Calls come as Holyrood Committee publishes report on public funding to voluntary organisations
Short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability and diverting time and resources away from charities’ delivery of services, according to a pre-Budget report by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
At the outset of the Committee’s inquiry the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations painted a stark picture of the challenges faced by charities in Scotland, identifying a 2.1% real terms decrease in Scottish Government funding in the previous budget, against a backdrop of increased inflation and high demand for services.
In recognition of the critical role charities play in supporting Scottish society, the Committee’s report calls on the Scottish Government to look at options to prioritise three-year-funding and include provisions for inflation-based adjustments.
During the inquiry, witnesses raised concerns about inconsistency, complexity and a lack of transparency in the application process for funding. In response, the Committee’s report recommends that the Government, and its partner grant awarding-bodies, streamline and standardise application processes and improve the transparency of the grant-making decision process.
The Committee also heard about the challenges some charities have faced because of delays to funding decisions and payments, issues the Committee wants the Scottish Government to resolve.
Bob Doris MSP, Deputy Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “The Scottish Government has a commitment to provide fair funding for the essential work done by Scotland’s charity sector.
“We make it clear in our report that this commitment should be recognised in the upcoming budget, so that the sector’s vital work can be safeguarded. We call on the Government to prioritise strengthening its approach to multi-year funding and improving its processes.
“Whilst we acknowledge the Scottish Government’s ability to agree to multi-year funding when it does not know what funding it will receive from the UK Government for subsequent years, our committee has made practical suggestions to overcome these challenges.
“We believe that implementing the straightforward measures outlined in our report, including multi-year funding, could positively impact the effectiveness of a sector that does so much to help so many.”
Responding to the report, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive Anna Fowlie said: “I welcome today’s report, and the committee’s recommendations. Throughout their inquiry, the Committee heard from witness after witness of how the practice and culture around public funding for voluntary organisations is broken.
“Too often and for too long voluntary organisations providing vital services to people and communities across Scotland contend with budget cuts, short-term funding cycles, late payment, incoherent decision-making, poor communication, inadequate grant management and more. That must end.
“The voluntary sector needs a funding landscape that is fair, flexible, sustainable, and accessible – as long-advocated by SCVO and recommended by the committee today.
“At a time when many voluntary organisations are facing extreme financial difficulties, these long-standing calls are more essential than ever.
“The prize is a sustainable sector, strong public services, and resilient communities – one the Scottish Government must grasp with both hands.”
With just two days to go until the Colinton/Fairmilehead by-election, the city council’s elections team has been urging residents in the area to cast their votes on Thursday 14 November.
Residents in Colinton, Fairmilehead, Bonaly, Dreghorn, Oxgangs and Swanston who are aged 16 or over and have registered to vote can participate in Thursday’s by-election. Together they will select a new councillor for the ward, which has a current electorate of 19,226.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “As the by-election approaches, I encourage residents of the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward to visit their local polling place and have their say in electing a councillor to represent the community on issues affecting the ward and the wider city.
“Our elections pages provide helpful information on how the Single Transferable Vote system works – you can rank candidates in order of preference, choosing as many or few as you’d like.
“If you’ve requested and received a postal ballot, be sure to return it as soon as possible to make sure your vote is counted.”
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 14 November:
Charwood
Fairmilehead Parish Church Hall
St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church Hall
Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre
Pentland Community Centre
Anyone living in the area who is aged 16 or over and has registered can vote in the by-election, and votes can be cast by post or by proxy if more convenient.
The electronic election count will take place on Friday 15 November starting at 9:30am.
The UK will lead the world in the pro-growth clean energy transition, the Prime Minister has announced at the first day of the World Leaders Summit at COP 29
Prime Minister arrives at COP29 with major boost for industry to invest in clean supply chains
British manufacturing win with blade factory in Hull set to benefit from £1bn offshore wind deal
UK steps up clean energy investment to boost energy security, protect consumers, and create good jobs
UK expected to announce new UK climate target to reduce emissions and show climate leadership during summit
The UK will lead the world in the pro-growth clean energy transition, the Prime Minister has announced at the first day of the World Leaders Summit at COP.
At the COP29 Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister has announced another major step forward in the Government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
Offshore wind developers will be incentivised to invest in the UK’s historic industrial heartlands, coastal areas and oil and gas communities, boosting green jobs, and to support sustainable factories.
Delivering on a Government manifesto commitment, the Clean Industry Bonus will come with a provisional £27 million per Gigawatt of offshore wind projects. That means if between 7 to 8GW of offshore wind apply, the budget could go up to £200m.
The UK is wasting no time to accelerate the global transition to clean energy and putting the UK at the forefront of the industries of the future. The bonus will create the conditions for cleaner energy industries to thrive in the UK and elsewhere, while rewarding firms for investing in less polluting suppliers – tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad.
It will help to crowd in private investment in hard-working communities across Scotland, Wales, the North East and North West, to build more sustainable offshore wind blades, cables and ports – reducing industrial emissions and helping support the rollout of clean, secure, cheap power for families.
Thousands of highly skilled jobs such as engineers, electricians or welders across the supply chain – will create vibrant towns and cities fit for a clean energy future.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower will fire up our industrial heartlands and break down barriers to growth in our hard-working towns and cities.
“It will strengthen our national security - protecting our children and grandchildren from the climate crisis, and impact this will have on their future prosperity.
“By acting decisively and early, the UK has an opportunity to lead the world in the industries of the future — working in partnership with business — creating real energy security, cutting energy bills and building jobs and supply chains in the UK.
“But we can’t move alone – and at COP I will lead efforts to protect Britain from climate change by also working with other countries to accelerate the global clean transition to tackle the causes at its root.”
The Government has committed to tackling the climate crisis and accelerating towards net zero to make the British people better off, primarily by investing in clean homegrown power to end national exposure to fossil fuel markets and the dictators who control them.
Swift action has already been taken to cut emissions through the Government’s clean power by 2030 mission. Steps taken so far include:
Lifting the ban on onshore wind in England.
Delivering a record number of clean energy projects through its renewables auction.
Consenting unprecedented amounts of nationally significant solar – 2GW – more than the last 14 years combined.
Launching Great British Energy
Firing the starting gun on the UK’s Carbon Capture and Storage industry, with funding agreed for two clusters in Teesside and Merseyside.
In a further boost to British manufacturing ScottishPower has awarded a £1 billion turbine contract for its East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm to Siemens Gamesa, including blade production at its Hull blade factory.
This major contract will inject growth into the industrial heartlands with Siemens Gamesa employing over 1,300 people in Humberside, following extensive recruitment, whilst ScottishPower’s investment in East Anglia supports thousands more. Its East Anglia TWO wind farm alone will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of almost 1 million homes.
This cash injection has shown funding is already flowing from last month’s commitment at the International Investment Summit where Iberdrola doubled their investment in the UK, through Scottish Power, from £12bn to £24bn over the next 4 years.
This includes funding for the East Anglia TWO wind farm off the Suffolk coast – unlocked by this Government’s expanded allocation at the most recent renewables auction round.
Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: “Today is tangible proof of the importance of Britain’s Clean Power Mission – our East Anglia projects are delivering UK jobs, UK supply chain contracts and UK green energy.
“Getting more projects like East Anglia TWO off the blocks quicker will turbo-boost the UK’s supply chain, giving companies like Siemens Gamesa the confidence to invest in facilities like this blade factory in Hull.
“Britain’s clean power targets are achievable but demanding. We’ve doubled our investment and are ready to play our part with Government as it gets barriers out the way to build more projects like this, alongside the electricity networks needed to ferry green, homegrown power across the country.”
Darren Davidson, UK and Ireland Vice President for Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa said: “The UK is the first leading industrial country to simultaneously phase out coal power and be a leader in offshore wind.
“If we’re to achieve our net zero targets, it’s mission critical this momentum is maintained. As well as delivering the blades to power the UK’s energy transition, our factory in Hull is acting as a catalyst for economic growth and green jobs across the region.”
At COP29 the UK will encourage other nations to follow its lead to deliver change – strong leadership at home to deliver action abroad.
The Prime Minister is expected to use the visit to make the case for supporting the global transition. In his address to other countries he will argue the global economy depends on nature and a stable climate that is under threat.
The 2022 UK heatwave saw record-breaking 40°C temperatures in England and caused 3000 excess deaths. These events are estimated to be 10x more likely due to climate change.
Climate finance at scale is critical to avoiding the worst consequences of climate change, but the UK is clear public finance alone cannot meet the growing needs of developing countries and innovation is essential to unlock billions in private finance.
This is why the UK will also use the summit to announce the launch of the new CIF Capital Market Mechanism on the London Stock Exchange.
This world-leading, innovative new financial mechanism, has the potential to mobilise up to $75 billion in additional climate capital for developing countries over the next decade.
Its listing in London shows the confidence in our economy and showcases the city as a green finance capital, and the UK as an attractive place to invest in the future.
It will help developing countries cut emissions, build renewable energy and adapt to a rapidly changing climate – all at no extra cost to the British taxpayers.
The mechanism demonstrates the commitment of the UK to work with other like-minded countries and partners like the World Bank to mobilise the finance needed to drive the global clean energy transition.
This will also support the UK Government’s priorities for COP29 – to unveil the UK’s new emission reduction goals, secure an ambitious new global climate goal (NCQG) and the Global Clean Power Alliance by showing the potential to unlock billions more in climate finance for clean energy projects over the next decade.
Keir Starmer set to be the first UK leader to attend French Armistice Day since Second World War
The Prime Minister will attend 106th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 in Paris today [Monday 11th November]
First UK leader to attend the ceremony since Winston Churchill in 1944
Comes as he announces more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day next year
The Prime Minister will mark Armistice Day in Paris today – the first British leader to do so since the Second World War.
At the personal invitation of President Macron, the Prime Minister will join French and British veterans, and the public, to pay tribute to the fallen of the First World War and veterans of subsequent conflicts.
The Prime Minister is believed to be the first UK leader to attend the commemorations since Winston Churchill, who was hosted by General de Gaulle in 1944.
It comes as the Prime Minister announces more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversaries of the Allied Victory in Europe and the end of the Second World War in the Far East.
Their legacy will be remembered at events across the UK next year with 8th May, marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, and 15th August marking the end of the Second World War in Japan.
The national commemorative events will pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War on all fronts.
The Prime Minister’s attendance at this morning’s commemorations of the 106th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 symbolises the close and enduring friendship between the UK and France.
Alongside President Macron, the Prime Minister is expected to lay a wreath at war memorials close to the Champs-Élysées and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, a national symbol in France for all those who died in the First World War.
The ceremony, which will include the British Band of the Rifles, comes at the end of a year which marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, and the 80th anniversary of the start of the liberation of France.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:“I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President Macron in tribute to the fallen of the First World War who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today.
“These events are vital in ensuring the memory of millions of young soldiers, sailors and aviators live on for generations to come.
“That is why this Government will bring the nation together in a moment of national reflection to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day next year, delivering on our commitment to strengthen community spirit and cohesion and remember the fallen.”
Ahead of the ceremony, the Prime Minister will host veterans, defence charities and British military embedded in the French system at the Ambassador’s Residence to thank them for their service.
He will hear firsthand how, under the Lancaster House Treaties, British and French military personnel are building close friendships and deepening interoperability both for today and in the future.
The Prime Minister is also expected to meet President Macron ahead of the commemorations for a bilateral. The leaders will reflect on the close bonds between the two countries, many forged and cemented by the sacrifice of British and French soldiers on the frontline in the first and second World Wars.
The leaders are expected to go on to discuss key foreign policy issues, including Russia’s ongoing barbaric invasion of Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He is also expected to meet the new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The short meeting ahead of the ceremony will be the first between the two Prime Ministers since Mr Barnier became the Prime Minister of France.
Preparations for next year’s UK commemoration events have already begun, with the government working closely with the Royal British Legion and veterans’ representatives, on a programme of activity that will be designed to bring the nation together in a moment of national reflection, strengthen community spirit and cohesion, and support growth.
MSPs’ EXPENSES INFORMATION FOR 2023/24 PUBLISHED ONLINE
Latest details of all MSPs’ parliamentary expenses have been published . Quarter 4’s expenses from the financial year 2023/24 are now available online via the Parliament’s searchable database facility.
A briefing paper setting out end year total expenditure figures has also been published (7th November).
The end year total for the financial year 2023/24 is £25,359,035. This represents an increase of £1,891,082 or 8.06% on the previous year’s corresponding figure of £23,467,953.
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said:“As with every year, staff salaries comprise the largest single expense, with £20.60m covering staff employment in MSPs parliamentary and local offices – that’s 81.25% of the total cost.
“The remainder covers the cost of running those offices, travel, and support for party leaders who are not in government.”
“The 8.06% rise in expenses reflects that the Retail Price Index was running at more than 13% in January 2023, and Average Weekly Earnings was above 5%.”
Search function:
Details of all MSPs expenses claims can be viewed on the Parliament’s searchable database:
Quarterly expenses information is also published in an open data format that is machine-readable and enables the user to manage raw information and re-present in different ways.
The data sets can be accessed via our API or as a single downloadable item which is around 60-70MB in size.
Quarters 1-3 for 2023/24 are already available. Note: Quarter 4 will be available in open data format from Monday 11 November.
Wood-burning stoves, bioenergy and peat heating will now be permitted in new homes and buildings following a review of the New Build Heat Standard commissioned by ministers earlier this year.
An amendment to regulations made today permits the installation of bioenergy and peat main heating systems – and any type of secondary heating systems – in new buildings from 1 January 2025, while maintaining the prohibition on mains gas and oil boilers as a main heating system.
Alasdair Allan, Acting Minister for Climate Action said: “The New Build Heat Standard is crucial to help reduce emissions from new buildings, preventing the need for retrofit in the future and ensuring a cleaner and greener Scotland.
“Heat from our homes and buildings makes up almost a fifth of Scotland’s carbon emissions so we must tackle the most polluting forms of domestic heating to reach net zero.
“We have listened to concerns from rural and island communities about resilience in times of bad weather or power outages, as well as the wider use of bioenergy and peat for other reasons. These changes address these concerns whilst retaining the spirit of the original legislation, which aims to eradicate polluting gas and oil boilers from new homes and buildings.
“I would like to thank all of those who submitted evidence and views, particularly those from rural and island communities – their input has been vital in delivering his positive outcome.”
Luke Fraser, Vice Chair of the Scottish Islands Federation said: ‘The Scottish Islands Federation is delighted that the points raised by our members and others, as part of the review of the New Build Heat Standard, have been taken into account.
“We believe there is a need to help sustain and support the resilience of households in rural and island communities through the use of wood burning stoves and burning of peat, and the changes to the NBHS announced today have taken this on board.
“While we are in support of the need for climate action, progress must be made in tandem with developing and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our communities, not at their expense. This change is a positive step in that direction.’
Grangemouth’s industrial workforce and community are being asked to contribute their views on the future of the area.
A draft plan has been published as part of work to support a just transition to net zero and support the growth of the area towards a decarbonised economy.
The regional just transition plan is the first of its kind. It sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the future of the Grangemouth industrial cluster and how the local community could benefit as a result.
By successfully decarbonising, Grangemouth can become a global leader in sustainable manufacturing and production, attracting investment and supporting both the existing and future workforce, and the community, long into the future.
The Scottish Government has worked in partnership with the Grangemouth Future Industry Board to develop the Grangemouth Industrial Just Transition Plan which supports industrial decarbonisation, low-carbon manufacturing, net zero community wealth building and reskilling and developing the local workforce.
Proposed actions include:
developing an industry-led technical and commercial investment strategy which includes a decarbonisation pathway to secure investment for scale up
creating a Grangemouth Industrial Skills offer to help tailor training needs for the existing and future workforce
improving the co-ordination of initiatives across the Forth Valley to ensure targeted interventions match needs
funding a recognised Community Engagement and Participation Manager as a first step in supporting the community to play a role in decision making
establishing a Grangemouth Regulatory Hub to support a just transition and understand how regulation can unlock industrial decarbonisation
Acting Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan said: “Grangemouth has long played a vital role as Scotland’s leading industrial cluster and it is right that the area continues to help lead the way in our journey to net zero by 2045.
“Our first regional Just Transition plan published today sets out our approach to support the growth of a decarbonised economy that puts local communities at its heart. It makes clear our vision for the future and gives specific actions across a number of areas to help achieve a just transition for Grangemouth.
“The plan complements our ongoing activity focused around Grangemouth, including our support package in response to the proposed closure of the refinery and the work we are doing to explore low carbon transition opportunities for the refinery workforce.
“We are working hard to secure a sustainable, long-term future for the wider industrial cluster and its skilled workforce, and this plan will be vital in helping us to deliver this.
“The consultation is an opportunity to help shape the development of the plan, and Grangemouth’s future. I encourage all who have a vested interest to participate.”
CVS Falkirk and District Chief Executive Officer, Victoria McRae said: “The voice of local communities must be heard in relation to the plans for a Just Transition for Grangemouth.
“As the Third Sector Interface for the local area, CVS Falkirk and District are pleased to be able to take forward, support and facilitate these important conversations. We look forward to hearing a range of views and we have opened a Hub in Grangemouth’s Town Centre to provide a base for this discussion and engagement.”
Syngenta Head of Corporate Affairs UK, Luke Gibbs said: “Syngenta is a large scale fine chemical manufacturer anchoring the Grangemouth Chemical Cluster.
“We believe that the Grangemouth Just Transition Plan is an important part of achieving a sustainable future across the range of activities that together form the wider Grangemouth industrial area – fine chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
“As such, this consultation provides a key opportunity for companies in Grangemouth to input their views and highlight needs, and collectively achieve a sustainable, enabling, investable, and viable future for all.”
Join Unite on Thursday 28 November 2024 and help Save Scotland’s last oil refinery.
Get your work colleagues, friends and family to come too. From the Workplace to the Capital, join the rally on Thursday 28 November 2024.
Assemble at 10:00 at Johnston Terrace (top end), Edinburgh, EH1 2PW and at 10.20 march to Holyrood for a rally with Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.
Despite the government spin, the new ministerial code gives the green light to ministers accepting lucrative freebies, says campaign group Unlock Democracy.
There’s nothing in the new code to stop ministers from, for example, accepting expensive football or gig tickets. We have been urging the government to ban ministers and MPs from accepting freebies valued above £200.
It’s regrettable that the Prime Minister has decided not to turn the page on this issue and clearly signal to the public that his government will be different.
No change either for former ministers looking to take on other jobs outside government, even though it’s been made clear that ACOBA (Advisory Committee of Business Appointments) is not able to enforce the current rules.
A slap on the wrist provides little deterrent for former ministers with the brass neck to defy ACOBA.
The new code also goes back on the Sunak government’s intention to publish meetings with Ministers monthly.
We need to know as promptly as possible if, for example, before drafting a gambling bill, Ministers are only meeting with gambling companies. Six months later is no use.
This relative lack of progress is regrettable when it took Starmer longer than many predecessors, including Johnson, Cameron, Sunak and Brown, to reissue the Ministerial Code in the first place.
Cameron, the last LOTO (Leader of the Opposition) to become PM, took three weeks. STARMER TOOK FOUR MONTHS.
CARBON BUDGET APPROACH TO SETTING CLIMATE TARGETS AGREED
Legislation that will see Scotland move to using five year carbon budgets to set climate targets has been passed.
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill amends the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to introduce limits on the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in Scotland over a five-year period.
The move, which is based on recommendations from the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC), aims to provide a more reliable framework for emissions reduction. This is because the previous annual emissions targets are vulnerable to year-to-year fluctuations caused by events such as a particularly cold winter or a global pandemic.
The legislation enables the carbon budgets to be set through secondary legislation based on the expert advice from the Climate Change Committee. The Bill also changes the current deadline to finalise the next Climate Change Plan for Scotland so the Plan can align with the process for setting the new carbon budgets.
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Gillian Martin said: “Scotland is now halfway to net zero and continues to be ahead of the UK as a whole in delivering long term emissions reductions.
“The Scottish Government’s commitment to ending Scotland’s contribution to global emissions by 2045 at the latest, as agreed by Parliament on a cross-party basis, is unwavering. It is crucial that our target pathway to 2045 is set at a pace and scale that is feasible and reflects the latest independent expert advice.
“Carbon budgets are an established model for assessment of emissions reductions used by other nations including Japan, France, England and Wales, and they will include emissions from international aviation and shipping and there will be no provision to “carry over” emissions from one carbon budget to another.
“We will continue leading on climate action that is fair, ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us and reflects our commitment to the ambition of credible emissions reduction.”
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition have written to First Minister John Swinney:
