Tag: Scottish Government

Holyrood Budget agreement secured

New funding for social care, hospices and non-domestic rates relief

The Finance Secretary has welcomed Scottish Liberal Democrats support for the Scottish Government’s 2026-27 Budget.

Investment will be brought forward to update the Budget in a number of areas, including:

  • A further £2.9 million for the hospice sector, to delivery pay parity for staff with the NHS Agenda for Change
  • An additional £20 million to the Local Government Settlement for social care – which can be used towards funding the Real Living wage for adult and childcare sectors
  • Further strengthening the non-domestic rates package for licensed hospitality and music venues, meaning rates relief for eligible premises liable for the basic and intermediate property rates will rise to 40% for the next three years, subject to a £110,000 cap per business

Ms Robison said: “This Budget and our wider spending plans are focused on the priorities of the people of Scotland – ramping up cost of living support, driving further improvements in the NHS and supporting our landmark efforts to eradicate child poverty.  

“We have been clear that we would seek to work constructively to deliver on these priorities and the Liberal Democrats have engaged in our discussions in a positive manner throughout the Budget process.

“There are a range of areas where we share priorities and have acted upon – such as the college sector, hospices, and social care. With that agreement now in place to secure a majority in parliament in support of the Bill, I am confident we will make lives better for people in Scotland.”

COSLA has welcomed the budget announcement by the Scottish Government of an additional £20 million for local government to use for social care, which can be used towards funding matters such as the Real Living Wage for adult and childcare services.

Cllr Paul Kelly, COSLA’s Health and Social Care spokesperson, commented: “”We welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to fully fund the cost of implementing the Real Living Wage across contracted Adults and Children’s Care.

“This decision is an important one that gives our partner providers assurance that direct care workers will receive at least the Real Living Wage in 2026-27.

“While the additional funding is welcome, the budget still falls short of the £750 million in urgent investment the sector truly needs. COSLA will continue to seek further investment in social care in the years to come.”

Additional £10 million budget funding for community justice

Reconviction rate after Community Payback lower than short term sentences

The success of community-based sentences in reducing reoffending and paying back to society has been highlighted by Justice Secretary Angela Constance following the recently announced extra funding for alternatives to custody.

The Justice Secretary visited Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust in Dalkeith where people carrying out unpaid work while serving a Community Payback Order (CPO) transformed the garden from wasteland and refurbished the café, which now uses fresh produce grown on site.

In addition to local community benefit from unpaid work, latest statistics show the reconviction rate for people sentenced to undertake CPOs is 28.4%, compared to 52.6% for those completing short prison sentences of one year or less .

Scotland’s overall reconviction rate of 27.1% is the fourth lowest on record in 25 years, with the average number of reconvictions per offender falling 14% over the past decade.

The Scottish Government is investing around £169 million in community justice services in 2026-27, including an additional £10 million to support diversion from prosecution, alternatives to remand, community sentencing and throughcare services.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “It was great to see first-hand the fantastic work at Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust, where the garden and café are brilliant examples of how community sentences create real, lasting benefits for local communities.

“The evidence is clear: community-based sentences are more effective than short prison sentences at reducing reoffending, contributing to fewer victims and safer communities. The recently-published Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission’s report echoed this view in some of its recommendations and the need to shift the balance to community justice.

“Community Payback Orders allow us to tailor support to individual circumstances, addressing the underlying causes of offending while ensuring people make amends to their communities. The Scottish Government’s continued investment in community justice reflects our commitment to shifting the balance from custody to community, giving people the best chance to turn their lives around while keeping people safe.”

Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust manager, Sharon Hill, said: “Our work with the Community Payback Team helps us by giving us access to folks who can help us in a really practical way – whether that be by building, painting, moving or digging. 

“The Community Payback Team benefit from seeing the positive impact of what they have done.  It can give a sense of pride and purpose to everyone involved.”

As of 2nd February, there were 562 prisoners with overall sentences of 12 months or less 7% of the prison population. In 2023-24, 73% of short term sentences (under 4 years) imposed were for 12 months or less and 15% under 24 months.

Road safety campaign urges drivers to keep their minds on the road

A new Road Safety Scotland and Scottish Government campaign is urging drivers in Edinburgh to keep their minds on the road, warning that even a moment’s distraction can lead to devastating consequences.

The campaign also highlights how far a vehicle can travel in just a second or two when concentration slips, with drivers unaware of the danger they pose to themselves and fellow road users. 

It reveals that:

The warning follows research showing 80 per cent1 of road users, including drivers and pedestrians, admitted their mind had wandered while using the road.

A total of 42 per cent2 admitted they had zoned out on a journey and couldn’t quite remember how they got to their destination.

The consequences of lack of proper attention can be devastating, with over one in five distracted drivers reporting a collision with another vehicle (16 per cent3) or a pedestrian (5 per cent3).

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop urged all road users to keep their minds on the road: “All road users, but especially drivers, have a responsibility to stay focused on the road and make sure they are aware of other road users at all times.

“This research shows how easy it is for both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted, and the consequences of these distractions have the potential to be devasting. It’s important to ensure our attention always remains firmly on the road.”

The impact of everyday distractions on drivers and pedestrians was reflected in the research behind the campaign. Of the road users who said they experienced distraction, over a third (38 per cent4) said thinking about other activities, tasks and plans was a regular cause.

After weather, drivers cited not knowing their route well (36 per cent), being tired (32 per cent), being in a hurry (25 per cent), and being worried or stressed (23 per cent) as the things that affect them most while driving.

The campaign is encouraging drivers and pedestrians across Edinburgh to reflect on their own journeys and the everyday distractions that can take their attention away from the road.

The Scotland-wide campaign will run across TV, radio, digital and outdoor channels.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot.  

First new GP walk-in service opens

Major milestone in delivering faster access to care

Patients will have access to GP-led care on the same day without an appointment as the First Minister opens the first of a new network of walk-in services. The new services will make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.

The Scottish Government is investing £36 million into a pilot programme which will see a further 14 services established across Scotland.

First Minister John Swinney has opened the country’s first GP walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, marking a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to strengthen primary care.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: “I know how important access to urgent medical care is for people, and how important it is for people to get the right care, in the right place at the right time.

“Our network of walk-in GP-led services will ensure people get the care they need at a time that works for them – and opening this first clinic is a major milestone as we continue to deliver trusted leadership for our health service.

“Open seven days per week from 12pm-8pm, these walk-in clinics will deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments, making it easier than ever for people to access urgent care when they need it most.

“With GP numbers up, long waits down, record numbers of hip and knee operations and 15 new walk-in GP clinics opening in Scotland, it is clear we are making progress in our NHS – and I am determined that we will continue to drive forward improvements.”

Tracey McKigen, Director of Primary Care for NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be launching this pilot service in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.

“It will add to the range of health services in Wester Hailes and make it easier for local patients registered with eight eligible GP practices in southwest Edinburgh to get same day care for new, urgent conditions.”

The walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre is open every day from 12 noon to 8pm with no appointment needed.

During the pilot phase, the service is available to patients registered with a group of local GP practices in southwest Edinburgh. 

Depending on clinical need, patients may see a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Walk in Clinic – General Practitioners (GPs).

Climate Engagement Fund reopens

Supporting community climate action

Community groups, cultural organisations and education initiatives are amongst the Scottish organisations who will be able to bid for support from a fund aimed at engaging people in tackling the climate emergency.

The £275,000 Climate Engagement Fund will support activities such as climate festivals, skills development and training, art exhibitions and showcasing clean technologies – all focused on increasing people’s understanding of the current and future impacts of climate change and encouraging climate action.

Since launching in 2023, the annual fund has supported 24 projects across Scotland – reaching a total of around 22,000 people with knowledge and skills relevant to tackling climate change. 

In 2025-26, this has included action by Changeworks to encourage people living in park homes to improve the energy efficiency of their accommodation, and by the Forth Valley Sensory Centre to enable blind, partially sighted, deaf and hard of hearing people, to explore sustainability through their local communities.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “It is vital that everyone in our society understands the positive opportunities of climate action, and how it can improve their own lives. 

“The Climate Engagement Fund will help increase awareness and empower people across Scotland to take action in their local communities whilst supporting Scotland in meeting its target of net zero emissions by 2045 and building our resilience to climate impacts.”

Changeworks’ Chief Executive Josiah Lockhart, said: “Climate Engaged Park Home Communities is a perfect example of how it’s possible – and necessary – to tackle climate change in ways that improve people’s lives at the same time.

“That means supporting and empowering communities to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, especially those communities who have been under-served in the past.”

Applications for the Climate Engagement Fund will close at 23:59 on 1st March 2026.

Apply to the Climate Engagement Fund

Consultation: Police stop and search powers

Views are being sought on proposed changes to the Code of Practice for how Scotland’s police officers use stop and search powers.

The Code covers the conduct, recording and oversight of stop and search activity. The Scottish Government is legally required to periodically review the Code and has now published a consultation on a proposed update.

The revised Code aims to strengthen protections for children and vulnerable individuals, provide clearer guidance on the steps officers must take before, during and after a search, and introduce enhanced requirements on data recording, oversight and accountability.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the proposed changes would ensure the Code continues to support effective policing while maintaining public trust and confidence in the appropriate use of stop and search powers.

Ms Constance said:  “Stop and search powers remain a vital tool for police to tackle crime and keep people safe, provided it is exercised lawfully, proportionately and with respect for an individual’s dignity and rights. 

“The revised Code aims to improve clarity, transparency and safeguarding, while strengthening safeguards for children and vulnerable people, with clearer guidance on the steps officers should take before, during and after a search.

“The consultation is an opportunity to listen, reflect and to strengthen public trust. I encourage everyone with an interest in justice, equality and community safety to take part.

“Their views will help ensure the Code remains robust, fair and fit for the future – supporting effective policing while upholding the rights and freedoms that define our society.”

Consultation of the revised Code of Practice on the use of stop and search in Scotland

Multi-year investment to support women and girls

Funding stability for more third sector organisations

More than a hundred third sector organisations that work to address violence against women and girls have received a multi-year funding agreement from the Scottish Government.

Funding of £43.28 million over two years through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund will support organisations to deliver projects across Scotland. These will provide direct services to victims and survivors of gender-based violence and carry out vital prevention work.

This two-year funding agreement marks a significant step in the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing a more sustainable funding model for the third sector in line with fairer funding principles.

It follows a multi-year commitment of £3.5 million a year over the next three years for disability organisations as set out in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27.

In addition to the Fairer Funding pilot announced last year, this means that almost 50% of the value of third sector grants in the Social Justice Portfolio in 2025-26 are now covered by multi-year funding agreements. This approach aims to protect the sector’s future by providing the certainty organisations need to plan ahead, retain specialist staff and sustain their vital services.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have listened carefully to the third sector about the challenges they face.

“This includes the impact of single-year funding settlements on their ability to plan ahead and retain the specialist staff who are so vital to delivering these services.

“This multi-year investment demonstrates that we have heard and responded to those concerns. It will give organisations the stability and greater certainty they need to continue their essential work to protect victims and survivors of gender-based violence across Scotland.”

The Delivering Equally Safe Fund supports the work of the Equally Safe strategy, which underpins Scotland’s approach to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls.

The list of funded organisations is available on Inspiring Scotland’s website.

DES-Funded-Organisations-2025-26Download

Community Wealth Building: Investing in local economies

The Community Wealth Building Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. It will support investment in communities with councils, health boards and other public bodies focusing on the generation, circulation and retention of wealth in local and regional economies.

This could include buying or procuring more goods and services from local businesses, boosting social enterprises or helping community groups to acquire vacant buildings and land.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Community Wealth Building is an approach to economic development that can deliver sustainable growth and foster resilience in our local economies.

“This unique legislation will help to deliver more benefit from investment in local economies so that they become fairer, greener and more prosperous.

“It will also strengthen partnership working in our communities, and I look forward to working closely with public bodies to building on existing links.”

Neil McInroy, Chair of the Economic Development Association Scotland, commented: “We support the Bill because it marks a positive shift in economic development amid wider global crises and upheaval.

“Some local councils and many organisations across Scotland are already advancing Community Wealth Building, and this Bill provides the enabling framework that secures that progress and deepens it.

“By changing patterns of wealth, it boosts productivity, helps tackle child poverty and cost‑of‑living pressures, and builds economic dynamism. Crucially, it advances economic democracy by giving communities, workers, and all of us a fuller stake in Scotland’s future.”

Stacey Dingwall, Head of Policy & External Affairs (Scotland) at the Federation of Small Business (FSB) said: “FSB is a long-time supporter of the Community Wealth Building agenda, therefore it’s welcome to see the Bill pass today.

“Opening up public procurement contracts to small businesses is crucial to boosting economic growth, yet many still face barriers to accessing opportunities.

“Passing this legislation gives us a real chance to make progress here. Investing more public money in local businesses is also an investment in local job opportunities, ensuring as much wealth as possible is retained in local communities.”

Scotland will become the first country in the world to legislate for implementation of the Community Wealth Building economic development model at national, regional and local level.

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

Strengthening the third sector

A partnership to boost outcomes and better support communities

The Scottish Government will develop an agreement with the third sector to strengthen its voice and improve lives, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said.  

The Third Sector Partnership will be co-designed with the sector, guided by some of the key principles in the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation’s 2026 manifesto, to set out how both can work together to enhance services.  

This includes: 

  • protecting the sector’s future and independence with fairer funding
  • a focus on shared goals to improve outcomes for people and communities
  • providing greater opportunity to contribute to policy and service design 

Ms Somerville said: “Scotland’s third sector is essential to the wellbeing of our communities. From local charities supporting vulnerable families to national organisations tackling poverty and inequality, they reach people and places that government cannot reach alone. 

“This partnership will put our relationship with the third sector on a clear, principled footing, strengthening their voice and improving lives. It builds on our commitment to fairer funding and signals that we value the sector as an essential delivery partner and as an independent, strong voice that provides support for people across the country every single day.” 

The Scottish Government intends to work with partner organisations and the wider third sector to develop and refine the agreement in the next Scottish Parliament, subject to the outcome of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. 

This is in addition to delivering a Fairer Funding pilot that provides multi-year funding worth more than £130 million over 2025-2027, prioritising organisations that deliver frontline services and tackle child poverty.

Welcoming the Scottish Government’s commitment to a “Third Sector Partnership”, Anna Fowlie, SCVO Chief Executive, said: “Voluntary organisations are at the heart of Scotland’s response to the biggest challenges we face. They make our communities better places to live. Too often, however, public bodies overlook the voluntary sector in planning, decision-making and delivery. That must change.   

“To ensure that our sector is properly recognised as an essential partner, we need the right infrastructure in place – to support genuine partnership working between the voluntary and public sectors. Our manifesto sets out why a formalised relationship, set in law, would help achieve this. We welcome all commitments that move Scotland closer to achieving that goal and will engage constructively with their development. 

“It is essential that any future scheme is properly resourced, and co-designed with the voluntary sector, so that it reflects, from the start, the experience, evidence and needs of Scotland’s essential sector.” 

SCVO’s 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto, Scotland’s Essential Sector, is available here: https://scvo.scot/about/manifesto-2026

The draft Scottish Budget 2026-2027 commits a dedicated £20 million fund for third sector partners to deliver support that people need in their communities. 

The Gathering is organised by SCVO and runs on 10 and 11 February 2026.  

A Fairer Funding pilot to deliver on the Scottish Government’s top priority of eradicating child poverty. The Pilot commenced in April 2025 and consists of 51 separate grants, totalling over £130m over 2025-26 and 2026-27 to organisations across Scotland. 

£1 billion rise in Scottish school spending

19.7% increase over the decade

Spending on schools across Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade, official statistics show.

Data published this week shows that local authority funding across Primary, Secondary and Special schools rose to £7 billion in 2024-25, up 19.7% from £5.8 billion in 2014-15.

Average spending per pupil across Primary and Secondary schools also rose by more than £1,000 in real terms over the same period, reaching £8,683.

Local government education expenditure in Scotland in 2024-25 was £8.3 billion, which is 27% higher than in 2014-15 in real terms – a cash terms increase of 71%.

Pre-primary education expenditure has more than doubled in real terms over the past decade to £1.1 billion in 2024-25, up from £516 million in 2015-16, with 95% of this going on the delivery of the 1140 hours early learning and childcare offer.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “This investment underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to education, working in partnership with councils, and means Scotland has the best paid teachers in the UK, the lowest pupil-teacher ratio and the highest education spending per head in the UK.

“Schools are delivering literacy and numeracy attainment at the highest levels on record, with a record low attainment gap for literacy and numeracy in primary and secondary schools. Attendance has improved, class sizes are smaller, and there are more teachers in Scotland’s classrooms.

“Last year’s exam results also showed there were more passes at every level compared to 2024, while the total number of Higher entries passed the landmark 200,000 level for the first time since Curriculum for Excellence was introduced in 2010.  We have also made strong progress on widening access to higher education regardless of background or circumstance, with record numbers of young Scots in 2025 securing university places in Scotland who will benefit from free tuition.

“As we reflect on progress over the past ten years we are also looking to the future with local authorities and headteachers, to agree how best we might collectively go further and faster.”