Tag: new report

RoSPA: 8,000 people a day die in accidents worldwide 

Accidental deaths and life-changing injuries: A global tragedy

  • 1 in 20 deaths worldwide are due to accidents – making them the sixth biggest cause of death globally 
  • People in lower- and middle-income countries are much more likely to die in accidents 
  • RoSPA calls for greater investment in accident prevention to save lives, reduce inequalities and promote economic growth 

Accidents are the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 3 million lives a year, and people in developing countries are far more likely to be killed in an accident than those in richer nations. 

That’s the shocking truth exposed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ (RoSPA)’s new report Accidental deaths and life-changing injuries: A global tragedy, in partnership with L’Oréal and Xylem. 

This groundbreaking study of international accident rates, based on analysis of data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources, reveals that:  

  • Accidents are now the sixth biggest cause of death worldwide 
  • 3.1 million people lost their lives in accidents in 2021 alone: over 8,000 every single day 
  • 1 in 20 deaths worldwide is the result of an accident. 
  • In addition, RoSPA’s research reveals enormous inequalities across the globe:  
  • 1.2 million people are killed in road collisions every year
  • 92% of road deaths happen in low- or middle-income countries – even though they have only 60% of the world’s vehicles 
  • 315,000 people are killed at work 
  • 94% of workplace deaths occur in lower- and middle- income countries 
  • Workplace deaths are highest in Africa and Asia 
  • Workers are almost three times more likely to die of a workplace accident in Asia than in Europe, and nearly four times more likely in Africa 
  • Agriculture has the highest number of deaths of any sector. 

Many of these inequalities may be explained by poor infrastructure, weaker regulations and inconsistent enforcement in developing nations. RoSPA has also found that 80% of deaths in working age adults take place outside of work, with road traffic collisions, falls, drownings and fires being particularly deadly.  

Together with the tragic human toll, with millions left unable to work or having to financially manage after a loved one has passed away, accidents also put an immense burden on economies, through a combination of lower productivity and the cost of medical care. 

In developing countries in particular, accidents can create a vicious cycle of lower growth leading to lower incomes and thus lower investment in accident prevention.  

With over 100 years of experience developing evidence-based solutions that have saved millions of lives on roads, in work and at home, RoSPA is campaigning for much greater investment in accident prevention across the world to drive growth, improve productivity, foster social justice and – most importantly – save lives.

 

Rebecca Hickman, Chief Executive at RoSPA, said: “Every day, thousands of people around the world are killed or seriously injured in preventable accidents. Each death or injury devastates families and communities. At RoSPA, we believe safety is a fundamental human right – one that should not depend on where you live. 

“These findings are stark: accidental deaths remain a major public health challenge, with lower- and middle- income countries facing the heaviest burdens. 

RoSPA’s vision is an accident-free world. This report provides a foundation for global action by governments, businesses, NGOs, and international institutions to act, because a safer world is not only possible, it is essential.” 

Malcolm Staves, Global Vice President of Health and Safety at L’Oréal, said: “Each year, millions of individuals tragically lose their lives, sustain permanent injuries, or develop long-term diseases due to unsafe and unhealthy environments, both within and outside the workplace.

“These perilous conditions often stem from a complex interplay of underlying causes, including governance gaps, deficient legislative frameworks, a pervasive lack of awareness or knowledge, insufficient resources, and a weak culture of prevention, both within workplaces and across society at large. 

“Our game-changing partnership with RoSPA, which provides health, safety, and wellbeing information and support to a wider community, epitomizes our values and our commitment to protecting people.” 

Autumn Crum, Director of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) at Xylem, said: “True safety leadership is caring for people and proactively addressing risk wherever it exists.

“With RoSPA’s Global Accident Data Initiative, we’re helping turn data into action to better protect people, families, and communities around the world.”  

Access the full report here 

Delayed Discharge: ‘The current approach has failed’

Significant Change Needed, says new report

NHS Scotland spent £440m last year on beds for patients who were unable to get out of hospital despite being ready to be discharged, according to a new report by Scotland’s public spending watchdogs.

The report from the Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission said one in nine hospital beds were occupied because of delayed discharges in the 12 months to April 2025.

It said the Scottish government must set out a plan to tackle the problem.

Delays in discharging patients from hospital affect people’s physical and mental health, and make it harder to admit others to hospital. Delayed discharges are a symptom of wider pressures across health and social care in Scotland.

The joint report by the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission warns this has a significant effect, despite impacting only around three per cent of hospital patients. People medically ready to leave spent 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital in 2024/25. Whilst the full financial impact is unknown, the cost to the NHS in hospital days alone is an estimated £440 million a year.

The causes are complex, including rising demand for health and social care services, financial pressures, long-standing recruitment and retention problems across Scotland and for some, not having a Power of Attorney in place.

Reducing delayed discharges is a priority for the Scottish Government and their partners in health and social care, with significant activity underway to tackle this. But a lack of evaluation of initiatives across the country means it is difficult to measure what is having the greatest impact and whether these initiatives represent value for the money and time spent.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Delayed discharges from hospital have far-reaching impacts on people’s health and well-being. The Scottish Government, health bodies, councils and other partner organisations agree on the need for major changes and are actively trying to reduce delayed discharges.

“Now they must improve how they collect, analyse and use data to evaluate the initiatives underway to tackle the problem. Without this, it’s impossible to understand the impacts and costs of delayed discharges and whether the initiatives across Scotland are improving lives, services and delivering value for money.”

Malcolm Bell, Member of the Accounts Commission said: “Significant change is critical across our health and social care services, shifting towards preventative care, greater use of technology and ongoing investment in the workforce. Without this, the care and support individuals need to leave hospital won’t always be available.

“The Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint health and social care service renewal framework is an opportunity for progress to be made with health and social care reform. But IJBs and social care need to be at the centre of planning and decision-making on service renewal, and it’s not clear how the framework will address the challenges faced by social care.”

‘The current approach has failed’

In response to the joint report into delayed discharges by the Auditor General for Scotland and Accounts Commission, Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President for Scotland, said: “This report lays bare the scale of delayed discharge, and the impact it has on our health and social care system and the people it serves.  

“720,000 days’ worth of unnecessary hospital stays in the 2024/25 financial year. That’s almost 2,000 years – an almost inconceivable amount of wasted resources which, if exit block had been addressed, could be used to help the patients lining the corridors of Emergency Departments day in, day out.  

“The knock-on effect delayed discharge has on EDs cannot be overstated.  

“Every hospital bed occupied by someone who does not need it, but cannot leave through no fault of their own, adds pressure to EDs which are receiving more patients than they can move on.  

“And these unnecessary stays in a hospital bed puts patients at greater risk of hospital-born infection, and can lead to deconditioning, stripping them of their independence. 

“This is something RCEM has been raising the alarm about for years now, and while the government has acknowledged the issue and taken some steps to address it – the total breakdown in hospital flow outlined in this report shows that the current approach has failed.  

“Things cannot go on like this and I hope the government, health service and local authorities heed the recommendations set out by the Auditor General for Scotland. 

“Improvements to data gathering and discharge planning, among the other recommendations, would be a step towards the system-wide approach we have long said is needed to fix Emergency Care.”  

RCEM said earlier this week that The Scottish government must prioritise tackling delayed discharges and overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) or risk the entire system collapsing under the strain of an incredibly difficult winter. 

Th message from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), followed the release of ED performance figures on Tuesday (6 January) by Public Health Scotland (PHS) for November 2025.  

One in 15 patients (8,065) waited 12 or more hours in a type-1 ED before being admitted, transferred or discharged in that month alone, the worst figures for a November since records began in 2007.  

Further, the new data found that:  

  • It was the worst November on record for eight-hour waits, which stood at 17,259, or 14.5% of patients attending a major ED 
  • Only 63% of patients seen within four hours at type-1 EDs, a far cry from the government target of 95%  
  • Compared to November 2018, waits of four or more hours were four times higher, eight-hour waits were 14 times higher, and 12-hour waits were 39 times higher 
  • Meanwhile, the number of people attending ED was only 5.5% higher in November 2025 compared to November 2018 

Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President for Scotland, said: “This is yet another month of predictable broken records for Emergency Medicine performance in Scotland.  

“The Scottish government continues to shout about improvements to NHS waiting lists. We, of course, welcome these but a lack of political will to put the same emphasis on addressing delayed discharges means our departments are at risk of total derailment.  

“We are now in the depths of winter. Patients are arriving into EDs only to find that there isn’t the space to treat them safely, let alone quickly.  

“Very sick and injured people are lining corridors, crammed into whatever space we can find, because of exit block and a complete breakdown in flow out of hospitals. 

“With warnings of storms, snow and freezing temperatures, the situation is likely to get a lot worse before it gets better.  

“It’s unacceptable that this has been allowed to happen, but it’s not too late to act. We call on the government to support health boards so they can make the improvements needed to tackle delayed discharges and improve patient flow.”

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Ending destitution for excluded people is possible – if Scotland acts at scale

New report warns that progress risks stalling unless proven models are rapidly expanded

SCOTLAND has made significant and internationally notable progress in reducing destitution among people who are blocked from accessing mainstream support because of their immigration status, a major new evaluation has found.

But the study warns that provision remains too limited to meet the scale of need.

The independent report examines the impact of Fair Way Scotland, an action-learning partnership providing integrated support for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) or restricted or uncertain eligibility.

The model brings together specialist casework, modest financial assistance and access to community-based accommodation, helping people to meet basic needs and stabilise their circumstances. Funders, Scottish Government and charities are coming together today for a launch event to hear findings from the report and explore solutions that will reduce destitution.

The report found clear improvements in people’s safety and wellbeing when they receive consistent casework, access to community-based accommodation and modest financial support through Fair Way Scotland.

The report, authored by Heriot-Watt University and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), outlines how these types of support can reduce harm inflicted on people and build a foundation for longer term progress.

Professor Beth Watts-Cobbe, Deputy Director, at the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE), Heriot-Watt University, said: “This evaluation demonstrates that Scotland has taken significant and internationally notable steps to prevent destitution. But the scale of current provision does not yet match the scale of need.

“We found strong evidence that consistent casework, safe accommodation and small but reliable cash payments reduce harm and support people to progress their immigration cases. The question now is whether Scotland is prepared to expand what clearly works so that no one faces destitution.”

The report highlights the exceptional disadvantage facing people supported through Fair Way Scotland:

  • 93% of those surveyed were destitute
  • Almost one in five were sleeping rough at the point of contact
  • More than half had slept rough in the past year
  • 17% had left accommodation because they did not feel safe

Importantly, outcomes improved the longer people engaged with support. Those receiving help for more than three months were significantly less likely to be sleeping rough, living in overcrowded conditions, moving repeatedly, or going without essentials like food and toiletries.

Demand, however, far exceeds what current resources can meet. The evaluation estimates that around 4,000 people across Scotland require this type of support each year, with the country making great progress by meeting around a quarter of that demand thus far.

Chris Birt, Associate Director for Scotland at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “This evaluation shows in stark terms both the effectiveness of Fair Way Scotland and the scale of unmet need. The model works – but demand is far beyond what the current system can cope with. Scaling Fair Way Scotland is now urgent, not optional.

“We need coordinated action from all tiers of government. The UK Government, Scottish Government and local councils need to better use the powers they have, underpinned by a clear commitment from housing associations to provide the safe, stable accommodation that is essential to reducing harm. And ultimately the UK Government need to stop using policy to create destitution. 

“If we are serious about preventing destitution, every part of the system must step up together.”

Frontline accounts within the report underline the difference stability can make. Workers describe how access to casework, legal advice and community-based accommodation enables people to progress their status and access support to which they are entitled.

The evaluation also reflects the voices of people directly supported by Fair Way Scotland. Many described how cash payments – usually of £60 a week – allowed them to buy food and travel, restoring dignity and reducing crisis.

The evaluation recognises that Scotland is the only part of the UK with a national strategy that explicitly commits to ending destitution for all, including those with No Recourse to Public Funds or restricted eligibility. Yet, progress remains slow, with local authorities and third sector organisations under increasing pressure.

Human rights lawyer, Jen Ang of Lawmanity, said: “Scotland already has more scope to act than many decision-makers realise. The evaluation shows that when existing powers are used confidently and consistently, people can be protected from the deepest harms associated with destitution.

“What stands out in this report is the strength of the evidence for scaling Fair Way Scotland. It offers a lawful, practical and humane approach that reflects Scotland’s commitments to dignity and fairness. The task now is ensuring that these findings translate into action so that support is available to everyone who needs it.”

Key recommendations within the report include:

  • Expanding community‑based accommodation
  • Widening access to specialist legal advice
  • Establishing a hardship fund for those excluded from mainstream support
  • Ensuring councils consistently use the powers available to them.

Beth added: “Scotland has the tools, evidence and experience to end destitution for those currently excluded from mainstream support. What is needed now is the resolve to act at scale. Doing so would prevent severe hardship, reduce avoidable harm and uphold Scotland’s commitments to fairness and dignity.”

Fair Way Scotland is a partnership of third sector organisations seeking to prevent homelessness and destitution among those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) in Scotland.

Key Fair Way Scotland delivery partners include theScottish Refugee Council, Simon Community Scotland, Turning Point Scotland and Refugee Sanctuary Scotland– supported by Homeless Network Scotland and learning partners Heriot-Watt University and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Specialist legal expertise is commissioned from a coalition of legal firms: Just Right Scotland, Latta & Co, Legal Services Agency, Settled and Shelter Scotland. COSLA and the Scottish Government are strategic partners, committed to working with Fair Way as part of their commitment to Ending Destitution Together and Ending Homelessness Together.

Acas marks 50th anniversary as new report shows nearly half of people experience conflict at work

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) is celebrating five decades of helping millions of people resolve workplace issues and improve working relationships across Britain.

Since 1975, Acas has been the nation’s trusted voice in workplace relations, evolving from addressing industrial disputes to tackling modern workplace challenges while maintaining its commitment to impartial, expert guidance.

In 1975, the Conciliation and Arbitration Service added the advisory function to its dispute services to become Acas.

To coincide with the anniversary, Acas has published a report showing that almost half (44%) of working age adults in Britain experienced conflict at work in the past 12 months.

Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive, said: “This year marks 50 years since we became Acas and started providing workplace advice, as well as resolving disputes.

“For 50 years, Acas has been at the heart of workplace relations, helping employers and employees navigate change and find common ground even in the most challenging circumstances.

“Our report into conflict prevalence shows that there is still a need for Acas’s experts to bring their experience and cool heads to workplace disputes.”

The research found that:

  • Capability and performance issues were the most common cause of conflict (38%), followed by personal disagreements and relationship issues (33%)
  • Stress, anxiety and depression was the most common impact of conflict, affecting 57% of involved, followed by a drop in motivation or commitment (49%)
  • Retail workers faced the highest levels of conflict, with half (50%) of wholesale and retail trade employees reporting conflict
  • Disabled people whose disability significantly affects their daily life reported the highest prevalence of conflict at 68%
  • The most common person to report experiencing conflict with was another colleague in the organisation (34%) or the person’s line manager (32%)
  • Most conflicts were resolved through informal discussion with managers (45%) or directly with the other person (30%)

Niall added: “Disputes at work might be inevitable, but the knock-on effects can be very costly if they are not managed and resolved properly.

“It is encouraging to see that informal methods to prevent and resolve disputes are already being used by bosses.

“Part of Acas’s role, as we mark 50 years of providing workplace advice, is to make sure managers and leaders have the skills to build more harmonious workplaces.”

Acas continues to demonstrate its vital role in supporting the UK economy and workforce. This year alone, the organisation has:

  • Resolved 93% of collective conciliation disputes, helping avoid costly industrial action
  • Found resolutions for 9 out of 10 potential employment tribunal claims without needing a tribunal hearing
  • Increased the number of people reached through training and advisory services by 78%.

As Acas marks this milestone anniversary, the organisation is positioning itself for the challenges and opportunities of the next 50 years and recently launched a new five-year strategy.

Beyond supporting the Employment Rights Bill implementation, Acas continues to innovate and adapt its services to meet the evolving needs of modern workplaces, from supporting flexible working arrangements to addressing new forms of workplace conflict.

Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “For half a century, Acas has given workers a voice and supported employers to build stronger, more productive workplaces. Its work resolving conflict and improving employment relations has delivered real benefits for organisations and significant savings for the economy.

“Early dispute resolution is vital to a modern, growing economy, and Acas will remain central to our plans to modernise industrial relations in a way that works for both workers and businesses.”

A full copy of the report can be viewed here: https://www.acas.org.uk/research-and-commentary/workplace-conflict/prevalence-of-conflict-at-work/

For more information about Acas and its services, visit www.acas.org.uk.

Carnegie UK: Life in the UK didn’t improve last year

VERY LOW TRUST OF POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT IN SCOTLAND

The lives of people in the UK failed to improve in the last year, according to a new report from Carnegie UK based on their annual survey of over 7,000 people.

Published a month ahead of the autumn Budget, the policy foundation’s report shows that households are finding it a little more affordable to keep their homes warm enough than they did in 2023 or 2024.

But the study shows that economic hardship has not eased for millions, especially those living in social housing; families with three or more children; and people on low incomes.

Carnegie UK’s chief executive Sarah Davidson has called on ministers to take action to improve the lives of those left behind by successive governments.

The Life in the UK Index is designed to measure the collective wellbeing of the nation through a 26-question Ipsos survey across social, economic, environmental and democratic themes.

The headline index score – designed to measure the wellbeing of people in the country – shows no significant change between this year, last year and 2023.

Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: “Our index shows that between May 2024 and May 2025, the average person in the UK saw no meaningful improvement in their life.

“Public services and systems are barely working for too many households, and our research shows that poorer people, larger families and people in social housing are still getting left behind.

“A month ahead of the budget, there’s an opportunity for the Chancellor to invest in closing this gap. It’s unacceptable that so many people’s wellbeing still rests on issues such as their income, housing, disability, and the place where they live.

“Our survey highlights what life is really like for people living in the UK in 2025 and it should now be the mission of government to take bolder and more joined-up action to make life better.”

Carnegie UK warns that there are large economic wellbeing gaps between different groups in society that aren’t closing. The paper states ‘while some individuals report greater financial stability and improved living conditions, others remain at risk of exclusion and hardship.’

The research shows 79% of UK adults can afford to keep their home adequately warm in 2025, up two percentage points from 2024 and six percentage points from 2023.

The report finds declining satisfaction with local job opportunities; widespread experience of problems with pollution and littering in local neighbourhoods; but a small improvement in the average person’s mental and physical health.

The research also reveals an increase in trust in the UK Government compared to the same study in 2024 but warns that most people still feel like they have no influence over the decisions that affect their lives.

For a third year, Carnegie UK’s research also shows a widespread lack of trust in politics and government with almost three quarters of UK adults (72%) reporting that they do not feel they can’t influence decisions affecting the UK.

Just over half of adults (54%) had medium or high trust in the UK Government in 2025, up nine percentage points from 2024.

Modest and unequal gains to wellbeing in Scotland

The wellbeing of the people of Scotland saw modest improvements over the past two years, according to the new report by Carnegie UK. However, the research highlights that people in social housing or living with a disability remain much more likely to face economic and social hardship than other groups in Scotland.

The Scotland breakdown of Carnegie’s Life in the UK Index for 2025 shows the wellbeing of people in Scotland improving over the last two years, with more people finding it affordable to heat their homes adequately and fewer people finding it unaffordable to go on a week’s holiday.

This change combined with other factors like improving mental health and higher satisfaction with education and skills led to an increase in overall levels of wellbeing in Scotland.

The report also finds that the wellbeing of the people of Scotland is now slightly higher than the UK average for the first time since the annual research series began in 2023.

The Dunfermline-based policy foundation says that next year’s Holyrood election is an opportunity for the country’s political parties to lay out long-term plans to tackle poverty and inequality.

Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: “Our research shows an improvement to the collective wellbeing of people in Scotland between 2023 and 2025. That’s good news but we’re still far from a situation where everyone in Scotland has their basic needs met.

“Next year’s Holyrood elections are an opportunity for Scotland’s political parties to make real progress in closing the national wellbeing gap. Many of the greatest challenges the country faces – like working with communities to build back up deprived neighbourhoods – cannot be fixed in a year or even an electoral term.

“There’s an opportunity for the next administration to build systems and processes which join-up government action to tackle the gross inequalities and widespread poverty we all see every day. Underpinning this approach should be efforts to regularly and systematically measure the wellbeing of the people of this country.”

The Index, based on a 26-question survey of 7,106 people including 1,035 in Scotland, looks at the social, economic, environmental and democratic aspects of life in the UK. The headline index score for Scotland – designed to measure the wellbeing of people in the country – is 63 out of a possible 100. The equivalent UK figure is 62 out of a possible 100. The index has been running since 2023, and this is the first time there has been a notable difference between UK nations.

The research also continues to find very low trust in politics and government in Scotland. While Carnegie’s survey work shows a small increase in democratic wellbeing in England over the last year, no such change is seen north of the border.

About half (52%) of people in Scotland have low trust in the UK Government. This is an improvement of eight percentage points since last year, although it remains significantly higher than the UK average of 45%. By comparison, 36% of people have low trust in the Scottish Government – a figure that’s not changed significantly in the last year.

Furthermore, 34% of people now have low trust in their local council, six percentage points higher than in 2023. Younger people, disabled people and people living in deprived neighbourhoods are those least likely to feel heard by decision-makers.

Being disabled and living in a deprived neighbourhood are the two factors most strongly associated with low wellbeing in Scotland in 2025. In addition, about a third (32%) of people in Scotland are dissatisfied with job opportunities in their local area – a figure that’s not improved in the last year.

Stephen Boyd, director of IPPR Scotland, said: “This important report from Carnegie UK contains a number fascinating and revealing insights which should be of huge interest and concern to all Scotland’s politicians.

“It is encouraging that the index has seen a modest uptick in wellbeing but the findings on trust in politics and government reflect deep-seated views that politics is failing to deliver on the public’s priorities.

“The results confirming low levels of wellbeing amongst disabled people and in deprived neighbourhoods reflects the ongoing failure of both UK and Scottish governments to tackle longstanding inequalities. It is essential that manifestos for next year’s Scottish elections bring forward credible policy agendas for remedying these failures”.

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People with arthritis in Scotland are being left unsupported and unable to work, says Arthritis UK report

One in two people with arthritis said their condition impacted their ability to work. Of these, four in ten people have stopped work due to their arthritis  

Millions of people with arthritis are not receiving timely diagnoses or adequate treatment and left to face avoidable pain and often unable to work, according to a report by the charity Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis).   

Arthritis affects one in three people across Scotland and is a leading cause of disability, yet the condition remains largely misunderstood and many with the condition are not receiving the care and support they urgently need.

As a result, people with arthritis are living with levels of pain, fatigue, mental health challenges and financial strain, according to the report that publishes today.    

Arthritis UK, which was previously known as Versus Arthritis, has worked with YouGov to survey almost 8,000* people representative of the population affected by this condition, of which 1,021 are from Scotland.

It has revealed that of the people surveyed in Scotland, more than one in two (56%) said that arthritis had impacted their ability to work. Of these, four in ten people (40%) have stopped work due to their arthritis and over a third of retired people (38%) said arthritis played a part in their decision to retire.    

Left Waiting, Left Behind: The Reality of Living with Arthritis presents the reality of living with the condition through lived experiences and personal stories, and also shows that the impact of arthritis is unequal with people from lower social grades reporting worse experiences from all areas of life.   

It concludes that people with arthritis face widespread challenges in accessing effective treatment and support, long delays to secure a diagnosis and lack of treatment options once a diagnosis is made.  

More investment, improved services and better training for frontline healthcare professionals are urgently needed to avoid further adversely impacting the lives, relationships and work opportunities of this large group.   

Lauren Bennie, Arthritis UK’s Head of Scotland, said: “More than 1,000 Scots have bravely shared their experiences of living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Scotland with Arthritis UK. As the leading charity for people with arthritis, we know the reality facing our nation’s workforce. 

“Far too many people in Scotland are being pushed out of work because of arthritis.

“This includes one in three people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on day one of the Scottish Parliament who will have left the workplace by the end of that same Parliament. What kind of legacy is that for any party in government?  

“This is a public health issue that demands urgent action. As the Scottish Government selects which health conditions will receive dedicated action plans within the upcoming Long Term Conditions Framework, Ministers and civil servants alike, must recognise arthritis as a major public health challenge and act now to prevent further avoidable harm.

“With a dedicated action plan, we can ensure every Scot has the right to live the life they choose in a future Scotland free from arthritis.” 

The report’s other key findings include:   

  • one in three people (33%) surveyed say arthritis severely or very severely impacted their life in the past year.  
  • six in ten people (62%) are living in pain most or all the time due to their arthritis.  
  • Nearly four in ten people (37%) surveyed felt their condition was not well managed.    
  • nearly one in two people (49%) felt their symptoms were not taken seriously or were underplayed by a frontline healthcare professional when they were trying to identify their arthritis.  
  • nearly one in two people (45%) reported their ability to exercise was affected severely or very severely by their arthritis symptoms – even though being active can be important in preventing other long-term conditions.  
  • Nearly 7 in 10 people (69%) said that waiting for treatment had an impact on their mental health  

People in lower social grades, younger adults and those with autoimmune inflammatory conditions are disproportionately impacted by arthritis, facing greater challenges across all areas of life and more frequent barriers, the report identifies.   

Across the UK, the survey found of those who reported arthritis having an impact on their ability to work 28% of those in higher social grades reported stopping work due to arthritis compared to nearly half (49%) of respondents from lower social grades. 

People with arthritis are being financially squeezed as the condition can increase the personal cost of living, while impacting the ability to earn. Arthritis affects every aspect of life, from physical health to relationships and mental health, with barriers to effective care are preventing people from living the lives they want to lead, the report concludes.    

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, said:  “Too many of the 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis are being left unsupported and left to face daily pain, without timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.

“This erodes their quality of life and damages the prospect of economic growth. This report shows us that huge numbers of people with arthritis are falling out of work and risk being pushed into poverty. The further tragedy is that much of this is avoidable.   

“Arthritis is grossly misunderstood, with diagnoses too often delayed or absent. We must tackle the misconception that arthritis is an inevitable part of ageing and improve the diagnosis rates and the treatment available, especially as the number of people with arthritis increases*. We are sitting on a ticking timebomb of costs that the country will struggle with if it is not properly identified as a major risk to public health.”   

One of the many reasons arthritis must be considered a major risk to public health is it is a gateway condition, increasing the risk of other serious diseases like cardiovascular disease and depression. We cannot afford to miss or mistreat arthritis as it can be a warning sign that patients could accumulate other conditions, and with more rapid progression, Ms Alsina added.  

Arthritis UK has called for improved training for frontline healthcare professionals to enable more timely diagnosis and to improve support for people with arthritis. Children and young people all too frequently experience delays in diagnosis, in particular.

It has also concluded government must prioritise arthritis and muscular skeletal conditions.  To this end it would like to see the Scottish Government create a dedicated action plan for arthritis within the Long Term Conditions Framework, which is currently being reviewed, alongside multi-year investment in orthopaedic surgery to reduce waiting times. 

Arthritis UK was previously known as Versus Arthritis and has changed its name and look (Tuesday 14 October) following consultation with people with the condition.

This research showed that the new name would improve visibility and ensure more people are aware of the information and support that Arthritis UK offers, which will lead to more people with arthritis being supported to live the lives they want to live. 

Arthritis UK provides hands-on support services and advice, trains healthcare professionals throughout the NHS, and is the largest dedicated funder of arthritis research globally.  

Arthritis UK’s new website and support tools can be found at www.arthritis-uk.org.   

Scale of obesity challenge in Scotland highlighted by new research

New research from Public Health Scotland (PHS), conducted in collaboration with Sciensano* and recently published in Public Health, the journal of the Royal Society of Public Health, projects a surge in the number of adult cases of excess weight in Scotland by 2040.

The findings highlight the scale of the challenge for both population health and future care services.

Current estimates from the Scottish Health Survey show that around two-thirds of Scottish adults are overweight, and one-third are living with obesity. These figures are disproportionately higher than other UK nations and among the highest compared to other European Union countries.

This new research analysed data from the Scottish Health Survey and found that, without urgent and sustained intervention, the number of adults who are overweight or living with obesity is set to rise significantly.

Dr Grant Wyper, Principal Epidemiologist, PHS, said: “Our findings highlight the stark challenge ahead. We estimate 3.3 million cases of adult excess weight by 2040, with more pronounced increases for obesity. Between 2025 and 2040, we estimate an additional 118,000 female and 36,000 male cases of obesity.

“Furthermore, recent increases in excess weight among adults aged 65 and above are projected to intensify towards 2040, signalling growing and more complex pressures on Scotland’s health and social care systems in the coming decades.

“These findings should be seen as a clear warning, but the projections are not inevitable. Delivering on the Population Health Framework priority to improve healthy weight is vital.

“Excess weight is linked to a wide range of health conditions, including premature death, meaning that our findings point to the risk of future adverse impacts on population health and unsustainable pressure on healthcare services.”

Claire Hislop RNutr (Public Health), Organisational Lead – Food & Physical Activity, PHS, added: “The time for incremental change is over. The evidence shows we must accelerate progress on bold, preventative measures that reshape the food environment and ensure healthier options are accessible, affordable and widely available.

“At the same time, we must strengthen comprehensive weight management and support services to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. This approach aligns with the ambitions of the Population Health Framework.

“The framework priority for improving healthy weight needs a whole system package of prevention and treatment measures to improve levels of healthy weight, alongside ongoing policy developments to create conditions for better health and reduced inequalities.”

Read the published research

Read more about the Population Health Framework

Read the Scottish Public Health Systems consensus statement on improving Scotland’s diet and weight

*Sciensano is the federal research institute for public and animal health in Belgium.

SCVO: Value of charity donations down by 30% in five years

SCVO analysis shows individual giving fell in real-terms by more than £240 million in 2023  

The value of charity donations is down by almost a third in the past five years, new research from SCVO finds.  

The voluntary sector body’s new report, Individual Giving in Scotland: donations, legacies and fundraising, shows income from individual giving made up 15% of the Scottish charity sector’s income in 2023, down from around 20% in 2018 and previous years. 

Individual giving from the general public was worth an estimated £1.2bn to Scottish charities in 2023. 

But the value of donations has fallen by 30% in real terms since 2018, while fewer individuals are donating to charity – although many who do donate are giving larger amounts. 

Most income streams from the general public were hit hard by Covid, and while many of these income streams have now bounced back, they have generally not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. 

Data from the Spring 2025 Scottish Third Sector Tracker suggests that a rising number of voluntary organisations saw positive growth in both donations and fundraising income, suggesting some reasons for cautious optimism despite the challenging financial environment. 

The voluntary sector body said the falling value of donations underlines the importance of the Scottish Government’s move towards Fair Funding.  

SCVO head of policy, Kirsten Hogg, said: “Individual giving is an important part of the complex patchwork of funding sources that Scotland’s voluntary organisations rely on, and these findings are really concerning – especially when combined with what we know about cuts in public sector funding and the increasing costs and demands that voluntary organisations are facing. 

“The cost of living crisis has hit individual giving hard, impacting on people’s ability to put their hands in their pockets – including for legacies, donations, fundraising and trading.  Over the same period, we saw a reduction in the number of people volunteering their time, and together these paint a worrying picture about the extent to which people are able to support charities and community groups.  

“While we remain hopeful that we may see a slight upturn in both donations and volunteering numbers, the resource difficulties that voluntary organisations are facing mean that many will continue to encounter challenges on a scale we’ve not seen before. 

“Scotland’s voluntary sector is a fundamental part of Scottish society, and demand for support is rising. Vital support continues to be delivered to every community in Scotland, and we must do everything we can to protect organisations from the pressures they are facing.” 

Claire Stanley, director of policy and communications at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said: “Charities across Scotland are working harder than ever to support the communities and individuals who need them.

“SCVO’s research highlights the difficult reality facing the sector right now, and we are hearing from our members that demand for services is increasing yearly – yet they are working with fewer resources while trying to deliver more. 

“And while it is encouraging to see many supporters giving generously, we know the cost-of-living crisis has hit people hard in recent years, and the overall drop in donations presents a significant challenge. That is why fair and reliable funding for charities is so important, to ensure that communities across Scotland can continue to count on the support they need, now and in the future.” 

Starmer warned not to ‘betray’ young workers over wage discrimination

Young people are in spiralling debt after years of “wage discrimination” according to a new report from Scotland’s largest trade union body. 

The STUC report: ‘Young Workers Won’t Wait’ reveals how, because of low youth rates,  66% of respondents said they were in debt with debt levels in the region of £3,000 – £10,000, whilst only 46% said they could always afford the basics in life, such as food, transport and bills.

The UK’s Minimum Wage (the ‘National Living Wage’) laws allow workers to be paid less based on their age, even if their job, skills, and experience match those of colleagues, a move STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer called “abundantly discriminatory”.

While the minimum wage for workers over 21 is £12.21 it is £10 for workers aged 18-20 and £7.55 for workers aged 16 and 17.

Testimony submitted to the STUC outlined the experience of young workers working full-time for less pay when compared to other colleagues doing the same role.

One respondent noted: “I regularly worked 40-45 hours per week… and did not pursue further education opportunities as I could not afford to do so.

“It was very frustrating to be paid less that my colleagues when I was under 21 as I was doing the same work as them, worse hours, and with no additional responsibilities.”

Ms Foyer also warned the Prime Minister not to “betray” young workers after his promises during the general election to abolish youth rates of pay.

Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer, said: “Our report highlights the impact of the abundantly discriminatory rates of pay for young workers. Working alongside colleagues doing the exact same job should result in the exact same pay.

“Age should not define your worth or wage. With 66% of respondents saying they’re in eye watering debt – some as much as £10,000 – resultant from poor pay, it’s clear that discriminatory wage rates are trapping young people into poverty.

“Our message to the Prime Minister is clear: do not betray our young people. During the election, the Labour UK Government made the pledge to abolish youth rates of pay. It’s high time they paid up for young people and gave them a proper pay rise worthy of their work.”

Testimony heard further by the STUC outlined the account of Niamh, a previous retail worker who experienced youth rates of pay:

“Previous to this job, I worked many roles whilst studying at university where age discrimination in pay was prevalent. I was expected to do the exact same job and had the same responsibilities as other members of staff but was paid less simply because of my age.

“I do believe that this is one of the reasons I landed myself in debt as I was working as many hours a week as I could around my studies but was still unable to afford many things.

“I still had rent to pay, bills to be covered and food to put on the table like every other employee but because of my age, I was paid less and likely then struggled more because of this.”

young-workers-wont-wait-stuc-report-into-minimum-wage-discrimination-with-front-coverDownload

Access the full report ‘Young Workers Won’t Wait’ here: https://www.stuc.org.uk/resources/young-workers-wont-wait-stuc-report-into-minimum-wage-discrimination-with-front-cover.pdf 

Tags: youth committee young members Wages

GHF-run food distributions in Gaza are sites of “orchestrated killing”

A REPORT BY MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES

  • The GHF-run food distributions in Gaza, Palestine, have become sites of “orchestrated killing and dehumanisation”, not humanitarian aid.
  • A new MSF report documents the horrors witnessed by MSF staff at two clinics that regularly received mass influxes of casualties following violence at sites run by the GHF.
  • MSF calls for the immediate dismantling of the GHF scheme and the restoration of the UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism.

An analysis of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical data, patients’ testimonies, and first-hand medical witnessing at two MSF clinics in Gaza, Palestine, point to both targeted and indiscriminate violence by Israeli forces and private American contractors against starved Palestinians at food distribution sites run by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). 

MSF calls for the immediate dismantling of the GHF scheme; the restoration of the UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism; and calls on governments, especially the United States, as well as private donors to suspend all financial and political support for the GHF, whose sites are essentially death traps.

A new MSF report, This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing, documents the horrors witnessed by MSF staff at two clinics that regularly received mass influxes of casualties following violence at sites run by the GHF, an Israeli-US proxy that has militarised food distribution.

Between 7 June and 24 July 2025, 1,380 casualties, including 28 dead, were received at MSF’s Al-Mawasi and Al-Attar clinics in southern Gaza, located near the GHF-run distribution sites. 

During those seven weeks, our teams treated 71 children for gunshot wounds, 25 of whom were under the age of 15. Faced with no alternatives to find food, starved families frequently send teenage boys into this lethal environment, as they are often the only males in the household physically able to make the journey.

In May 2025, the genocide in Gaza, Palestine, took a further disturbing turn as Israeli authorities sought to dismantle the UN-led humanitarian response and replace it with a militarised food distribution scheme run by a previously unknown entity — the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). All four distribution sites operated by the GHF are located in areas under full Israeli military control and “secured” by private American armed contractors.

MSF’s report ‘This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing’ draws on medical data, patient testimonies and first-hand medical witnessing to demonstrate that what has been branded as “aid distribution” is in fact a system of institutionalised starvation and dehumanisation.

MSF calls for an immediate cessation of the GHF distribution mechanism and urges states and private donors to refrain from funding what is essentially a death trap.

This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing.pdf — 2.63 MBDownload

MSF operates two primary healthcare centres in southern Gaza located in close proximity to the GHF distribution sites. Between 7 June and 24 July 2025, these health centres received 1,380 injured people, including 28 dead bodies from the GHF sites.

This represents only a fraction of the total number of people killed and injured at the distribution sites. MSF’s two health centres — due to their sheer proximity to the GHF sites — now place biweekly orders for body bags.

Over a seven-week period in June and July 2025, MSF staff treated 174 people for gunshot wounds originating from the GHF sites. The vast majority of those injured — 96 per cent — were young men. This reflects a grim survival strategy: families are sending the youngest and fittest to retrieve food.

The injured who arrive in our clinics are normally covered in sand and dust from time spent lying on the ground while taking cover from bullets.

A significant number of injured patients coming from the Khan Younis distribution centre (SDS3) had gunshot wounds to the lower limbs. The anatomical precision of these injuries strongly suggests intentional targeting of people within the distribution sites, rather than accidental or indiscriminate fire.

Of the 28 dead bodies received in our health centres, all but one were young men (aged 20–30 approximately) with gunshot wounds to the upper body.