Tag: Scottish Government

Sarah Boyack: Scotland’s Arts and Culture on the brink of collapse

AROUND 30 arts and culture organisations attended a Roundtable on the impact of the cost of living crisis on culture, hosted last week by Scottish Labour’s Spokesperson for Culture, Sarah Boyack MSP and shared their concerns about the future of the sector.

The roundtable was organised to better understand how dramatically increasing running costs and falling income due to overstretched households will impact on arts and culture organisations in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

From smaller, community-based organisations such as Sing in the City, Project Artlink and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network, to bigger and diverse institutions, including Scottish Ballet, Museum Galleries Scotland and Glasgow Life, the picture painted was grim and raised questions about current plans to address the unfolding crisis.

Sarah Boyack said that the organisations varied in size, budgets, challenges and needs for the future, highlighting the scale of the problem and the need for action.

The list MSP for Lothian commented: “A common theme that emerged during our roundtable is that without urgent support, many of Scotland’s Arts and Culture organisations will collapse.

“In the last fortnight, Falkirk Town Hall, the Filmhouse in Edinburgh, the Belmont in Aberdeen and the Edinburgh International Film Festival have all gone under so we need urgent action and support for the sector now.

“Despite reassurances from the Scottish Government that our National Collections will remain open to the public free of charge, we recently found out that flagship Edinburgh galleries might have to not only reduce hours but also cut on their outreach programmes funded by earned income.

Sarah Boyack continued: “The Scottish Government has a history of empty promises and soundbites over action – they’ve been warned, time and time again, about the “perfect storm” of the pandemic, declining incomes, rising energy bills and inflation.

“Year on year real terms cuts to local government have exacerbated the sustainability community based art and culture organisations and led to a loss of highly skilled staff. The Scottish Government has been warned about the long-lasting impact that this will have on the sector, with haemorrhage of talent and skills, closures and under-provision of services.

“Arts and culture organisations are hugely important not only to our cultural landscape, our economy and people’s well-being and mental health, but are also spaces that people can spend time in during the cost of living crisis – for free.

“I will be writing to the Cabinet Secretary to ask about a detailed cross government plan to support our arts and culture – we need clarity and action now, not soundbites.”

Friends of the Earth: Scottish Government ‘shuts door on coal’

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the news that the Scottish Government’s position will be to oppose any future coal extraction.

Minister’s new ‘preferred policy position’ on coal will form part of the forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan which will be consulted on later this year. Climate campaigners say that the Strategy must also ‘plot a clear path’ away from oil and gas if the country is to meet its climate commitments.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said: “It is the right decision for the Scottish Government to want to shut the door on coal once and for all. Climate science is clear that there is no space for any new fossil fuels, let alone the most polluting coal, if we are to avoid truly catastrophic warming.

“This announcement should spell the end for New Age Exploration’s deep coal extraction ambitions in Dumfries and Galloway. It’s simply not reasonable to be contemplating opening new coal mines, given the climate emergency.

“It’s time for Westminster to put an end to coal too, starting by finally rejecting the proposal for a new coal mine in Cumbria.

“At this stage in the climate crisis there is no time left for any new fossil fuels of any kind, so the forthcoming Energy Strategy must also chart a clear path for Scotland to phase out oil and gas within the decade.

“The Scottish Government must seize this opportunity to ensure a fast and fair transition to a reliable, affordable energy system powered by renewables and run in the public interest.”

DES Fund: Supporting survivors of violence and abuse

Almost 20,000 people given emotional and practical support

A new fund for those affected by violence against women and girls has supported nearly 20,000 survivors in its first six months.

The Delivering Equally Safe (DES) fund provided £9.5 million to 121 projects in its first six months. These projects give one-to-one emotional and practical support, as well as refuge, legal or financial advice and other services. Many of the organisations also run training and outreach programmes aiming to prevent violence against women and girls.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie visited the Saoirse project in Blantyre, run jointly by the charities WASLER and Liber8, to learn how it supports women in Lanarkshire who have been affected by both substance use and domestic abuse.

Ms McKelvie said: “The projects supported through our Delivering Equally Safe fund offer a lifeline to survivors of violence and abuse. Tackling violence against women and girls is a core priority for the Scottish Government, and this fund is a key element ensuring innovative projects can support survivors and tackle the root causes of violence and abuse.

“I have been moved and inspired by conversations with the women supported by Saoirse. By bringing together specialist services for both domestic abuse and substance use, Saoirse targets the multiple, complex issues that these women may be going through, helping them rebuild their lives.

“This is just one of 121 projects across Scotland that we are supporting through this fund. I am deeply grateful to all the organisations involved for the extraordinary work they do, and for supporting 20,000 survivors in just six months.”

Heather Russell, Chief Executive of WASLER (Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire), said: “The importance of funding and sustainable funding for our sector cannot be understated.

“Limits on service delivery and development of services to meet the true needs of women, children and young people we support is a daily grind. It makes the funding of our Saoirse service all the more essential.

“Delivering Equally Safe funding has allowed us to partner two distinct specialisms to develop a needs-led initiative. In bringing together specialist domestic abuse and substance use support services we are able to provide holistic support for women facing multiple and complex challenges.

“The very decision to fund this new partnership illustrates a strategic understanding of domestic abuse and its dynamics. Without DES funding we simply would be unable to deliver prescribed support to women who through no fault of their own need it. Gender-based violence is a threat to the lives of women and girls.

“Any funding for specialist organisations to support recovery and empowerment of those women is another life saved.”

Kaylie Allen, Director of Funds, Inspiring Scotland, said: “Organisations funded through Delivering Equally Safe deliver vital support for people experiencing gender-based violence alongside crucial education and prevention work.

“We are proud to work with this diverse group of organisations as Fund Managers for the Scottish Government, and are pleased the immense work of the funded groups can be acknowledged through this report. We want to thank funded groups for their hard work reporting on the impact of their activity.

“The learning gained from their reporting confirms not only the difference they are making to the lives of women and children across Scotland, but also the increasing demand for the services they offer.”

A report on the first six months of the Delivering Equally Safe Fund has been published by Inspiring Scotland.

1.3 million winter vaccines delivered

Most vulnerable protected against COVID-19 and flu

Over a million vaccines have been delivered to protect against the latest strains of flu and COVID-19 in the latest efforts to relieve winter pressure on the NHS.

Frontline healthcare staff and the country’s most vulnerable have been immunised at speed – with 80.2% of all care home residents being fully vaccinated since the rollout began in September.

The next groups in line for their vaccines – over 65s and those at high-risk – are receiving a scheduled appointment and 50-64 year olds will soon be invited to book an appointment. Anyone who has missed an appointment can reschedule through the NHS Inform online booking portal.

The COVID-19 vaccine is being given at the same time as the flu jab where possible, and so far 94% of those invited have had both at the same appointment. Over two million Scots will be offered both vaccines over the next three months – a pace that aims to maintain Scotland’s place as a leading nation on vaccine uptake.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “This impressive uptake is testament to the frontline staff who got us through the pandemic and continue to protect our population and NHS from the threats that winter brings.

“Scotland remains steadfast in the effort to protect everyone – continuing the huge success of the vaccination programme since it was first rolled out in December 2020.

“COVID-19 has not gone away and I call on everyone to take up the offer of a booster as soon as their invitation arrives to protect themselves, their families and the NHS.”

1,369,270 COVID-19 and flu vaccines have been delivered since the winter vaccine programme launched.

Both new bivalent vaccines, which target Omicron and the original variant of COVID-19, are being deployed alongside existing vaccines, though the vaccination individuals receive will depend on age and vaccine availability.

Both the current and new bivalent vaccines provide good protection from severe illness and hospitalisation from known COVID-19 variants.

Rearrange or opt-out of your vaccination appointment | NHS inform

Winter vaccines | NHS inform

Record recruitment to Scotland’s Ambulance Service

Recruitment to Scotland’s ambulance service has hit a record high, helping to boost the service this winter. A record 540 paramedics, ambulance drivers, call handlers, and clinicians have been employed in the last year.

This is driven by a £45 million funding boost announced as part of last week’s NHS winter resilience plan, which will ensure the NHS is working as efficiently as possible.

The increase in staff numbers is already having a tangible impact on response times – with 99% of all serious incidents, such as heart attacks, being dealt with in under 30 minutes.

The investment will increase the number of patients treated in the community, reducing the need for hospital admission and easing pressure on NHS services. 

On a visit to an ambulance station in Edinburgh, Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf said: “This winter will be one of the most challenging our NHS has ever faced, and we need to make sure people are getting the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“We are determined to equip the Scottish Ambulance Service with the resources and staff to continue to deliver a high-quality emergency service to the people of Scotland.

“Ambulance staff have shown remarkable resilience in the face of sustained pressure on services and I would like to thank them for their continued commitment and hard work.”

Pauline Howie, Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive said: “The last 12 months have been the busiest ever in terms of recruitment for the Service and this funding announcement is great news as we continue to experience unprecedented pressures on our services alongside the entire NHS.

“With the increased demand for our services, it’s vital we boost our capacity and resilience by introducing extra resources and staffing. These new staff will complement our existing staff who have done an amazing job before and right throughout the pandemic, providing the very best patient care to communities across the country.”

Shannen McLoughlin is a newly qualified paramedic who has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and started with the Scottish Ambulance Service in October 2021.

She said: “I absolutely love my job and have already been fortunate enough to have worked with a number of fantastic paramedics. I found this really benefited my practice and allowed me to get to grips with the transitional role from a student paramedic to a newly qualified paramedic.

“There is such a wide variety of jobs on a shift, there really is never a dull moment and that is why I am so glad I chose to become a paramedic in Edinburgh.”

Those recruitment figures are good news for our beleaguered NHS, but the Tory opposition are keeping up the pressure on Humzah Yousaf:

Lorna Slater welcomes introduction of rent freeze and eviction protection

Lorna Slater, the Scottish Greens MSP for Lothian has welcomed the Scottish Parliament’s vote to introduce a national rent freeze and new protections from evictions.

The measures in the Bill, which was introduced by a Scottish Green Minister, Patrick Harvie MSP, was overwhelmingly passed last week. It will provide vital protections for tenants over Winter and last until at least March 2023.

These changes will help tenants across Lothian where the average monthly rent is £942, which is an increase of 41.7% since 2010.

Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian said: “I am delighted that this Bill has been passed. These are vital changes that will make a huge difference at what is a desperate time for tenants all across Scotland. 

“The measures in the Bill will provide stability and support for households and families across Lothian and beyond at a time when many are being hit by soaring costs and bills. 

“These are the most progressive set of tenants’ rights anywhere in the UK. The legislation, which will last until at least the end of March 2023, puts Scotland at the forefront of tenants rights in the UK and sets a crucial precedent for other governments to follow.

“With Greens in the Scottish Government, we are leading the change and building a fairer, greener and better future for our communities.”

Christmas Cheer: Extra cash for low-income families this winter

First Minister announces doubling of December Bridging Payment to £260

Families of an estimated 145,000 children will benefit from extra support this winter to help with cost of living pressures – backed by Scottish Government investment of £18.9 million.

Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the extension of the Scottish Child Payment to 6-15 year olds. The final quarterly Bridging Payment, due in December, will now be doubled to £260, meaning families will receive up to £650 per eligible child this year.

All children registered to receive free school meals on the basis of family low income are eligible and will receive this payment automatically.

Total Scottish Government funding for the Bridging Payments will increase to an estimated £169 million across 2021 and 2022.

This is in addition to the Scottish Child Payment which will be extended to all eligible under-16s from 14 November and will rise to £25 per child per week on the same date – a 150% increase in the benefit within eight months.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am proud of the work the Scottish Government is doing to tackle child poverty. The Scottish Child Payment is paid to eligible families and is unique in the United Kingdom.

“It started for under-6s at £10 per week per eligible child. In April we doubled it to £20.  Five weeks from today we will increase it again, to £25 and will also extend it to families with children up to age 16.

“That is vital financial help for well over 100,000 children, delivered in time for Christmas. That is the sign of a government with the right priorities.

“But we need to do more because we know this winter is going to be really tough. Rather than looking forward to Christmas, too many families will be dreading it because they don’t know if they can afford to heat their homes or even pay for food.

“As part of our help to the poorest families over last year and this, ahead of rolling out the Scottish Child Payment to under 16s, we have made quarterly bridging payments of £130 to children and young people in receipt of free school meals.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government will double the December Payment from £130 to £260.

“That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people. I don’t pretend it will make all of their worries go away – no government with our limited powers can ever do that. But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most.”

Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the roll out of the Scottish Child Payment to under 16s. The £130 payments are paid quarterly by councils on behalf of the Scottish Government. Families received up to £520 per eligible child in 2021 and will receive up to £650 in 2022. Bridging Payments support around 145,000 school age children.

Povery campaigners have welcomed the announcement.

The Poverty Alliance tweeted: ‘We welcome @NicolaSturgeon announcement today that the @scotgov will double the final Scottish Child Payment bridging payment, up from £130 to £260.

‘This will put cash in the pockets of those who need it most. This is how we #ChallengePoverty‘

Scotland Demands Better!

The Scottish Government has been warned not to ‘abandon’ communities as Scotland’s largest trade union body, equality and anti-poverty organisations launch Scotland’s largest national campaign against the cost-of-living emergency.

Ahead of SNP Conference and as Challenge Poverty Week ends, The Scottish TUC, the Poverty Alliance and groups across the country launched the ‘Scotland Demands Better’ campaign. The campaign outlines the ‘People’s Plan for Action’ demanding nine actions from the Scottish Government to alleviate the crisis.

Demands include increased public sector pay, rent controls, wealth taxes and universal free school meals. The campaign further calls for increased social security payments, doubling the Scottish Child Payment and increasing Carers Allowance payments. The plan follows the STUC and Poverty Alliance joint summit on the cost-of-living crisis earlier this year.

Launching the campaign, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer and Poverty Alliance Director Peter Kelly have written to the First Minister calling for a joint roundtable meeting to help implement the plan.

Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer: “This campaign represents the voices of our communities. Government cannot abandon them in their hour of need and we’re seeking an urgent meeting with the First Minister to directly support workers impacted by this crisis.

“The People’s Plan for Action sets out exactly what we need to see from the Scottish Government. Whilst Westminster remains unwilling and uncaring to help ordinary workers, the Scottish Government must take a different path.

“Increasing public sector pay, accelerating rent controls and implementing wealth taxes gives Scotland’s poorest the lifeline they need to survive this emergency. Poverty and destitution are political choices. Scotland demands better than the devastation and hardship wilfully inflicted upon our most in need.”

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “We want to put justice and compassion back at the heart of public life in Scotland – so we can build support for practical action to tackle poverty.

“With this plan, we can start to rebuild and renew our social security, boost incomes for workers, invest in the public services we all rely on, and give people the urgent help they need with rocketing costs.

“This crisis is a moment for decision for all of us – and especially our politicians. We can create a better Scotland where poverty is a thing of the past.”

To tackle the cost of living for the people of Scotland, we demand the following –

1. A real pay rise for all public service workers

2. A social security system that loosens the grip of poverty

3. Warm homes, through municipal energy companies

4. Sustained action to tackle rent costs

5. Share the wealth, through income, wealth and business taxes

6. Universal free school meals

7. Cheap, publicly controlled public transport

8. More support for childcare

9. Enforcement of Fair Work

Scottish Veterans Fund opens

£500,000 to help former Armed Forces personnel

A veterans support fund is now open to help improve the lives of former service personnel and their families.

A key priority for this year’s Scottish Veterans Fund is to make sure veterans and their families are supported in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The fund will also target support for veterans who have left the Services early, as well as promoting collaboration between both veterans charities and non-veterans organisations.

Since the Scottish Government created the fund in 2008 almost 200 individual projects have been supported, receiving more than £2.3 million. In 2021, the annual funding provided was more than doubled to £500,000, with individual projects now able to bid for up to £50,000 a year.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Keith Brown said: “Scotland’s veterans community has given a great deal to society and it is right that we do all we can to provide the best possible care and support when they return to civilian life.

“It is important that the fund responds to issues that veterans are currently facing and this year we are looking to support projects that will help veterans and their families through the cost of living crisis.

“We will continue to target projects that provide new and innovative approaches to aiding our veterans community. In particular, bids that promote collaboration within and between the veterans charity sector and other non-veterans organisations, as well as support for early service leavers, are being prioritised.”

Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton, who chairs the independent panel that assesses bids for the Fund, said: “I am delighted to see the continuation of this support to those leaving the Service, veterans and their families.

“The priorities of supporting vulnerable early service leavers and those most affected by the current cost crisis are particularly welcome and important in the current difficult circumstances.

“Organisations working together can produce a powerful impact, so I hope to see collaboration and partnerships feature in this year’s applications.

“We all benefit when veterans and their families are able to prosper after military service and I look forward to seeing the range of bids that will be put forward to help make that happen.”

The application form, guidance and contact details for further information.

The Scottish Veterans Fund is due to close on 19 November 2022.

More support for school age childcare

£1 million to support low-income families

More families will benefit from funded school age childcare as part of a national mission to tackle child poverty.

The Scottish Government is investing £1 million to expand services in parts of Dundee, Glasgow, Clackmannanshire and Inverclyde, with a roll-out of similar provision in other parts of Scotland from April 2023.

Eligible low income families in the four targeted areas will be helped with the cost of childcare for primary school aged children. Families in most need will pay nothing.

Children’s Minister Clare Haughey, who today visited the Linlathen area of Dundee to speak to families accessing school age childcare, said: “Delivering our vision of a high-quality, affordable and accessible system of childcare is crucial to our national mission to tackle child poverty.

“It can help parents and carers to access work, training or study, while children benefit from additional opportunities to socialise and take part in a range of activities.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to delivering school age childcare – what we learn from the four areas that will see services expanded will help us understand what is needed to support families in different communities.”

Dundee City Council family support worker Doug Millar said: “The Linlathen project will go a long way to help remove barriers to childcare for people in this area.

“Parents will be able to access employment opportunities while their children are enjoying activities delivered in a safe and nurturing environment.”

The Scottish Government also confirmed today that it will continue the Nursery Rates Relief Scheme, providing 100% relief on non-domestic rates to eligible day nurseries beyond the current end date of 30 June 2023.

The commitment is contained in the new Strategic Early Learning and School Age Childcare Plan 2022-26. This focuses on building a national system of school age childcare and a new early learning and childcare (ELC) offer for one and two-year-olds. This will build on the success of the existing 1,140 hours of funded ELC offer for all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.

Early Years Scotland Chief Executive Jane Brumpton said: “We welcome the publication of the Strategic Early Learning and Childcare Plan, which emphasises the importance of high-quality early years provision for children and families, whilst acknowledging the dedication and commitment of staff and partners across the early learning and childcare sector.

“We also welcome the extension of the nursery rates relief scheme which will support the sector during these challenging times ahead.

“We will look forward to working in partnership with Scottish Government and the ELC sector to implement the priorities within this plan and support innovative solutions that focus on the needs of children and families and support the early years sector to thrive and flourish.”