Scootish Government funding to help impact of wildfire
Businesses affected by the wildfire in the Cairngorms will receive a share of up to £3 million of Scottish Government funding.
The grants will be available through the Highland Council’s support scheme for businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire.
Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “The wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park has had a significant impact on many businesses, particularly those premises within the cordon that have been unable to trade.
“I want to thank business owners, employees and local residents for their patience and understanding of the necessary precautions put in place by emergency services to tackle the fire and maintain public safety.
“We understand the difficult position that many now face which is why I am pleased to be able to confirm up to £3 million for the Highland Council to support affected businesses directly.
“This will provide immediate relief for impacted businesses but we will continue to work closely with the Highland Council, HIE and Cairngorms National Park Authority on what further support may be required for the area in the longer term.”
The fund will be administered by The Highland Council with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the wildfire, maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery.
They will release full details of how to apply in the coming days.
Make sure you are getting the financial help you are entitled to:
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment — £331.95 for children aged 2 to 3½
Best Start Grant School Age Payment — £331.95 for children first old enough to start primary school
Scottish Child Payment — £112.80 every four weeks for every eligible child under 16
Families receiving Scottish Child Payment and are eligible for Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment or School Age Payment will be paid automatically, there is no need to apply.
Deputy First Minister visits site and meets council leader
Up to £5 million will be made available to help support recovery from the fire on Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth met with City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher yesterday following a tour of the site of the blaze at the former Debenhams store which broke out on 9 July.
The funding will be administered by the council and include support for a number of areas to assist the recovery from the fire, including support to incentivise and assist with travel around the city, acknowledging the concerns of businesses facing reduced footfall after the closure on Princes Street, in particular along the tram route to Leith and Newhaven.
It will also provide assistance to help secure the site and make the building safe to facilitate the reopening of Princes Street, as well as support for festival operators forced to relocate.
The Deputy First Minister has also confirmed that work is underway with Highland Council to finalise the financial support that the Scottish Government will provide for recovery from the Cairngorms fire.
Ms Gilruth said: “This fire has caused widespread difficulties in Edinburgh, not just in the city centre but extending north into Leith and Newhaven, as business and commuters adjust to the disruption caused by the fire.
“The Scottish Government has been determined from the start to ensure that we are ready to support the council in assisting those affected and the funding being set out today will help to keep the city moving and to adapt, while also enabling long term recovery.
“The impact in the capital has been significant at a time when the August festivals are getting underway. The Scottish Government is committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery, including the reopening of Princes Street as soon as is safely possible.”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“This is a significant step in our city’s recovery from the Princes Street fire, and I wholeheartedly welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement today.
“Whilst I remain acutely aware of the impact that this is having across the city every day, I hope that this news can bring some comfort to our residents, businesses and visitors. The city is very much open, and I’d encourage everyone to support our fantastic local businesses as the festivals begin later this week.
“We’re continuing to do everything within our power to reopen Princes Street as soon as it’s safe to do so. The complexity of the remedial work cannot be understated, with specialists working, mostly by hand, under extremely challenging circumstances.
“I’d also urge people to continue to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
“I was encouraged by my conversations with the Deputy First Minister today and we’ll continue to work alongside the Scottish Government and our partners in our collective response to this incredibly difficult issue.”
The fund will be administered by the Council and divided into the following sections –
Building Works:
The Council is incurring substantial daily costs to progress work on the site, including making the building safe and the retention of heritage features, alongside associated security costs. This support will go towards covering these in the short to medium term.
Ultimately, the Council will still attempt to recover appropriate costs from the owners under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.
Business Recovery: The Council recognises the impact that this has had on businesses across Edinburgh, particularly in Leith and the north of the city due to tram disruption. This funding will be used to encourage people to visit local businesses through a communications campaign, creating a local events fund and further incentivising patronage.
Festivals Support: The fire has resulted in some events by festival partners in the immediate vicinity being relocated at short notice. Bookings have also been impacted. Requests for funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Public Transport Support: Edinburgh Trams has experienced increased costs and a loss of income due to disruption on the network. As a large section of the tram network has been offline since the fire, this fund would be used specifically to help mitigate this ongoing impact on both Edinburgh Trams and the Council.
Princes Street City Dressing: Funding will support the installation of dressing at any vacant units or construction sites, including the former Debenham’s building, while works are ongoing, to maintain a positive image for Princes Street.
‘Getting Around Town’ Communications Campaign: Work has already commenced on a campaign to help residents and visitors get around the city.
Work is taking place to finalise arrangements for the support package which will be made available to the council.
Due to serious concerns about the structural integrity of the building a substantial exclusion zone was established and remains in place around the affected section of Princes Street.
First Minister John Swinney has confirmed a package of up to £1 million will be provided to Clackmannanshire Council to support residents affected by ground movement in the Coalsnaughton area.
The money will ensure the local authority can cover expenses it has incurred as a result of its emergency response, including temporary housing, welfare and staffing costs.
First Minister John Swinney said: “I was grateful to hear from the residents of Coalsnaughton last week about the situation they have been placed in and understand the considerable stress this is causing.
“As residents will be out of their homes for at least eight weeks while the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) carries out its investigations, this £1 million package will allow Clackmannanshire Council to provide support for them during this time.
“Ministers will continue to ensure the UK Government is pressing the MRA to expedite its investigations as quickly as possible to prevent further disruption to people’s lives.
“The Scottish Government is working closely with Clackmannanshire Council to support residents.”
For local sports clubs every penny and pound counts. More than 8,000 clubs across the UK are getting a much-needed financial boost after registering as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). In doing so, they are able to claim a variety of tax reliefs including business rates and gift aid.
Tax reliefs for grassroots clubs means they can become financially sustainable, keep membership fees affordable and re-invest in their facilities so they can focus on delivering the best sports and social opportunities for local people.
With thousands of clubs already registered and receiving financial support through tax reliefs, Sandeep Ghelani, Senior Policy Advisor from HMRC outlines the benefits of the scheme and encourages other clubs to register today.
Is your Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) eligible to register for tax relief?
To be eligible for tax relief as a CASC, clubs must be based in the UK, provide facilities for eligible sports and encourage people to take part. The club must also be set up with a governing document, open to the whole community with limited fees, organised on an amateur basis and to be managed by ‘fit and proper’ people. More about eligibility can be found on GOV.UK.
What reliefs are available to clubs once registered?
After registering with HMRC, clubs will be eligible for a number of financial reliefs on income, gains and profit including:
Business Rate relief
Gift Aid relief
Corporation Tax exemptions
Tax relief on fundraising events
Capital Gains exemption
Inheritance Tax benefits
You can find out more about the tax reliefs claimed through the CASC scheme on GOV.UK.
Two of the most popular reliefs claimed are for business rates and gift aid. In 2025 alone, CASCs benefitted from £40 million in business rates relief and £3 million in Gift Aid relief.
Two clubs who have benefitted from their registration as a CASC include Salisbury Rugby Football Club and Frocester Cricket Club.
Alastair Downey, Chairman of Frocester Cricket Club, a long-established and thriving CASC explains how the tax reliefs have helped the club: “Mandatory 80% business rates relief and access to gift aid has provided vital financial support over the years.
“Without this we would have been unable to build our new cricket pavilion, of which more than £25,000 in funding was from gift aid contributions.”
Salisbury Rugby Football Club is a successful CASC with 1,000 members. President Nicola Rawson explains the benefits of CASC: “The 80% reduction in business rates and access to gift aid has helped the club enormously.
“We now have newly built changing rooms at the club with was paid for with our own fundraising efforts and almost £25,000 from gift aid contributions. The financial benefits from CASC continue to provide valuable support.”
If you think your CASC could benefit from registering with HMRC, go to GOV.UK to find out more.
Scottish Recommended Allowance to increase in line with inflation
Financial support for kinship and foster carers will increase in 2026-27 – helping them meet the cost of living challenges and to provide more for the children and young people they care for.
The Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) will be uprated by 3.8% for 2026-27, which is in line with the Consumer Price Index inflation rate recorded in September 2025. This uplift – part of the Scottish Government’s work to Keep the Promise to Scotland’s care experienced young people by 2030 – will be supported by an additional £4.3 million investment.
From April 2026, kinship and foster carers will receive a weekly allowance, based on the age of each child they care for, of:
0 to 4 years: £177.68
5-15 years: £206.71
16-17 years: £283.35
The SRA was first introduced in Scotland in August 2023 to ensure all eligible foster and kinship carers receive a consistent minimum level of financial support, regardless of where they live.
Following a review of the allowance, the Scottish Government agreed in March 2026 to uplift the SRA annually in line with inflation.
Promise Minister Natalie Don-Innes said: “Foster and kinship carers do an extraordinary job in providing safe, stable, and loving homes for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people. It is only right that the financial support they receive keeps pace with the cost of living.
“This uplift is a clear demonstration of our commitment to Keep The Promise and to ensuring that carers are properly supported in the vital work they do. I am grateful to all the foster and kinship carers, local authorities, and organisations who contributed to the review of the SRA, and look forward to continued partnership working to build on the progress we have made.”
The Scottish Government provides an annual investment of £17.9 million for the allowance. The uplift for this year is backed by an additional £4.3 million.
Support worth up to £26,000 by a child’s 16th birthday
One parent families are being urged to check if they are eligible for social security support this National Single Parents Day (21 March 2026).
Lone parent families make up 24% of all families in Scotland with 87% headed by women. As one of the household types most vulnerable to financial pressures, they are disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis, often cutting back on essentials. Research shows 70% have no or low savings and are more likely to be in debt or arrears.
Social Security Scotland’s package of support for families – including Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, could make a difference to household budgets. Updated calculations for 2026/27 show they could be worth £11,000 by the time an eligible child turns six, and around £26,000 by the time a child turns 16. This compares to less than £2,000 for families in England and Wales, where support ends when an eligible child turns four.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is urging all parents and carers — including single parents — to find out if they are eligible.
Ms Somerville said: “We know that families are struggling to make ends meet and National Single Parents Day is a timely reminder that lone parent families are particularly vulnerable, but help is available.
“The Scottish Government is providing families right across Scotland with the best cost-of-living support package in the UK. This financial support can boost household incomes and help families pay for everyday essentials such as nutritious food and clothes, helping to ensure a child’s circumstances doesn’t stop them getting the best start in life.”
Satwat Rehman, Chief Executive of One Parent Families Scotland, added: “Too many single parents are still facing the daily challenge of making ends meet. With four in ten children in single parent families living in poverty, financial support such as the Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grants can make a real difference.
“These payments provide vital help directly to families who need it most, easing the pressure of rising living costs and helping ensure children have the essentials they need to thrive. One Parent Families Scotland is proud to continue working alongside Social Security Scotland to support single parents understand and access the support they are entitled to.”
Michelle Goldie, a single mum of three from Edinburgh said: “As a single parent, Scottish Child Payment has been a huge help to me. I have three young daughters, and the extra money allows us to do activities together and enables the girls to attend clubs.
“I feel that there is a stigma around being a single parent and around asking for help which is a shame as it may put people off from applying. I encourage all parents, including single parents, to check if they are eligible for support and get the help they are entitled to. It may make all the difference.”
National Single Parents Day is celebrated annually on 21 March to recognise the dedication of single parents and highlight available support.
Scotland’s carers getting more financial support through Social Security Scotland
Around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland’s Carer Support Payment.
Carer Support Payment began rolling out across Scotland in November 2023 to replace Carer’s Allowance delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Since the formation of Social Security Scotland in 2018, the Scottish Government has delivered more financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland under a very different social security system, rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement provides up to £587 a year while Young Carer Grant offers over £390 each year to carers aged 16-18 years. These payments are only available in Scotland.
Carer Support Payment has also been extended to enable more carers in full time education to access the payment.
Further improvements to carer benefits in Scotland are planned within the next six months. This includes extension of Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and a new payment worth up to £520 a year for carers who are caring for more than one person.
Extending eligibility for financial support following the death of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks is also amongst the plans.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are supporting over 126,000 unpaid carers in Scotland through devolved carer benefits, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving social security, under a kinder system that treats people with dignity and respect.
“It was always our intention that once carers’ benefits had successfully transferred to Carer Support Payment, we’d deliver even more changes to help make a difference to carers’ lives.
“Unpaid carers make a huge contribution within our communities and I’m proud to be able to improve the financial support available to them in Scotland.”
Local organisations have welcomed moves to provide greater support to the third sector in Edinburgh.
Following the launch of emergency funding and an extensive review of how the city works with not-for-profit groups to prevent poverty, Councillors heard how moves to bring stability to the sector are being well received.
Over £3 million has been injected by the Council towards at risk groups this year, with an extra £284,192 in Third Sector Resilience Funding agreed by elected members at a full Council meeting last week (Thursday 28 August).
The one-off emergency support has been provided to third sector organisations in Edinburgh who are working to end poverty in the city but who have been faced with growing financial challenges.
The final phase of this funding will help small and medium-sized charities this winter, with 31 organisations agreed to receive up to £10,000 each towards running costs.
Involving over 239 workers from at least 100 organisations, this engagement will shape future opportunities to better collaborate and support the third sector, with the aim of helping the city’s most vulnerable and preventing inequality.
In deputations presented to members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee last week (Tuesday 19 August), work was welcomed by groups including Edinburgh Community Food, NESSie (North Edinburgh Support Services consortium), Feniks and the Cyrenians. Feedback has been strongly positive, recognising the speed and efficiency of the support the Council has provided.
Benjamin Napier,(above, left) speaking on behalf of the Third Sector Reference Group, said:“I’d like to give my thanks to Council officers for their excellent role working very effectively with the third sector to make sure funding gets out quickly.
“There has been a diligent approach to how we work together and the key now is to look at the next stages of funding.”
Ewan Aitken, CEO of Cyrenians, said: ““It’s good to see a problem turned into an opportunity by the Council.
“We have strong communities and we need to be prevention-led. We need reform and a long-term approach to supporting charities in the city.
“I hope the Council can be bold, take risks and focus on anchor organisations to make this good work transformative.”
Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said:“The £3 million we’ve provided in emergency funding has been vital at a time when the cost of living is high. This final allocation of funding will support even more projects, from advice for young parents to help with clothes and funeral costs.
“Edinburgh’s third sector sits at the heart of our work to tackle poverty, but it is an incredibly difficult time for community groups in Scotland. The engagement we’ve now carried out reveals many organisations are in a precarious position as they experience changes to funding and face greater demand for their services.
“It has never been more important to reset the relationship between the public and third sectors and I’m proud of the work we’ve carried out to truly listen to and learn from those involved, so that we can work to get it right.
“We need to improve how we work together to prevent poverty in our city, and I’m grateful to the hundreds of third sector workers who have spoken to us.”
Carers urged to check for financial support during Carers Week
This Carers Week (9 – 15 June), unpaid carers across Scotland are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for social security support – through Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant
Carer’s Allowance Supplement – a payment only available north of the border – was the first benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland in 2018 to provide extra financial support for carers, recognising their important contribution.
Since the payment’s introduction, unpaid carers in Scotland will be up to £4,475 better off by the end of 2025.
She met with parent carers of adults with additional support needs and heard about the importance of peer support at @vocalmidlothian and the financial support from Social Security Scotland. pic.twitter.com/sipNwTU7vK
— Social Security Scotland (@SocSecScot) June 12, 2025
On a visit to Midlothian Carers Centre to meet with parent carers of adults with additional support needs, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, said: “Social security in Scotland isn’t about renaming benefits previously delivered by the UK Government.
“We are about delivering social security with dignity, fairness and respect, continually listening to what carers and support organisations have to say to help shape the changes we’re making.
“We introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant, which are only available in Scotland, and widened eligibility for Carer Support Payment to enable more carers in education to access it.
“We’re also committed to introducing new extra support for carers who care for more than one person. Changes to help improve the lives of carers in Scotland.
“Social security is something anyone may need at any point in their life. It’s a public service and I encourage all unpaid carers to find out if they are entitled to financial support and apply.”
Carla Bennett, Carer Services Manager at VOCAL Midlothian added: “Unpaid carers often face financial hardship, with many forced to give up paid work or reduce their hours to support those they care for.
“Caring for someone comes with additional costs too, such as transport, heating, equipment and food. These expenses, combined with reduced income, mean carers are more likely to experience poverty.
“Demand for VOCAL’s income maximisation service has doubled in the past year, showing that carers are feeling the strain. Accessing financial and social security support can ease this burden and make a significant difference to the lives of carers and those they care for.
“We would encourage carers to find out what they might be eligible for.”
