Tag: crisis

Government in turmoil, but King’s Speech ‘to build a stronger and fairer Britain’

The King’s Speech – the second under this Labour government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills ‘facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain’. But will it be Starmer’s last?

  • King’s Speech will strengthen public services, reform the state and reverse decline
  • Ambitious programme to break with the status quo
  • New laws reflect big challenges country faces and bolsters UK’s economic, energy and national security

A stronger, fairer country that can weather the storm of global shocks and restore hope will be the focus of the new legislation set out in The King’s Speech today [13 May].

The King’s Speech – the second under this government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain.

The package of bills is targeted at strengthening the UK’s foundations through measures to bolster economic, energy, national security.

This includes laws to restore order and control to the immigration system, strengthen our public services and reform the state to support a more active government that is on the side of British people.

Under fire Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The British people expect the Government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better.

“Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world.

“Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past.

“My government will deliver on the promise of change for the British people.”

The government’s first session of Parliament delivered 50 government bills, including the Children and Wellbeing Act, Employment Rights Act, the Great British Energy Act, the Renters’ Rights Act and the Planning and Infrastructure Act.

The legislation passed delivered on core promises made to the British public – making our country safer, stronger and fairer through landmark laws to drive change. That includes help for parents with everyday school costs, stronger rights for victims and survivors, creating the first smoke-free generation to help people live healthier lives, tougher police powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour, and giving communities a say in the decisions that affect them. 

This second session will deliver change to our communities.

Economic, energy and national security

The world today is more volatile and dangerous than at any point in recent history. A war on two fronts – in the Middle East and in Ukraine – threatens living standards. The government’s economic plan has put the UK in a better position to weather these storms.

We will rebuild our economy to make us more resilient – and the King’s Speech will drive forward this progress through more protections for small businesses, reforms to regulation to drive growth and innovation, and changes to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.

Delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, new laws will deliver more trade, more opportunity for young people and help to reduce the cost of living.

We need to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster with clean, homegrown power we control and electrification of our wider economy. The King’s Speech is expected to unveil the Energy Independence Bill which will give government more power to tackle the affordability crisis and speed up the delivery of clean energy technologies and vital grid infrastructure.

Building on the progress already made to restore order and control to our borders, legislation will be brought forwards to deliver a firm but fair immigration system that restores control and earns public trust.

Bills will also be introduced to meet the evolving threats facing the UK head on, strengthening our defences and keeping pace with modern technologies from cyber-attacks to new powers to counter state threats so we can better disrupt the sharing of extreme content online.

As the Prime Minister set out earlier this week, the King’s Speech will also set out legislation to protect the UK’s steelmaking capacity by giving government options to nationalise British Steel, so that necessary action can be taken if needed while we continue to rebuild the steel sector.

Ending the opportunity crisis

Ending the opportunity crisis requires an active state that can deliver on the government’s commitment to fight for every child. The King’s Speech is expected to include legislation to deliver government’s landmark reforms to transform the school system so that all children get access to an inclusive, high quality mainstream education, and parents don’t have to battle a system just to get their kids the support they deserve.

Removing barriers to opportunity and helping people get on in life is at the heart of the government’s drive to reverse the decline felt across the country. Laws to deliver the manifesto commitment to put an end to the unfair and outdated leasehold system will give people more control over how they live in their own homes and provide stronger rights for homeowners.

Strengthened public services and reformed state

Landmark public service reforms in the NHS, police and special education needs will also strengthen our country. This government is reversing the decline and neglect of our NHS so that it’s built to support people at every stage of their life, as well as preventing them from getting sick in the first place.

A new Bill is expected to be brought forward to accelerate the reform needed to strip back bureaucracy, improve patient care and support early intervention. Legislation to protect much needed social housing stock and better protect domestic abuse survivors will also be included, making sure families have safe, secure, affordable homes to live in.

The new legislation comes alongside the government’s action to ease the cost of living crisis for working people, remove barriers to growth, create more highly paid jobs and equip people with the skills and routes to get on in life.

That includes rolling out free breakfast clubs and supporting parents with free childcare, freezing rail fares, capping the price of bus journeys, and fixing the broken welfare system by tackling the disincentives that pushed too many people away from work and investing £2.5 billion in a youth employment package that will support almost one million young people and help deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

Meanwhile, following yesterday’s turmoil:

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

  • Nesil Caliskan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
  • Natalie Fleet MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office
  • Catherine Atkinson MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
  • Preet Kaur Gill MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
  • Gen Kitchen MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
  • Deirdre Costigan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
  • Shaun Davies MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons

Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Jess Phillips MP, Alex Davies-Jones MP and Dr Zubir Ahmed MP have left the Government.

AND THIS MORNING, A STATEMENT FROM LABOUR AFFILIATED UNIONS:

Labour’s affiliated unions have been clear that Labour cannot continue on its current path.

Whilst we recognise progress has been made, such as aspects of the Employment Rights Act and the increase in the minimum wage, the results at the election last week were devastating.

Labour is not doing enough to deliver the change that working people voted for at the General Election.

Our focus is on the fundamental change of direction on economic policy and political strategy that unions have been clear is needed, and not on the personalities and unfolding political drama in Westminster.

It’s clear that the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader.

This is a point where the future of the Party we founded will be debated and determined, and we are working closely as unions to shape a shared vision on policy, political strategy and economic policy that will re-orient Labour back to working people, so Labour do what it was elected to do: govern in the interests of workers.

Call for greater resourcing as spending to support vulnerable children in Scotland is slashed

  • Spending cut of £1,700 per pupil from 2014/15 for those identified with additional support needs (ASN) – 30.1 per cent cut over a decade.
  • The number of pupils identified with ASN has more than doubled (102 per cent increase) over the same period.
  • A cut of 240 in the number of specialist ASN teachers.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has warned of a potential lost generation of children and young people with ASN, and urged greater resourcing for this group.

ASN includes the likes of autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, and the coalition has urged provision of support for this to be a central issue in the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary election campaign. 

The call comes as new figures contained in a parliamentary answer to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP, reveal that average additional support for learning (ASL) spend per pupil has been slashed by nearly a third (30.1 per cent) over the last decade.[1]This comes against a perfect storm of escalating numbers of pupils with ASN and cuts in support.

The SCSC is urging the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to increase funding to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people, including greater provision of specialist ASN teachers, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, behaviour support staff and classroom assistants.

The figures highlight that average spending per pupil on ASL by local authorities in Scotland (primary, secondary and special education) has fallen from £5,504 in financial year 2014/15 to £3,804 in 2024/25 (based on 2024/5 prices). This amounts to an overall cut in spending of £1,700 per pupil, representing a 30.1 per cent drop.

This funding fall is against the backdrop of a 102 per cent increase over the same period in the number of pupils identified with ASN, from 140,501 to 284,448, amounting to 127,443 individuals. Those with ASNrepresent more than a third of all pupils (36.7 per cent).2

In parallel with this, there has been a cut of 240 in the number of specialists ASN teachers, from 3,077 in 2014 to 2,837 in 2024.3

A report from Audit Scotland has called on the Scottish Government and local authorities to fundamentally rethink how they plan, fund and staff additional support for learning as part of core school education in Scotland.4

In January 2026, the Scottish Government announced a national review into the provision of ASL, led by the former Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, Janie McManus. This will look at how to strengthen delivery, including provision in schools, and how policy is translating into effective practice.5

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is deeply concerning to see cuts to spending that support children and young people with ASN. While there is a record amount of spending in support of those with ASN, this is offset by a dramatic increase in the number of pupils affected, meaning that spending per pupil has been slashed.

“We urge all political parties to make provision for this group a central commitment in their election campaigns.

It is vital that the Scottish Government and local authorities increase resources to expand access to the likes of specialist ASN teachers, educational psychologists, and classroom assistants. Without this investment, we risk a lost generation of children with ASN missing out on the care and support they need, when they need.

“Additionally, proper resourcing is essential if we are to achieve genuine classroom inclusion and close the educational attainment gap. We therefore expect that the national review of ASL provision should address the critical issue of sufficient resourcing.

“The Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to ensure properly funded, consistent support across Scotland for children and young people with ASN — some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”

NOTES

[1] Scottish Parliament, Jenny Gilruth MSP Written Answer- S6W-43553, table 5, 20th February 2026. Available at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-43553

2 Scottish Government, Pupil Census 2025 supplementary statistics, table 1.5, 9th December 2025.

3 Scottish Government, Teacher census supplementary statistics 2024, table 6.7, 25th March 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/teacher-census-supplementary-statistics/

4 Audit Scotland, Fundamental review needed of planning and resourcing of additional support for learning, 27th February 2025. Available at: https://audit.scot/news/fundamental-review-needed-of-planning-and-resourcing-of-additional-support-for-learning

5 Scottish Government, Delivering Additional Support for Learning, 15th January 2026. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/news/delivering-additional-support-for-learning/

BBC director general Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness resign

PANORAMA’s TRUMP VIDEO EDIT IS FINAL STRAW

The beleaguered BBC faces a growing crisis this morning following the resignation of two senior figures. BBC Director-General Tim Davie announced his intention to leave the BBC last night and he was followed by CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness, who has also resigned.

The resignations following the revelation of another ‘mistake’ at the BBC.

This time, the Telegraph newspaper exposed editing of a Donald Trump speech for a Panorama programme had spliced two parts of a speech together, making it appear that Trump was explicitly encouraging the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.

The edit is clearly misleading but the BBC’s failure to act on the revelation quickly enough calls into question the broadcaster’s already damaged reputation for honesty, impartiality and integrity. Without trust, a Public Service Broadcaster has nothing.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah said: “This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding Director-General for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

“He has had the full support of me and the Board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole Board respects the decision and the reasons for it.

“Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.

“Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.

“This is an important time for the Corporation and the Board and I will continue to work with Tim in the interim while we conduct the process to appoint his successor.”

Tim Davie sent the following note to staff yesterday:

‘I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.

‘I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.

‘I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.

‘In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious.

‘Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.

‘Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.

‘Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.

‘Despite a hugely competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted news brand globally. We have continued to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people globally.

‘Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continues to be admired as a gold standard. Our transition to a digital organisation has been deeply impressive, and our thriving commercial businesses are admired globally. Also, our work together on ensuring that we have the right culture has been important and motivating. I could not be more impressed by what you are achieving.

You will ask why now, why this moment?

‘I am BBC through and through, having spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organisation as Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences, Director of Audio and Music, acting Director-General and Chief Executive of BBC Studios.

‘I care deeply about it and want it to succeed. That is why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter. I hope that as we move forward, a sensible, calm and rational public conversation can take place about the next chapter of the BBC.

‘This timing allows a new DG to help shape the next Charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.

‘Thank you again, it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG no.17. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution and you are a world-class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.

‘I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.’

Best wishes,

Tim

In a message to BBC colleagues last night, CEO of News Deborah Turness said:

Dear all,

I have never been more proud of the work that you do every day. You really are the best of the best.

I have taken the difficult decision that it will no longer be my role to lead you in the collective vision that we all have: to pursue the truth with no agenda.

The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.

As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me – and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.

In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.

In a polarised world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever, and I could not be prouder of the work that you do. Together we have bucked the global trend, to grow trust in BBC News, and I want to thank you, wherever you are in the world, for your courageous work to deliver that.

My plea to you: please keep the courage to continue our mission. I’m only sorry that I won’t be there to lead and champion your brilliant journalism.

It has been a great privilege to work with you all.

I will now work with Tim to plan an orderly handover to ensure that my decision to step away causes the least disruption possible to the important work that you do.

With very best wishes,

Deborah

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years. He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.

“The BBC is one of our most important national institutions. Every day, it tells the story of who we are – the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK.

“Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.

“As a government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come.”

Commenting on the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “The decision by Tim Davie to step down is regrettable given the huge commitment to the BBC and public service broadcasting he has demonstrated during his time at the helm, but restoring trust in the corporation must come first.  

“The BBC Board must now begin the long process of rebuilding the corporation’s reputation both at home and abroad, after the damage caused by what has become a seemingly constant stream of crises and missteps.

“The Committee will be meeting on Tuesday to consider the BBC Chair’s response to our letter and next steps.

“At the same time the Government should bring forward the Charter Review process so the public and Parliament can help shape the future direction of the BBC.”

The Committee wrote to BBC Chair Samir Shah on Tuesday asking what action is being taken over concerns raised by a former adviser to the corporation’s editorial standards body, Michael Prescott.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It’s right that Tim Davie and Deborah Turness have finally taken responsibility and resigned from the BBC. But let’s be honest, this has been a catalogue of serious failures that runs far deeper.

“The Prescott report exposed institutional bias that cannot be swept away with two resignations – strong action must be taken on all the issues it raised.

“The culture at the BBC has not yet changed. BBC Arabic must be brought under urgent control. The BBC’s US and Middle East coverage needs a full overhaul. And on basic matters of biology, the corporation can no longer allow its output to be shaped by a cabal of ideological activists.

“The new leadership must now deliver genuine reform of the culture of the BBC, top to bottom – because it should not expect the public to keep funding it through a compulsory licence fee unless it can finally demonstrate true impartiality.”

The Liberal Democrats tweeted: ‘A free, independent BBC is vital to a free, informed democracy. Don’t let Trump’s America become Farage’s Britain’.

Josh Wheeler, Founder of Be Broadcast, commented: “From a communications perspective, this is one of the most significant media moments in years.

“It is uncomfortable to see one political figure trigger such disruption across major media institutions. That should not happen, but it shows how fragile trust in journalism has become and how quickly perception can define reality.

“Perception is now reality – so even a question mark is enough to close people’s minds.

“What stands out is the speed of the BBC’s response. This is not a corporation hiding behind bureaucracy; it is one taking decisive action to protect its reputation before the damage hardens. It is strategic crisis management.

“Do I believe Tim Davie and Deborah Turness needed to go? Probably not. But by acting early, the BBC is showing it understands how modern reputations work. The court of public opinion moves faster than any internal inquiry, and being the antidote before the venom sets in is sometimes the only way to preserve credibility.

“If the leaked memo encouraged the merging of the Trump clips, that strikes at the core of editorial integrity. Accuracy, intent, and transparency are the foundations of trust. Once those are blurred, the entire communications framework begins to crack.

“All of this is happening during a Charter Review, when every BBC decision is under a microscope. In that context, this level of accountability sends a powerful signal. It shows that the BBC still understands leadership is as much about perception as process.

“There is also a wider lesson here for those in public life. Politicians, in particular, would do well to mirror the same “buck stops with me” principle shown by Davie and Turness. Accountability is not just good ethics; it is good communication.

“What happens next will decide whether this becomes a reputational reset or a reputational scar. The BBC must now focus on transparency and openness. It needs to show how it will strengthen editorial safeguards, rebuild confidence, and reaffirm its role as a trusted, independent broadcaster.

“The BBC’s strength has always been its willingness to face uncomfortable truths. This may be one of those moments where doing so, however painful, proves exactly why it still matters.”

Tax Justice Scotland: A fair wealth tax could raise almost half a billion pounds a year from Scotland’s 10 richest families alone

New report reinforces case for stronger wealth taxes as a key building block of wider package of UK and Scottish fair tax reforms

A new report for Tax Justice Scotland has exposed Scotland’s staggering wealth gap with just five families holding more wealth (£19.3bn) than a quarter of Scotland’s population with the least wealth combined (£18.9bn).

The news comes as campaigners, frontline delivery organisations, academics, trade unions and others gather in Edinburgh for a major tax justice conference to explore the urgent need for a package of fair improvements to the tax systems at Scotland, UK and global levels.

The report, Taxing Wealth for a Fairer and Greener Scotland, produced by the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) on behalf of the campaign, makes clear that fairer taxes on wealth at UK and Scotland levels must be at the heart of this package of reforms to invest in and drive progress towards a fairer, greener and more prosperous future.

Tax Justice Scotland says improved wealth taxation is only one part of a fairer tax system and is today also challenging all political parties in Scotland to outline detailed proposals for using the powers of the Scottish Parliament to improve devolved and local tax systems. 

The STUC analysis highlights the extreme end of wealth inequality after official data showed the wealthiest 2% of Scottish households have more wealth than the poorest 50% combined.

The report shows that the fortunes of Scotland’s very wealthiest people are surging far faster than people’s pay packets. Between 2024 and 2025, the combined wealth of Scotland’s ten richest families shot up by almost 8%, outstripping average earnings growth (5.9%).

Incredibly, the five richest families in Scotland are estimated to have more wealth (£19.3bn) than the Scottish Government collected in Income Tax (£19bn) last year. 

For illustrative purposes, the STUC analysis shows that a modest annual wealth tax of just 2% on all those with assets of more than £10 million could raise nearly half a billion pounds (£492 million) from Scotland’s 10 richest families alone, enough to pay for 12,000 new nurses, or 11,000 new teachers, or to double the Scottish Child Payment and lift more than 30,000 children out of poverty.

Given such a wealth tax would apply to all those with assets of more than £10 million in Scotland, it would raise even more.

Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the STUC, said on behalf of Tax Justice Scotland: “This research lays bare the shocking concentration of wealth in Scotland. While families across the country are struggling to pay their bills, a handful of the super-rich are lining their pockets with more and more money.

“It doesn’t have to be this way: fairly taxing this eye-watering wealth could, according to STUC research, mean more 12,000 new nurses in hospitals, 11,000 more teachers in classrooms or to double the Scottish Child Payment and lift more than 30,000 children out of poverty

“Politicians across the UK should be in no doubt that it’s their dithering and delay that is deepening the crisis within our communities and public services. The powers to make a radical change to our tax system are at their disposal. The excuses must end. Scotland can work for everyone, not just the richest few. It’s time that work was started without equivocation.”

Tax Justice Scotland believes a series of tax reforms are needed to deliver the investment Scotland needs, while incentivising positive behaviours, to tackle poverty, strengthen public services, cut emissions and support fair work, while reducing the many forms of inequality that persist, including gender and economic inequality.

The campaign says this package of reform is essential to building a fairer, greener and more prosperous future for everyone in Scotland. While, over time, raising enough revenue is likely to require broad-based tax increases – fairer wealth taxation is vital.

As the Chancellor prepares her autumn Budget, campaigners point to growing momentum behind fairer taxes, with 68% of people in Scotland thinking the very richest should pay more. Over three-quarters (79%) of people in Scotland back a UK-wide wealth tax on the very richest people. 

Previous analysis has shown that the measure, alongside a series of other reforms to improve existing UK-level taxes on wealth, like increasing Capital Gains Tax and applying National Insurance to investment income, could raise up to £60 billion a year across the UK. 

A UK-wide wealth tax, if introduced, could help boost the Scottish Budget. But the STUC’s analysis shows that if the UK Government fails to act, the Scottish Parliament could use its own tax powers, with HMRC support, to introduce a locally-administered wealth tax.

The findings come against a backdrop of growing fiscal pressure: the Scottish Fiscal Commission has warned of a £4.7 billion shortfall in the Scottish Budget by the end of the decade, alongside mounting longer-term challenges. The Commission is urging all parties to work together before and after the Scottish election to address these challenges.

While making the case for improved taxation on all forms of wealth, Tax Justice Scotland says improving tax on property wealth in Scotland is particularly essential. Campaigners say the outdated and unfair Council Tax, still based on property values from 1991, must finally be replaced with a reformed property tax that reflects today’s housing wealth. 

Property wealth has surged by almost £100 billion in just ten years, yet the Council Tax system remains frozen in time, letting those in the most expensive homes pay far less than they should, while many others are left paying over the odds.

Tax Justice Scotland say replacing Council Tax, alongside wider reforms to better tax the wealthiest and to build upon modest but progressive changes to Income Tax in Scotland, would collectively make sure those with the broadest shoulders contribute a fairer share. 

Campaigners emphasise that while tax isn’t a silver bullet, it can play a much bigger role in building the Scotland we want to see.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, a member of Tax Justice Scotland, said: “Our tax system can do so much more to help build the country the people of Scotland want, but, right now, it’s stacked in favour of the wealthy.

“It’s time to fix the system; and that must include better taxing wealth right across the UK and, in Scotland, finally replacing the outdated Council Tax.

“With the Scottish election fast approaching, all political parties have a clear choice: defend a broken system that protects the richest while short-changing critical priorities or back a fairer one that delivers a fairer, greener and more prosperous country for all of us.”

STUC-Taxing-Wealth-for-a-Fairer-and-Greener-ScotlandDownload

Read the report Taxing Wealth for a Fairer and Greener Scotland here: 

https://bit.ly/TaxingWealth 

SCOTLAND DEMANDS BETTER on TAX:

Scotland-Demands-Better-on-TaxDownload

Helping crisis-hit communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund activated

Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund have welcomed Scottish Government funding to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where millions of people face hunger, insecurity and the devastating impacts of violence and forced displacement.

Since January, more than three million people in the DRC have been forced to flee their homes as fighting by armed groups intensifies and humanitarian needs increase exponentially, triggering one of the world’s most urgent and complex crises.

The £250,000 provided through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) will be distributed to Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund, and through local partners, to support emergency relief efforts across eastern DRC – helping families pay for essentials such as food, fuel, shelter or hygiene items, as well as accessing urgent medical care, trauma services and safe transport.

External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on a scale we can hardly imagine here in Scotland. Successive waves of violence are claiming the lives of civilians, including children, with millions forced to flee to temporary accommodation where conditions are deteriorating.

“The situation is being worsened by the scaling back of humanitarian assistance by other international donors.

“While our funding may only make a small impact in the face of such overwhelming need, we are determined to stand behind our values and Scotland’s long and proud history of responding to humanitarian crises around the world.”

Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam Scotland’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said: “Every day, our partners and colleagues are meeting mothers who’ve walked for miles with nothing but their children in their arms, desperately searching for safety.

“They’ve lost everything: their homes, their loved ones, their hope of a normal life. The scale of human suffering here is staggering.

“The recent cuts to humanitarian funding have been devastating. We’ve had to make impossible choices about who gets clean water, medicine, or even a place to sleep.

“That’s why support from the Scottish Government is so vital. With our local partner, it’s helping us reach people who would otherwise be left with nothing. But with millions still in desperate need, we urgently need other governments and donors to follow Scotland’s lead. Now is the time to step up, not step back.”

Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director for the DRC, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this vital funding, which arrives at a critical time for communities in North Kivu.

“The intensification of conflict has led to widespread displacement and immense suffering, with many returnees in Malehe finding their homes destroyed and livelihoods lost.

“This support will enable us to provide immediate, life-saving assistance where it’s needed most, directly addressing urgent needs for food and basic essentials for 925 conflict-affected households through multipurpose cash assistance, while also tackling the alarming rise in gender-based violence for 9,000 individuals through community awareness and support sessions.”

The Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is an annual £1 million fund provided by the Scottish Government to respond to overseas humanitarian emergencies.

Foysol Choudhury MSP calls for pause on mental health service cuts to allow for Strategic Review

Lothians list MSP, Foysol Choudhury, has called for an immediate pause on proposed cuts to vital community mental health services in the city, urging the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to undertake a thorough strategic assessment of the city’s mental health provision.

The Labour MSP argues that the current decision-making process lacks the necessary time and consideration to evaluate the long-term impact on those who rely on these essential services.

The call comes in response to proposed cuts, including the potential cancellation of a £188,000 contract with Change Mental Health for the Thriving Spaces and Places initiative leaving 650 people with mental health challenges and mental health illness without support, Foysol Choudhury MSP, emphasised the need for proper planning, engagement with stakeholders, and an evidence-based approach to reforming mental health services in Edinburgh.

Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, a charity which runs services under the Thriving Spaces and Places initiative, has strongly criticised the approach taken by the EIJB, highlighting the flaws in both the economic and clinical rationale behind the cuts.

He stated: “On economic, clinical, and process grounds, the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board has approached this all wrong. It’s outrageous and short-sighted that vulnerable people will not be getting the support they need.

“Thrive and the wider Edinburgh third sector recognise the tight budgetary environment and the case for reform. However, this is not about scrapping services entirely. It’s about working together to redesign services that meet the needs of our communities.

“Removing the services will not remove the need and will just shift it to more expensive NHS services. We estimate that the Stafford Centre alone saves the NHS £4 million a year at a cost of only £188,000.

“The decision to remove funding risks undermining the stability and quality of services that so many depend on. It would be devastating to the population of Edinburgh.

“This approach, if carried forward, would leave Edinburgh as an outlier in Western Europe, where other cities continue to support community-based mental health services as an essential part of their healthcare systems.

“We call upon the EIJB and in particular the councillors on it, to reject this self-defeating proposal and instead work collaboratively with the third sector to redesign services to save money and deliver support for our city’s most vulnerable.”

Foysol Choudhury MSP pointed out that the proposal threatens to destabilise key services such as drop-in support, carer services, and veteran support, which have been fundamental in improving the mental health and wellbeing of hundreds of Edinburgh residents.

The lack of consultation and the rushed timeline undermine the collaborative approach that was promised after earlier breakdowns in communication with third-sector partners.

Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “This is not just an issue for those directly impacted by these cuts. It is a question of public health, social cohesion, and responsible governance.

“Do Councillors, MSPs, and MPs across Edinburgh fully understand the magnitude of the decisions being made in their names? The risks associated with these cuts are profound, and it is crucial that we pause to reassess the long-term impact on mental health provision and the health system as a whole.”

Foysol Choudhury MSP concluded by calling for urgent engagement with the third sector, health professionals, and local communities to ensure a sustainable and effective redesign of services that meets the needs of the city’s population.

Mr. Choudhury also suggested a full review of the process before any further cuts are made.

Coalition raises concerns as new figures highlight cuts in specialist support for vulnerable children to a record low

  • Decline in the number of specialist ASN teachers to a record low
  • More than doubling in the number of pupils with additional support needs since 2014

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has raised concerns over cuts in specialist support being provided to those with additional support needs (ASN).

The call comes as new figures from the Scottish Government’s annual teacher census indicate that the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen to a record low of 2,837 in 2024.1

In contrast, the number of those pupils with ASN has soared to a record high, now amounting to 40.5 per cent of the pupil population. 2 This includes those with mental health problems, learning disability, autism and dyslexia.

These numbers have been increasing for years. Indeed, more than doubling(102.4 per cent) over the last decade to 284,448  pupils, a rise from 140,501 in 2014, when those with ASN represented 20.8 per cent of all pupils.

Between 2014 and 2024 the number of ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,077 to 2,837, a record low and a decrease of 240 teachers.

In 2014, while each ASN teacher was supporting 40 pupils with ASN, by 2024 this figure had risen to each teacher now supporting 100 such pupils.

Against a background of spending cuts and reduction in specialist support, the SCSC has called for greater resourcing from both the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that those with ASN, who are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods, are getting the care and support that they need. 

The coalition has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of a presumption of mainstreaming, meaning that all pupils are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, without the necessary support.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need. This is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap as we know that those with ASN are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods.

“With cuts in support, including in the number of specialist teachers, it is going to be extremely challenging to reduce the current inequalities faced by those with ASN.

“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, which means that all children and young people are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly given the fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those with ASN.

“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to provide the necessary resourcing to address the needs of those children and young people with ASN, who represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “

1 Scottish Government, Teacher census 2024 supplementary statistics, 25th March 2025, table 6.7. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/teacher-census-supplementary-statistics/ (accessed 25th March 2025).

2 Scottish Government, Pupil Census 2024 supplementary statistics, 25th March 2025, table 1.5.

Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/pupil-census-supplementary-statistics/ (accessed 25th March 2025).

Robust homelessness prevention measures in Housing Bill

Ensuring people receive help before reaching crisis

Further measures to prevent people experiencing the trauma of homelessness will be introduced as part of amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

The Bill currently places a stronger importance on preventing homelessness through ‘ask and act’ duties on social landlords and relevant bodies, such as Health Boards, Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service, to ask about a person’s housing situation as early as they can and act to avoid them becoming homeless wherever possible.

Scottish Government amendments to the Bill, developed with help from homelessness charities including Crisis, will ensure people get the help they need. They will also require a range of services to do more to prevent homelessness and to co-operate, share information and will be specific on what is required of them to help people remain in their homes, supported by £4 million pilot programmes in 2025-26.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “We want Scotland to be a world leader in homelessness prevention. We already have the strongest homeless rights in the world, but we want to go even further. These changes to the Housing Bill will increase the likelihood that people will receive help before reaching the point of crisis.

“Making sure everyone has the right to a safe and stable home is essential to the Scottish Government’s priority of ending child poverty and the Bill will play a role in reaching that goal.

“Working closely with our partners including Crisis, we have developed a set of amendments that further strengthens rights and gives people the help they need by ensuring that preventing homelessness becomes a collective responsibility across society.

“These amendments will have a lasting, positive impact for many households, and I urge Parliament to back them when they come to a vote.”

NUS Scotland responds to planned £140m cuts at University of Edinburgh

‘Scotland’s education system being allowed to crumble’ – NUS Scotland President

NUS Scotland is deeply concerned about the growing crisis in education across Scotland, highlighted by the recent announcement that the University of Edinburgh is planning to make £140m of cuts due to financial difficulty.

The University Vice Chancellor’s announced plans to explore ‘radical action’ to reduce costs including potential staff cuts, restructuring, and possible course closures, are part of a wider trend threatening the future of education in Scotland.

Commenting, President of NUS Scotland Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan said: “This isn’t unique to the University of Edinburgh. Our education system in Scotland is crumbling, and it’s being allowed to happen. It’s becoming all too common to hear from university or college management that course closures are necessary and staff redundancy schemes unavoidable.

“Year after year of higher and further education cuts in public funding is taking its toll, including the real terms cuts just passed in the recent Scottish budget. We need to see recognition that education is a public good that enriches our society, and public investment to match.

“The long term damage that these kind of cuts will have cannot be understated – students, staff, and Scotland will all suffer as a result. NUS Scotland stands in solidarity with all students and staff across Scotland facing an uncertain future, and calls on the Scottish Government to intervene to halt damaging cuts in Edinburgh and elsewhere.

“Edinburgh University is one of Scotland’s richest institutions, and we join the UCU in calling for the University to use its significant wealth to protect jobs and courses, and echo the Edinburgh University Students Association’s call for management to prioritise students.

“However, not even our richest universities can fix this crisis alone. The Scottish Government must act to reverse the trend of falling education funding and fix our broken education system so that students and Scotland can thrive.”

‘Continued improvement’ in child mental health waiting times

Best performance since national target was set – but charities say targets are still being missed

Almost 90% of children and young people accessing mental health services started treatment within 18 weeks of referral from July to September – the best performance since a national target was introduced a decade ago.

Latest Public Health statistics show 89.1% of those who were assessed as suitable for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) were seen within 18 weeks – the Scottish Government target is 90%.

The figure is up five percentage points on the previous quarter and 13.5 percentage points on the same quarter the previous year.

Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “We are working hard to ensure that everyone gets the support they need, when they need it, so the continued improvement in CAMHS waiting times is very welcome.

“These positive figures are testament to the dedication of the staff who work so hard to help the children and young people they care for. While the national standard applies only to each quarter, it is also encouraging that the highest ever monthly performance – 91.3% was recorded in September.  

“However we know there is still more to do, which is why we have provided local authorities with more than £65 million, since 2020, to develop and deliver community-based mental health support for children, young people and their families. We have also invested £16 million a year to work towards ensuring every secondary school in Scotland has access to school counselling services.”

Children 1st Chief Executive, Mary Glasgow.

Responding to the latest CAMHS quarterly waiting list figures, Children First chief executive Mary Glasgow said: “Today’s figures show thousands of children are still in desperate need of support.

“It’s a decade since the Scottish Government committed to 90 percent of CAMHS referrals being seen within 18 weeks. This target has still not been met. 

“Our teams across Scotland are supporting young people who are frightened, worried, anxious and need help now. The fact remains that children are often not getting support until they are in severe distress. This must stop.  

“Ahead of tomorrow’s budget, the Scottish Government must invest more in early help and support to prevent children reaching crisis point.

“We want to see more funding so that families can quickly get support for their children when they need it.” 

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a budget for mental health tomorrow (4th December).

The call comes as the latest waiting time figures from Public Health Scotland published today (3rd December), indicate that 115 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending September 2024.1 

The figures also show that a total of 4,231 children and young people were still stuck on waiting lists to start treatment at the end of that quarter.

This comes against the background of an increasing level of violent incidents in the classroom, a result in part due to the current mental health emergency, exacerbated by the long shadow of the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand, leaving an increasing number of vulnerable individuals unable to access support

However, it should be noted that despite this challenging situation, only 0.75 per cent of the total NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2023/23 financial year.2 

Indeed, spend on mental health services generally has declined by 4.5 per cent in real terms over the past three years.

The SCSC is calling the Scottish Government to up its game in the budget and make the treatment of mental health issues a key national priority, prioritising spending and avoiding a potential lost generation of children and young people with mental health problems.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that more than 4,200 children and young people are still waiting for treatment from mental health services, with 115 waiting over a year, is extremely alarming.

“We are facing a mental health emergency and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living. This is also having a major effect on classroom behaviour, impacting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.

“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to up its game and make the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people an absolute priority in the forthcoming budget.”

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in NHSScotland for the quarter ending September 2024.