New funding will allow every primary pupil in Scotland to access a breakfast club, the First Minister has said.
The Scottish Budget will provide an additional £15 million in 2026-27 to expand breakfast club provision and help schools, councils and third sector partners prepare for the introduction of universal breakfast club services by August 2027.
The Scottish Government then plans to invest £44 million per year from 2027-28 to deliver the clubs for all primary school children in Scotland who want to access them. Every pupil attending a school specifically for children with additional support needs will also benefit.
Breakfast clubs not only give children a nutritious meal before school starts, they can also help improve school attendance and confidence in children, and the option of an early drop-off means parents have more flexibility so they can work or study.
First Minister John Swinney said: “My government is focused on delivering the priorities of the people of Scotland and through our budget, we are acting to provide help with the cost of living and doing all we can to eradicate child poverty.
“We know extending the school day before and after class can help children and their parents, particularly families who might be struggling with balancing the demands of getting to work early as well as the cost of the weekly food shop.
“Breakfast clubs are a perfect example of how we can give families the option of some extra support. Children can get a healthy start to their day as they eat breakfast and play with their friends, while parents are better able to get to work, or to take up training or study, knowing their children are being well looked after – there are clear benefits for the whole family.
“That is why we will invest £44 million each year to deliver a national breakfast club programme across all primary and special schools from August 2027, with the Scottish Budget investing £15 million in the coming year to support the expansion and help partners prepare.”
Scottish Government funding through the Bright Start Breakfasts programme currently supports 490 clubs and up to 20,000 children.
The 2026-27 Scottish Budget will provide £3 million to continue to support existing Bright Start Breakfasts clubs and a further £15 million to help prepare for expanded provision from August 2027.
A universal breakfast club offer will be available to all children attending primary or special schools in Scotland.
The UK’s first safer drug consumption facility, known as The Thistle, marks its first year in operation on 13 January 2026.
Since opening, 575 individuals have registered to use and access services provided within the facility.
The Thistle offers drug users a clean and safe environment in which to inject drugs, obtained elsewhere, under the supervision of nursing and social care staff, as well as access to other health and treatment services.
The facility has been accessed 11,348 times by the 575 people (448 male 127 female) who have so far registered to use the service.
There have been 7,827 injections, with 93 medical emergencies all safely managed within the facility by staff.
Councillor Allan Casey, City Convener for Workforce, Homelessness and Addictions, said the first year has been remarkable and hopes the services continue to be well used.He said: “The first year has been very encouraging.
“People are engaging with the service and trusting it as a safe space. Each of these 10,000 visits represents an opportunity to reduce harm, connect individuals with support, and ultimately save lives.
“We know there is still much to do, but what we are seeing from the first-year data is the real impact of a compassionate, evidence-based approach to this public health emergency and reinforces why progressive policies matter and why Glasgow continues to lead the way in tackling complex challenges with practical solutions.”
The Scottish Government has committed to making up to £2.3 million available per year for the development, set up and running of The Thistle service in Glasgow from 2024/25 which will continue to be overseen by Glasgow City Integration Joint Board.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “The Thistle, which complements other harm-reduction and treatment and recovery services, has had a profound impact in its first year.
“Through the ability of staff to respond quickly in the event of an overdose it has undoubtedly saved lives. Backed by £2.3 million in Scottish Government funding, it continues to demonstrate the value of an evidence-based approach to safeguarding life and reducing drug-related harm.
“I would like to thank all staff and partners for their work in establishing the service, working with some of the most vulnerable people in our society to help save and improve lives, and their continuing efforts to support and engage with the local community.”
Prior to opening, the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (GHSCP) carried out extensive engagement with the community, stakeholders and businesses.
Pat Togher, Chief Officer for the GHSCP with overall responsibility for the service, expressed his gratitude for the staff at the Thistle.He said: “The progress in the first year of the Thistle commencing has exceeded expectations and is testament to the commitment from all concerned, including the important role of lived and living experience in helping shape the service.
“As the first of its kind in the UK, the Thistle service has, as expected, been the focus of much media and public attention and we strive to ensure our communication and engagement remains a key priority.
“Staff from a range of health and care services are involved in helping people who use the Thistle get the support they need when they need it and we remain keen to develop this.”
Dr Saket Priyadarshi, Associate Medical Director and Senior Medical Officer for Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services,said: “We are delighted with how well the Thistle is being used.
“The service has exceeded any expectations we had for the first 12 months. It has been great to see service users engaging with the wider services from showers and clothing to referral for treatment and care. I would like to thank our colleagues delivering the service safely and effectively on a daily basis.
“The rising numbers in recent months is a positive sign and is promising for the year ahead, as well as our plans to progress a smoking/inhalation space in the facility.”
The Thistle is a three-year pilot. It will be monitored and evaluated to demonstrate the impact it has on the local area and those who use the service. The evaluation will look at various aspects including litter levels, discarded needles, anti-social behaviour and crime.
The 2026-27 Budget will support a stronger NHS, with a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, expand cost of living support and invest in Scotland’s infrastructure.
Published alongside the latest multi-year Scottish Spending Review, Infrastructure Strategy and Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline, the draft Budget invests almost £68 billion including direct support for families and household budgets.
The 2026-27 Budget includes:
a cost of living package to: help families with funding to trial a programme of activities in a range of primary schools between 3-6pm; a Summer of Sport – free children’s sporting activities, including lessons on how to swim for every primary school child in the country; and a breakfast club for every primary school by August 2027
continued investment in Scotland’s existing cost of living measures, including free prescriptions, free eye examinations, removal of peak rail fares on Scotrail, free tuition fees for young Scots, free school meals for thousands of children, including all pupils in P1 to P5, and free bus travel for under-22s and over-60s
funding to increase Scottish Child Payment to £28.20 per week and investment to allow the introduction of a premium payment of £40 per week for eligible children under 12 months from 2027-28, bolstering efforts to drive down child poverty
extra funding to keep more children out of poverty from funds initially set aside to mitigate the UK Government’s two-child cap, including £50 million of whole family support and a further £49 million for measures to be announced in the Child Poverty Delivery Plan in March
tax choices which increase the Basic and Intermediate rate income tax thresholds to put more money in the pockets of low and middle income earners, maintain current income tax rates and bands, and provide a competitive non-domestic rates relief package worth an estimated £864 million, including measures for pubs, restaurants and retailers
a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, including a record £17.6 billion for NHS boards and resources to begin the national rollout of walk-in GP clinics, making it easier to access same-day appointments
an almost £15.7 billion record settlement for local government to support the services communities rely on including social care and education
significant extra funding for universities and colleges, with colleges seeing a combined increase of £70 million in resource and capital funding, equivalent to a 10% uplift, targeted support to help retrain workers in the oil and gas sector and ongoing commitment to Scotland’s apprenticeships, which this year will provide more than 31,000 Scots with a pathway to sustainable, well-paid jobs
over £5 billion to tackle the climate emergency, reduce carbon emissions and increase resilience as well as backing regenerative and sustainable skills in food and farming
£4.3 billion transport funding including investment in railways, the renewal of the ferry fleet, removal of peak season fares for residents of Orkney and Shetland on Northern Isles ferries and nearly £200 million for the dualling of the A9
record investment in new affordable homes
Ms Robison said:“This Budget delivers for families across the country, for a stronger NHS, and for a more prosperous future.
“It will fund landmark policies to continue efforts to eradicate child poverty – investing in a brighter future for Scotland and the children growing up here.
“Almost £68 billion is being invested in 2026-27 and almost £200 billion through the Scottish Spending Review and Infrastructure Investment Pipeline, demonstrating the scale of our ambition for our nation.”
Other measures include:
from April 2027, an Air Departure Tax (ADT) will come into force and the framework offered by the new ADT will be used to introduce a private jet supplement
the introduction by April 2028 of two new council tax bands for the most expensive properties in Scotland, those worth more than £1 million, on an up-to-date valuation
support for high-growth firms to attract private investment and connect entrepreneurs
£200 million for the Scottish National Investment Bank – delivering on the commitment to invest £1 billion in the Bank by the end of the parliamentary term
record funding for police and fire services and an additional £10 million investment in community justice services
a £20 million increase in the culture budget, recognising Scotland is richer because of its world-famous culture and creative sector
support for the creation of a diverse and sustainable supply chain for offshore wind, to boost the economy.
Responding to today’s proposed Scottish Budget, Poverty Alliance Policy & Campaigns Manager Ruth Boyle said: “People in Scotland want a just and compassionate society – but too many feel the system is rigged against them.
“There was some good news today – but we can do much more to make sure that every child in Scotland gets the investment they need for a decent life and a better future.
“Ensuring that every child in primary school gets a healthy breakfast is an excellent investment, because no child should go to school hungry.
“Increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for eligible households with a baby under 1 is welcome and will help families at a time when they face increased costs. However, this must be a first step towards boosting that payment to £40 for every eligible child in the country.
“That is the kind of fundamental investment the Government needs to make if they are serious about meeting the 2030 child poverty targets.
“With Scotland not on track to meet those legally binding targets, we need all political parties to set out their plans to invest in country where no child lives in poverty. Our children can’t wait any longer.
“We can make that kind of investment in Scotland – and there is support for it. In among the Budget documents is new polling from YouGov showing that 54% of people in Scotland believe that Government should redistribute income from the better-off to those who are less well off. Just 29% disagree.
“The Scottish Government must raise revenue to invest in our shared national priorities, like tackling child poverty and reducing the cost of living. It’s right that the Government has turned to those with the biggest assets to contribute more with a tax on private jets and increased council tax for the highest value homes.
“This has to be the start of long-promised, fundamental reform of council tax so that our local councils can provide the services that all of us need, and that are a vital lifeline for so many households in poverty.
“The Poverty Alliance will continue to call for the measures we need to provide a Minimum Income Guarantee that no-one will fall under – including increasing wages, investing in strong public services, and providing a social security system that gives everyone in Scotland a secure foundation to build a better future.
“Today’s budget has some positive steps towards that ambition – but we need to go further and faster if we are to build a Scotland free from poverty.”
Commenting on today’s draft Scottish Budget, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, said: “It’s hugely positive to see child poverty being made a top priority in today’s budget.
“The significant funding boost to whole family support and extra resources for third sector organisations will provide a lifeline to families who need help most, right across Scotland.
“But we can’t afford to slow down. Scotland’s legal target to eradicate child poverty demands bold, accelerated action. Life is tougher than ever for many children and families and at Children First we witness this first-hand every day.
“That’s why we urgently need a National Front Door that offers a simple accessible way for families to get the help they need when they need it.”
Children First’s manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood elections calls on the next Scottish Government to deliver a comprehensive offer of whole family support to tackle child poverty and give every family the emotional, practical and financial support they need.
Trussell’s Cara Hilton said: ‘While we welcome the @scotgov‘s £40 SCP rate for babies under 1, we continue to call for an increase to £40 a week for all.
‘Our @TrussellUK data shows food parcels for families with children aged 12-16 in Scotland rose by 7% over the past 5 years. #ScotBudget‘.
Responding to the Scottish Budget and Scottish Spending Review, Anna Fowlie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive, said: “Too often and for too long, voluntary organisations that provide vital services to people and communities across Scotland are treated as the poor relation to mainstream public services.
“They have had to contend with budget cuts, short-term funding cycles, late payments, incoherent decision-making, poor communication, inadequate grant management, and more.
“Reform of the voluntary sector funding landscape is long overdue. The Scottish Spending Review is welcome, giving the Government the long-term outlook to make progress on its commitment to deliver improvements, including multi-year funding for Scotland’s voluntary organisations.
“Welcome too is the Scottish Government’s commitment to multi-year funding for sections of the voluntary sector—this shows, again, what is possible.
“Today we had hoped for more than a recommitment to the ‘first step’ announced last February—the Scottish Government’s ‘Fairer Funding’ pilot.
“We know the benefits of multi-year funding: better staffing, stability, and future planning for the services people and communities rely on. The Government’s own research confirms this.
“Multi-year funding alone, however, will not provide the sustainable funding environment the voluntary sector so desperately needs, funding that is flexible, sustainable, and accessible.
“We need to see real progress and recognition of SCVO’s Fair Funding asks beyond multi-year funding. Wider reforms are, unfortunately, now unlikely to be seen before the next parliamentary term.
“In the meantime it is essential that in the weeks following the Scottish Budget the Scottish Government support local authorities and voluntary organisations by meeting their commitments to timely notifications and payments.
“We look forward to further engagement on both Fair Funding and charity regulation in the next parliamentary term.”
Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson said:“Social housing delivery in Scotland remains too slow, too little and too late for the more than 10,000 children homeless tonight. Today’s budget doesn’t do enough to change these facts.
“Shona Robison’s budget was an opportunity for Ministers to put their money where their mouth is. On the face of it an additional £34 million for social housing, compared to the most recent budget, is a step in the right direction – but it is not enough.
“The extra money will only deliver 36,000 affordable homes by 2030 – more than 26,000 short of where they say they would need to be to deliver their promise of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.
“The new Parliament will need a new approach and new money to deliver the social homes needed to reduce homelessness. Homes that the government promised, that academics say we need but for which there is still no credible plan to deliver.
“We must be honest about the real costs of failure. Failing to build the social homes we need means rising homelessness, rising child poverty, rising costs for councils, health boards and the taxpayer.”
Responding to the Scottish Government’s Budget, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “It is disappointing to see nothing new in this Budget to adequately respond to the growing number of older people in poverty.
“One in six pensioners now live in poverty across Scotland, a total of 160,000 older people, and we must see more action to support them.
“We want the Scottish Government to set out a clear, targeted strategy to bring down the alarming number of older people in poverty, increase access to the vital Discretionary Housing Payments that can help older renters meet shortfalls in rent, and increase the social security support available to those on a low income in later life.
“With pensioner poverty at its highest level in nearly 20 years, and likely to continue to rise as our population ages, it’s vital all political parties include measures to bring down the levels of poverty in later life in their manifestos’ ahead of May’s Holyrood elections. In a compassionate and wealthy society, we should all be able to live a financially secure, dignified later life.”
Responding to the Scottish Government’s Budget statement which slashed the 40% discount on business rates bills for pubs at the same time as a rates revaluation will lead to higher bills from 1 April, Stuart McMahon, Director of pubgoers group CAMRA Scotland said: “Pubgoers and publicans simply won’t stand for a Budget which will force more of our locals to go to the wall by landing them with bills they simply can’t afford.
“I fear that slashing the 40% discount on business rates bills for pubs to just 15% at the same time as these bills are increasing will be absolutely disastrous.
“Transitional reliefs may sound good but if this Budget still means higher business rates bills than pubs are paying now then this will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for many hard-pressed licensees.
“Pubs need permanently lower business rates bills so that they can survive, thrive and play their part as vital community hubs.”
The Scottish Government’s budget announcement of further funding for the college sector, which includes a combined increase of £70 million in resource and capital funding, received a qualified welcome. Principal of Edinburgh College, Audrey Cumberford said: “While this is a welcome step in the right direction for college funding, there is still more that needs to be done.
“This increase will help to undo some of the damage done by years of real terms cuts, but more is needed if we are to ensure the future sustainability of our sector.
“There is now a clear consensus across the political spectrum for better funding for colleges.
“I would urge parties to continue to work together to make sure we unleash the true potential of our sector so we can continue to drive economic growth and improve the lives of Scots across the country.”
Responding to the Scottish government’s 2026-27 budget, announced today by Finance Secretary Shona Robison, RCEM Vice President for Scotland Dr Fiona Hunter said: “Scottish Emergency Departments are in the midst of a crisis born of political apathy towards tackling the difficult problems of social care capacity, delayed discharges and the overall issue of hospital flow.
“Today’s budget indicates once again that the Scottish government understands what the issues are. £2.3bn extra for social care, an uplift in frontline NHS spending, specific targeted action on delayed discharge and local engagement – these are all measures we warmly welcome from the government.
“As well as this, our members will be pleased to hear about improvements to training, retention and working conditions.
“However, we’ve been here before. Time after time the reality in our A&Es has got worse, not better, despite claims from the government that the NHS has been on ‘the path to recovery’ in recent years.
“We are seeing more and more patients waiting alone on trolleys in hospital corridors for hours on end, getting sicker and being put at risk of harm.
“This has happened because exit block has not been tackled, despite promises to the contrary from the government.
“The devil will be in the detail and I will reserve judgement for when myself, and the members I represent, see improvements in our Emergency Departments.
“We look forward to continued engagement with the government on how it seeks to tackle hospital flow, and await further information on how the Health Secretary will take today’s promises and turn them into action and, ultimately, improvements for our patients.”
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU, said: “This Budget offers some short-term stability for councils, but it ducks the bigger questions about how local government is funded.
There is still no meaningful move towards multi-year settlements, which councils overwhelmingly say they need in order to plan sustainably. Our annual State of Local Government Finance in Scotland research, launched last week, reinforces this.
Incentivising a council tax freeze risks further undermining local fiscal autonomy, while adult social care remains the single biggest pressure on council finances without clear, dedicated funding.
Housing investment is welcome, but spreading it across the country without enabling local flexibility limits its capacity to tackle the areas of greatest need.
Overall, this is a Budget that manages immediate pressures but avoids the structural reform required to put local government finance on a sustainable footing.”
The Existing Homes Alliance (EHA) is a coalition of over 20 housing, environmental, fuel poverty, consumer and industry organisations calling for urgent action to transform Scotland’s existing housing stock.
Lori McElroy, Chair of the Existing Homes Alliance said:“While we welcome the ongoing support to help homeowners, landlords and tenants to make their homes warmer, healthier and more affordable to heat, this remains a drop in the ocean when we have over 800,000 households living in fuel poverty and 44% of Scotland’s homes falling below Energy Performance Certificate band C.
“Scotland has excellent fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes such as Warmer Homes Scotland, Area-based Schemes and the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, as well as generous grants through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme, but the gap between what is needed and what is currently being delivered is wide.
“This Budget, as it stands, is a missed opportunity to significantly scale up these programmes which would reduce fuel poverty, improve public health by tackling damp and mould, and prepare the workforce and supply chains needed to deliver our climate change targets – supporting thousands of jobs and economic opportunities across Scotland.”
Joanne Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “For children to thrive, it’s vital that they have the best start in life, and so we are heartened by the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase the Child Payment for under ones. But we are disappointed that young families now will not reap those benefits, with it starting in more than a year’s time.
“We also welcome the Scottish Government’s renewed investment in the whole family support fund and its work to continue to deliver the Promise. But it is so important that in this it recognises the fundamental need for support for very young children, just like the Scottish Child Payment does, so that families get the help they need right from the start.”
Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell has responded to the Scottish Government’s tax and spending plans for 2026 to 2027.
Chief Constable Farrell said: “I recognise a £90m cash-terms uplift to revenue funding and an improved capital allocation for policing against a challenging public finance picture.
“I set out the funding requirements for policing in evidence during the Criminal Justice Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny work.
“Police Scotland will continue to engage with the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government to understand the full implications of the budget and develop our planning for the year ahead.
“My focus continues to be on prioritising our frontline to deliver safer communities, less crime, and supported victims as part of our vision for policing.”
“Real Roads Don’t Reset”, warns a powerful new gaming-themed campaign to tackle speeding among young drivers, launched today by the Scottish Government, Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland.
Around 1 in 5 newly qualified drivers are involved in a collision within the first year behind the wheel, while nearly 1 in 3 drivers killed while speeding are aged 16-25.
Spanning TV, streaming services, cinema, outdoor and digital advertising, supported by content from influencers, football and rugby partnerships and PR, the campaign reminds young people that unlike their favourite games, there are no second chances on real roads and the consequences of dangerous driving can be devastating.
It also highlights the tougher legal penalties for drivers in the first two years after passing their tests.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “When you speed, you’re risking not only your own life but those of your passengers and everyone else on the road.
“A collision can happen no matter how good a driver you think you are. One moment of lost control can cost you everything – leaving you with a life-changing injury, the loss of someone close, or even a prison sentence.
“A single avoidable mistake can leave you with a lifetime of regret.”
Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s Head of Road Policing, said: “Skills behind the wheel of a car in a racing game have absolutely nothing to do with your ability in a real car.
“In real life, countless factors are at play including the weather, road conditions, weight of the car, number of passengers and the behaviour of other drivers on the road. Even a small error of judgement could have permanent consequences.”
He emphasised the particular dangers of speeding on rural routes: “Young drivers often assume country roads are quieter and safer but that’s far from the reality. Rural roads are unpredictable, with blind bends, hidden dips, farm vehicles, animals, poor lighting, and sudden hazards.
“Don’t assume you won’t be caught speeding because the road seems empty. Our officers are on patrol across the country, and you could face a fine, points, or you may have your license revoked. Don’t be the driver no one wants to get in the car with.”
An initial phase of the campaign focused on the dangers of drink and drug-driving, tying in with Police Scotland’s annual festive enforcement campaign.
Budgets reflect the choices and priorities of our Governments. Our political leaders have a responsibility to use them to build an economy and society in which all people the income necessary to live in decency and dignity.
In October 2025, thousands of people from across Scotland took to the streets of Edinburgh in the Scotland Demands Better campaign march and rally, the largest anti-poverty demonstration our country has seen in decades.
They stood together to demand that politicians build a Scotland free from poverty, creating the conditions for better jobs, better investment in life’s essentials and vitally, better social security.
In this briefing, we set out how MSPs can build a better future for Scotland’s children:
Hospital violence charity among 19 to share in £1 million fund
Medics Against Violence (MAV), a charity operating across 10 hospital Emergency Departments, is among 19 organisations to receive a share of more than £1 million from the Victim Surcharge Fund, which is financed by penalties imposed on offenders who received a court fine.
The funding will support MAV to offer practical assistance and essential items to people arriving at hospital after experiencing violence or exploitation. It will also enhance the charity’s Navigator programmes, which support people to make positive changes and connect them with community organisations.
This is the sixth round of payments from the Victim Surcharge Fund – which was established in November 2019 to provide practical help directly to victims of crime. This takes the total awarded to date from the Fund to £3,486,972.
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown announced the latest funding allocation as she visited MAV’s Glasgow headquarters to learn more about its work.Ms Brown said: “It is only right that the people who commit crimes contribute towards helping victims and their families recover from trauma.
“I am pleased that since the first awards were made in January 2021, the fund has helped more than 7,000 people affected by crime, distributing almost £3.5 million in support to organisations that support victims of crime.
“The Victim Surcharge Fund allows organisations such as Medics Against Violence to respond quickly and compassionately by providing practical, immediate help to victims of crime when they need it most.”
David Duncan, Chief Executive Officer at Medics Against Violence, added: “Support from the Scottish Government’s Victim Surcharge Fund will be used directly to strengthen the help we provide to victims of crime through our Navigator programmes.
“This investment enables us to offer immediate practical assistance to people arriving in hospital after experiencing violence or exploitation, short‑term wellbeing support in the days that follow, and specialist, age‑appropriate care for children and young people who have been harmed.
“It also allows our Navigators to work alongside victims as they regain stability -advocating for access to housing, mental health services, financial advice, and community support.
“By reducing barriers for those who may feel isolated, frightened, or unsure where to turn, this funding ensures we can respond quickly, compassionately, and in a trauma‑informed way at the moments when victims of crime are most vulnerable. It makes a tangible difference to safety, recovery, and long‑term wellbeing.”
Debbie Adams, Director of Development and External Affairs at Victim Support Scotland, said: “We are extremely grateful to be recipients of the Scottish Government’s Victim Surcharge Fund. The VSF ensures that the fines received by offenders go directly towards helping people impacted by crime.
“In Victim Support Scotland’s case, the VSF goes towards our Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF), which provides a lifeline for people who are in urgent need of financial help as a result of a crime. It can provide life-essential things like emergency household goods, groceries, travel to a place of safety, costs to repair damaged items, and security equipment.
“In 2024-25, the EAF distributed £538,974 worth of funds to people in need. One EAF recipient said that the items they received enabled them to “safeguard our household“, highlighting how it can help people take back control after experiencing crime. This funding will enable us to provide ongoing direct, immediate assistance for those in urgent need.”
Investment creating jobs and providing for communities
Scotland’s Displaced Workers Scheme signals the type of country the government is working to create, according to First Minister John Swinney.
The £500,000 scheme is helping employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK and find themselves without sponsored employment. It also mitigates the loss of international recruitment caused by changes to the UK immigration system.
Ahead of publication of the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 tomorrow, the First Minister announced that the fund is reopening for applications following positive feedback from providers.
The First Minister met internationally recruited social care employees during a visit to health and social care charity Quarriers.
He said: “The UK Government’s decision to close the adult social care visa route to new overseas applications means this vital sector faces significant recruitment challenges during a time of great need.
“I have heard how our Displaced Workers Scheme is enabling more people to continue to build lives and livelihoods in a welcoming and open Scotland. It signals the type of country we are working to create – one with kindness and fairness at its heart – and ensures we can continue making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable.
“We have already received 138 expressions of interest in the scheme, with positions expected to be filled over this month and next. But we want many more employers and workers to benefit, so we are reopening the fund and I would urge all eligible social care providers to express an interest in applying.
“This innovative scheme is just one example of how we are increasing capacity and relieving pressure within our health and social care system. This kind of delivery is what the people of Scotland can expect from the government’s Budget for 2026-27, which the Finance Secretary will set out tomorrow. The Scottish Budget will be firmly focused on my priorities: delivering strong and sustainable public services, growing the economy and supporting families.”
Alastair Dickson, Director of People and Wellbeing at Quarriers, said: “We were pleased to welcome the First Minister to our service in Cowdenbeath to meet international care workers and hear directly about their significant contribution to Quarriers. As an employer sponsor, this aligns with our priorities of investment, innovation, and inclusion to strengthen services and support a stable workforce.
“Quarriers is grateful for support through the Displaced Worker Scheme. It is a practical, targeted measure that helps employers like us meet the additional costs of recruiting workers who are already in the UK but have lost sponsorship through no fault of their own. This helps protect continuity of care and workforce capacity.”
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) met again yesterday as agencies continue to deal with the impact of sustained cold and wintry weather across much of northern Scotland and other parts of the country.
The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings covering much of Scotland, including an Amber warning for snow in parts of central and north-east Scotland – valid from 3 am to 2 pm on Sunday – with a complex mix of snow, heavy rain, strong winds and possibly freezing rain due to mark an end to the cold spell in place since the start of the year.
Several Yellow rain warnings have been issued for western, northern Scotland and southwest Scotland, highlighting some risks of flooding, including in those areas further north where rainfall combines with snow melt. Wind will also become a factor, with a wind Yellow warning in place for much of the country for most of Sunday. SEPA has also issuing regional flood alerts.
The forecast conditions are expected to impact both road and rail networks, with the potential for challenging driving conditions and route closures, as well as delays and service cancellations.
More widely, there is a possibility of power cuts and a potential risk to life and property. People and communities should consider travel plans and take action to minimise these risks. There is a high risk of disruption in particular in snow amber areas and drivers are advised to follow police advice on the conditions.
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice & Home Affairs Angela Constance chaired the latest SGoRR meeting, attended by the First Minister as well as agencies including the Met Office, SEPA, police, local authorities, resilience partnerships, transport and utilities companies.
Ms Constance said: “At today’s SGoRR meeting the Met Office advised partners how we are facing a complicated multi-hazard event, affecting various parts of the country in different ways and at different times over Sunday and into Monday.It involves various combinations of continued snowfall, milder conditions leading to snowmelt, and with heavy rain in some areas leading to a flooding risk from Sunday afternoon.
“Given that complexity I was reassured to hear how partners remain stood up and are working tirelessly across the weekend to continue supporting communities and to respond as the conditions and the nature of the hazards change.
“I am grateful for the work of partners, from frontline responders and agencies to contractors, voluntary groups and individuals who have worked so hard to respond to the impacts of this prolonged period of heavy snowfall and other wintry weather.
“The sustained nature of this weather event, and the different elements of it, are clearly very challenging for communities and responders alike, given the difficulties already caused by the weather since the start of the year.
“As ever, I would encourage people to follow the advice for their local area provided by key agencies, online and on social media, including from the Met Office, SEPA and Police Scotland and to plan ahead for the coming days.”
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.
Law change will give social landlords greater control to transfer tenancies from abusers to victims
Regulations have been laid in Parliament that will make it easier for victims of domestic abuse to remain safely in their homes with the tenancy in their name.
For the first time social landlords, rather than the victims themselves, will be allowed to take legal action to end an abuser’s tenancy.
Subject to Parliament’s approval the regulations will bring Part 2 of the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021 into force.
This will mean that from 1 August 2026, where conditions set out in the new law are met, social landlords will be able to apply for a court order to enable them to transfer a tenancy from an abusive tenant to their victim.
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Domestic abuse must be eradicated from our society and as Housing Secretary I am determined to protect the housing rights of women and children.
“No one should have to choose between their safety and their home. These new regulations will give social landlords new powers to protect victims of domestic abuse and hold perpetrators to account.
“By allowing social landlords to take action on behalf of victims, we are removing a significant barrier that has forced too many people to flee their homes to escape abuse. Now, the perpetrator can be made to leave – not leaving this to the victim or survivor.
“This is an important step in our commitment to tackling domestic abuse and to supporting those affected by it to rebuild their lives.”
‘
Scottish Women’s Aid CEO Dr Marsha Scott said: “We welcome the change in the law, which we have been campaigning for.
“Housing is one of the main challenges women face when ending a relationship with an abusive partner and keeping a roof over the heads of their family and avoiding homelessness are critical pressures.
Not all can stay in their own homes safely, which is why refuge provision is so important, but for the many who could, this regulatory change will bring much-needed reform.
“This change should enable women and their children to stay in their home, their schools and the area where they often have a support network and moves the consequences of abuse where they belong – the abuser.”
In November the Scottish Government published a new draft Climate Change Plan, a critically important document which should explain how it plans to reduce emissions across all parts of the economy and society.
But it doesn’t contain the ambitious, fair action we need to tackle the climate crisis and deliver real benefits to our lives. We need your help to put pressure on the Scottish Government to improve it.
A proper climate plan should contain full details of the steps that will be taken to stop damaging the climate and to make our homes warmer, improve buses, trains and cycling, and enable us all to access healthy, sustainable food. It shouldn’t rely on unproven, expensive technologies to capture emissions that aren’t currently working at scale anywhere in the world.
You can answer as few or as many questions as you like, you don’t need to be a technical expert. What is valuable is for you to share your experiences and and what climate action would benefit your household and community.
Sending an email allows you to write what you care about without being constrained by the consultation questions and to make your MSP aware of your concerns.
If you are part of climate action happening in your community, explain what you are doing and how the government could support this.
What sort of action needs to be in the Climate Change Plan to make a real difference to the climate, your life, your local community, and to people around the world. For example, action to help make your home warmer and bills lower, public transport easier to use, or access to local, healthy food.
Don’t worry if you’ve not been able to read the draft Climate Change Plan – it’s just important that you share your views on climate action.
2. It’s essential that you complete this form and attach it to the email, to make sure your views are taken into account.
3. You could include your MSPs in the email so they are aware of the climate action you want to see – you can find their email addresses by clicking ‘find MSPs by postcode’ here. You could also ask them for a meeting to discuss the issues you are raising.
Thank you for taking part – public pressure has forced politicians to deliver more ambitious climate action in the past, and this is a critical moment to do so again.
