whether they want to withdraw the money or re-invest it.
With more than 14,500 young people aged 24 and under on Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland, a Child Trust Fund worth on average £2,242 each, will give them a financial head start.
Hope Kerr-Williams, a 22 year-old apprentice from Nottingham, claimed her Child Trust Fund at 18.
Hope found out about her Child Trust Fund account when she was a teenager. Her parents had told her where it was invested and that they had paid an inheritance into it on her behalf. It was worth £5,000 by the time she claimed it and she used it to help pay for her expenses when she started university.
Hope said:“I was counting down the days until I could claim my Child Trust Fund as I was planning my move to Sheffield. I used it to put a deposit down on my flat, pay the first months’ rent and buy essentials for my accommodation, which all adds up when you have to buy everything at once. I also bought a laptop for my course.”
Hope says she doesn’t know how she would have managed costs without it and encouraged her friends to claim theirs.
“Having my Child Trust Fund account saved me from going into an overdraft or borrowing money when I had a lot of expenses at the start of university. It gave me independence and a great start to adult life, which I’m still grateful for.”
Hope graduated last summer and joined HMRC in November. She is one of 870 apprentices currently with HMRC and is doing a Level 4 PR and Communications Apprenticeship.
“I’m enjoying applying what I’ve learnt to my job. Apprenticeships allow you to work, study and gain experience while earning a qualification that’s directly relevant to your role. I’d recommend an apprenticeship to anyone.”
For young people who know where their Child Trust Fund is held, they can contact the savings provider directly.
For those who don’t know where their Child Trust Fund is, the quickest and easiest way to locate it, is to use the GOV.UK Child Trust Fund locator tool.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer said:“Whether young people are on an apprenticeship, starting their first job, or making plans to go to university, a Child Trust Fund can make all the difference. Find yours today by searching ‘find my Child Trust Fund’ on GOV.UK”.
It is quick and easy to search for a Child Trust Fund account online. To make a request, young people just need provide their National Insurance number and Date of Birth.
For those who don’t have their National Insurance number to hand, young people can download the HMRC app to view it and save it in their digital wallet.
Nearly 1.7 million young people under the age of 25 have downloaded the HMRC app. While National Insurance number views is one of the most popular functions for young people using the HMRC app, they can also find other essential information at their fingertips – including Pay As You Earn (PAYE) information, their tax code as well as employment history.
More information about Child Trust Funds can be found on GOV.UK.
Scotland has seen a drastic 129% rise in shoplifting since 2021, with 48,564 recorded incidents in the year ending September 2025, according to figures from Police Scotland. Yet only 2,854 people were convicted in 2023/24, showing a growing gap between crime and accountability.
Tracy Gilbert MP, who worked on the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-Restricted Goods and Services) Scotland Bill before her election to Parliament and has a long history in the trade union movement advocating for worker rights, said: “These figures are deeply concerning. Retail workers are on the frontline, facing increasing risk from shoplifting and associated crime, yet our laws and policing are not keeping pace. Workers and communities deserve better protection.
“This is not just about crime statistics, it’s about real people, and real communities. Adequate resources are required to ensure effective policing, and support for retail staff is urgently needed to tackle this growing problem.”
The Protection of Workers Bill, which Tracy contributed to before her parliamentary career, provides a vital framework for safeguarding retail staff, ensuring they can carry out their roles safely and without fear.
Tracy Gilbert added: “We must act now to ensure that Scotland’s workers and communities are protected.
“I will continue to advocate for better policing and laws that safeguard those on the frontline by working with trade unions and employers to ensure retail crimes are reported and prosecuted.”
Edinburgh’s affordable leisure and entertainment hub, OMNi has announced its centre-wide refurbishment is progressing well and is due to complete at the end of March 2026.
OMNi is home to brand favourites including Vue, Boom Battle Bar, Wetherspoon, Escape Hunt, The Glasshouse Hotel, and Edinburgh Street Food.
The £5 million transformation, which began last summer, is delivering significant enhancements to the public realm.
These include new flooring throughout the centre, an upgraded and more visible main entrance, modern LED lighting, new seating zones, and extensive internal structural improvements.
Together, these upgrades will create a more vibrant, welcoming, and contemporary space for the local community in the heart of Edinburgh.
OMNi is planning a series of celebrations to mark the completion of the project, with further details to be shared in the coming weeks.
Neil Mackie, OMNi Edinburgh Centre Manager, said: “We’re thrilled with the progress of the refurbishment and can’t wait to reveal a revitalised OMNi this spring. These improvements will create a more welcoming and vibrant space for everyone who visits, works, and relaxes here in the heart of Edinburgh.
“With the refurbishment entering its final stage, we’re now shaping our celebration plans and can’t wait to mark the completion with our community soon!”
International investment group Triple B acquired OMNi in April 2024 and announced its commitment to enhancing communities and promoting positive experiences through transformative real estate projects.
The investment will help OMNi kick-start its journey of evolution, with locals at the heart of the project.
Refurbishment updates will be available throughout via the OMNi website and social media channels. OMNi Edinburgh is open 6am – 1am, Monday to Sunday. Individual brand opening times may vary, including Bank Holidays.
