Transport leaders have tested out one of a newly operational network of on-street electric vehicle chargers in Edinburgh, as the nation marks Scotland’s Climate Week.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson joined Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, on the eve of World EV Day, to see one of the new charge points, funded by £2.3 million awarded through Transport Scotland’s Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund.
In total, 81 new chargers (141 charging bays) were installed and went live this summer across the city, including 41 rapid and fast chargers (72 bays) at on-street locations with the remainder provided at Hermiston and Ingliston Park and Ride sites.
The roll-out is designed to encourage and support the take-up of cleaner, low emission transport like electric vehicles. Motor transport contributes significantly to carbon emissions, and the switch to more sustainable transport is essential to the city’s Net Zero target, which is also a key aim of Scotland’s Climate Week.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “During Scotland’s Climate Week and ahead of World EV Day, I’m pleased to welcome these new EV charge points across Edinburgh to the ChargePlace Scotland network.
“Phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, to help respond to the climate emergency, can only be achieved if drivers have the range confidence that comes from readily available charging infrastructure. These latest charge points help provide that confidence to people who require EV charging in the capital.
“Our previous funding approaches have helped us deliver the most public electric vehicle charging points outside of London, and the most rapid charge points anywhere in the UK. We now want to see greater private sector investment and involvement in line with our draft vision for Scotland’s public EV charging network – delivering more infrastructure faster and in way that is more accessible than ever before.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I am delighted that we are expanding on-street electric vehicle chargers across the Capital in a way that does not leave footpaths cluttered with cables and chargers. These new chargers will provide convenient charging for residents and visitors alike travelling around the city.
“Increasing the provision for greener technologies such as electric cars is a vital step in our wider plan for decarbonising transport in Edinburgh and for reaching our goal to become a net-zero carbon city by 2030, which is brought into sharp focus during Scotland’s Climate Week.
“Of course, choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport is the best travel decision people can make if they want to help us in our net-zero ambition.”
Scotland’s Environment Minister Mairi McAllan and Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater have written to the UK Government urging them to drop the proposals announced in its mini-budget, which they call “an attack on nature…and on the devolution settlement.”
The letter states that these proposals “demonstrate a reckless attitude to legislation that has been developed over many decades and that enshrines vital protections for both nature and people.”
The letter reads:
To:
Ranil Jayawardena MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP, Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
From:
Minister for Environment and Land Reform Màiri McAllan MSP
Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater MSP
We write with urgency regarding proposals announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Friday, about which the Scottish Government had very little prior notification.
These measures, alongside the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, represent an attack on nature (when we should be demonstrating global leadership in the lead up to the important CoP15 global summit), and on the devolved settlement itself.
We therefore ask that you and your Government drop these damaging proposals, and instead work with us and the other devolved governments, to deliver high environmental standards that rise to the nature emergency and respect devolution.
Your government has given little clarity over how the measures included in the mini-budget will be taken forward, and what the implications of them will be for Scotland. Nor have you engaged with us in advance on these issues.
However, from the information that has been made available, we share the strong concerns highlighted by nature groups such as the RSPB and the Woodland Trust. The proposals demonstrate a reckless attitude to legislation that has been developed over many decades and that enshrines vital protections for both nature and people.
Your proposed measures also threaten to undermine our programme of planning reform that is underway in Scotland. National Planning Framework 4 will signal a turning point for planning in Scotland, and we have been clear that responding to both the global climate emergency and the nature crisis will be central to that.
In addition to the measures set out in the mini-budget, the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill threatens to further undermine standards, as well as the Scottish Government’s powers to protect Scotland’s environment.
As set out in the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture’s recent letter to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Bill puts at risk the high standards people in Scotland have rightly come to expect from EU membership.
Your government appears to want to row back more than 40 years of protections in a rush to impose a deregulated, race to the bottom on our society and economy. It is particularly alarming that our environmentally-principled approach of controls on polluting substances, ensuring standards for water and air quality, and providing protection for our natural habitats and wildlife are at risk from this deregulatory programme.
Retained EU Law provides Scotland with a high standard of regulation. As we have repeatedly said, Scottish Ministers will continue to seek alignment with EU standards where possible and in a manner that contributes to maintaining and improving environmental protections.
As part of this effort, we remain committed to an ambitious programme of enhancing nature protections and delivering nature restoration. This includes delivering on the vision set out in the recent consultation on our new biodiversity strategy, setting ambitious statutory nature recovery targets, delivering on our vision to be a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, investing in our natural capital such as through our Nature Restoration Fund, and expanding and improving our national park network.
Finally, as mentioned above, we are particularly concerned that this attack on nature has come at a critical moment as we approach the UN CoP15 biodiversity summit at the end of this year. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting an ambitious global framework to halt and reverse biodiversity decline, but this sudden and fundamental change in position means our views are no longer represented, and has undermined the UK’s ability to have a positive influence on the outcome of the talks.
We strongly urge you to reconsider both the anti-nature measures set out in the mini-budget and the proposed Retained EU Law Bill. Should you proceed regardless of our concerns and those of the public and civil society across the UK, then as a minimum we seek a guarantee that none of these measures will apply in Scotland without specific consent from the Scottish Government. We expect this matter to be considered at the next IMG-EFRA on 24 October.
What are the chances of Truss and Kwarteng thinking again? Absolutely NONE …
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has recruited three eminent economists …
Emergency Budget Review
Leading economists to give expert advice
Members of an expert panel providing advice to the Scottish Government as part of its Emergency Budget Review (EBR) have been confirmed.
Sir Anton Muscatelli, Professor Frances Ruane and Professor Mike Brewer will assess the impact on Scotland of the UK Chancellor’s fiscal approach and held their first meeting with Deputy First Minister John Swinney today.
Their advice will enable timely consideration of the implications of the UK Government’s fiscal event as work continues to prioritise the Scottish Government’s budget towards tackling the cost of living crisis. The Deputy First Minister has announced he will report the results of the EBR in the week beginning 24 October.
Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish Government wants to make sure it gets the very best advice and fresh perspectives as Ministers consider the complex and difficult decisions we face while tackling the challenges ahead.
“The radical shift in UK economic policy announced by the Chancellor has already caused significant economic shock.
“For the benefit of the people and businesses of Scotland, many of whom will find themselves paying higher prices as a result, it is vital that we consider the current situation and potential solutions with care.
“The members of the panel all bring robust economic insight and I am grateful to them for giving their time and expertise as we navigate these uncharted economic waters.”
The expert panel members, whose positions are non-remunerated, are:
Sir Anton Muscatelli
Principal of the University of Glasgow. He was knighted in June 2017 for services to higher education.
Formerly principal of Heriot-Watt University, he has been an adviser to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee on monetary policy since 2007.
He chairs the Scottish Government’s Standing Council on Europe, a non-political group which provides expert advice to Scottish Ministers on protecting Scotland’s relationship with the EU, and he was a member of the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers between 2015 and 2021 and a member of the Advisory Council for Economic Transformation.
In addition, she previously served three terms on the Council of Economic Advisers in Scotland. She will provide an external perspective to the panel on issues such as the competitiveness of Scotland’s tax regime.
Professor Mike Brewer –
Chief Economist and the Deputy Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, where he oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s research agenda.
He is a visiting Professor at the Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and between 2011 and 2020 was a Professor of Economics at the University of Essex.
He has also worked at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and HM Treasury.
Suicide prevention will be ramped up as the Government and COSLA publish a 10-year strategy to tackle the factors and inequalities that can lead to suicide.
The strategy will draw on levers across national and local government to address the underlying social issues that can cause people to feel suicidal, while making sure the right support is there for people and their families.
This fresh approach will help people at the earliest possible opportunity and aim to reduce the number of suicides – ensuring efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, debt, and addiction include measures to address suicide.
The Scottish Government will fund the Scottish Recovery Network as part of the initial three-year action plan. This will boost community peer-support groups to allow people to discuss their feelings and drive down suicide.
The strategy is supported by record funding through the Programme for Government commitment to double the annual budget to £2.8 million by 2025-2026. It will build on the work of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group and continue delivering the existing ‘Every Life Matters’ action plan.
Launching the ‘Creating Hope Together: Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2032’, Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Every death by suicide is a tragedy and, while the number of deaths have fallen in recent years, I want to use every lever at our disposal to drive that down further.
“That’s why we are taking a new approach to suicide prevention – considering all the social issues that can lead people to feel suicidal, while supporting those contemplating suicide and their loved ones.
“Peer support is an effective way to support people in their communities, helping them to feel heard and understood. I’m pleased this strategy will provide funding for the Scottish Recovery Network to continue its vital work for people experiencing – and recovering from – mental health issues.”
Councillor Kelly, the COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This approach to suicide prevention will build on the work taking place across local areas in Scotland.
“It will see the partnerships across communities strengthened and build on the collaboration between local and national work to ensure we share the knowledge and insights to help drive suicide prevention forward.
“This strategy will see work which reaches into new areas beyond the traditional settings of health and social care such as education, justice and physical activity, so we can truly see suicide prevention as Everyone’s Business.”
The Scottish Government has launched a new website to help with the cost of living crisis.
The website has a range of information on support available for households facing rising energy, housing and other costs.
Developed by the Scottish Government as a ‘one stop shop’ to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis, the website includes information on help available for households to meet rising energy, housing and other costs.
It also provides details on accessing Scottish and UK social security payments, including online benefit calculators, as well as wider health and wellbeing information.
A Programme for Government 2022-23 commitment, it will be supported by a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness of the website and signpost people impacted by rising costs to the help available.
The website was launched by Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison during a visit to debt help service in Tollcross, run by charity Christians Against Poverty.
Shona Robison said: “I know that people are struggling with the cost of living crisis right now and may not know where to turn for help. Our cost of living website is a trustworthy online resource with information on the wide range of vital support available.
“No one should feel alone in this crisis and this website, along with our campaign, aims to encourage people to find out if they are eligible for the extensive support available to access the advice they need. We want everyone to get all the financial support and help that is available so I would encourage people to apply for the payments they are entitled to – it might be just the lifeline that is needed right now.
“We have allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year to contribute towards mitigating the increased cost of living crisis and the new website highlights the wide range of support at hand. Our package spans a range of support, for energy bills, childcare, health and travel, as well as social security payments that are not available anywhere else in the UK. The website is an important signpost towards them all.
“The cost of living crisis is impacting every household in the UK and the Scottish Government will continue to do everything within its powers and finite budget to ensure people are supported as far as possible.”
Scotland National Director for Christians Against Poverty, Emma Jackson, said: “We are deeply concerned about the impact of rising costs on low income households. Even before rising costs, over a third (36%) of CAP clients had to borrow to meet essential living costs and we know the consequences of problem debt can be devastating for people.
“The new cost of living website from the Scottish Government is a welcome step in helping people to find and access all the vital support that is available to them, including steps to maximise income. People need to know help is available. Now, more than ever, we need to take every action possible to support households who are being hit the hardest by the cost of living crisis.”
Claire (not her real name) is a single parent from Edinburgh who experienced problem debt after her son was born prematurely. She spent a lot of time at the hospital and his health and wellbeing was her primary focus. Due to the stress of this situation she wasn’t able to manage bills or work to earn money and debts began to mount.
Claire’s debt had a significant impact on her mental health. She lived in fear of debt collectors coming to the door and hid the letters in a drawer as she didn’t know how she would be able to pay them. She felt ashamed and embarrassed and for a long time she didn’t know where to turn.
Problem debt had such an impact on Claire’s mental health that she tried to take her own life twice. Claire heard about Christians Against Poverty through her local foodbank and once she met her debt coach she felt like a weight had been lifted and she was able to laugh again. She felt like CAP was her safe place and her befriender became like a mother to her.
Claire was able to go debt free in December 2021, however, she is still struggling on a low income. She already has to travel quite far to shop around and find the cheapest items. She is worried about how she will be able to keep going with rising costs.
She explained: “It’s unbelievable what things cost at the moment, it’s all gone up so much – food, electric, clothes for my son. It all costs so much and right now, I just don’t know how I am going to afford it all. I’ve worked hard to get back on track with my finances, but there isn’t enough to pay for all of these essential things that I need for my son. I don’t want to be in debt again.”
Culture Minister Neil Gray has announced Scottish Government funding of £450,000 to support library services across Scotland.
Mr Gray announced the opening of the 2022/23 Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) today on a visit to Rutherglen Library to see the impact the Memories Scotland project has had on the community.
Funded by the PLIF, the Memories Scotland project launched in May, giving libraries across Scotland the opportunity to open their rich local history collections to the public, both online and in person.
Helping to promote social inclusion in the community, these heritage resources also provide a focal point for Library Memory Groups which support people suffering from dementia and other forms of memory loss.
The Memories Scotland archive includes a collection of historical images, artefacts, film and audio on the themes of Working Life and Social Life.
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “The network of library-based memory groups across Scotland is a great example of what libraries can achieve with support from the Scottish Government’s Public Library Improvement Fund.
“The Covid pandemic increased the impact of isolation for many individuals within our communities, particularly those living with dementia, and for them these memory groups are a real life-line.”
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) distribute funding on behalf of the Scottish Government and will award the 2022/23 Public Library Improvement Fund to public library projects focusing on:
Economic wellbeing (support for the cost of living crisis)
Bridging the digital divide (recognising that data poverty has become an even bigger issue as a result of the pandemic and cost of living crisis)
Closing the attainment gap (in recognition that children and young people need the support of the local library now more than ever); and
Sustainability, which SLIC sees as an overarching theme of its strategy, Forward, which focuses on sustainable development goals
Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of SLIC, said: “The Public Library Improvement Fund supports creative, sustainable and innovative public library projects throughout Scotland.
“These projects support the vision set out in Forward: Scotland’s Public Library Strategy 2021-2025, as well as the Scottish Government’s Net Zero ambitions. Focusing on the themes of People, Place & Partnership, the PLIF places significant emphasis on ensuring that the impact of these projects is sustained beyond the one-year period of the funding.
“Leaving behind a valuable legacy of skills, experience, resources and partnerships that will continue to benefit the community for years to come, these projects help to map out an exciting future for Scotland’s public libraries and the role they play in communities across Scotland, and we can’t wait to see what ideas the services submit this year.”
The Public Library Improvement Fund 2022 is now open to applications and will close at 12pm on Wednesday 2November 2022.
Decarbonisation fund recipients announced as applications re-open
Ten companies have been awarded a total of £9.4 million to help Scottish industries reduce carbon emissions through decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects.
The recipients from the second round of the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF) are predominantly involved in the manufacturing and food and drink sectors.
The projects include a more energy efficient dryer at a seaweed processing facility, whilst several brewers and whisky distilleries will also receive funding for projects that aim to reduce the emissions that are created during energy-intensive manufacturing processes.
The projects awarded funding have the potential to reduce emissions by 40,482 tonnes of CO2 a year, the equivalent of the annual emissions from 17,000 households.
A further £160,000 has also been made available to conduct up to four engineering or feasibility studies into future projects that will aim to reduce emissions and increase efficiency within the sector by creating a pipeline of future projects.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the funding while visiting Graham’s Family Dairy, where previous SIETF funding allowed them to upgrade steam production and heat distribution infrastructure.
The First Minister said: “Reducing emissions in our manufacturing sector will be a crucial step in ensuring Scotland reaches its net zero target by 2045.
“I am pleased that the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund continues to support companies across the sector to embrace decarbonisation, improve efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment.
“This week is Scotland’s Climate Week, which puts a renewed focus upon the ongoing climate emergency and our efforts to tackle it. And as households and businesses struggle with rising energy costs, it has never been more important to support industry to become more energy efficient.
“I welcome the work that the Fund has already supported and I hope that many more businesses will apply in the future.”
Up to £34 million of Scottish Government funding will be made available through the lifetime of the five-year SIETF, which runs until 2026. The third round of applications is now live.
Robert B Graham, Managing Director at Graham’s Family Dairy said: “The SIETF programme has enabled us to accelerate our industrial decarbonisation programme, driving energy efficiencies and reducing waste.
“SIETF funding support has meant we have been able to deliver a number of process decarbonisation projects in parallel, to achieve scalable impact across our supply chain and share results to support Scottish industry & businesses with their journey to net zero.”
Peter Davison and Kieran Healey-Ryder from the Sustainability Leadership Team at Whyte & Mackay, which has secured second round funding, said: “As whisky makers we believe in a sustainable future for what we do here on Jura.
“This Scottish Government programme is a galvanising platform for industry to come together and solve for a green future right across these islands.
“This grant will accelerate our journey towards a sustainable future for whisky making here on Jura.”
SIETF supports industrial sites with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future. It will improve the international competitiveness of many companies whilst protecting jobs.
The application window for the third round of projects will remain open until 18 November 2022.
The second round of recipients of SIETF funding are detailed below:
Name
Competition
Sector
Location
Technology
Grant offered: over £2m
DSM Nutritional Products
Deployment
Food and drink
East Ayrshire
Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) technology
Whyte & Mackay
Deployment
Food and drink
Argyle and Bute
Steam boiler with biomass fuel burner and flue gas purification
Grant offered: £1m – £2m
Pauls Malt
Deployment
Food and drink
Angus
The installation of a hot water network and CHP
Grant offered: £500k – £1m
Brewdog
Deployment
Food and drink
Aberdeenshire
Food grade (green) CO2 production via CO2 capture
Carbon Capture Scotland
Deployment
Dry Ice Production
Dumfries and Galloway
CO2 Feedstock Recycling
Uist Asco
Deployment
Manufacturing
Western Isles
Installation of a more efficient dryer with heat recovery
UPM
Deployment
Manufacturing
East Ayrshire
Replace existing pumps with three energy efficient turbo blowers
Grant offered: £250k – £500k
Diageo
Deployment
Food and Drink
Aberdeenshire
Installation of High Temperature Heat Pump
Macphie
Deployment
Food and Drink
Aberdeenshire
Conversion of oil fired steam plant to natural gas
Tennent’s
Deployment
Food and Drink
Glasgow City
Air compressor and spent grain transfer and smart air injection and spent grain removal technology
Grant offered: £100k – 250k
DSM Nutritional Products
Deployment
Food and drink
East Ayrshire
Heat recovery DCM evaporator and preheat feed effluent columns
City council leader Cammy Day said yesterday: The climate crisis represents the single greatest threat to all humankind, and it is something that we must face together.
Whilst recent events such as the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the ongoing cost of living crisis, and events in Ukraine have dominated our thoughts and indeed the news cycle, we must now turn our efforts back to arguably the most pressing issue of our time.
As Scotland’s Climate Week begins today, I would like to reiterate our commitment to becoming a net-zero city by 2030 and spearheading the climate fightback here in Scotland’s Capital. This is a cornerstone of the Council’s long-term goals, and I am determined that we will play our role in the wider climate effort.
As Council Leader I will be attending the UK100’s Climate Leadership Academy this autumn. This programme for leaders across the UK will provide knowledge on decarbonisation, financial transition, energy, and nature/adaption.
I relish the opportunity to speak to other local government leaders from across the country and the political spectrum. The climate crisis is a collective problem and as such requires a collective and cooperative solution.
To achieve net-zero, everyone must play their part in driving climate action. A reduction in emissions needs to take place across all areas of society and business sectors. Overwhelmingly, the scientific evidence clearly shows that to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, the increasing global temperature must be limited to 1.5°C.
Here in Edinburgh, we are already on our way to becoming a greener city.
This summer we launched a citywide network of electric vehicle chargers located on streets and at park and ride sites, which will help people to choose cleaner, low emission electric cars.
In June the citywas awarded silver statusby the Sustainable Food Places Network, recognising the Capital’s pioneering work to promote healthy and sustainable food. The City of Edinburgh Council was also ranked third in the UKby Climate Emergency UK in their scorecard of local authority’s climate action plans.
At the start of #ScotClimateWeek I would like to call upon our fantastic residents, businesses, and partner organisations to renew their climate commitments. Our dedicated climate webpage is filled with information on Edinburgh’s 2030 climate strategy, tracking our progress and climate action in the city. I would encourage everyone to educate themselves on the climate crisis and find out how small, individual changes can make a lasting impact.
Encouraging people to consider alternatives to travel by car like walking, wheeling, cycling and travel by public transport is essential to our net zero goals and we’ve set a target of reducing the kms travelled by car in Edinburgh by 30% by 2030. Last week we marked Car Free Day and this Sunday (2 October) we’ll be holding a fun event on Waverley Bridge to celebrate the occasion. The area will be transformed into an inclusive community hub of information, inspiration and activity encouraging people to consider more sustainable forms of transport.
We remain in the midst of a challenging fight against climate change, and the significant impacts that are already being felt across the globe. However, I remain confident that our capital city and its people will persevere and play their part in this shared effort to make our planet a safer, sustainable, and more prosperous place to live.
Lorna Slater the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian has welcomed the positive impact of free bus travel for people under 22, which has already benefited almost 59,000 people in Edinburgh.
Almost 500,000 young people across Scotland have enjoyed over 21 million journeys.
Scotland is the first country in the UK to offer free bus travel for young people. It was introduced in January, following negotiations between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government.
Lorna Slater the Green MSP for Lothian said: “I am delighted that so many young people in Edinburgh have signed up for free bus travel. It is a vital change that is opening up the country while helping our environment.
“With Greens in the Scottish Government, we are delivering for people, the planet and our communities.
“Free bus travel is helping hard-squeezed families and individuals at a time when household incomes are being stretched on so many fronts. It is also reducing pollution and unnecessary car journeys.”
“I want as many young people as possible to benefit, and would encourage those who have yet to do so to visit freebus.scot and register for their card today.”
Health and social care workers will no longer be required to test for COVID-19 every week as asymptomatic testing is paused by Wednesday (28 September).
The four UK Chief Medical Officers agreed it is safe to halt weekly staff testing, visitor and carer testing and hospital admission testing following a change to the Covid-19 alert level and, importantly, a high uptake of vaccinations.
Stakeholders were informed of the change to the guidance on 14 September and some healthcare and social care settings may therefore choose to pause regular testing before the end of the month.
It is the latest restriction to be lifted in health and social care settings – following the decision earlier this month to remove the requirement for facemasks in social care homes.
Testing will remain in place for admissions into care homes and to support appropriate clinical diagnosis and treatment for hospital patients and care home residents.
Unpaid carers and visitors to care homes and hospitals will no longer need to undertake routine testing, but those planning to see family or friends in these settings are advised follow the ‘Covid Sense’ guidelines and steer clear if they are unwell.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The huge success of our world-leading vaccination programme means we are now able to pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings.
“This is the latest step in our return to normal life, but we must apply Covid Sense to keep these freedoms and ease the pressure on the NHS over winter.
“Vaccination remains our best line of defence against COVID-19 and I urge everyone who is eligible for the winter vaccination programme to take up the offer of an appointment when it’s offered.”
Dentists have warned that the Scottish Government’s last-minute extension of financial support for NHS practices must go hand in hand with meaningful reform to avert a crisis in the service.
A new ‘bridging payment’ will replace the current ‘multiplier’ set to expire on 1 October, uplifting NHS fees a rate of 1.2 for the next three months, falling to 1.1 for the period up to April 2023.
The Cabinet Secretary had previously told the BDA that the multiplier – which at its current level increased NHS fees by 1.3 – had not been included in the Scottish Government’s budget forecasting. The professional body has not ceased reminding officials that without an adequate interim funding package several key treatments including extractions, and anything – like dentures – that requires laboratory work, risk being delivered at a financial loss.
The BDA stress that the new support package cannot presage a return to ‘business as usual’ from April 2023. Dentist leaders stress that in the months ahead efforts must be made to deliver needed change to the broken high volume/low margin model NHS dentistry is based on. Without reform, this package will simply delay an inevitable exodus of dentists from the NHS that is already evident in other UK nations.
While COVID emergency measures have been withdrawn, dentistry in Scotland has not returned to anything resembling pre-pandemic norms, with practices continuing to work under capacity in the face of an historic backlog. Latest figures indicate 261,537 claims were made by dentists delivering NHS treatments in July 2022, less than 60% of the number made in the same month in 2019.
Recent research by the BBC indicated 9 in 10 practices UK-wide were unable to take on new adult patients. In Scotland figures stood at 82%, the multiplier likely playing a decisive role.
David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said:“The Scottish Government seem to have recognised the wholesale inadequacy of the funding model for NHS dentistry.
“It’s not rocket science. Without additional support, the basics of NHS care – from extractions to dentures – would have been delivered at a loss. No business can operate on that basis.
“We now need some serious long-term thinking. Unless Ministers are prepared to revisit the system this service is built on, this funding will amount to sticking plaster on a gaping wound.
“If this is just delaying the return to a broken ‘business as usual’ then millions of patients stand to lose out.”
Adults with first-hand experience of social care services in Scotland are being invited to help design the new National Care Service (NCS).
Applications are now open for both the Lived Experience Experts Panel (LEEP) and Stakeholder Register, which will bring together people from across the country to help develop a care system that puts people first, in one of the biggest co-design exercises the Scottish Government has ever undertaken.
The new National Care Service will provide the national oversight and guidance that ensures community healthcare and social work services can be delivered locally in a way which best meets the needs of those who use them.
The panels launched today will allow people with direct experience of community health and social care the opportunity to help design these future services.
Anyone over the age of 18 living in Scotland who has views on how the future NCS should look can apply to take part in the Lived Experience Experts Panel.
Over the next few years the design work will consider a number of themes, the first of which are:
Information sharing to improve health and social care support
Realising rights and recognising responsibilities
Keeping health and social care support local
Making sure my voice is heard
Valuing the workforce
Organisations in Scotland with an interest in health and social care can note their interest in specific themes by joining the Stakeholder Register.
In the future, there will be additional targeted ways for people get involved – for example children and young people under 18, care experienced people, and young carers.
Minister for Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “As we build a National Care Service that best fits the needs of everyone in Scotland, we need to hear from people directly.
“The new National Care Service will set the standards and guidance to support the design and delivery of community healthcare and social work services locally.
“The complexities of getting this right should not be underestimated. People with experience of the current system, whether in receipt of health and care support or delivering it, are the experts. We particularly need to hear those voices.
“These reforms are the biggest since the creation of the National Health Service almost 75 years ago and these Lived Experience Experts and Stakeholder Panels will make sure we deliver a service that puts people at its very heart. I encourage anyone with direct experience of social care to take part.”
The first NCS Forum on 3 October in Perth will be another opportunity for individuals to engage and shape the NCS co-design process. Register to join the event online
This is not the only opportunity to get involved in co-design work. In the future, there will be additional ways for specific groups to get involved – for example children, young people and families, care experienced people, and young carers.
For this reason, we’re not asking children (under the age of 18) to join the Lived Experience Experts Panel right now. Instead, we will work with organisations that represent different groups of young people to make sure we reach as many different groups as we can and undertake research work in a way that best suits their needs.
