A Holyrood Committee has raised concerns about a lack of detail in a Bill which proposes a move away from a crisis management approach to a preventative approach to homelessness in Scotland.
The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has been scrutinising the homelessness and domestic violence aspects of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. While the Committee supports the principles of the proposals in the Bill, it wants the Scottish Government to outline how the measures will work in practice.
The practicalities of the “ask and act” duty, which calls on relevant public bodies to ask a person about their housing situation and to take action to prevent homelessness, were one aspect the Committee would like to understand in greater detail.
The Committee’s report asks how the Scottish Government will ensure that relevant bodies do not just refer people to the homelessness officers in their local authority.
The report also notes that there are problems with the Bill’s costings, as laid out in the Financial Memorandum. The Committee calls for this to be updated.
Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said:“Our Committee agrees with this Bill’s goal of shifting Scotland’s approach to homelessness away from crisis intervention towards prevention.
“However, we do share witnesses’ concerns about the lack of detail in the Scottish Government’s plans. In particular, we would like to see more detail about how the ‘ask and act’ duty will operate in practice.
“We also acknowledge concerns raised about the Financial Memorandum. Our report recommends that the Scottish Government consult with stakeholders again and update costings as appropriate ahead of the Stage 1 debate on the Bill.”
The Committee also backed proposals in the Bill to support people affected by domestic abuse, although its report requests more information about the measures in the Bill will interact with other relevant policy and legislation.
In particular, the Committee heard that the Bill is linked to the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021. As the Act has not commenced in full, the Committee calls for a detailed plan and timeline to confirm when the laws in the Act will come into force.
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has encouraged those across the city of Edinburgh who have not already applied for pension credit to do so by 22nd September to ensure they receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
Across the UK, 37% of those eligible do not claim pension credit, which is now a prerequisite for receiving the Winter Fuel Payment of £300 after the UK Labour government cut its universal provision as part of its austerity agenda.
16th – 22nd September 2024 is qualifying week for those who are eligible for the payment this year, however over 800,000 pensioners across Scotland are now set to lose out.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “The abhorrent decision by the Labour UK government to cut the Winter Fuel payment has put thousands of pensioners in an unimaginable situation.
“As a result, 67,555 across Edinburgh will miss out on the payment altogether whilst some who are eligible are also in danger of missing out.
“The SNP are clear; this is a cruel and inexplicable decision by the Labour government that leaves pensioners across the city worse off.
“If you have not already done so, please check your eligibility and apply for pension credit by the end of this week to ensure you don’t miss out on vital support this winter.”
MSP MILES BRIGGS REPEATS CALL FOR REPLACEMENT EYE HOSPITAL
Urgent repair work will have to be carried out at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion at the end of October.
Extensive work is required on the plumbing system, meaning that all patient appointments which were scheduled to take place from October 28 will now be moved to other NHS Lothian facilities.
It is anticipated that the PAEP building will be vacated for around six months while contractors replace two waste pipes and remove asbestos material from a sealed cavity where the pipework is located.
The decision to move to other locations temporarily while the work takes place is designed to protect patients, staff and visitors.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause our patients and it is not a decision we have taken lightly.
“Whilst patients and staff are not at risk, the work is essential and the advice we have received from our contractors is that this can be done more speedily and safely if the building is temporarily vacated.
“Patient and staff safety are always our chief consideration. Our teams are working hard to minimise disruption and to ensure patients continue to be seen and treated throughout this period.”
Teams are currently developing plans to ensure that inpatient and outpatient appointments continue throughout this period and it is expected that all appointments will be held in NHS Lothian facilities.
Patients do not need to do anything differently.
The vast majority of patients due to be seen at the PAEP between now and Friday October 26are unaffected. A very small number of appointments scheduled to take place before then may need to be rescheduled. These patients do not need to do anything as they will be contacted individually by their clinical teams at least two weeks in advance.
Those who already have appointments booked for dates from Monday October 28 will be contacted by letter, text or both in good time to arrange their new appointments, starting with patients who have appointments in the week beginning October 28.
Mr Crombie added: “We are really grateful to all of our patients for their patience and understanding.
“I would like to reassure them they do not need to do anything. All affected patients will be being contacted with details of the new location of their appointment.
“Our staff and teams throughout PAEP are working really hard to make the move as smooth as possible at short notice and I can’t thank them enough.”
Lothian MSP urges residents to make their voices heard over unacceptable lack of a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has called on Edinburgh and Lothian residents to send a clear message to SNP Ministers and the Scottish Government that the failure to deliver a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is unacceptable.
On Tuesday NHS Lothian announced that the eye hospital would be closing for six months due to urgent plumbing repairs (see above).
Previous FOIs to NHS Lothian showed a list of 125 outstanding items of maintenance work, totalling £2.3 million, that needed carried out at the hospital.
Since April 2022 the list of outstanding maintenance work has remained the same, with MSP Miles Briggs, calling the building “unfit for purpose”.
A scheduled visit to the hospital with Lothian MSPs and the Cabinet Secretary for Health is scheduled for next month to see the extent of work required at the hospital and the urgent need for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
Figures from Sight Scotland show that over the last ten years there has been a 230% increase in ongoing waits for ophthalmology outpatients in NHS Lothian. The number of people waiting over sixteen weeks has increased by 5600% and those waiting over 12 weeks has increased by 2752%.
This closure to the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is only going to worsen ophthalmology waits in NHS Lothian.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“Residents in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s must let SNP Ministers know how angry they are with the lack of funding being delivered for a replacement Edinburgh Eye hospital
“Waits for Ophthalmology services in NHS Lothian have grown dramatically, especially over the last 3 to 5 years and people are having to wait excessive lengths of time for treatment.
“As with any medical treatment, the sooner that you are seen the better the expected outcome and this is especially the case for ophthalmology.
“People who want to make their voices heard can sign my petition online to restore funding for a new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.”
If you would like to support Mr Brigg’s petition to reinstate funding for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, you can find the petition here:
Businesses in Scotland are experiencing “significant challenges” in exporting goods to the EU as a result of considerable non-tariff barriers which have arisen due to the post-Brexit UK-EU trading relationship, according to a new report by the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.
The Committee is calling for the new UK Government to negotiate improvements to the trading relationship to better facilitate UK-EU trade.
The findings are part of a report focused on how trade in goods between the UK and EU is working under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The Committee also looked at the opportunities to improve the trading relationship.
The report highlights that non-tariff barriers have placed “considerable administrative, resource and cost pressures on businesses”, and “harmed exports”. Key amongst these barriers include the requirements for customs formalities and regulatory checks for all exports from the UK to the EU.
The Committee considers the challenges facing Scottish businesses to have been a consequence of leaving the EU as well as the type of Brexit which the TCA has delivered.
In order to address these trade barriers, the Committee identifies that there will be a need to seek closer regulatory alignment with the EU. It says that the reduction of trade barriers will therefore depend on the extent of alignment the new UK Government is prepared to commit to in negotiations with the EU.
A key recommendation of the report is that the UK Government seek a veterinary agreement with the EU to significantly reduce border checks and the administrative burden on exports of agri-foods. The Committee say this could significantly reduce barriers to trade for many Scottish businesses.
Further recommendations to reduce barriers to trade include a mutual recognition agreement with the EU on conformity assessments, and the linkage of the respective UK and EU emissions trading schemes. In each case, the Committee say that greater regulatory alignment with the EU will likely be necessary.
The Committee also believe that the UK and Scottish governments need to provide greater support to businesses in managing the complexity of the current trading environment. In particular, it highlights that support is needed for businesses to comply with changing EU regulations, and to navigate the customs and regulatory requirements of trading with the EU.
The Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, Clare Adamson MSP, said:“It’s clear to us that the UK-EU trading relationship under the terms of the TCA has presented significant challenges for Scottish businesses exporting to the EU post-Brexit.
“These barriers to trading with the EU have resulted from the decision to leave the EU, but also from the post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU.
“While the EU may noy be willing to substantially renegotiate the agreement, there are nevertheless significant opportunities to improve the trading relationship, including through our important recommendations such as the need for a veterinary agreement with the EU.”
The Convener added:“We heard overwhelming evidence that the non-tariff barriers resulting from the TCA have placed considerable administrative, resource and cost pressures on Scottish businesses, with many withdrawing from the EU market as a result.
“These challenges have been particularly acute for exporters of agri-food products, which are required to meet the EU’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, as well as SMEs, who have been less able to absorb the additional costs and regulatory burdens.
“Therefore, it’s clear that there is a need for the UK Government to negotiate improvements to the trading relationship to better facilitate UK-EU trade, including through the formal review of the TCA in 2026.”
Running alongside the select committee elections, Bob Blackman MP was the sole nomination received for the Chair of the Backbench Business Committee and has been declared Chair.
The new chairs will take up their positions when the remaining members of the committee have been appointed by the House.
A record number of pupils in Scotland are being taught in schools in “good or satisfactory” condition, official figures show.
The 2024 School Estate Statistics show that a record 91.7% of school buildings, with a total of 647,773 pupils, are in a good or satisfactory condition.
This is an increase of 29 percentage points since April 2007. Since then, 1,139 school building projects have been completed.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “This government is determined to deliver high quality learning environments for all pupils in Scotland – and a key part of that is delivering a world-class school estate.
“Positive school environments play a huge role in the education of Scotland’s young people and our investment is paying dividends, with a record high number of schools being in good or satisfactory condition.
“The Scottish Government is continuing its investment in the school estate through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme. As set out in our Programme for Government, construction will begin on a further eight school building projects over the next year.
“This means that by the end of 2027-28, Scotland will have seen 47 modern, state-of-the-art school buildings open, thanks to our investment.”
Councils will receive a share of an additional £40m this year to increase the supply of social and affordable homes.
The funding, which was confirmed in April and has boosted the affordable housing supply programme budget to nearly £600m this year, will mostly be distributed to the five council areas with sustained temporary accommodation pressures: Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
The money will be used to purchase properties to help reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation or, where appropriate, to bring long term voids back into use.
The remaining 27 local authorities will receive a share of the remaining funding. A further £40m will be allocated to councils next year.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “The delivery of affordable homes is the foundation of family life and is fundamental to how we achieve our priorities of eradicating child poverty and growing the economy.
“The key to tackling homelessness and reducing the time spent by families in temporary accommodation is to deliver more affordable homes.
“We have already supported councils to purchase almost 1,500 properties in 2023-24 for use as affordable homes. However, we must do more and, by committing £40m this year, we are accelerating that work.
“This money will help councils provide a warm, safe place that families can call home again.”
MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the SNP Scottish Government announcement of £40 million for councils across Scotland, including almost £15 million for Edinburgh, to boost the supply of affordable homes.
First Minister John Swinney outlined in the Programme for Government that £600 million would be committed to affordable housing in the current financial year and allocating this £40 million will allow for the purchase of properties to reduce temporary accommodation and bring vacant buildings back into use.
Across Scotland councils have been supported to purchase almost 1,500 properties in 2023-24 for use as affordable homes and the allocation of this £40 million will accelerate that work to ensure that families across Edinburgh have a safe and warm place to call home.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “Tackling the housing emergency is one of the major issues across the city and one of the key ways we can solve it is by bringing empty and vacant buildings back into use.
“This £40m fund, introduced by the SNP Government as part of the £600m affordable housing budget, will ensure that we can build on the 1,500 properties that were brought into use for affordable housing in the past year and the almost £15m allocated to Edinburgh will have a significant impact in tackling the housing crisis across the city.
“Every family in Edinburgh deserves to have a safe and warm place that they can call home and with the SNP in government that is exactly what they will get.”
Local authorities will receive the following share of funding:
In response to the House of Commons voting in favour of cutting the Winter Fuel Payment, Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said: “People in later life living in financial hardship will be rightly concerned that, despite mounting public pressure about the impact on older people on the lowest incomes, the UK Government will continue with its plans to means test the Winter Fuel Payment from this year. It’s clear that making this decision now means many people in later life struggling in poverty will be forced to make dangerous cutbacks.
“The Chancellor still has time to reassess. Even with today’s vote, the UK Government can show it is listening to the concerns of older people in poverty, and delay this policy change until more older people start receiving Pension Credit.
“Boosting take-up is complex and will take time, the latest take-up figures show that up to 1.2 million older people could be missing out on this financial entitlement. They will already be living on a low income as they are eligible for Pension Credit, but now they will have even less money to live on this winter.
“We are also concerned about the large group of older people that just miss out on Pension Credit. Many of them are in financial hardship and do not have enough money to live well, but will still have their income cut at an already challenging time of year with energy prices on the rise.
“In the short term we hope the UK Government listens to the evidence being shared, and doesn’t means-test the Winter Fuel Payment now.
“Long-term there must be financial security for all of us as we age.
“We urge the UK Government to lead a review where all major parties come together and agree on what an adequate income in older age is, then ensure that everybody receives it so that no one lives in poverty in later life.”
Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “We’re deeply disappointed, but not surprised, that the vote to brutally means-test Winter Fuel Payment was passed today.
“As soon as the Government announced it was instructing its MPs to support it this was the inevitable result, but we would like to thank all those in every party who voted against the policy or abstained.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about the Government’s decision, but at heart Age UK’s critique of their policy is really simple: we just don’t think it’s fair to remove the payment from the 2.5 million pensioners on low incomes who badly need it, and to do it so quickly this winter, at the same time as energy bills are rising by 10%.
“It is crystal clear that there is insufficient time to make any serious impact on the miserably low take-up of Pension Credit before the cold sets in this autumn, and the Government has brought forward no effective measures to support all those whose tiny occupational pensions take them just above the line to claim.
“It’s true they have agreed to extend the Household Support Fund until April and they deserve some credit for that, but the HSF is an all-age fund that you have to apply for, so we know it will only help a small proportion of all the pensioners who will be in need as a result of their policy change.
“The Government has also tried to suggest that the increase in State Pension for older people next year as a result of the Triple Lock means there’s no need to worry about how they will cope now, but that won’t help anyone this winter and most pensioners will not benefit to the extent being suggested – either because they are on the old State Pension which attracts less of an increase, or because they don’t qualify for a full State Pension in the first place.
“The reality is that driving through this policy as the Government is doing will make millions of poor pensioners poorer still and we are baffled as to why some Ministers are asserting that this is the right thing to do.
“We and many others are certain that it is not, and that’s why we will continue to stand with the pensioners who can’t afford to lose their payment and campaign for them to be given more Government support.
“Meanwhile, winter is coming and we fear it will be a deeply challenging one for millions of older people who have previously relied on their Winter Fuel Payment to help pay their energy bills and who have no obvious alternative source of funds on which to draw.
“As a charity we will do everything we can to help them, but with so many in need and no extra support on offer from the Government at the moment it’s looking like an incredibly uphill task.”
ALL Scottish Labour MPs voted with the government, butRebecca Long Bailey was one of more than fifty Labour MPs who refused to vote in favour of the cut. She explained why:
Former Labour Party leader and now independent MP Jeremy Corbyn also voted against the withdrwal of the payment. He said: “I voted against cuts to winter fuel payments. Politics is about choices, and the government has chosen to push pensioners into poverty.
What’s next for means testing? The NHS?
“I will always defend the principle of universalism. That is how we build a fairer society for all.”
TORY MSP MILES BRIGGS SUPPORTS SCOTTISH DISABILITY CHARITY’S CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT DISABLED PEOPLE FROM FUNDING CUTS
Miles Briggs is offering his full support to Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland’s ‘Give us a chance’ campaign. The charity’s campaign comes as the Scottish Government announced £500m of cuts to public services and warned of further “difficult decisions” ahead in next year’s Scottish Budget.
Miles met with SBH Scotland CEO Lawrence Cowan, Chair Dr Margo Whiteford CBE and Amjid Majeed, who has spina bifida and receives support from SBH Scotland, to learn more about the charity’s campaign.
The ‘Give us a chance’ campaign calls on people to sign a letter to the First Minister, demanding that he protect disabled people from future cuts. The campaign also calls on the Scottish Government to release funding to protect the work of disability charities and to make the needs of disabled people across Scotland a priority.
SBH Scotland, which supports people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus across Scotland, is facing a 22% cut to support from Scottish Government this year – a total cut of 42% since 2018.
Half of all people in poverty live in a household where at least one member is disabled. Scottish Government figures show that disabled people are over twice as likely to experience loneliness compared to non-disabled people. They are also less likely to meet socially than non-disabled people.
Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, said:“I give my full support to SBH Scotland’s ‘Give us a chance’ campaign.
“The needs of disabled people in Scotland should be a priority for the Scottish Government and it is crucial that they protect disabled people from future cuts.
“It is important that the vital services that the most vulnerable in our society rely on are protected at all costs.
“I call on the First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison to properly invest in services to enable disabled people to thrive and lead full lives.”
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland CEO, Lawrence Cowan said: “The Scottish Government’s talk of further ‘difficult decisions’ ahead is incredibly concerning.
“We did not receive a commitment this week to protect people with disabilities from budget cuts. We will be seeking that commitment as we head into the Budget.
“People we work with say that they already have to constantly fight for basic support.
“If those services are worn away even further, we will see greater inequality and more injustices experienced by disabled people. We cannot let that happen.
“We also urgently need clarity on the future of funding for charities like ours. We’re facing a 22% cut in Scottish Government funding this year – a total cut of 42% since 2018. If that money doesn’t come through, we won’t be able to reach people who desperately need help right now.
“We are delighted to have the support of Miles Briggs as we ask the Scottish Government, on behalf of families across the country, to ‘give us a chance’.
“Give disabled kids a chance to fulfil their potential and follow their dreams and give our disabled adults a chance to live life to the full.”
Amjid Majeed said:“It is a sad day when we have to campaign to make sure those who need the most help are given the care and support they desperately need!
“SBH Scotland is a lifeline for so many people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
“I personally can feel very lonely and isolated and rely on the groups provided by the charity as a chance to socialise, going out and meeting with the good friends I’ve made there.
“Charities can’t survive without funding, and I’d be devastated to think that the services SBH Scotland provides could be reduced or taken away because of these cuts.”
We are urging you to make sure that disabled people are protected from future cuts.
We and our loved ones are more reliant on good quality public services to live. Many of these services are already feeling the strain and further cuts could be devastating.
Half of all households living in poverty have at least one member with a disability. Disabled people are over twice as likely to experience loneliness compared to non-disabled people.
Charities like SBH Scotland give us a place to belong, to meet people who are going through the same things and for kids with spina bifida and hydrocephalus to have fun and just be kids. They are facing a 22% cut in funding from your government this year unless further funds are confirmed. We need the work of this charity more than ever.
We cannot let these inequalities become further entrenched. Please, protect disabled people from cuts and release funding for vital charities like SBH Scotland.
We all have so much to give our society and our economy. Give us a chance. With your support we can be unstoppable.
REEVES VOWS TO MAKE EVERY PART OF BRITAIN BETTER OFF
Chancellor Rachel Reeves secures a planned £8 billion investment from Amazon Web Services which is estimated to support around 14,000 jobs per year across the UK.
The Chancellor will welcome the announcement as part of the Government’s mission to boost growth, unlock investment and make every part of Britain better off.
Rachel Reeves will say the Government’s mission to ‘fix the foundations of our economy has only just begun.’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has today [11 September] confirmed an £8 billion investment from Amazon Web Services which is estimated to support thousands of jobs across the UK.
The Chancellor secured the planned five-year investment last week at a meeting with Amazon Web Services.
The investment is estimated to support around 14,000 jobs per year at local businesses, including those across the company’s data centre supply chain such as construction, facility maintenance, engineering and telecommunications, as well as well as other jobs within the broader local economy.
AWS estimates that these investments in the UK will contribute £14 billion to the UK’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 2024 to 2028.
Rachel Reeves will welcome the announcement as part of the government’s long-term mission to boost growth, unlock investment and make every part of Britain better off.
Speaking from a University Technical College in Silverstone today, which works with Amazon Web Services to introduce students to the skills required to enter the digital infrastructure industry, the Chancellor will warn that ‘change cannot happen overnight’ and ‘two quarters of positive economic growth will not make up for fourteen years of stagnation under the previous government.’
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: “I am under no illusion to the scale of the challenge facing our economy and I will be honest with the British people that change will not happen overnight.
“Two quarters of positive economic growth does not make up for fourteen years of stagnation under the previous government.
“However, this £8 billion investment marks the start of the economic revival and shows Britain is a place to do business. I am determined to go further so we can deliver on our mandate to create jobs, unlock investment and make every part of Britain better off.
“The hard work to fix the foundations of our economy has only just begun.”
Amazon Web Services Vice Presidentand Managing Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Tanuja Randery said:“The next few years could be among the most pivotal for the UK’s digital and economic future, as organisations of all sizes across the country increasingly embrace technologies like cloud computing and AI to help them accelerate innovation, increase productivity, and compete on the global stage.
“AWS is proud to announce our plans to invest £8 billion in digital and AI infrastructure over the next five years to help meet the growing needs of our customers and partners, and support the transformation of the UK’s digital economy.”
AWS do not release the exact location of their data centres for security reasons, but these centres are servicing London and the West and so are located in areas that facilitate this.
The government is also actively engaged in conversations with the company about investments in other parts of the UK.
Today’s investment announcement comes ahead of this year’s UK International Investment Summit on 14 October, where the UK will bring together the world’s most important companies and investors, demonstrating how the UK’s offer is the best in the world, with political and economic stability, a strategic government partnering with businesses, a proper trade strategy, and policies designed to enable growth.
