Now the new school term has started, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to open a Tax-Free Childcare account today to save up to £2,000 per child on their yearly childcare bills.
Families can use their Tax-Free Childcare account to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.
The scheme provides working families, with children up to the age of 11, or 16 if their child has a disability, up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 a year if their child is disabled. For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive the UK Government top up of £2. Families can save up to £500 every three months for each child or £1,000 if their child is disabled.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Arranging childcare can be costly for working families. Tax-Free Childcare offers financial help so families can save on the cost of childcare. Search Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK and sign up online today.”
Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account online is straightforward and can be done in about 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time, 365 days a year, to be used straight away or left in the account and used whenever it is needed. Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.
Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, is excited to announce the launch of a comprehensive basketball coaching programme tailored specifically for younger children.
This initiative comes in response to valuable feedback received from a recent coaching customer survey involving parents and carers who expressed a keen interest in additional coaching options and diverse sports development opportunities for their children.
The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park and sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website. Monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.
The basketball coaching is being offered at Meadowbank and Ainslie Park, and both venues will follow the same times and schedules.
The sessions are now live for booking through the Edinburgh Leisure app and the Edinburgh Leisure website. Classes are held weekly and the monthly coaching costs £24.30 for 45-minute classes and £26.60 for a 60-minute class.
1:00 – 1:45pm Little Ballers
2:00 – 2:45pm Junior Ballers
3:45 – 4:45pm Mighty Ballers
4:45 – 5:45pm Game Time Ballers
Edinburgh Leisure recognises the importance of offering a variety of coahing options to cater to the specific needs of different age groups. Therefore, the basketball coaching programme encompasses four distinct pathways:
Little Ballers – 18 months to 3 years
An interactive and play-orientated introduction to basketball for the youngest learners. Children will have the opportunity to explore basketball equipment in a child-friendly and realistic setting. Parental participation is encouraged to foster early education and enhance cognitive and social skills development.
Junior Ballers – 3 years to 5 years
A step-by-step introduction to the world of basketball, where children will learn the basics of the sport, gradually progressing towards structured techniques. The classes will foster a sense of teamwork and cooperation, with parental involvement as needed.
Mighty Ballers – 5 years to 7 years
Mighty ballers are confident with boundless energy, and this is catered for in the lesson plans, with the classes designed to be fast-paced and engaging. Children will delve deeper into basketball fundamentals, while enjoying a fun and dynamic environment that emphasises teamwork and incorporates small-sided games.
Game Time Ballers – 7 years to 9 years
A holistic learning approach that seamlessly integrates play, practice, and understanding. These sessions not only teach essential basketball skills but also instil an understanding of when and how to apply these skills effectively in a real game scenario.
Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Recognising the well-established network across Edinburgh engaging teenage basketball players, we’ve responded to the call from parents and guardians for more diverse opportunities in sports development.
“Basketball emerged as a natural choice for younger children. Our new pathways cater for children from 18 months to 8 years, split into four age groups.”
Nearly a fifth of parents in Scotland have been reduced to tears whilst getting their children ready for school
Almost half don’t feel like good parents during the morning routine
Over a third of parents feel anxious about the morning routine
42% regularly argue with their child when getting ready for school
New research reveals the strain the morning routine and school run are having on families in Scotland.
The study found that, on average, parents feel stressed at least two mornings a week, whilst 10% report feeling this way every day. 38% report that their children also get stressed during the morning routine.
Running late, getting children out of bed, and children being slow at getting ready are the three biggest contributors to stress, according to Scottish parents.
The research, which was carried out amongst UK parents by leading name label manufacturer, MyNametags.com, found that mothers in Scotland are more likely to be negatively impacted than fathers.
This could be because mums take responsibility for the majority of the morning tasks, according to the results of the survey. Mothers were responsible for making breakfast in 86% of the families researched, alongside packing their child’s lunch box (93%) and school bag (88%), ensuring they are in the correct school uniform (89%), and taking their child to school (68%).
As a result of the stress of the morning routine, nearly a fifth (19%) of parents in Scotland say they have been reduced to tears, nearly half often don’t feel like good parents, and more than a third (36%) feel anxious about it.
This is impacting the whole family, with 42% admitting they argue with their child during the morning routine and 34% saying their child has gone to school upset. This is causing nearly a third of parents (30%) to worry that the morning routine is damaging their relationship with their child.
Some Scottish parents are even considering taking extreme action to minimise the strain of the morning routine, with 19% admitting to being tempted to homeschool their child permanently to avoid it altogether.
Despite the pressure of getting children ready to leave the house in the morning, the research found that the journey itself is more positive. The majority (69%) of parents agree that the journey to school is an opportunity to spend quality time with their child and three quarters (76%) say their child enjoys the journey to school.
The results also suggest that the way families spend their morning has an impact on their experiences. Families who walk to school together are most likely to enjoy the journey, whilst those who eat breakfast together are 39% more likely to have a positive morning.
Lars B Andersen, Managing Director of MyNametags.com, comments: “At My Nametags, our work is centred around making parents’ lives easier, so we’re always interested to explore the pressures facing modern families. As a parent myself, I know first-hand how the school run can impact family dynamics, both positively and negatively.
“It’s saddening to see that so many families struggle with the pressure of the morning routine. However, our research shows that parents are not alone in feeling stressed or overwhelmed – I can definitely relate to that and so can many other parents across the country.
“It’s also heartening to see that the precious time parents get to spend with their children during the journey to school is generally a positive experience, offering an opportunity for families to reconnect after a hectic start to the day.
“I hope the research brings comfort to parents across the UK and reminds them that, whatever their morning routine, we’re all in it together.”
Join this free-to-attend children’s gardening workshop
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has announced its September Little Seedlings Club workshop in Edinburgh, a free-to-attend, inspiring and educational session around Garden Senses.
Aimed at children aged 4 to 10, this workshop will take place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on Sunday 3 September, giving young gardening fans an understanding of how they connect with their natural world through their senses.
During the workshop, Dobbies’ team of gardening experts will focus on the five fundamental human senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Through engaging activities and demonstrations, children will learn how to use their senses when exploring their outside space.
From the rustling of leaves to the chirping of birds, participants will understand the role that sight and sound play in their garden. The workshop will delve into humans’ intricate sense of taste, explaining why certain fruits like apples taste sweet and vegetables like broccoli taste earthy.
Children in Edinburgh will learn how touch receptors in the skin send signals to the brain to interpret the different textures of plants in the garden, as well as the science behind how we are able to smell lovely scents in the garden. Chrysanthemums play a large role in enhancing sensory gardens and there will be the chance to uncover how these vibrant flowers can engage multiple senses at once.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “The five senses play a crucial role in how we connect with the garden and environment around us. It’s an interesting subject and we’re delighted to be using it as a topic for our next Little Seedling Club workshop in our Edinburgh store.
“We’re looking forward to making nature even more exciting to young gardening fans and helping them understand how their senses all work in harmony.”
Little Seedlings Ambassador, Iniya Raj, adds: “I’m really looking forward to September’s workshop and learning all about how I can use each of my senses in the garden.
“I enjoy listening to the different sounds in the garden, especially the birds and little creatures that live there.”
Recommendations to improve audiology services have been made to the Scottish Government, Health Boards and third sector partners.
An Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland sets out 55 recommendations for improving governance and structure, education and leadership.
Professor Jacqueline Taylor MBE conducted the review for Ministers following failures identified in audiology treatment for children.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “I would like to thank Professor Taylor and her team this thorough report that sets out clear options for improving audiology care across the country.
“We must recognise that many families were badly let down by these services in the past and this report’s recommendations will help ensure that is not allowed to happen again.
“The report is clear in its call for better leadership, structure and governance at all levels. Some of the recommendations are in areas where we are already taking action, such as increased funding for staff training.
“What is abundantly clear in their findings is that good audiology care can be life changing, and patients recognise and value the expertise and compassion of staff. We will fully consider the findings and set out the next steps to Parliament in the coming months.”
Professor Taylor said: “The wide-ranging recommendations in this report provide the foundation for improvements which will ensure high-quality, joined-up, patient-centred services.
“Audiology staff are working incredibly hard, often in challenging circumstances and during the course of the Review process we have seen many examples of good practice.
“We have also identified a range of issues which need to be resolved. I am extremely grateful to the patients, parents, audiology staff and stakeholders who helped to shape this Review. We have listened carefully, and I believe that by working together, we have a real opportunity to develop excellent services across Scotland.
“The Review Report is not an end in itself: it is the first step in a process of change which will require time, resources and national leadership to deliver. We hope that the Scottish Government will respond positively to the recommendations and will ensure that the words in this report, are turned into actions.”
Following the publication of the final report and recommendations of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, Mark Ballard, Head of Policy and Influencing for Scotland at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “This report paints a deeply concerning picture of the state of audiology in Scotland.
“Parents who rely on audiology services for their children will be shocked to learn there has been an absence of national leadership, strategic planning and workforce planning at audiology departments across Scotland and that there has been no quality assurance of services in recent years.”
The most urgent recommendations in the review are around the quality of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, which is carried out to identify deafness in very young children.
Mr Ballard said: “It is alarming that issues were identified in the quality of ABR testing at every single health board across Scotland.
“We know deaf children can achieve anything that hearing children can when they get the right support, but for this to happen their deafness must be identified at the earliest opportunity. This is why it is vitally important that children always receive high quality and effective testing and long-term support.
“Parents need reassurance that issues with the quality of services will be swiftly addressed. This report was commissioned after significant failures were uncovered at NHS Lothian involving more than 150 children over nine years. Some of those children experienced life-changing consequences, because their deafness was identified too late for them to get the surgery or communication support they needed. There must be no more similar failures.”
The report also found there is a lack of consistent data collection, meaning it is difficult to monitor quality and compare how health boards in Scotland are performing. This makes it impossible to know if other deaf children are being failed in the same way as those in Lothian.
Mr Ballard continued: “Parents told the review about the difference a good audiologist can make and it is clear from this report we need to make sure they always have the resources, training and leadership required to deliver effective support.
“It is now crystal clear to the Scottish Government and NHS health boards what they must do to make sure every child gets the testing and support they need,” Mr Ballard added.
BPS SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN TO MAKE UNIVERSAL CREDIT ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO AFFORD TO COVER ESSENTIALS
The British Psychological Society has joined the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), the Trussell Trust, and other leading health and care organisations and charities to call for an “Essentials Guarantee”, a new law to make sure Universal Credit’s basic rate is always at least enough for people to afford the essentials.
The organisations are warning that so many people are routinely going without the essentials it poses a serious risk to the UK’s health.
Together, they have written to the Prime Minister to express their worry that, as the high prices of everyday essentials like food and housing persist, too many people are expected to live with what can be devastating knock-on consequences.
JRF’s own analysis shows the weekly Universal Credit standard allowance is £35 less than the cost of essential items for a single person, contributing to millions of people forced to use food banks because they can’t make ends meet.
Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of the British Psychological Society, and Chair of its Division for Clinical Psychology, said:“Nobody should be in a position of being unable to afford the essentials they and their families need to sustain their health and wellbeing, and it’s clear the current level of Universal Credit falls woefully short.
“Poverty is one of the major risk factors for the development of physical and mental health problems, and we know that children growing up in poverty are three-to-four times more likely to develop mental health problems, which also leads to long-term impacts upon their education, life chances and quality of life.
“If the government is truly committed to preventing health inequalities from widening further, tackling poverty, and reducing pressure on our already stretched and underfunded public services, it must commit to the Essentials Guarantee to protect this generation, and generations to come.”
About the Essentials Guarantee
The Essentials Guarantee would embed in our social security system the widely supported principle that, at a minimum, Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials.
Developed in line with public attitude insights and focus groups, this policy would enshrine in legislation:
an independent process to regularly determine the Essentials Guarantee level, based on the cost of essentials (such as food, utilities and vital household items) for the adults in a household (excluding rent and council tax);
that Universal Credit’s standard allowance must at least meet this level; and
that deductions (such as debt repayments to government, or as a result of the benefit cap) can never pull support below this level.
The UK Government would be required to set the level of the Essentials Guarantee at least annually, based on the recommendation of the independent process. JRF analysis indicates that it would need to be at least around £120 a week for a single adult and £200 for a couple.
Parents have until 31 August to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that their 16-year-old is continuing their education or training, if they wish to continue receiving Child Benefit.
Many teenagers who recently received their Nationals exam results will be considering their future and whether to stay on in education. Child Benefit payments stop on 31 August after a child turns 16, but parents can extend their claim if their child is continuing in approved education or training.
It is easy for parents to update their Child Benefit record. They can use the online service on GOV.UK or the HMRC app to tell HMRC about their child’s plans.
HMRC recently wrote to parents about extending their Child Benefit claim. The letter included a QR code which, when scanned, directs them to GOV.UK to update their claim online. Any changes will be applied to their Child Benefit claim immediately.
Child Benefit will continue to be paid for children who are studying full time which can include:
Highers
International Baccalaureate
home education – if it started before their child turned 16 or after 16 if they have special needs
Child Benefit will also continue for children who are studying on an unpaid approved training course through the ‘No One Left Behind programme’.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:“Child Benefit can provide financial support to families, so make sure you don’t miss out if your teenager is still eligible.
“You can quickly and easily extend your claim online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK.”
Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. They will need their National Insurance number or postcode and 2 forms of ID to register on GOV.UK.
Figures show biggest year-on-year reduction since statistics series began
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham has welcomed a record fall in the number of drug-related deaths – and has reaffirmed her commitment to continue the National Mission to reduce deaths and improve lives impacted by drugs.
The figures, published by National Records of Scotland, found that 1,051 people died due to drug misuse in 2022, a decrease of 279 deaths (21%) compared with 2021 and the lowest annual total since 2017.
During a visit to ‘Back on the Road’ employability project which helps people in recovery from addiction issues, Ms Whitham said: “My sympathy goes out to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
“While I am pleased to see that hundreds of families have been spared this agony and lives have been saved, every life lost is a tragedy and the number of deaths is still too high.
“I will never underestimate the scale of the challenge we continue to face, including responding to new threats such as synthetic opioids and stimulant use. I can see that our work across Scotland, where we have already supported 300 grass-roots projects, including ‘Back on the Road’, is gathering pace, and I’m grateful to all those delivering vital services.
“As part of our £250 million National Mission on drugs, we’ll continue to focus on getting more people into the form of treatment and support they need, expand access to residential rehabilitation and drive the rollout of life-saving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards where we are making significant progress.
“As we highlighted in our recent Drug Law Reform proposals, the UK Government could do more to work with us to help introduce harm reduction measures.”
Back on the Road is based in Bridgeton Bus Garage in Glasgow’s East End and is one of hundreds of grassroots projects across Scotland helping save and improve lives.
Its delivery of training in the restoration of vintage vehicles has now returned to pre-pandemic operating level thanks to £244,000 funding over five years from the Scottish Government’s Local Support Fund, administered by the CORRA Foundation.
Back on the Road and Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust chair Steven Booth said: “Our aim is to do our best to ensure our participants go on to lead a more fulfilling life, taking advantage of opportunities that might lie ahead for them.“
