Scottish Government – Page 172 – The NEN

COP27 Climate Talks: UK & Scottish Governments must ‘set an end date for fossil fuels’ to meet goals

+ UN warns world on track for catastrophic 2.8C of heating
+ Call for Scotland to finally join global Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance
+ UK Gov’t urged to ‘Free Alaa’ from Egyptian prison
+ Scottish Climate March planned for Edinburgh

Ahead of the UN climate talks in Egypt, campaigners have issued a warning to the UK and Scottish Governments that they must ‘set an end date’ for oil and gas if the world is to stay within agreed climate limits.

The UN recently warned that the world was on course for a catastrophic 2.8C of climate warming by the end of this century, saying that emissions must fall significantly by 2030 if we are to stay within agreed climate limits. However the UK Government is opening new oil and gas fields, encouraging companies to explore for more fossil fuels and briefly tried to bring back fracking.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who will join the talks in Egypt, said at COP26 that Scotland would work towards becoming part of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance – a group of nations who have committed to a managed phase out of oil and gas in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

One year on this commitment has not been made. The forthcoming Scottish Energy Strategy must establish a phase out of oil and gas for any chance of meeting our climate targets.

Demonstrations are all but banned in Egypt, which has a dire track record on human rights. Consequently there will not be any mass protests during the talks but instead Egyptian activists along with allies across African countries and the Arab world, have called for a global mobilisation to draw attention to demands for climate justice and human rights.

Edinburgh will host a Climate Justice March on Saturday 12 November as part of this Global Day of Action during COP27.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said: “In the 12 months since COP26 ended we’ve seen yet again the devastating impacts of global heating at only 1.1C of warming – 30 million people flooded in Pakistan, famine across east Africa, wildfire and drought in the UK during the summer heatwave, and thousands of premature deaths from that same heatwave.

“Politicians did a lot of backslapping at COP26 with the UK presidency claiming to have kept the goal of 1.5C alive but these are empty words without the action to deliver on them. Over the last year the UK Government has actively made the climate crisis worse as it opened up new oil fields, tried to bring back fracking and is still considering opening a new coal mine.

“The UK and the Scottish Governments need to set an end date for fossil fuels well within the decade and redouble efforts for a fair transition away to a renewable powered economy, with affordable heat and transport for all.

“For COP27 to have any chance of success the talks need to see rich historical polluters like the UK come to the table willing to deliver their fair share of climate action, which means deep and rapid cuts to climate emissions in line with our responsibility for causing the crisis. A fair outcome would also include paying our climate debt to those nations who have done the least to cause the crisis and yet find themselves on the sharpest ends of its extreme impacts.

“Yet none of the big historical polluters including the UK is committing to anything near what is needed or owed. Instead, governments and corporations are greenwashing business as usual and relying on fantasy techno-fixes like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen to save the day.”

Commenting on the human rights situation in Egypt, and the ongoing hunger strike of British-Egyptian blogger and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, one of Egypt’s highest profile prisoners of conscience who has been in prison for most of the last 8 years, Church continued: “The human rights situation in Egypt is atrocious, and we stand in solidarity with Egyptians and call for the release of all political prisoners and the opening up of civic space.

“There can be no climate justice without human rights and without public participation in shaping the transition to a world freed from fossil fuels.

“The UK Government must not return from Egypt without British citizen and human rights defender Abdel Abd El Fattah who is currently on hunger strike in an Egyptian jail for the so-called crime of sharing a Facebook post.” 

FoES Head of Campaigns Mary Church will be attending the second week of COP27.

The First Minister will today call on world leaders to deliver on the commitments they made in the Glasgow Climate Pact, as she attends the first full day of the COP27 climate conference in Egypt.

The First Minister will take part in an all-female panel discussion on financing decarbonisation with government leaders, including the Prime Minister of Barbados.

The First Minister will also meet representatives of countries from the Global South to hear their experiences of the climate crisis and what they want to see delivered at the climate talks.

Ahead of the formal opening of COP27 the First Minister met on Sunday with the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Simon Stiell, Director General of the International Organization for Migration Antonio Vitorino and Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados.

The First Minister said: “COP26 in Glasgow delivered real progress on tackling the climate crisis, with strengthened commitments to curb emissions, build resilience to climate change, and provide the finance needed to reach net zero. World leaders must use the next two weeks to take meaningful steps to deliver on the promises made in the Glasgow Climate Pact.

“We are gathering against a tense backdrop and the geopolitical landscape has changed significantly in the last year, not least as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. However the climate crisis has not gone away and the answer to many of the global crises we face, such as energy security and food shortages, lies in going faster.

“For many countries, particularly in the global south, this must be the COP where the global north not only delivers on our promises to finance adaptation and mitigation, but recognises the need to address the loss and damage experienced by countries already impacted by climate change.

“Last year, Scotland became the first developed nation to pledge finance to address loss and damage and others have now followed suit, including Wallonia and Denmark. This shows just how important the action of smaller governments can be, and I know many countries and campaigners hope to see other countries, particularly in the north, step up and make COP in Egypt the loss and damage COP.”

Difficult budget decisions needed to balance the books, warns Holyrood’s Finance Committee

A Holyrood committee has warned of difficult tax and spending decisions in the budget if the Scottish Government is to balance the books and address both the cost of living crisis and the lasting impact of Covid.

In a report published today, the Finance and Public Administration Committee’s says an ‘open and honest debate’ with the public needs to be fostered on how to balance spending priorities and taxation.

In its report, the Committee notes that public sector pay rises will be funded, at least in part, through a headcount reduction in the public sector, but calls on the Scottish Government to ensure this is done in a co-ordinated way that minimises the impact on public services.

The report adds it is also now time for the UK Government to concentrate on putting in place measures to bring more stability to the UK economy and recognise the impact of inflation on the Scottish block grant.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Our Committee accepts that the Scottish Government faces difficult choices in balancing its approaches to spending and taxation – especially if it’s to maintain financial sustainability and support households and businesses through the cost of living crisis.

“An open and honest debate with the public about how services and priorities are funded is now needed, including on the role of taxation in funding wider policy benefits for society.”

On the challenges facing the public sector, Mr Gibson said: “We acknowledge the challenge the Scottish Government faces in identifying additional money to fund public sector pay rises which respond to inflation.

“The UK Government should also recognise the impact of inflation on the Scottish block grant.

“We ask for assurances from the Scottish Government that it will approach reducing the public sector headcount in a systematic, transparent, and co-ordinated way. This should be done in tandem with the public service reform agenda, with a view to minimising any impact on the delivery of public services.

“As we say in our report, it is now time for the UK Government to concentrate on putting in place measures to bring more stability to the UK economy.”

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RCEM welcomes Scottish Government expansion of medical training places

Investment to create 152 extra doctor training places

The biggest ever expansion of medical training posts will see 152 additional places created for trainee doctors in 2023.

The Scottish Government will provide £37 million over the next four years to help meet the challenges facing Scotland’s NHS and future-proof it against rising demand.

This exceeds last year’s record increase of 139 places, and equates to a 2.5% increase in the current Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) workforce of 6100 trainees – making it the most significant increase in medical training places to date.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) recommended the Scottish Government fund the creation of additional training places in a number of key specialties including General Practice, Core Psychiatry, Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care Medicine, Anaesthetics and Paediatrics.

The majority of successful applicants will take up posts in August 2023, however the Scottish Government is also funding additional Core Psychiatry training places which will have an earlier start date of February 2023. Further Core Psychiatry training places will also be made available for the August 2023 start date.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “These additional training places highlight the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to ensure our health service is resilient and can continue delivering high quality care to those who need it.

“This record expansion will support a wide range of medical specialties, many of which are under increased pressure as a result of growing demand.

“We will continue to monitor the number of available training places in collaboration with NHS Education for Scotland to help make sure the NHS is equipped to meet the country’s current and future needs.”

NHS Education for Scotland Medical Director, Dr Emma Watson said: “We welcome this announcement of additional posts across a wide range of specialties.

“We believe Scotland offers the highest quality medical education. Our trainees are the NHS workforce of the future – enabling us to offer better quality care and outcomes for every citizen in Scotland.”

The biggest ever expansion of medical training posts will see 152 additional places created for trainee doctors in 2023.

The Scottish Government will provide £37 million over the next four years to help meet the challenges facing Scotland’s NHS and future-proof it against rising demand.

“This record expansion will support a wide range of medical specialties, many of which are under increased pressure as a result of growing demand.

NHS Education for Scotland Medical Director, Dr Emma Watson said: “We welcome this announcement of additional posts across a wide range of specialties.

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s expansion of the Emergency Medicine workforce by opening 10 additional training places in 2023, Dr John-Paul Loughrey, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to expand the medical workforce in Scotland and open 152 additional training places for doctors in 2023 – 10 of which have been allocated to Emergency Medicine.

“RCEM has been campaigning to safely staff emergency departments in Scotland for some time. Our Scotland Census, published in 2021, illustrated the significant shortfall in staff of all disciplines. In particular, the shortage of senior decision-making doctors in Scotland including consultants.

“We have also consistently called for a long-term fully funded NHS workforce plan in Scotland, so we are pleased to see the Scottish government heed our calls and take action. We particularly commend the move to exceed last year’s record increase and fund Emergency Medicine as a key specialty.

“Given the time taken to train senior specialists in Emergency Medicine, the benefit of this increase will take time to be seen. While it will take several years to train these future doctors, staff will be relieved to know that there is the will to acknowledge our staffing gaps and respond appropriately.

“However, it is critical that this commitment to bolster the workforce does not ignore the fact that existing staff are overstretched, burnt out and exhausted. We ask the Scottish Government to take the next step and ensure that we retain existing staff who, given the incredibly challenging conditions, may be considering their careers.”

More children and family support

Early learning and childcare savings

Families of more than 83,200 children are saving around £5,000 per eligible child per year, thanks to the Scottish Government’s Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) offer.

Latest figures show a year-on-year increase in children accessing funded ELC.

The number taking up the full offer of 1,140 hours a year is also up from this time last year. If families paid for this themselves, it would cost them around £5,000 per eligible child per year.

A total of 93,902 children aged two to five were accessing funded ELC at the start of September – a 3% rise from the same time last year. Of those, 83,237 – 89% – were benefiting from the 1,140 hours offer.

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “Scotland is the only part of the UK to offer 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare to all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.

“This offer saves families a significant amount of money, which is particularly important at a time when so many are struggling with cost of living pressures. It also supports parents into work, training or study.

“High-quality ELC benefits children, too, by enriching their early years and giving them the confidence and skills they need to prepare them for school.

“We intend to expand our childcare offer even further, including building a future system of school age childcare and a new early learning and childcare offer for one and two-year-olds, starting with those who need it most.”

COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan said: “I’m pleased that today’s figures confirm that nearly 94,000 two to five-year-old children are accessing funded Early Learning and Childcare delivered by Scotland’s Councils and their partners, which represents a 3% increase on the position a year ago.

“A greater proportion of children are accessing the full 1,140 hours entitlement, compared with April this year. The increased availability of funded ELC is allowing children more time to play and learn, and more opportunities for parents and carers to work, study or volunteer, as well significant financial savings for families at a time when this is so desperately needed.”

Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Progress Report

Extension to Edinburgh’s LEAP recovery service

Residential rehabilitation capacity increased through Scottish Government funding

Additional residential rehabilitation and detox capacity has been created at a life-saving drugs service in Lothian with almost £3.3 million of Scottish Government funding.

Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) has added eight residential rehabilitation places and four detox places – bringing the total number to 28 and 12 respectively – in one of the first projects to be funded through the Residential Rehabilitation Rapid Capacity Programme.

This contributes towards the Scottish Government’s aim to treble the number of publicly funded residential rehabilitation placements to 1,000 by 2026.

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “I am pleased to launch these additional services at LEAP which provide invaluable, life-saving care to people affected by substance use in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“Of course, work on residential rehab is not just about creating more beds. We want to improve pathways through and out of residential rehab, and LEAP is a perfect example of good practice in this area with their three-month holistic programme of therapeutic care.

“We are investing £250 million over the course of this Parliament in a range of different treatments and services in order that all those affected, and their families, can receive the support which is right for them when they need it. £100 million of this is available for the development of residential rehabilitation services and associated aftercare.”

LEAP Clinical lead Dr David McCartney said: “We are thrilled to be launching significant developments to the LEAP residential rehabilitation service including improved access, greater capacity and more comprehensive aftercare.

“These improvements are being made possible due to investment from the Scottish Government and the Lothian Alcohol and Drug Partnerships. LEAP and our partners will see improved outcomes for our patients and their families who are struggling with addiction to substances, helping them move to recovery – something that will benefit individuals, families and communities.”

Join the fight for the rights of people with Learning Disabilities

EDINBURGH residents have been invited to attend a campaign meeting hosted by ENABLE Scotland at 95 Causewayside, Newington on 9 November 2022 from 7pm to 9pm designed to inform the charity’s calls to the Scottish Government.

The event is designed to collate feedback and evidence from the community that will then go on to inform the charities proposals for the Bill based on real, lived experiences of the learning disability community.

Following a campaign from ENABLE Scotland members, the Scottish Government has announced that it will bring forward a new Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill (LDAN). This is believed to be the first Bill of its kind, worldwide.

Local people in Edinburgh can attend the event to find out more information about the proposed LDAN Bill and feedback their thoughts, asks and concerns about the protection of human rights and their first-hand experiences of the failings and challenges relating to the current system and the associated laws.

ENABLE Scotland will take the feedback from the event to inform its campaigning around the Bill proposals ensuring that people living with learning disabilities, and their families, are at the heart of the new legislation.

Jan Savage, Director of ENABLE Scotland said: “For too long, people who have a learning disability have been Scotland’s invisible people. Subject to poor attitudes and persistently poor public services where they have to fight for their rights.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring forward legislation which secures people’s rights in law. It is so important that every voice of every person who has a learning disability is informing this process which is why we are inviting people with lived experience – as well as supporters from the local community in Edinburgh – to come along, hear about the plans for the Bill and have their say in what ENABLE Scotland will be asking of the Scottish Government.

“The work will not stop there. We are committed to the community that support us in our campaign for the LDAN Bill and as such we will ensure regular updates, information on campaigning and actionable communications to MSP will be shared with our supporters as the Bill progresses through Scottish Parliament over the next two years.

“The Scottish Government have agreed that change is needed. We will not get this chance again. If you care about the human rights of people who have a learning disability and want to be part of a movement for change with other like-minded people – we want to meet you on 9 November 2022!”

The charity says that now is the time for change, citing evidence that – amongst other shocking stats – less than 7% of people who have a learning disability have a job, adults who have a learning disability in Scotland die 20 years younger than other adults and children with a learning disability are 12 times more likely to die from preventable illness than other children.

The LDAN Bill provides an opportunity to ensure that the rights of people with a learning disability are protected in law. The Scottish Government has also said that it will create a new Commissioner to make sure that these rights are upheld.

The LDAN Bill is being proposed as a replacement for the current Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, that ENABLE Scotland believes does not go far enough in protecting the human rights of those in the learning-disabled community and a new Bill and set of laws is pertinent to the safeguarding of individuals in Scotland.

ENABLE has also launched a national survey for people to submit their views if they are unable to make it along to one of the local campaign meetings, please complete here.

Emergency Budget Review published

Additional funding to help those most in need

Measures announced today will provide further help to those most impacted by the cost of living crisis while tackling budget pressures caused by rising inflation and economic uncertainty.

The Emergency Budget Review (EBR) for 2022-23 identifies funding of around £35 million for a range of initiatives to support people with the increased cost of living, including doubling the Fuel Insecurity Fund, doubling the Scottish Child Bridging Payment to £260 and a new £1.4 million Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund to help island households manage higher energy costs.

Significant investment in public sector pay deals – delivering higher increases in pay for low earners – is also designed to help families and individuals deal with the cost of living crisis.

Other measures include:

confirming funds to local authorities to support Discretionary Housing Payments
establishing a Joint Taskforce with business, COSLA, local authorities and agencies to consider the differing impacts of regulation on business
extending energy advice to businesses by investing £300,000 to expand the services of Business Energy Scotland, while doubling the value of the SME energy efficiency Loan and Cash Back Scheme for energy efficiency to £20,000
new payment break options to help protect those who have agreed to repay debt through the Debt Arrangement Scheme but face unexpected increases in the cost of living

Additional savings of £615 million have been identified to enable enhanced public sector pay offers to be made while maintaining a route to complying with Ministers’ responsibility to balance the budget. They follow savings of £560 million announced on 7 September.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “There has never been a time of greater pressure on the public finances.

“The Scottish Government’s budget today is worth £1.7 billion less than when it was published last December. At the same time, demand for government support and intervention is understandably increasing while we continue to try to fund increased public sector pay claims, particularly for those on lowest incomes.

“These savings are not ones we would wish to make, but in the absence of additional funding from the UK Government, we are left with no alternative.

“We must balance the books while prioritising funding to help families, back business, provide fair pay awards and to protect the delivery of public services. This Emergency Budget Review delivers on these objectives.”

Responding to the Ministerial Statement: Emergency Budget Review, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “No-one should underestimate the very serious economic situation in which the Scottish Government finds itself.

“By far the greatest blame lies at the door of the calamitous Tory Government at Westminster. The STUC supports the Scottish Government’s call for the UK Chancellor to get real about the need to increase, not attack, public sector funding, for the full protection of benefits and the mitigation of fuel poverty through windfall taxes.

“However, the Scottish Government’s previous failures are coming back to bite us now. Earlier this year it could have increased taxes on the better off and reformed the flawed Small Business Bonus Scheme, but it chose not to.

“Our members have no choice but to continue to take action to protect workers from the worst of the cost-of-living crisis.

“The Scottish Government’s next budget is critical. Our People’s Plan for Action, supported by the Poverty Alliance and civil society groups across Scotland, will continue to build pressure on the Government to use its tax powers in 2023 to support decent pay, reduce economic inequality and protect our vital public services.”

The Deputy First Minister’s Emergency Budget Review statement

Young people to have their say at COP27

Youth Negotiator Programme will help give global youth a voice at climate talks

Young people from some of the countries already facing the worst impacts of climate change are being given the opportunity to attend COP27 in Egypt as part of the Scottish Government’s work to widen access to climate negotiations.

The Climate Youth Negotiator Programme will support 35 young people from countries including the Solomon Islands, Liberia and Bhutan to attend the UN climate negotiations, which take place from 6-18 November. The initiative is being delivered in partnership with the Future Leaders Network, with financial backing from the Scottish Government.

The programme will fund their participation and training with the aim of giving young people a voice in the talks and developing their negotiations and leadership skills.

The Scottish Government is also providing funding to help women from the Global South participate. The Women’s Delegate Fund, delivered in partnership with the Women’s Environment Development Organisation, will support four women from Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Timor-Leste to take part in discussions at COP27.

The Scottish Government will be hosting an event at COP27 with attendees from the Climate Youth Negotiator Programme and Women’s Delegate Fund.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “At COP26 in Glasgow, one of our biggest achievements was raising awareness that the people least responsible for global warming are often the ones suffering its worst consequences.

“Young people in the global south are all too aware of this injustice – they have not caused this crisis, but their lives are already being impacted by its consequences. That is why it is so important that their voices are heard at COP27 and I am proud that Scotland is able to help make that happen.”

Sophie Daud, Chief Executive Officer of the Future Leaders Network and Co-founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy, added: “For too long, young people have been systematically underrepresented in climate change negotiations.

“Recent developments have seen young people as powerful motivational speakers, but are often tokenistic and continue to exclude youth from decision making. The Scottish Government’s transformative support will help to change this – by enabling 35 young negotiators from the global south to take their rightful seats at the decision making tables at COP27.

“We are delighted to partner with them, and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of meaningful youth participation this COP.”

Scottish Social Attitudes Survey shows ‘Faith in the Scottish Government to deliver on behalf of the people’

Figures show continued trust in the Scottish Government

Three-quarters (75%) of people in Scotland believe the Scottish Government should have the most influence over the way the country is run, compared to just 14% who believe the UK Government should.

This year’s Scottish Social Attitudes Survey also shows 66% of people trust the Scottish Government to work in the country’s best interests.

The survey measured the public’s views on a range of issues including influence over how Scotland is run, levels of tax and government priorities, the economy, NHS and political engagement.

Its findings reflect emerging public concern in the cost of living crisis, with 66% of respondents believing the economy had got weaker in the previous 12 months.

The survey has previously been conducted face to face but as a result of coronavirus restrictions in place at the time of fieldwork, this year’s survey was completed via telephone.

This change in methodology has impacted the nature of the sample and responses received, and as a result has affected comparability with survey data from previous years. This year’s report solely focusses on data from this year’s survey rather than examining trends over time.

The findings also show:

64% of people thought the level of taxation and spending on health, education and social benefits should be increased, whilst 32% thought the level of taxation and spending should stay the same
68% agreed that income should be redistributed from the better-off to those who are less well-off, while 16% disagreed
over half of people (54%) in Scotland were satisfied with the way NHS Scotland is run
98% of people thought it was important to vote in Scottish Parliament elections, 95% in local council elections and 92% in UK Government elections
64% of people thought the Scottish Parliament was giving Scotland a stronger voice in the UK and only 7% thought it was giving Scotland a weaker voice

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The findings in this survey demonstrate continued faith in the Scottish Government to deliver on behalf of the people of Scotland. They clearly show that despite these uncertain times, people agree with the Scottish Government’s priorities to build a fairer, greener, wealthier Scotland.

“Despite these figures being from earlier in the year it is clear the cost of living crisis was starting to impact family finances and alarm bells were ringing about the economy.

“The Scottish Government is working tirelessly to provide support to those who need it most. We are increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week and extending it to eligible children under 16 in the coming weeks, helping thousands of additional families this winter.

“We are also continuing to urge the UK Government to take all of the necessary steps to support the most vulnerable through this profoundly difficult time.

“Given the clear democratic mandate we have, not to mention the continued trust the public has in the Scottish Government to act in their interest, we will work to ensure people have a choice on independence, ensuring that choice is an informed one.”

Scottish Social Attitudes 2021/2022

A transparent approach to benefit take-up progress in Scotland

New annual publication provides estimates of benefit take-up rates

A new annual publication with estimated take-up rates of Scottish social security benefits has been published for the first time.

The report will help track progress against the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-up Strategy which is a requirement of the 2018 Social Security (Scotland) Act.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a transparent social security system and reporting annually on progress will support that aim. This first publication covers estimates from introduction of the benefits up to the end of March in the 2021-2022 financial year and will sit alongside existing performance reporting on Social Security Scotland.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “We are committed to making sure everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to and our benefit take-up strategy outlines how we are doing this.

“We actively work to encourage take-up of Scottish social security benefits by promoting our 12 benefits, collaborating with various organisations and removing barriers to access.

“This new publication of estimated take-up rates provides us with valuable insights, and will help us to identify where we can do more. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures we are making progress in breaking down the barriers to access, and in reducing stigma that may have previously led to people not accessing the benefits they are entitled to.

“For example, we have been working with supermarket retailers to promote Best Start Foods, we have shared over 42,000 leaflets about our five family payments and Child Disability Payment in NHS Scotland’s baby boxes, and we have included information on Scottish social security benefits in welcome packs supporting refugees.

“Our efforts to maximise incomes and support benefit take-up are even more important during the current cost of living crisis. Our new cost of living website is a trusted ‘one stop shop’ for advice and information about financial support available in Scotland, including all our Scottish benefits.

“I would encourage everyone to use and share this website, to make sure people are accessing the financial support they are entitled to.”

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View and download Take-Up Rates of Scottish Benefits: October 2022.