Proposals published to start dialogue with local authorities
A report from an experienced former headteacher on how to improve the way schools are funded and governed has been published.
John Wilson, an Independent Professional Adviser to the Scottish Government, was appointed to identify priorities for reform based on his extensive experience as a secondary headteacher.
His recommendations, which will be considered as part of a three-month dialogue with local authorities, include:
creating Local Schools Authorities to take on statutory responsibility for the delivery of school education
reviewing how schools measure success while making it easier for them to collaborate and share best practice with each other
clearly defining and ring-fencing national funding for education, and improving consistency in the way this funding is recorded by local authorities.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “We are determined to continuously drive improvement in Scottish education – raising standards, empowering schools and reducing variation across council areas and schools.
“There is a great deal to be proud of already. This year’s exam results showed rising attainment across the board in National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers and the second consecutive narrowing of the poverty related attainment gap.
Recent statistics show the number of young people in work, training or study nine months after leaving school is at a joint record high and record numbers of young people are being accepted into university. This includes a record number from our most deprived backgrounds.
“However, I am also clear-eyed about the need for change and for excellence. As well as developing a new curriculum and creating phone-free learning environments across Scotland, we’re seizing the opportunity provided by the public service reform agenda to address core issues in our education system.
“This report provides an invaluable contribution to this process, and I’m grateful to John Wilson and everyone else who took part. This publication is intended to contribute to a dialogue with councils. I look forward to setting out our response to the recommendations once that process is complete.”
Love Music has been awarded funding from Paul Hamlyn Foundation Teacher Development Fund
Love Music has been awarded major funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Teacher Development Fund for a two year active learning partnership project, Sing for Wellbeing Schools.
The programme is a partnership between Love Music and eight City of Edinburgh Council primary schools, supported by experts from Queen Margaret University and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Sing for Wellbeing Schools will empower upper primary school teachers to use inclusive play based singing confidently in their classrooms to foster equity, belonging and wellbeing for children.
Love Music will work in eight Edinburgh primary schools for two years, with classes from P4-P7, working with both teachers and their pupils through a regular supported workshop programme, mentoring and professional development sessions.
The Right Honourable Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge said: “Singing plays a vital role in supporting children’s wellbeing across Scotland. It helps build confidence, encourages self-expression, and brings young people together through creativity and community.
“Every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that singing can bring. I am proud to see the Sing for Wellbeing Schools teacher development programme taking place in Edinburgh, bringing new possibilities for children and their wider communities, and our primary teacher workforce.”
Increased funding for community projects in Programme for Government
Grassroots projects will be able to bid for a share of £500,000 to help build stronger communities this year as part of plans set out in the Programme for Government.
The Community Cohesion Fund, launched last year to help local community initiatives to address shared challenges such as social isolation, the cost-of-living crisis, inclusion, employment and housing, will be increased from £300,000 to £500,000 in 2026-27.
On a visit to the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh, Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said: “The Programme for Government places a renewed focus on community cohesion, setting out practical actions to strengthen our collective response to shared challenges and build more resilient communities.
“Building on the success of last year’s launch in supporting the excellent work of local organisations like Big Hearts, we are increasing the Community Cohesion Fund to £500,000 this year. This will mean we can help even more grassroots initiatives that bring communities together, tackle division and promote inclusion.
“We will also establish a Ministerial Taskforce on Community Cohesion to identify priority areas for action and address emerging issues affecting communities.”
Craig Wilson, Chief Executive, Big Hearts Community Trust said: “The universal language of football allows us to bring together people from a wide range of backgrounds, and offer them opportunities to build positive connections in their local community.
“We were pleased to receive support from the Scottish Government and the STV Appeal Community Cohesion Fund to strengthen accessibility and inclusion across our support services here in Edinburgh.
“This funding enables our charity to host more football-based activities as a neutral entry point of engagement for isolated adults and young people, and extend the support to their families. We are committed to make their local football ground a trusted and friendly space where they are welcomed, feel listened to and supported.”
The Fund sits alongside substantial funding which supports wider initiatives on areas such as advancing anti-racism, interfaith dialogue, integration, tackling social isolation and loneliness – helping to build connected, inclusive and resilient communities by fostering trust, belonging and support for people and communities across Scotland
Full details of the 2026-27 Fund including routes to apply will be published shortly.
Local authorities will share £15 million to expand and enhance breakfast club provision from today, First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The funding will help councils deliver free breakfast clubs for primary school pupils across Scotland from August 2027, giving children a healthy start to the school day and helping reduce costs for families.
The announcement follows the opening of new breakfast clubs in East Lothian, at East Linton and in Letham Mains, during the Government’s first 100 days in office, delivering on a commitment to expand access.
Ahead of a visit to a breakfast club in East Lothian the First Minister said: “No child should start the school day hungry.
“I have seen first-hand the real impact and benefits that the breakfast clubs provide to pupils, parents and teachers. They give children a healthy start to the day, helping to ensure they are ready to engage and learn in class.
“For parents and carers, breakfast clubs allow for an early drop off at school while easing the pressure on family budgets at a time when rising bills and living costs continue to bite.
“The Scottish Government is continuing to do all it can to eradicate child poverty and put more money in people’s pockets. Alongside measures such as free school meals, these free breakfast clubs will help ensure more children are supported to succeed at school, regardless of their background.”
COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “Local authorities deliver a wide range of services for children and families and are best placed to understand and respond to the needs of their communities.
“This agreement provides an opportunity for local authorities to expand and enhance breakfast provision in a way which meets local need. I look forward to continuing to work together to support our children, young people, and families across Scotland.”
Further measures to eradicate child poverty will be set out by the First Minister in his Programme for Government tomorrow (Tuesday).
Apply for Maths Week Scotland Grant Funding by 5pm on Sunday 30 August!
Schools, nurseries, early learning & childcare providers, community & family providers & other educational settings can apply for £250 or £500 towards their #MWS2026 activities!
Ensuring support is available where and when families need it
TEN charities will receive a share of a £20 million fund in 2026-27 to deliver wide ranging support to improve wellbeing, boost incomes, and help parents towards employment as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to eradicate child poverty.
The charities involved estimate that up to 35,000 families could benefit from the Scottish Government’s package of whole family support, spanning almost all of Scotland.
The beneficiaries include:
Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom), which will expand its support into new areas of Scotland, such as Dundee, to pair parents of neurodivergent children with a Family Adviser to help boost incomes and improve children’s outcomes
Home Start Caithness which will bring together nine organisations to provide one-step gateway to financial and wellbeing support in the region
Borders Community Action who will work with 30 local charities under a new partnership to embed support in rural communities, where poverty can be harder to identify and the right support more difficult to access
Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector which will coordinate a new partnership between more than 30 local organisations to deliver help specific to the needs of communities across the city
In Dundee, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met with families of neurodivergent children to hear about the difference that effective support at point of need can make. Mindroom will use this funding to expand into new areas of Scotland.
Ms Somerville said: “We have made great strides in our ambitious mission to eradicate child poverty. Within the powers we have, we have boosted incomes while delivering a transformational cost of living support package.
“But we know that more needs to be done, which is why we are driving whole family support. This is about making sure that people can access the help they need easily, as simply as possible, and as quickly as possible.
“To remove barriers, we need to empower local charities and local people and bring them together with other services so that there are clear and easy ways to access the right support, in the right place and at the right time.
“I am proud that this ambitious programme, which we will deliver in partnership with charities across Scotland, does just that.”
CEO of Mindroom Alan Thornburrow said: “We see the benefits that whole family support brings to parents and children on a daily basis, so we are pleased to receive support from the Scottish Government to expand our services, including into Dundee.
“Neurodivergent children and their parents have historically found it challenging to access the right support, in the right place – but we are determined to be there for them, tailoring services to meet their individual circumstances, and giving children the best start in life in the process.
“This funding will help us do so on a larger scale, enabling us to reach more people in varied communities. We look forward to pressing ahead with this work.”
The funding comes from the Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund, announced as part of the latest Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Bringing Hope,Building Futures, and, subject to confirmation during the annual Scottish budget process, it is expected to continue on an annual basis while the programme is in operation.
The 10 organisations that secured funding following a competitive application process are:
Projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027.
A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or other activities, aimed at older people, carers, disabled people and young parents.
This includes the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust providing arts and crafts to patients and their loved ones, Down’s Syndrome Scotland to support their social activities, such as last week’s summer prom for children and families, and the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh to host gatherings for older people and carers.
Other local beneficiaries of the funding iinclude Pilton Community Health Project, Edinburgh Tool Library, Pilmeny Development Project and Leith’s Living Memories Association.
Marking the end of Loneliness Awareness Week, Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said: “Loneliness can affect anyone and the cost-of-living crisis has increased isolation for many, including young people, carers and disabled people.Our funding will allow organisations to extend their projects, keeping people connected during this challenging time.
“I thank the organisations who are providing this vital support to people across Scotland, ensuring that people feel warmth and connection in their communities and can access important support networks.”
Launched in August 2023, funding through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund will culminate in March 2027 with over £3.8 million having been invested and at least 20,000 people supported.
Grampian Hospitals Art Trust Art and social activities for people in NHS settings
Grampian Society for the Blind, operating as North East Sensory Services (NESS) Social groups and activities for people with a visual impairment
Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network Health, wellbeing and social activities for older people
Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIO Befriending and social activities for older people, people with dementia
Helensburgh Lunch Club Lunch club for older people
North Argyll Carers Centre Social activities indoors/outdoors for unpaid carers (young and older). Intergenerational elements
Parent to Parent Ltd Peer social support groups for parents
Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise Walking football for older people
Contact Point in East Dunbartonshire SCIO Social club and café for older people, disabled people and those with long term health conditions
Carers Link East Dunbartonshire Café and social outings for carers
Home-Start East Lothian Volunteer befriending for isolated families
Our Community Kitchen Lunches and activities for older people, disabled people and those with mental health conditions
Stepping Out Range of indoor and outdoor activities for people with mental health conditions
Big Hearts Community Trust Social gatherings and activities for older people and carers. Volunteering.
Edinburgh Tool Library Group build project and volunteering for people from the LGBT+ community
Pilmeny Development Project Creative arts, health and wellbeing activities and refreshments for older people
Pilton Community Health Project Social indoor and outdoor activities for men and women
Care for Carers Small group breaks for unpaid carers
The Living Memory Association Range of group activities for health and wellbeing for older people
Denny Community Support Group Range of indoor and outdoor social and group activities for older, younger, families, recovery.
Freedom Of Mind Community Choir Choir singing
Abbey Church of Dunfermline Creative arts for people with dementia
Fife Society for the Blind aka Seescape Befriending, group sessions and drop ins for people with a visual impairment
The Linda Tremble Foundation (trading as SupportED) 1:1 befriending and support groups for people with eating disorders
Easthall Residents Association Men, women and single mothers (3 groups) – a range of indoor and outdoor activities
Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise CIC Craft and chat for women (BAME, refugee, asylum)
Maryhill Integration Network Choir for women of all backgrounds
The Urban Roots Initiative Lunch club for older people
The Well Multi-Cultural Resource Centre 1:1 support, toddler parent groups, ESOL, lunches and activities for women and children
Woodlands Community Development Trust Community café, activities, information, cooking for all age groups
Glasgow Association for Mental Health Wellbeing and social activities for young people aged 16-25 with mental health conditions
Glasgow Disability Alliance Digital connections for disabled people
Home-Start Glasgow South Community club for parents/carers with young families
British Deaf Association Providing information and support to the deaf community, online and in person
Project Ability Creative arts for disabled people
Down’s Syndrome Scotland Social face to face activities for people with Downs Syndrome
The National Autistic Society Online and face to face group sessions for people with autism
ENABLE Scotland Community based (indoor and outdoor) activities for people with a learning disability
Good Morning Project Limited (known as Good Morning Service) Telephone befriending for older people
Caithness Voluntary Group Befriending; mens group for older, disabled adults
Inverness Foodstuff Social lunches for homeless and other vulnerable people
Merkinch Partnership Ltd Developing a working group with lived experience to support others affected by SIAL
Scottish Men’s Sheds Association Develop and support Mens Sheds across the Highlands and Islands
Inverkip Community Initiative Community resource for a range of groups; access to chat, tea/coffee, internet, jobs information and signposting
Tagsa Uibhist Training, community walks and community social events for older people affected by dementia.
Cunninghame MS Drop-In Centre Social lunches, activities and trips for people with MS
Beith Community Development Trust Telephone befriending and social get togethers for older people
Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health (LAMH) Wellbeing activity classes for people with mental health conditions and older people, disabled people.
Sanday Afternoon Club Community meals, activities and outings for older people
Letham4All SCIO Community groups and activities for older people, parents with young children, young people
Lochside Neighbourhood Group Social meals and activities/info for older people with low income
Forth Community Resource Centre Steering Group Activity cafés for older people, living on own, carers.
£15 million to help low-income households pay for childcare
Third sector organisations across Scotland are being invited to apply for a grant as part of a new £15 million Childcare Support Fund to help low-income families manage the cost of childcare.
The fund will provide short-term, flexible childcare through registered childcare providers, supporting families living in, or at risk of, poverty. This will ease the financial pressures of childcare costs which can act as a barrier to employment, training or learning.
The new fund is one of a range of measures set out in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Bringing Hope, Building Futures, which will help drive further progress in eradicating child poverty.
This one-year fund is designed to top up existing support – rather than replace current entitlements such as free childcare hours and Universal Credit childcare payments.
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Siobhian Brown said: “Every family deserves the security of knowing their child is well cared for, but for too many low-income families the cost of childcare creates real pressure at already difficult times.
“The Childcare Support Fund will help families who are struggling with childcare costs at difficult times – such as a change in job or family circumstances, to support access to training, or during a major life event like bereavement or illness.
“Organisations which are successful in applying for grants will support families to find the right childcare and help cover the cost. The fund is open to help families with children aged from nine months to the end of primary school.
“I would urge relevant third sector organisations to apply, and I look forward to seeing this funding reach the families who need it most over the coming months.
“By the end of this Parliament we will be delivering a brand new offer of childcare for families 52 weeks a year. This will reduce the cost burden and ensure our childcare system is flexible to suit family life.”
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, is welcoming new applications to its GreenSkies Community Fund after distributing more than £100,000 to local projects over the last five years.
The bespoke environmental initiative, established in 2021, is designed to help charities, community groups, and small businesses to achieve their sustainability goals.
Applications for the fund are now open and will close on 7th May. Over the last five years, Loganair has awarded 24 projects over £100,000 in funding.
Last year’s successful projects included:
Murtle Garden in Aberdeen, which received £5,000 to install a new polytunnel in its walled garden, providing 50 young people living with learning disabilities access to a year-round growing and learning environment.
Shed the Light in Derry/Londonderry was awarded £5,000 to install a solar generator at Creggan Country Park to support its renewable energy workshops.
Winchester Hospice in Hampshire was granted £5,000 to purchase an e-bike and install bike parking to support low-emission palliative home care.
Gifford Community Woodland in East Lothian received £3,180 to plant 420 trees in an effort to restore woodland damaged by ash disease.
Uigshader Living Forest Project in Portree received £4,185 to purchase battery-powered tools for low-impact peatland restoration.
The variety of projects illustrates the breadth of the impact that the GreenSkies Community Fund has within communities, supporting organisations across a wide range of sectors to reduce their carbon footprint and improve sustainability.
Rebecca Borresen, director of safety and sustainability at Loganair, said: “Through our GreenSkies Community Fund, we’re proud to support the organisations and individuals taking practical steps to make their communities more sustainable. From restoring natural habitats to investing in renewable energy and low-emission transport, the projects we’ve funded so far show how local action can make a real difference.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the innovative ideas that come forward this year and continuing to support initiatives that help reduce environmental impact while delivering lasting benefits for communities across the UK.”
The GreenSkies Community Fund forms part of Loganair’s broader environmental programme, which includes commitments to carbon offsetting, investment in sustainable aviation technologies and achieving the ambitious target of becoming net zero by 2040.
Since its launch, the fund has supported numerous community projects and businesses across the UK in adopting greener practices and reducing their environmental impact.
The GreenSkies Community Fund is funded through a small mandatory carbon offsetting charge applied to every Loganair flight, with proceeds invested in accredited offsetting projects and community initiatives.
Interested organisations can learn more about the fund and submit their applications by visiting:
The balance of funding required to bring the historic Granton Lighthouse in the north of Edinburgh back to life and transform it into a community arts & education hub has been secured.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visited Granton Lighthouse in Edinburgh to outline projects benefiting from our Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in 2026-27.
The initiatives are expected to create more than 1,200 jobs and 800 training opportunities.
The restoration project, part of the wider £1.3bn regeneration of the Granton Waterfront area, will transform the historic building once used as a place to teach lighthouse keepers their trade into a flexible, accessible modern workspace to be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
As part of its original use, the ‘C’ listed nineteenth century building, an important part of the built heritage of the Granton Waterfront area, was also used to test new illuminations for other lighthouses.
This historic building will be fully refurbished to create a learning, enterprise and exhibition/cafe space. As well as restoring some original features such as the lantern, the outside space will be transformed into a social space for people to sit and relax and enjoy some greenery. Disabled parking and cycle storage will also be provided.
A planning application to carry out the work has been submitted and work could start as early as next year.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“I’m delighted the funding is now in place to restore this historically significant building to be enjoyed by the local community for generations to come.
“The former lighthouse building is a strong visual reminder of the area’s history. It will now start a new chapter as it continues to be a place of learning and creativity as well as a focal point for the local community to meet.
“Arts and Education Trust Out of the Blue were selected as a suitable operator to lease the building following feedback from local people who told us they need a flexible, accessible work and events space for arts education.
“It’s also another great milestone reached for our £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area and follows our announcement at the end of last year that the Council had been successful in securing funding for this and several other heritage buildings.
“This includes funding to refurbish and restore structures such as Madelvic House, Granton Castle Walled Garden and the platforms in Granton Station Square, the latter of which are located beside the beautifully restored former Granton Station building.”
