Tag: Scottish Government

Humanitarian aid provided for ‘hidden crises’ in Sudan

World’s biggest humanitarian catastrophe to receive vital assistance from Scotland

The Scottish Government will provide critical aid to one of the world’s most overlooked and devastating crises, pledging £375,000 to help alleviate suffering in conflict-torn Sudan.

First Minister John Swinney announced the funding, which will support vital humanitarian projects for some of the 30 million people affected by the conflict, famine, displacement and gender-based violence that have ravaged Sudan since April 2023.

Despite limited global media attention, the war in Sudan has claimed an estimated 150,000 lives and driven 11.5 million people from their homes—creating what the United Nations describes as one of the largest displacement crises in history.

The funding, delivered through Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), will empower trusted charity partners Christian Aid, Tearfund and Islamic Relief to deliver life-saving assistance in Sudan, South Sudan and neighbouring Chad.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The situation in Sudan is harrowing, and this funding demonstrates Scotland’s commitment to standing with those in dire need. We are helping charity partners to provide urgent assistance to address the devastating impact of conflict, famine, and displacement.

“As a responsible global citizen, Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sudan during this dark chapter in their country’s history. Our thoughts are with the millions struggling to survive and facing an uncertain future.”

Christian Aid will provide multipurpose cash assistance to improve food access for 5,270 Sudanese refugees and displaced individuals in the Wedweil settlement camp and surrounding host communities. The initiative will also work to prevent gender-based violence among 3,000 vulnerable individuals.

Tearfund will enhance food security and address basic needs for 1,500 households in Zabout Camp, Chad, while fostering peacebuilding, inclusion, and the empowerment of women in camps and host communities.

Islamic Relief will assist 2,400 newly displaced people from eastern Al-Jazira to Gedaref state, providing cash assistance and hygiene kits for women and girls, including 120 individuals with disabilities, to alleviate their suffering.

Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland said: “We’re grateful that the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund is able to support our work in Aweil, South Sudan, where displacement camps continue to grow due to the constant stream of people fleeing violence in Sudan.

“This funding will allow our local partner to distribute cash grants – this means people, who’ve often arrived with only the clothes they’re wearing, can buy essentials like food or medicines. Importantly this provides a ray of hope during a bleak time. The project will also include activities to reduce gender-based violence, allowing women and girls to feel safer.” 

The Scottish Government’s commitment to support Sudan and its neighbouring countries spans an 18-month period; Oxfam, the British Red Cross and Christian Aid have all delivered vital projects through HEF funding to provide food, access to clean water and shelter to people affected by the conflict.

This funding forms part of Scotland’s International Development commitment, protected in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget.

The Humanitarian Emergency Fund provides aid in the aftermath of a crisis through a panel of eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland who advise and access the fund: Mercy Corps, Oxfam, British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, SCIAF, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.

Restoring Scotland’s rainforests

£5 million for precious habitat

More than 1,200 hectares of degraded rainforest habitat are now on the road to recovery thanks to Scottish Government funding.

Almost £5 million has already been invested in rainforest restoration since 2023 and a further £5 million for ongoing restoration efforts was allocated as part of the draft 2025/26 Budget.

Scotland’s rainforest is a type of coastal temperate rainforest which is incredibly rare and as internationally significant as tropical rainforest.

Scottish Government funding is already supporting the work to protect and enhance the important habitat by:

  • Recruiting apprentices and new entrants to the industry to support removal of non-native species like Rhododendron and regenerating conifers.
  • Regenerating and reconnecting ancient designated Caledonian pine forests and other surviving rainforest remnants in Loch Arkaig
  • Collaborative working with Forestry Land Scotland, Argyll Countryside Trust and the Woodland Trust to restore 2,000 hectares in the Knapdale priority rainforest area

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon welcomed the rainforest restoration work being done by a range of partners across the country during a visit to Sallochy Forest, a site managed by Forestry Land Scotland.

Ms Gougeon said: “Scotland is home to its own temperate rainforest boasting a variety of rare species and habitats.  We are already delivering work to protect and expand this precious environment and this additional funding of £5 million will help us to go further faster.

“Protecting our rainforests is essential to tackling our biodiversity crisis but is also an important step in helping Scotland on its journey to net zero by 2045.

“Rainforest restoration needs to be done at a landscape scale, in partnership with organisations, landowners and land managers, and this funding will help to develop and deliver a range of collaborative projects.”

Scottish Budget will prioritise patients through NHS improvement

The Scottish Government Budget will prioritise patients and drive improvements to the NHS, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.

If approved by parliament, the 2025/26 Budget will deliver record health and social care funding of £21 billion to ensure faster, more accessible care by improving capacity and tackling systemic challenges like delayed discharge.

This builds on ongoing efforts to address the NHS’ challenges and improve healthcare for all to create a more responsive, effective health service with earlier intervention, ensuring better outcomes for patients throughout Scotland.

Key measures set out in the draft Budget include:

  • reducing NHS waiting lists, by cutting waiting times so patients can receive vital treatments and procedures more quickly
  • improved access to GPs with expanded primary care services and additional resources to make it easier for people to see their GP
  • progress set to continue on new hospitals, including the Belford, replacement Monklands, and Edinburgh Eye Pavilion, which will deliver state-of-the-art care and greater capacity

To address delayed discharge and reduce waiting lists, £200 million has been allocated in the 2025-26 Budget. If approved by parliament, this funding will expand the innovative ‘Hospital at Home’ service, allowing more patients to receive high-quality care at home instead of being admitted to a hospital.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We are determined to drive improvements in our NHS and deliver the best possible service for patients.  But I know that some people are waiting too long and finding it difficult to get appointments – we have listened and we are taking action. That is what people can expect from this government.

“The measures we set out in the Budget would mean quicker treatments, more GP appointments, and world-class facilities for people across Scotland.

“By March 2026, no-one will wait longer than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment, inpatient treatment or day case treatment with more than 150,000 extra patients treated as a result.

“The Budget also delivers investment to tackle delayed discharge, one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS, and to expand the Hospital at Home service giving thousands of patients the care they need at home while freeing up hospital beds for those who need them most.

“With initiatives like these, we will build a modern, resilient NHS that delivers for everyone by providing innovative and effective care.

“But we will only be able to deliver these transformational investments and drive further improvements for patients if our Budget is agreed. Our NHS needs this Budget to pass – and I am urging Parliament to unite behind it.”

COVID-19 Day of Reflection

SUNDAY 9th MARCH 2025

2025 marks five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday 9 March 2025, A Day of Reflection will be held. This will be an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives and reflect on the sacrifices made by many during the pandemic.

First Minister, John Swinney said: “The Day of Reflection is an opportunity for people to remember and commemorate those who lost their lives during the pandemic, to reflect on the sacrifices made by many people and the impact of the pandemic on the nation and our daily lives, as well as honouring the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers, researchers and all those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time.

“The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all of us in different ways and you can mark the day in a way that feels right for you – whether it’s organising your own get together, joining in a local event or remembering in your own way at home.”

Find out more about how you can participate at gov.uk/dayofreflection

Addressing Delayed Discharge

£100 million Scottish Government funding to improve patient flow

£100 million funding in the 2025-26 Budget to tackle delayed discharge will make Hospital at Home the ‘biggest hospital in the country’, if approved by Parliament.

The service, which offers a safe alternative to admission to an acute hospital, will grow to 2,000 beds by December 2026, alleviating pressure on health and social care settings.

The money will also ensure all A&E departments in Scotland have frailty units directly linked to community care settings, with an increased focus on collaborative working to identify ways to improve patient experience.

It is part of an overall £200 million package to clear the majority of new outpatient and treatment time patient waits and renew the NHS.

Social Care Minister Maree Todd visited Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline to outline a package of measures to reduce delayed discharge and to learn about other services that can be replicated across Scotland, such as Discharge to Assess that has been successful in Fife.

Ms Todd said: “Reducing delayed discharges is a key priority for the Scottish Government and the Budget we published last week will throw the weight of the government behind NHS improvement.

“More than 96% of all hospital discharges happen without delay but we are working with local health partners and local government to find solutions for those that don’t and address the variation we are seeing across Scotland. Our Budget for 2025-26, if approved by Parliament, will provide £200 million to help clear waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and remove blockages that keep some patients in hospital longer than necessary.

“Once someone has been assessed as well enough to be discharged from hospital, the best place for them to be is at home, supported by a bespoke care package. This can be delivered by services for older people such as Hospital at Home, and evidence shows that those benefitting from it are more likely to avoid hospital or care home stays for up to six months after an acute illness.

“We want to expand that service to make it the ‘biggest hospital in Scotland’, providing the very best care, in the comfort of a patient’s own home or home-like setting.

“We have a plan to renew our NHS and the Budget’s record funding for the health service will ensure that 150,000 extra patients are treated, deliver additional support for GPs, and invest in new hospitals at Belford and Monklands.

“We want to improve our NHS, but to do that Parliament must approve our Budget Bill to unlock investment to drive long-term and lasting improvements – and the healthier population that we all want to see. The NHS needs Parliament to unite behind this Budget.”

Shelter Scotland calls for “immediate intervention” against City of Edinburgh Council after vote to strip homeless households of human rights

“Elected and unelected members have shown themselves to be incapable of following the rule of law“

  • Charity says it has “lost confidence” that the City of Edinburgh Council will uphold the rule of law and calls on Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator to intervene immediately – the first time the charity has called for special measures to be taken against a local authority
  • City Council acting unlawfully in use of unlicensed HMO accommodation to house some homeless households
  • City’s elected and unelected members voted in favour of suspending lifeline housing rights until March 2028, breaching housing laws they are charged with upholding
  • If the Scottish Government and SHR decide to intervene, it will be the first time that they have exercised the powers afforded to them to protect the housing rights of people experiencing homelessness

Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity has today (12 December) called on Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator to intervene against City of Edinburgh Council after the local authority voted in favour of stripping homeless households of their basic rights.

At a meeting of the city’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, councillors voted six to five in favour of proposals to strip people experiencing homelessness of their right to adequate housing through the provision of suitable temporary and permanent housing.

The vote follows confirmed cases of homeless households being placed in unlicensed HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupancy) properties as temporary accommodation – a criminal offence. (2)

In a letter to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator (3), the charity’s director Alison Watson warned that the Council’s plans are a concerted effort to undermine Scotland’s housing and homelessness rights system and that sanctions must be taken.

She states that: “We cannot stand by and watch efforts to strip people of their housing rights without putting up a fight on behalf of the most disenfranchised people in our communities. Law breaking on this scale cannot be normalised.”

The call comes following the Scottish Government’s reversal of cuts to the affordable homes budget last week after pressure from housing campaigners.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland said: “It should outrage everyone in Scotland that officers and elected members within a local authority have unilaterally decided to strip people in the capital of a fundamental human right.

“Edinburgh’s homelessness crisis is partly of the Council’s own making, but instead of showing compassion and seeking to help some of the most disenfranchised people in our society, they have chosen instead to punish them in this inhumane way by taking away hard-won rights.

“Shelter Scotland has lost confidence in the leadership of the City of Edinburgh Council to do the right thing and uphold the rule of law. The leadership has systematically failed homeless people for years and is now stripping them of their rights to cover up their own failures.

“I have written to the First Minister John Swinney MSP, urging him to use his powers to call in the council’s homelessness strategy for scrutiny. It is our belief that this will highlight that the current strategy is not only unfit for purpose and cannot guarantee the rights of people at risk of homelessness but is in fact in breach of the law.

“The Scottish Government must do more to fully fund local services through the upcoming budget. However, more money won’t work if the wrong decisions are being taken locally on how to spend it.

“I have also written to the Scottish Housing Regulator as recent assurances provided by the council leadership in their annual statement clearly do not hold up to scrutiny.

“Elected and unelected members have shown themselves to be incapable of following the rule of law. They must reverse the committee’s decision or else immediately step aside.”

Shelter Scotland is calling for the Regulator to consider its powers to use sanctions up to an including the appointment of new management in the housing department within the City of Edinburgh Council, under its powers contained in the Housing (Scotland) 2010 Act.

Under Scottish housing legislation, Scottish Ministers have the powers to call the City of Edinburgh Council’s homelessness strategy in for review, including its provision of temporary accommodation.

Alison Watson added: “Shelter Scotland has never called on the Regulator or Ministers to intervene in this way. We do not do so lightly. However, we will not stand by – and nor should the people of Scotland – and watch people’s rights be eroded without a fight.

“We cannot normalise law breaking on this scale. There must be consequences otherwise there can be no prospect that other rights will be protected, nor of the situation improving for the thousands of people in desperate need of a safe and secure home.”

There are currently around 5,250 households in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh. It is estimated that over a quarter (1,488) of these households are living in properties under an Unsuitable Accommodation Order.

£15 billion for Scotland’s councils

Local authorities receive ‘real terms increase’ in funding

Councils will share a record funding settlement of more than £15 billion subject to passing of the 2025-26 Budget, provisional allocations show.

The 2025-26 Local Government Settlement includes a £289 million increase in funding to be used by councils to meet local needs and £120.5 million additional funding for pay deals.

The Budget also includes a one-off payment of £40 million to help councils respond to the climate emergency, and additional funding to support free personal care, teacher numbers and island communities.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “Our Budget is laying the foundations for Scotland’s future success, with investment to help improve the public services that people rely on.

“Local authorities provide some of the most important services to our communities – from schools to social care – which is why we’ve increased their funding by more than £1 billion compared with last year’s Budget.

“The settlement is the result of meaningful budget engagement with COSLA and Councils. While council tax decisions are a matter for individual local authorities, with record funding of over £15 billion there is no reason for big increases in Council Tax next year.

“This is a Budget that will deliver increased funding for schools, social care and other vital council services. But this funding will only reach communities if the Budget passes, so I am asking Parliament to unite behind it.”

Local government finance circular 10/2024: settlement for 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot

Improving access to help with council tax debt

Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide support in six more areas

The Scottish Government has awarded £400,000 to Citizens Advice Scotland to improve access to help for people struggling with Council Tax debt.

Building on successful pilot schemes funded in 2023-4, the additional funding will enable targeted advice on Council Tax debt to be provided in six new areas: West Lothian, East Lothian, Dumfries and Galloway, Highlands, Argyll and Bute and East Renfrewshire.

The pilot bureaux gave targeted advice on Council Tax debt as well as wider holistic support and also worked with councils to support best practice in Council Tax debt collection.

The additional funding was announced by Housing Minister Paul McLennan on a visit to West Lothian Citizen’s Advice Bureau, in Livingston, which will use the funding to provide more adviser hours and appointments and extend help to more people using outreach locations to target the most vulnerable.

Mr McLennan said: “We know how worrying public sector debt can be for people in low-income households. Advice services can provide vital support to those with money worries and debt.

“Good working relationships with local authorities can be key and the Scottish Government is working to support best practice across the whole of local government.

“The Scottish Government has both legislated and acted to ensure that people who are financially vulnerable are protected and that debt collection is handled sensitively and appropriately.

“Ministers continue to encourage public bodies to promote empathy and dignity for people struggling with debt.”

Karen Nailen, CEO of CAB West Lothian said: “Council tax debt is the single biggest debt issue that is brought to our CAB every year. It creates real pressure on people’s lives, and for many it can be a sign of wider financial distress.

“This pilot funding is vital to allow us the time and space to look at ways to tackle some of the underlying issues. Working in collaboration with West Lothian Council will enable preventative measures to be identified alongside better advice outcomes for individuals and families.”

MEANWHILE in Edinburgh the Citizen Advice Bureau is one of three advice organisations – the others are CHAI and Granton Information Centre – facing a combined cut of £1 MILLION as Edinburgh Integration Joint Board struggles to balance it’s books.

The EIJB meets on Tuesday to consinder new recommendations.

£150 million for offshore wind

Capital investment almost trebled to unlock private sector growth

Record funding of £150 million capital investment from the Scottish Government will support the growth of the offshore wind sector and support thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland over the next decade. 

Overall strategic investment of up to £500 million over five years is expected to boost private investment in the sector by up to £1.5 billion and unlock opportunities for growth in a variety of industries in key areas from ports, manufacturing and assembly work to major supply chain opportunities. 

The 2025-26 Scottish Budget also sets out a commitment to establish an offshore wind hub in the North-East to provide an additional route for industry to engage with policy teams.

The investment follows the recent publication of the Green Industrial Strategy which highlighted Scotland’s wind economy as one of five priority areas to secure growth and investment.

Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Accelerating Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities presents enormous economic opportunities for our country.

“Our vast resources provide us with significant opportunity to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland while accelerating our journey to net zero. We must maximise the economic benefits from offshore wind deployment if we are to ensure a just transition that takes our existing skilled workforce and supply chain with us.

“This significant investment will help boost innovation and expertise in the sector, create a highly productive and competitive economy and deliver a sustainable supply chain that will benefit all of Scotland for decades to come.

“We will work with industry and public sector partners to ensure we identify and deliver the best projects at pace.”

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The renewable energy industry is pleased that the Scottish Government will increase the next tranche of its funding commitment to the offshore wind supply chain. It is also encouraging to see the revenues from ScotWind directly utilised for clean industrial growth.

“We will work closely with the Scottish Government to help shape how this funding can be used as part of the wider investment landscape in order to secure the flow of significant private capital into the infrastructure that will help Scotland optimise the opportunity brought by offshore wind.”

Charter of Rights for people affected by substance use

First Minister welcomes human rights advance

The Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use has been launched, aiming to improve the experience of anyone needing support.

The Charter, recognised as the first of its kind in the world by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will help ensure people know their rights and the support they can expect to receive, and that those who use drugs and alcohol, and their families, are treated with dignity.

It contains key human rights – mostly drawn from national and international law – belonging to people affected by substance use, most importantly the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, along with the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to a healthy environment.

The publication was developed by the National Collaborative – a network of people with lived experience and service providers. It was chaired by human rights expert Professor Alan Miller.

Speaking at the launch, the First Minister said: “My condolences go to all those who have lost a loved one. We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol or drug use to be able access the support they need and through our £250 million National Mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of actions.

“This Charter is a key part of that mission and draws on the experience of communities and families affected by substance use. It significantly strengthens our public health and human rights-based approach to substance use-related harms and, over time, it will contribute to significantly improving and saving lives.

“I welcome the support of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which recognises the Charter as the first of its kind in the world.

“We will continue work with the National Collaborative, which developed the charter, and key stakeholders towards its implementation.”

National Collaborative Chair Professor Alan Miller said: “The Charter places people and their human dignity, not punishment and stigma, at the centre.

“It has been developed by people with life experience of what hasn’t worked and what will work. Let’s all now make these rights real.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said: “Criminalisation and prohibition have failed to reduce drug use and deter drug-related crimes.

“We need new approaches prioritising health, dignity and inclusion, guided by the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy.”

Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use