Tag: Politics

Letter: Fair Energy Pricing for Scotland

END THE ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MARKET

Dear Editor,

Scotland is in the absurd position of producing more electricity than we need, while families and firms here face some of the highest bills in Britain. Fuel poverty is rampant, reaching nearly 50% in the northernmost parts of the country, despite Scotland’s renewable capacity only set to grow, with projects like Berwick Bank expected to generate power for more households than exist in Scotland.​

One practical approach is zonal pricing, setting electricity prices by geographic region so that areas with abundant local generation benefit from lower supply costs and reduced transmission costs.

In plain terms, power produced on and off Scotland’s shores should not cost Scottish households and businesses a premium once it reaches the meter.

Zonal pricing reflects local supply and demand, and recognises that the real expense lies in grid infrastructure, pylons, cabling, and reinforcement, rather than in “sending” electrons down the line.​

Instead, we are currently being forced to accept a vast expansion of pylons across our land because the grid is inadequate for the volume of generation, with “curtailment” running into billions, paying wind operators to switch off while consumers still pay through the nose.

A new pylon network is planned from the north of Scotland down the east and through the Borders to supply demand further south, bringing long-term visual and environmental damage, disruption to arable land and watercourses, and little or no benefit to the communities affected.​

As an ALBA Glasgow List Candidate, I, Dhruva Kumar, am calling for a fair deal, implement zonal pricing so Scots can finally share in the value of the energy we produce, cut fuel poverty in a cold country, and make Scotland competitive again for manufacturing, hospitality and the green supply chain.

If Westminster will not act, then Scotland’s councils and government should refuse consent for pylons that export our energy while leaving our people paying the price.​

Yours faithfully,

Dhruva Kumar

ALBA Party, Glasgow List Candidate

Depute Convenor, ALBA Glasgow

Foysol Choudhury calls for small business support

Foysol Choudhury has warned that rising business rates and limited government backing are placing increasing strain on small, community-driven businesses. 

Following a visit to Time Twisters Edinburgh in Sighthill on Monday, Mr Choudhury met founder Andy Hixon and staff to see first-hand how the business supports young people, creates jobs, and brings learning to life for school pupils. 

He praised the company’s work supporting young people and said more must be done to protect businesses that deliver real local impact. 

Time Twisters delivers hands-on educational experiences linked to the Scottish Curriculum, giving students the opportunity to explore Ancient Egypt in an interactive and engaging way.

Founded 20 years ago, the business now employs 23 people and has helped hundreds of young people take their first steps into work, often offering their very first job opportunities. 

Speaking after the visit, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Time Twisters is a brilliant example of how small businesses can inspire young people, create local jobs, and strengthen communities. But right now, too many businesses like this are being pushed into survival mode.

“The last two budgets have made it harder than ever for small businesses to thrive. Instead of investing, expanding, and creating more opportunities, many are simply trying to stay afloat. 

“These pressures are hitting the hospitality and leisure sectors particularly hard, sectors that should be driving local regeneration and economic confidence, not being held back.” 

Mr Choudhury reaffirmed his commitment to supporting local enterprises and called for policies that enable businesses like Time Twisters to continue contributing to the community and the local economy. 

Westminster committees to examine children and young people’s mental health in new inquiry

Westminster’s Education and Health and Social Care committees have launched a new inquiry into children and young people’s mental health.   

MPs on the cross-party committees will consider what mental health support is available to children and young people up to the age of 25 in community, health and education settings.  

Through the inquiry, MPs will consider how this support is integrated with NHS services, such as specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) services, and what support is available throughout the education system, including for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

They will explore how potential reforms to CAMHS could improve children and young people’s access to mental health care and whether support could be provided in the community, such as through the Government’s new Young Futures Hubs.  

Around one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 in the UK has a “probable mental disorder”, according to NHS statistics published in 2023, while the consultancy PwC says that mental health challenges are having a significant impact on young people’s career choices and wellbeing at work. The committees will investigate what factors are driving these changes to children and young people’s mental health.  

The committees will also scrutinise the implementation and rollout of relevant government policies such as the commitment to expand Mental Health Support Teams to all schools in England by 2029/30.

MPs will also consider plans to establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and alignment between various government strategies such as the 10 Year Health Plan, the Independent Review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism, and the National Youth Strategy.  

MPs will also investigate how education staff can support children and young people’s mental health, and whether current Ofsted frameworks or DfE guidance help or hinder mental health provision.  

Chair of the Education Committee, Helen Hayes MP, said: “Struggling with mental health should never obstruct a young person’s chance to learn and thrive. Yet for too many, especially those with SEND or experience of the care system, that’s still the reality.  

“From the early years through to university, education staff are often being asked to step in where existing support has failed.

“Our inquiry will take a forensic look at the mental health services available to children and young people at every stage of their education, from ages zero to 25. 

“We will consider the role teachers can play in supporting children and young people’s mental health and whether they are getting the training they need to do that properly.  

“We’ll also look at the full range of government policies and plans affecting young people, from SEND reform to the National Youth Strategy, and ask: are ministers doing enough to protect young people’s mental health?” 

 

Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, Layla Moran MP said: “For parents and school leaders alike, trying to get mental health support for children can feel like navigating a spaghetti junction.  

“Services are frequently overwhelmed and not joined up. Too often the help doesn’t come until a child’s needs are at crisis point. These fundamental problems sit alongside issues that the Health and Social Care Committee documented in 2021 – the need to increase emphasis on prevention and early intervention. We return to these themes now amid deepening concern about the scale of need and questions of how the system can be remade fit for purpose. 

“We will try and show Government how it can untangle the knotty problems that stop children getting the help they need and point to where investment should be directed. We’ll see how silos can be broken down between two sectors that should be working hand in glove, because we know that children’s education and wellbeing are intrinsically linked.” 

Social housing conditions barely improved since pandemic, says Westminster Committee

SCATHING REPORT ON THE STATE OF ENGLAND’s SOCIAL HOUSING

Raising the standard of social homes in England is essential given the progress at bringing homes up to a minimum standard has almost ground to a halt, says the cross-party Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee in a report published today (Monday).

While most social homes provide tenants with warm, safe and decent places to live, the report finds that too many people living in social housing suffer from appalling housing conditions and do not have their complaints treated seriously. 

The report notes that the minimum standard of what is considered a decent home has not changed in twenty years and says, “it is not acceptable that just under 430,000 social homes still fail to meet even this basic standard”.

The Committee’s Housing conditions in the social rented sector report calls for the Government to use the delayed Long-term Housing Strategy to deliver an approach which addresses the twin objectives of building more social homes while ensuring conditions in existing housing stock are improved.

The report recommends the Government establish a new, modern Decent Homes Programme that supports social landlords to raise the standard of social homes, which includes a pooled fund for improvements to social homes and a single housing quality framework to consolidate the regulatory requirements on social landlords.

Florence Eshalomi MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee said: “Whether it is residents living in poorly insulated homes, experiencing overcrowding, or enduring housing with damp or mould, it’s vital that Government measures, including Awaab’s Law and the New Decent Homes Standard, bring a meaningful improvement to social housing conditions.

“The Government deserves credit for the steps taken to rebuild the sector’s financial capacity after years of underinvestment. However, we do have concerns about the resources available to social housing providers to meet the Government’s new social homes target while also raising standards over the decade.

“The Government’s Long-term Housing Strategy needs to set out a credible plan to tackle the need to improve existing housing stock while encouraging social landlords to build the new social homes the country needs.”

The report agrees with the Government’s decision to rollout Awaab’s Law in phases, focusing on tackling the most dangerous hazards first, but warns that social landlords and tenants need a much clearer roadmap for when the remaining phases of Awaab’s Law will be introduced.

The report calls on the Government to urgently set and publish the timeline for extending Awaab’s Law to all remaining hazards, so that tenants and social landlords have clarity about when they can expect these new regulations to apply.

High energy prices, the report warns, mean households living in homes that comply with the Government’s new minimum energy efficiency standard may still be in fuel poverty, if they struggle to afford to heat their home sufficiently.

The Committee therefore recommends the Government revise the official definition of fuel poverty to reflect this in the forthcoming Fuel Poverty Strategy.

The Government’s proposed changes to the Decent Homes Standard are welcomed, with the report noting that the “current standard has been out-of-date for some time and is in urgent need of reform, given that it was last updated in 2006”.

To demonstrate to tenants and the public that progress is being made, the report recommends the Government put in place interim targets in homes upgrading to the revised Decent Homes Standard.

The report also calls on the Government to introduce a review to update the Decent Homes Standard at least every 10 years to ensure it “reflects the changing needs of the population, environmental pressures, scientific evidence of the hazards to health from poor housing and societal expectations of what a decent home consists of”.

Councillors prevented from discussing hunger striking Palestine protestors

GREENS CONCERN OVER FREEDOM OF SPEECH CONSTRAINTS

Councillors in Edinburgh were not allowed to debate a Green motion at Thursday’s full council meeting due to concerns over the latest UK Government guidance around proscribed organisations.

Instead, Green Councillors withdrew the motion following pressure from other political parties who demanded that there should be no discussion – citing fear of arrest under anti-terror legislation.

The motion, prompted by people undertaking hunger strikes to protest their treatment in prison, stated that the Council “opposes the curtailing of human rights, intimidation, discrimination and victimisation of those currently imprisoned as a result of opposing genocide”, and “expresses concern for the health, wellbeing and human rights of prisoners who have undertaken hunger strikes”.

Due to concerns that being seen to provide moral support for a proscribed organisation – now classed as a terrorist offence – could open the entire Council to a criminal offence charge, the Lord Provost took the unusual step of changing the Council meeting process to remove the opportunity for debate.

However, both the Labour and Conservative groups proposed that the motion should instead be withdrawn, citing fear of risk of arrest from individual councillors.

Cllr Alys Mumford, who was due to move the motion, said: “If we needed any further proof that Labour’s obsession with cracking down on protest has gone too far, it is this.

“We’ve already seen countless protestors criminalised and arrested for peacefully holding pieces of paper, and now elected members of Scotland’s capital city are prevented from even discussing a motion highlighting important issues of human rights.”

Cllr Mumford continued: “Just yesterday we saw pro-Palestinian activists in Bristol being cleared of aggravated burglary, with lawyers instead comparing them to Suffragettes for their actions to protest UK involvement in the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

“This should highlight the ludicrous nature of anti-terror legislation being used in this way by the UK Government. For Councillors to be unable to discuss whether or not we agree with the UK Government is antithetical to everything we are supposed to uphold as a nation of free speech and democracy.”

In withdrawing the motion, co-convener of the Green Group Chas Booth said: ““Lord Provost, thank you, reluctantly our group has made the decision to withdraw the motion at 8.1 on the agenda.

“We understand from advice that the motion is competent as re-drafted and we have been advised the risk of considering the motion is very low. However, we appreciate that there are individual councillors in other parties who are uncomfortable with the situation, and we feel a duty of care towards our colleagues.

“We regret that the council is facing this situation, and we remain concerned about the impact on democracy and freedom of speech message.”

Speaking about the withdrawal, Cllr Mumford said: “This motion was simply meant to be a way to express our support for human rights, and for the ongoing plight of people being mistreated in UK prisons. Instead, it has descended into a surreal conversation about what we can and cannot say within the City Chambers.

“We hope that – despite being unable to say what we want to during the meeting – this situation will serve to highlight the fight of the hunger strikers for humane treatment, and make people think twice about the ramifications of restricting the rights to protest in the UK.”

Scottish Government confirms extension of support from Investing in Communities Fund following letter from Ian Murray MP

Following reports that the Scottish Government’s proposed spending plans will cut funding to community organisations doing vital work across Edinburgh, Ian Murray, the MP for Edinburgh South, wrote to the Shona Robinson, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, at the end of January to urge her to reverse the decision.

A reply from Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, confirmed that the Scottish Government have now agreed to transitional funding of up to a year for affected groups (as reported by NEN last week– Ed.).

Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, said: “While this transitional funding is welcome, it’s not enough – all it really does is delay the financial cliff edge facing local organisations who are supporting some of our most vulnerable communities.

“The financial pressures Kate Forbes mentions in her reply are completely of the SNP’s own making – a result of their mismanagement of the public finances over the last 19 years.

“The UK Labour government has provided the Scottish Government with an additional £10.3 billion in resources since coming to power. Where has the money gone?

“I am in touch with those affected by this locally and will continue to do all I can to support them.”

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Edinburgh charity launches 2026 Manifesto calling for urgent action to support dementia

The Eric Liddell Community’s manifesto sets out five crucial priorities to support the estimated 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland

Edinburgh based care and specialist dementia charity, The Eric Liddell Community, has launched its 2026 Manifesto, ‘Priorities and evidence-based recommendations for the next Scottish Parliament’, setting out five urgent priorities to better support people living with dementia, unpaid carers, volunteers, and the communities that rely on them.

With an estimated 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland, The Eric Liddell Community says the gap between the vision and commitments made in policy are very different from reality. There are rising costs, reduced statutory funding and an increase in demand for these services due to an ageing population, putting immense pressure on charities. 

Founded over 45 years ago, The Eric Liddell Community has long supported people living with dementia and their carers, and is now calling on political parties, candidates and policymakers to recognise voluntary organisations as essential partners in addressing societal challenges and delivering services that communities rely on.

“We ask to be recognised, not as a ‘nice to have’, but as a lifeline for many.”

Irene Adams OBE, Chair of The Eric Liddell Community, comments: “Every day we see the difference that care, compassion, and community make to people living with dementia and also to the unpaid carers volunteering their time.

“This means we also see the consequences when we are underfunded and under supported. We urge all Scottish parties to listen to their communities and work with the third sector by turning policy into reality for people who most need the support.”

While Scotland is recognised for its progression with dementia policy, The Eric Liddell Community states that not enough people are able to access these dementia services and support. In addition, 37% of the Scottish adult population (1.7 million people) have provided unpaid care at some point in their lives. The value of this support totals £15.9 billion each year.

The manifesto is built upon 5 urgent priorities for the next Scottish Government, turn policy dementia into reality, take immediate action to address the third sector funding crisis, deliver unpaid carers a legal right to breaks in practice, ensure social care reform improves real experiences and value the importance of volunteers.

To read the full Eric Liddell Community Manifesto for 2026, please visit: Manifesto.

John MacMillan MBE, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, added: “Our work shows the powerful impact that care and strong community support can make on the growing dementia challenge in Scotland.

“We see the real struggle caused by underfunding and lack of support and hope the Scottish parties will work with the third sector to deliver support where it is most needed.”

The Eric Liddell Community supports thousands of people each year with befriending services, carer’s programmes and a community filled with volunteer-led activities. Their mission is to bring people together in their local communities and have a positive impact on their lives.

To find out more about The Eric Liddell Community please visit: ericliddell.org

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SCVO: New research finds funding delays emerge as major challenge for Scottish charities

Organisations call for reliable, multi-year funding to avoid increased annual pressures

Charities in Scotland are increasingly struggling with funding delays, with organisations facing cash‑flow pressures, postponed or cancelled services, and depleted reserves.  

The latest findings from the Scottish third sector tracker reveals a sector that continues to show resilience and adaptability, but one that is increasingly stretched across multiple fronts. 

The Scottish Council for Organisations (SCVO) have now said calls for multi-year funding for the sector in line with inflation is absolutely essential.  

The research, carried out for SCVO and partners, found over a quarter (28%) of organisations now cite delays or reductions in funding as a top challenge. 

As a result, charities say these hold-ups in funding force organisations to draw on reserves as well as creating immediate cash‑flow pressures and forcing services to be postponed or cancelled.  

The tracker found 58% of organisations hold less than six months’ reserves – up five per cent from Spring 2025 – and 57% say their current use of reserves is unsustainable, a sharp increase from 40% in Autumn 2024 

Delays create immediate cash‑flow pressures (for around 60% to 65% of those organisations), force organisations to draw on reserves (45% to 50%), and lead to postponed or cancelled services (35% to 40%). (1)  

Critically, funding delays also have a profound impact on staff morale, wellbeing, and retention.  

Uncertainty around contract renewals, the risk of redundancy, and the inability to plan long‑term contribute to anxiety, frustration, and the loss of experienced staff are all exacerbating existing problems.  

Overall, the findings show a sector committed to delivering for communities but increasingly constrained by financial instability, workforce shortages, and systemic uncertainty.  

Steve Grozier, Research Officer at SCVO, said: “This latest wave of Scottish third sector tracker reveals a sector that continues to show resilience and adaptability, but one that is increasingly stretched across multiple fronts.

“Service delivery remains broadly stable, yet over half of organisations report that limitations in resources, skills, or capacity are hindering their ability to meet demand.

“Financial pressures have intensified. Staff recruitment and retention remain difficult for many organisations. Volunteer recruitment and retention challenges remain acute. Funding delays have now also emerged as a major challenge. The work being done by organisations across the sector in the midst of these issues is commendable.” 

Responding to the tracker survey, organisations consistently emphasise that secure, multi‑year, inflation‑linked funding — particularly for core costs and staff salaries — is the single most important factor that would enable them to do more.  

Without structural changes to public sector funding models, investment in workforce capacity, and improved partnership working, organisations risk being unable to meet rising demand or sustain essential services. 

The calls come ahead of a hustings of candidates for the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections at SCVO’s flagship event, The Gathering, on Tuesday, 10 February.  

SCVO have published their manifesto, Scotland’s Essential Sector, outlining the need for the next Scottish Government to deliver Fair Funding, with the need to reform the public sector funding landscape for voluntary organisations more pressing than ever. 

Anna Fowlie, SCVO Chief Executive, added: “Scotland’s charities, community organisations and social enterprises are a fundamental cornerstone of our society and economy.

“This research shows a growing fragility which is detrimental to us all. It’s time to give these organisations, and the people they serve, the respect and stability that they need.  

“The next Scottish Government needs to implement Fair Funding as a matter of urgency.” 

Scottish Budget: Finance Committee calls for government fiscal action

Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee has called for early fiscal action from the Scottish Government, and the next administration following May’s election.

In its budget report published yesterday, the committee wants an urgent review of social security spending and reform of local government taxation.

The committee has also made immediate recommendations to address pressure on local government finance and improve budget transparency – including clarity on baseline figures and ‘new’ money.

Finance and Public Administration Committee convener Kenneth Gibson said: “This is our final budget report ahead of the Scottish election.

“Some recommendations are directed towards the government for immediate action others will be for the next administration to take forward after May.

“Frustratingly, some cross-party concerns set out in this report have been raised before with the government during this five-year session of Parliament – including issues of financial transparency, which have only been partly addressed.”

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Health: Scotland’s long waits reduce for 7 months in a row

Up to £20 million made available to boards to boost progress

Waiting lists continue to fall in Scotland with waits over 52 weeks reducing for 7 months in a row.

New figures from Public Health Scotland show at 31 December 2025 new outpatient waits of more than 52 weeks had reduced by 15.4% when compared to November 2025. These waits have reduced every month since July 2025 with total waits over 52 weeks down by 40.1% in that period.

The data also shows long waits for inpatient and daycase procedures have fallen every month since July 2025, with 52 week waits decreasing by 23.9% in that period.

New operation statistics also show an increase in activity in the last year – between January 2025 and December 2025 the number of operations carried out increased by 5.6% compared to the same period the year before. A total of 274,638 procedures were carried out in this period.

To further build on this progress, extra funding of up to £20 million is being made available to health boards for the current year.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “These latest figures show our plan is delivering for the people of Scotland and our NHS has turned a corner – we are seeing sustained progress in reducing waiting times with activity also increasing compared to last year.

“Thousands more appointments, operations and procedures are being delivered this year and we are determined to continue to build on this momentum, ensuring people receive the treatment they need as soon as possible.

“We are seeing downward trends across nearly all waiting list indicators which shows our targeted investment this year is having a real impact on people’s lives. None of this would be possible without out hard-working NHS staff and I want to thank each and every one of them for the progress they are delivering.”