Tag: Scottish Government

Social Care reform scaled back

NATONAL CARE SERVICE PLANS ‘REVISED‘

A dedicated advisory board, support for unpaid carers and enshrining care home residents’ rights to see loved ones are at the heart of revised plans for the National Care Service.

Social Care Minister Maree Todd outlined the next steps for reform to Parliament yesterday after plans to progress the National Care Service Bill were paused for further consideration in November 2024.

A new non-statutory advisory board – comprising of people with lived experience of accessing care, social care workers, care providers, trade unions, the NHS and local government – will be established to provide guidance and drive improvement within the sector. It is expected to meet for the first time in the spring.

The introduction of Anne’s Law, which upholds the rights of residents in care homes to be visited by families or friends, will remain in the legislation to reform social care, alongside a right to breaks for unpaid carers.

The Scottish Government Bill will also improve information-sharing across health settings and the ability for individuals to access and manage information about their care, while progressing plans for a national social work partnership.

Ms Todd said: “We want to deliver a National Care Service that improves the experience of everyone who relies on social care, social work and community health in Scotland.

“Change is urgently needed to reform the social care sector in Scotland but it has to be meaningful and sustainable change. That’s why we paused the Bill for further consideration, to fully capture the views expressed by all stakeholders, members of the public and the Parliament.

“The advisory board will include people with lived experience of social care, ensuring it has those who access services at its heart. It will allow us to drive forward vital reform more quickly than our original proposals.

“The Bill gives adult care home residents a legal right to see their loved ones with the implementation of Anne’s Law and recognises the significant contribution of unpaid carers to Scotland’s communities by introducing a right to breaks.

“There will be enhanced information-sharing to improve the coordination of individuals’ care, and we will work in partnership with the sector to bring forward reform that future-proofs the social work service in Scotland.

“People need sustainable change to social care and these actions will allow that to happen as quickly as possible.”

COSLA Leaders will meet at the end of January to take a position on the National Care Service Bill.

Severe weather expected across Scotland today

Storm Éowyn – Met Office red weather warnings

The First Minister has urged people to follow Police Scotland advice not to travel today (Friday 24 January).  

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) has been activated ahead of the red weather warning for wind from 1000 until 1700 today, covering parts of Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, all of Strathclyde and the Lothians & Borders, as well as the Forth Valley and southern parts of Fife.

A wider amber warning for high winds covers much of Scotland and a yellow warning for snow in parts of Scotland has also been issued. 

Storm Éowyn will bring dangerous conditions and disruption throughout the country, including danger to life from flying debris, large waves and structural damage, such as roofs blown off and power lines brought down.  

Transport routes and travel services are expected to be affected for a prolonged period and while for individual local authorities to decide, a majority of schools are expected to be closed. NHS boards are standing up local business continuity arrangements. This will include communications with patients and staff. Some NHS and social care services are expected to be disrupted.

SGoRR met this afternoon to assess measures in place. It was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Deputy First Minister, and Cabinet Secretaries for Health; Education; Transport; Finance and Local Government; Rural Affairs and Islands; and Net Zero and Energy. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The Met Office has, this morning, issued a very rare red weather warning for Storm Éowyn tomorrow. Their advice is clear that potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property, and transport and power disruptions.   

“Police Scotland have made it clear that people should not travel in affected areas, and local services including schools are likely to be significantly impacted.

“The government, of course, is ready to respond. SGORR – our resilience and emergency system – was activated this morning to co-ordinate help and to support Scotland’s front-line responders, including police fire services and the ambulance service.   

“Red weather warnings like this are very rare. Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police.

“Please look out for each other and your neighbours during this time. Take this seriously and stay safe.”  

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan Head of Police Scotland Road Policing said: “Our advice throughout the duration of the red weather warning is not to travel, as the conditions outside and on the road network could be extremely hazardous and put you at risk.  

“Please keep tuning into media broadcasts and following updates from Traffic Scotland and Police Scotland until the weather has improved.” 

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We reserve the issuing of Red Warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Éowyn.  

“While it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland within the Red Warning areas, where winds could gust 80-90 mph quite widely for a time, and potentially up to 100 mph for exposed coasts in particular.  

“Storm Éowyn is a multi-hazard event, with snow likely for some, rain for many and strong winds for much of the UK. As a result, a number of weather warnings have been issued, with all parts of the UK covered by one warning at some point on Friday.”  

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.  

The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website. For Scotland, these include:  

Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website.  

Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online.  

To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website. 

Budget will increase provision of wrap-around help for families

Funding for local authorities to test and improve how they deliver wrap-around support for parents and families will be doubled to more than £6 million by the 2025-26 budget, helping expand work towards eradicating child poverty.

The Scottish Government’s Fairer Futures Partnerships will help test new approaches and identify lasting solutions rather than quick fixes, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said. Increased funding will allow Fairer Futures Partnerships to expand to more areas, supporting new approaches and holistic support.

On a visit to Irvine Royal Academy, Ms Somerville met parents and pupils and saw how North Ayrshire Council’s work is supporting families and informing the Fairer Futures programme to drive innovations in tackling child poverty.

At Irvine Royal Academy, where 32% of pupils are in receipt of free school meals, parents have been helped to maximise their incomes through welfare and debt advice and provided with support to find employment, while pupils run a ‘cost of the school day’ initiative to help ease the pressures on families.

Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission. But we can only do that by providing long-term, sustainable solutions, not quick fixes.

“The Scottish Child Payment, only available in Scotland, will this year help the families of over 330,000 children, and our five family payments could be worth more than £25,000 by the time an eligible child turns 16.

“We are extending provision of free school meals to pupils in P6 & P7 who receive the Scottish Child Payment, committing a further £14.3m to support the school clothing grant, and investing in the systems needed to end the two-child cap by April 2026.

“Through the Fairer Futures Partnerships we are working alongside local authorities, local communities and the Third Sector to test and improve how they deliver services to promote family wellbeing, maximise incomes and support people towards education and into sustained employment. 

“I’m visiting Irvine Royal Academy to hear about some of the programmes and activity North Ayrshire Council has in place to tackle child poverty, support families and children in the local area with the cost of the school day and maximise incomes.

“The work with the school community is a great example of the results that can be delivered when services work together to provide wrap-around support for families. We want to explore how we can do this even better and that is why we have doubled our budget for Fairer Futures Partnerships to £6 million for the next financial year.”

North Ayrshire Council Leader Marie Burns added: “Tackling child poverty is the number one priority for our administration.

“We have the second highest rate of child poverty in Scotland and we are determined – with support from the Scottish Government and our hard-working partners in the public, private and third sectors – to improve life for families across North Ayrshire.

“We look forward to welcoming the Cabinet Secretary to Irvine to hear, first-hand, about some of the great work that is being done to support families who are struggling to make ends meet.”

Delivering a world-class skills system?

Reform of national education bodies

The funding system which covers universities, colleges and apprenticeships, as well as student support, will change in Scotland.

Under plans published today, responsibility for providing national training programmes, including apprenticeships, will move from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

SFC’s responsibilities for funding further education student support will move to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), bringing this together with SAAS’s existing responsibilities for higher education student support.

The plans are being taken forward following extensive consultation across the sector and legislation will be published in the coming weeks with the intention of making these changes in autumn 2026.

Higher and Further Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “We want to ensure that Scotland has a world-class skills system to meet the demands of the changing economy and that our £3 billon of investment in the tertiary skills system delivers the greatest impact for learners.

“The need for this change is now clear, with consultation responses and other evidence supporting reform to arrangements for post-school funding. These changes will help to reduce complexities and provide greater clarity around the roles and responsibilities of each funding body.

“We will now look to press ahead with the next stage in taking forward these changes, through legislation and other preparations.  We also will work closely with SAAS, SDS and the SFC to reassure staff and ensure continuity of services.”

Scottish Graduate Visa proposed

First Minister outlines plans to help grow Scotland’s economy

A dedicated visa for international graduates from Scottish universities or colleges who want to stay in Scotland after their studies has been proposed by First Minister John Swinney.

Speaking at JP Morgan Chase & Co in Glasgow, the First Minister set out how a tailored visa route for students who have completed their studies could help to tackle population challenges in Scotland and grow the economy.

The ‘Scottish Graduate Visa’ would be linked to a Scottish tax code and be based on a requirement to live and work in Scotland. It would be granted for up to two years and would act as a bridge between Study and Graduate visas and the Skilled Worker Visa, giving international students an additional two years to gain the professional experience required to qualify for roles on the Skilled Worker Visa route.

As migration is a reserved issue, developing and delivering the Scottish Graduate Visa would require the cooperation of the UK Government ahead of it coming into force.

During the speech the First Minister also stressed the urgency of Scotland rejoining the European Union, ensuring access to the Single Market and reinstating freedom of movement, to help tackle Scotland’s distinct demographic challenges which would benefit from inward migration. 

First Minister John Swinney said: “I have set out the areas where I believe urgent action, clarity of purpose, and collective endeavour are necessary if we are to truly prosper as a nation.

“Maximising the economic and community benefit from our massive energy wealth, acting now to address our looming population crisis, and committing ourselves once again to Europe and its single market is essential for the wellbeing of our society and the future success of our economy.

“The pragmatic approach I am setting out today when it comes to migration is an attractive proposition for international students and will ensure they can gain experience as they work towards the high salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa.

“I urge the UK Government to work with us – not dismiss this proposal out of hand – to ensure that we can attract and retain those students and graduates to Scotland, so that they can continue to contribute to our economy and society.”

Migration – Meeting Scotland’s Needs – gov.scot

Democracy Matters: Community Councils update

Still time to sign up for our Community Councils webinar at 6pm on Wed 29 January, when we will get an update on the Democracy Matters consultation from the Scottish Government.

https://ow.ly/2tCt50UiYkI

The Democracy Matters engagement process asked communities to consider what the future of community decision making should look like where they live. 

On 19 September 2024, COSLA and the Scottish Government published the Democracy Matters National Conversation report alongside a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to this work.

In this session Scottish Government officials will be presenting the process findings and outlining next steps for this important work.

National Insurance funding ‘vital for councils’

Finance Secretary calls for clarity as local authorities set their budgets

The employer National Insurance increase must be fully funded to ensure local authorities have the resources they need to serve their communities, Finance Secretary Shona Robison has said.

Ahead of an appearance before the local government committee next week, Ms Robison again called on the UK Government to provide urgent clarity over the funding to help the Scottish Government and local authorities finalise their budgets.

The Finance Secretary said: “Scotland’s public services face a bill of more than £700 million as a result of the UK Government’s increase in employer National Insurance Contributions.

“There have been indications of likely funding reported in the media, but these fail to take account of the fact that we have a larger public sector per person than other parts of the UK, leaving us some £300 million short.

“It feels like Scotland is now being punished for having decided to employ more people in the public sector and to invest in key public services.

“We know local authorities are already under significant financial pressure. This will only continue to build unless the UK Government reimburses us in full for their tax increase. Councils are in the process of setting their Budgets now, so the sooner we have clarity over this issue the better – this is needed urgently.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with COSLA to press the UK Government to provide the funding needed to support public services in Scotland.”

The First Minister and President of COSLA wrote to the Chancellor on 3 January, supported by 48 public and voluntary sector organisations to raise concerns at the impact of the increase to employer National Insurance contributions and to seek clarity on funding.

National Insurance Contributions: public sector costs – gov.scot

FAI into deaths at Polmont YOI

Justice Secretary responds to written determination of Fatal Accident Inquiry

Justice Secretary Angela Constance has responded to the published determination of the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths at Polmont YOI of Katie Allan and William Lindsay (also known – and referred to in the determination – as William Brown).

Ms Constance said: “My deepest sympathies and condolences are with the families of Katie Allan and William Lindsay who have lost a child and sibling. I am deeply sorry about their deaths and that their families have had to wait so long for the conclusion of this process.

“I fully appreciate that this has been an arduous process and will have compounded the trauma and distress of the families.

“Deaths from suicide in custody are as tragic as they are preventable, and the deaths of these two young people should not have happened whilst they were in the care of the state.

“I thank Sheriff Collins for his detailed determination which has highlighted a number of reasonable precautions that should have been taken and systemic failures that must be addressed to help prevent other deaths in custody. His recommendations will be given very careful and detailed consideration.

“Work has been carried out since Katie Allan and William Lindsay’s deaths in 2018 to reduce the instances happening again, including action by the Scottish Prison Service to remove ligature points in cells. However, there is clearly more to be done and this must be done at pace. It is absolutely crucial that both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service  make the systemic changes required to prevent and reduce suicides in custody based on these recommendations.”

INQUEST director Deborah Coles said: “(I am) full of respect and admiration for these families who have fought for truth for 6 years.

“The emotional toll placed on them is often overlooked and how others bereaved after state violence and neglect feel their pain as they see deaths repeated and no accountability or change.”

New regulations under the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 came into force on 28 August last year which means that no under-18s will be detained in a Young Offenders Institution but instead in suitable settings such as secure care.

The Cabinet Secretary intends to make a statement to Parliament next week.

Scottish Government responds to UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations

Work underway to strengthen response to civil emergencies

Ministers will act on all recommendations relating to Scotland in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s report on pandemic resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced.

The Module 1 report contained ten recommendations for the four UK nations to improve civil emergency planning and response.

Speaking on publication of the Scottish Government’s formal response, the Deputy First Minister said work was already underway in a number of areas including pandemic planning, improving risk assessment processes and ensuring the availability of reliable health, economic and social data.

In addition a Ministerial Oversight Group, co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, will meet for the first time in the coming weeks to co-ordinate preparedness across Government.

Scotland will also play a full role in the largest ever UK wide pandemic response exercise this Autumn which will be designed to test and strengthen the UK’s preparedness for future pandemics.

Ms Forbes said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. And it is with those people firmly in mind that we will work to ensure Scotland is in the best possible position to prepare for, respond to and recover from future threats, including pandemics.

“In advance of, and in parallel to, the work of the Scottish and UK Covid-19 Inquiries, the Scottish Government has identified and actioned a number of improvements, including establishing an independent committee to provide expert advice on future pandemic risks and how best to prepare for them. We are also working with the other governments in the UK to deliver exercise plans for UK-wide civil emergencies.

“We know the pandemic greatly impacted the most vulnerable in society. As part of wider work to tackle inequalities, we will improve how we identify, assess and address the potential impacts of civil emergencies on those who need the most protection.

“We are also mindful of other potential emergencies  – not least the impact of extreme weather. We will work with counterparts across the four nations and a range of organisations to learn from past events and global best practice.”

Drivers and passengers in Edinburgh urged to buckle up on every journey

Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland have launched an impactful campaign highlighting the potentially devastating consequences of failing to wear a seatbelt – urging drivers and passengers in Edinburgh to belt up.

Figures show that 21 per cent of those killed on Scotland’s roads over a five-year period were not wearing a seatbelt1 and research demonstrates that wearing a seatbelt reduces both fatal and non-fatal injuries in front and back-seat passengers.

Despite this, 11 per cent of drivers admitted to not always wearing a seatbelt in the front or back of the car, while around one in five drivers (18 per cent) said they don’t think it’s important to wear a seatbelt in the back.2

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Fastening your seatbelt is one of the simplest actions you can take to protect yourself and others. In a collision, failing to wear a seatbelt can have devastating consequences – not only for the driver and passengers but for your loved ones.

“This campaign serves as an essential reminder to anyone travelling in a car: a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death and it’s not just you who gets hurt. Make it a habit on every journey.”

The campaign stresses the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times – regardless of time of day, length of journey, and whether you are driving on busy or quiet roads. It also reminds people that it is a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt while traveling in a taxi or private hire vehicle.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Wearing a seatbelt isn’t optional, it’s the law. Our officers will engage with and educate drivers and passengers on the importance of seatbelts, but we will also continue to take appropriate enforcement action, with those caught not wearing a seatbelt facing a fine up to £500.

“Drivers should also remember they are legally responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 are using their seatbelts, with fines issued for every child not properly restrained.

“The evidence is clear – seatbelts reduce injuries and save lives. Don’t take an unnecessary risk – wear a seatbelt every time you travel.”

The campaign will run across streaming services, cinema, radio, digital and outdoor channels.

For more information go to roadsafety.scot.

1 In-Depth Road Traffic Fatalities Report for the Years 2015-2020

2 RITS: Driver attitudes and behaviors tracker, Road Safety Scotland (September 2024)