Tag: Scottish Government

Scottish Government responds to UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations

Work underway to strengthen response to civil emergencies

Ministers will act on all recommendations relating to Scotland in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s report on pandemic resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced.

The Module 1 report contained ten recommendations for the four UK nations to improve civil emergency planning and response.

Speaking on publication of the Scottish Government’s formal response, the Deputy First Minister said work was already underway in a number of areas including pandemic planning, improving risk assessment processes and ensuring the availability of reliable health, economic and social data.

In addition a Ministerial Oversight Group, co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, will meet for the first time in the coming weeks to co-ordinate preparedness across Government.

Scotland will also play a full role in the largest ever UK wide pandemic response exercise this Autumn which will be designed to test and strengthen the UK’s preparedness for future pandemics.

Ms Forbes said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. And it is with those people firmly in mind that we will work to ensure Scotland is in the best possible position to prepare for, respond to and recover from future threats, including pandemics.

“In advance of, and in parallel to, the work of the Scottish and UK Covid-19 Inquiries, the Scottish Government has identified and actioned a number of improvements, including establishing an independent committee to provide expert advice on future pandemic risks and how best to prepare for them. We are also working with the other governments in the UK to deliver exercise plans for UK-wide civil emergencies.

“We know the pandemic greatly impacted the most vulnerable in society. As part of wider work to tackle inequalities, we will improve how we identify, assess and address the potential impacts of civil emergencies on those who need the most protection.

“We are also mindful of other potential emergencies  – not least the impact of extreme weather. We will work with counterparts across the four nations and a range of organisations to learn from past events and global best practice.”

Drivers and passengers in Edinburgh urged to buckle up on every journey

Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland have launched an impactful campaign highlighting the potentially devastating consequences of failing to wear a seatbelt – urging drivers and passengers in Edinburgh to belt up.

Figures show that 21 per cent of those killed on Scotland’s roads over a five-year period were not wearing a seatbelt1 and research demonstrates that wearing a seatbelt reduces both fatal and non-fatal injuries in front and back-seat passengers.

Despite this, 11 per cent of drivers admitted to not always wearing a seatbelt in the front or back of the car, while around one in five drivers (18 per cent) said they don’t think it’s important to wear a seatbelt in the back.2

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Fastening your seatbelt is one of the simplest actions you can take to protect yourself and others. In a collision, failing to wear a seatbelt can have devastating consequences – not only for the driver and passengers but for your loved ones.

“This campaign serves as an essential reminder to anyone travelling in a car: a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death and it’s not just you who gets hurt. Make it a habit on every journey.”

The campaign stresses the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times – regardless of time of day, length of journey, and whether you are driving on busy or quiet roads. It also reminds people that it is a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt while traveling in a taxi or private hire vehicle.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Wearing a seatbelt isn’t optional, it’s the law. Our officers will engage with and educate drivers and passengers on the importance of seatbelts, but we will also continue to take appropriate enforcement action, with those caught not wearing a seatbelt facing a fine up to £500.

“Drivers should also remember they are legally responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 are using their seatbelts, with fines issued for every child not properly restrained.

“The evidence is clear – seatbelts reduce injuries and save lives. Don’t take an unnecessary risk – wear a seatbelt every time you travel.”

The campaign will run across streaming services, cinema, radio, digital and outdoor channels.

For more information go to roadsafety.scot.

1 In-Depth Road Traffic Fatalities Report for the Years 2015-2020

2 RITS: Driver attitudes and behaviors tracker, Road Safety Scotland (September 2024)

Improving police complaint and conduct procedures

Bill passed to strengthen public confidence in the service

A Bill to further improve police complaints and police conduct procedures has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.

The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill will ensure allegations of misconduct among police officers and staff are dealt with more transparently and effectively.

When implemented, the legislation will mean that officers accused of gross misconduct who retire or resign from the service can still face misconduct proceedings. Those found guilty will be placed on barred lists and prohibited from being re-employed in policing.

A crucial element of the Bill relates to the ongoing vetting of police officers and staff. The new law will see mean that vetting procedures are placed on a statutory footing, that vetting is maintained throughout a career, and that the Chief Constable is given powers to remove officers and staff who cannot maintain their vetting clearance. All police officers and staff will have to go through a structured regime of on-going vetting that will continue throughout their professional life.

The new arrangements will be underpinned by a statutory Code of Ethics which sets out expectations of behaviour. To oversee these standards, the role of the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) will be significantly enhanced.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Scotland is well served by the exceptional dedication and commitment of our police officers. It is an incredibly difficult frontline job and police officers and staff conduct themselves with integrity, and I am grateful to them for all they do to keep communities safe.

“It is vital, however, that where any officer falls below the standards expected, there are robust and transparent mechanisms in place to hold them to account. This Bill will mean that officers accused of gross misconduct can still face proceedings even if they leave the service.

“The public and police officers also need a vetting system they can have full confidence in, and this Bill gives the Chief Constable more powers to remove officers and staff who cannot maintain their vetting clearance.

“The measures in the Bill build on significant improvements to good practice within Police Scotland’s vetting unit which have been recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), and will further strengthen public confidence and trust in policing.”

Joint investment in Scottish City Deals now more than £3 billion

UK Government investment in the City Region and Growth Deal programme in Scotland is now £1.5 billion – meaning more than £3 billion in total

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, has today [15 January] confirmed that, following the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, the total UK Government investment specifically on City Region and Growth Deals in Scotland has now reached £1.5 billion.

The Scottish Government is also investing £1.6 billion in the City Region and Growth Deals programme. That means that total investment now tops £3 billion in total.

Of the UK Government contribution, £527 million was part of a nearly £1.4 billion package of local growth investment signed off by the Chancellor in her Autumn Budget. That means that the UK Government is also, separately, investing £840 million in some two dozen local growth projects and programmes across Scotland. Driving growth and improving living standards across the UK is a key part of our Plan for Change, and these investments are an important part of that.

The Scottish Secretary gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee yesterday [15 January]. He is the first Cabinet Minister since the General Election to appear before a Holyrood committee.

Mr Murray was invited by the Committee to give evidence on the UK Government’s involvement in the City Region and Growth Deals programme, which is delivered jointly in Scotland with the Scottish Government.

Mr Murray said: “I am delighted to confirm that UK Government investment in City Region and Growth Deals alone in Scotland is now £1.5 billion. This is our Plan for Change in action, and this funding will drive economic growth and improve living standards right across Scotland.

“I am very pleased to be the first minister from this administration to give evidence at Holyrood. We have changed the way we do business and work with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament.

“We have reset those relationships to ensure we can work together to deliver for people in Scotland. That means genuine partnership working with the Scottish Government, and the City Region and Growth Deals programme, delivered jointly across Scotland, is an excellent example of that.”

City Region and Growth Deals are packages of funding agreed between the Scottish Government, UK Government and local authority partners.

At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor confirmed additional funding for the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal to support Grangemouth refinery workers and their communities, confirmed funding for a number of projects not yet in delivery, and gave the go-ahead for the signing of the Argyll and Bute Growth Deal.

That means that we will shortly have City Region and Growth Deals covering every part of Scotland, with UK Government investment in them specifically, since 2014, totalling more than £1.5 billion.

Getting the Right Care in the Right Place

Evaluating the introduction of the Redesign of Urgent Care

Patients using a new service to direct people to the right urgent care service had a mostly positive experience, a new report has found.

An evaluation of the Redesign of Urgent Care, which was launched in December 2020, found that people given appointments at A&E or minor injuries via NHS 24 111 reported shorter waits than those who visited A&E without an appointment.

The report also found an increased use of NHS 24 111 service during weekday in-hours, reduced unplanned attendances to Emergency Departments and fewer ambulance callouts and trips to hospital, noting there are several factors that may have contributed to these changes.

The report recommends, supporting NHS 24 to reduce call waiting times calls, improving the availability and capacity of alternative services available via flow navigation centres– which direct people to the most appropriate service for their health and care needs-  and continuing to provide public messaging on when to call 111. 

The Scottish Government is working with boards to drive improvements in how health care services are accessed.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I welcome this report which gives us some valuable insight into how we can improve the way the health service manages demand for urgent care services.

“We know there is still work to do, but it is encouraging that this evaluation found patient experience of the Redesign of Urgent Care was largely positive, and that people given appointments experienced shorter waits. I thank all the staff involved in this important piece of work.

“Work is already underway to implement the recommendations of this report, including increasing staff numbers at NHS 24. This winter there are a record number of NHS 24 call handlers available to direct people to the most appropriate care, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances.

“Our Right Care Right Place campaign, launched ahead of winter, is continuing to give guidance to the public on the best way to access services, and I thank everyone who is following that advice.

“The Scottish Government’s draft Budget, if passed by parliament, will provide a record £21 billion for health and social care, including £200 million to reduce waiting lists and improve capacity further.

“All of this will help to improve the flow of patients through hospital, and reduce pressures on urgent care. I urge parliament to back the Budget Bill.”

Technical Report: Redesign of Urgent Care Evaluation – gov.scot

More information on the Redesign of Urgent Care.

NHS 24 111 weekday in-hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday

Swinney: Removing two child limit will help thousands

Progress to eradicate child poverty

Thousands of families will be helped as part of the Scottish Government’s plans to remove the two child benefit cap, First Minister John Swinney has said as he repeated calls for the UK Government to end the policy immediately.

The First Minister made clear that if the UK Government was to scrap the policy, the investment the Scottish Government intends to allocate to its mitigation would be used on other measures to tackle eradicate child poverty.

At an event in Stirling hosted by The Robertson Trust, Mr Swinney addressed representatives from community and third sector organisations across Scotland and set out his vision for a country in which no child lives in poverty.

The First Minister said: “The eradication of child poverty is my government’s number one priority, and I want it also to become our nation’s number one goal.

“The cornerstone of our approach is investment in more dignified and generous social security support.

“It includes the resources we need to build the systems that will allow us to effectively remove the two child cap for families in Scotland.

“I can offer two guarantees today. Firstly, if we are able to safely get the systems up and running in this coming year, the first payments will be made in this coming year – helping to lift thousands more children out of poverty.

“And secondly, if the UK government does the right thing and abolishes the two-child cap across the UK, the resources we have committed to this policy will continue to be used on measures to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.”

Vision for eradicating child poverty in Scotland: First Minister’s speech – 15 January 2025 – gov.scot

CPAG, the Child Poverty Action Group, estimates that mitigating the two-child limit in Scotland could lift around 15,000 children out of poverty: 

https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/2024-12/Cost_of_a_Child_Scotland_2024.pdf

The Scottish Fiscal Commission has also published estimates of the number of children in Scotland impacted by the two-child limit this year, and who would benefit from mitigation were it to commence in 2026-27 (39,000 in 2025-26, rising to 42,000 in 2026-27. 

Mitigating the two-child limit and the Scottish Budget | Scottish Fiscal Commission.

Foot and mouth disease

Risk level increased following discovery in Germany

Imports of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany have been banned to protect farmers, their livelihoods and food security following the discovery of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in water buffalo in Brandenburg.

The risk level of FMD to the UK has been increased to medium.

FMD does not pose a risk to human health but is a highly contagious virus of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals.

This virus spreads easily through direct contact and airborne transmission is possible; and the disease can quickly affect entire herds/flocks. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor the situation – working closely with German authorities and other UK administrations to take necessary actions to protect livestock.

Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said: “I appreciate the concern this latest development will be causing to the farming community and wider agricultural sector in Scotland.

“We have not seen foot and mouth disease in Scotland since 2001, and, alongside government restrictions, with strict on-farm biosecurity, compliance with the swill feeding ban, and the reporting of all suspicions of notifiable disease promptly – we can avoid a further outbreak.

“Quickly recognising clinical signs of the disease in livestock is vital to controlling and preventing it from spreading. In cattle and pigs the signs of disease are usually readily seen; however, sheep do not always show obvious clinical signs. I would urge sheep farmers to be particularly vigilant.”

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “We have robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and our food security.

“The Scottish Government’s preparedness was tested in 2018 through Exercise Blackthorn which simulated a medium to large scale foot and mouth disease outbreak that had spread from England to Wales and Scotland and I am confident in our ability to manage any such occurrence.

“I am urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and remind them they have a legal requirement to immediately report any suspicion of disease in Scotland to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office.”

Foot and mouth disease: preparedness – gov.scot

Foot and mouth disease: how to spot and report the disease – gov.scot

Contact APHA – GOV.UK

Livestock keepers are encouraged to:

  • source animals responsibly.
  • source germinal products responsibly and be aware of the disease status of exporting countries and collection centres.
  • be aware of the current disease situation in exporting countries.
  • ensure any animals imported have the correct paperwork and are compliant with the conditions in the export health certificate.
  • keep any susceptible animals that have been imported separate from other animals whilst under restriction.
  • if you suspect signs of any notifiable diseases, you must immediately notify your local APHA office. Failure to do so is an offence.

Gordon Macdonald MSP calls out Labour’s betrayal of 24,230 WASPI women across Edinburgh

Gordon Macdonald MSP has hit out at UK Labour government’s betrayal of WASPI women as figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) reveal 24,230 women across Edinburgh may have lost out on pension payments.

As a result of the DWP’s failure to inform them of changes to the state pension age, it is estimated that a total of 355,910 women across Scotland did not receive money they were entitled to.

Now, following their electoral victory in July last year, the UK Labour government have reneged on their promise to compensate these women. The SNP however continues to call for the WASPI Women to receive the compensation they deserve, doing so again in a Holyrood debate this week.

Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “The Labour government’s betrayal of the WASPI Women is utterly shameful.

“As many as 24,230 across Edinburgh have lost out as a result of a UK government mistake, and many have tirelessly campaigned for decades to right this wrong.

“For the Labour Party – after mere months in power – to break their promise to compensate these women is wrong and an enormous breach of trust.

“The SNP will continue to campaign alongside the WASPI Women for the compensation they deserve. I urge the Labour government to see sense and u-turn on their decision.”

Based on NRS mid-year 2023 population estimates

Local authorityNumber
Aberdeen City11,360
Aberdeenshire16,560
Angus7,990
Argyll and Bute6,670
City of Edinburgh24,230
Clackmannanshire3,320
Dumfries and Galloway11,120
Dundee City7,820
East Ayrshire7,860
East Dunbartonshire7,480
East Lothian7,170
East Renfrewshire6,130
Falkirk9,500
Fife23,710
Glasgow City29,560
Highland16,430
Inverclyde5,490
Midlothian5,630
Moray6,240
Na h-Eileanan Siar1,890
North Ayrshire9,730
North Lanarkshire19,840
Orkney Islands1,520
Perth and Kinross10,500
Renfrewshire11,240
Scottish Borders8,740
Shetland Islands1,380
South Ayrshire8,610
South Lanarkshire21,140
Stirling5,400
West Dunbartonshire5,820
West Lothian10,070

Scottish Government: Support with energy costs

Statement to the Scottish Parliament about support with fuel costs in winter

More than 456,000 people are due to receive Winter Heating Payments totalling £26.8 million this winter, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will tell MSPs today (Tuesday 14th Jan).

Updating the Scottish Parliament on support with fuel costs for people on low incomes, Ms Somerville will confirm the Scottish Government is forecast to invest more than £65 million in our three Winter Heating Benefits this year, providing vital support to more than 630,000 people with their energy bills.

The Winter Heating Payment guarantees everyone eligible will receive a payment every year, rather than the UK Government approach of requiring a sustained period of cold weather, which previously resulted in no Cold Weather Payments being made to many low income households across Scotland.

The Scottish Government benefit, which replaced the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment, provides a targeted, reliable and guaranteed annual payment of £58.75 to support people on low incomes with the cost of heating over the winter months.

The UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment previously provided £25 per cold spell only when the average of the mean daily temperature recorded was equal to or below zero degrees for seven consecutive days.

The Child Winter Heating Payment provides help to disabled children and young people and their families who have higher energy needs due to a disability or a health condition.

This benefit is not available elsewhere in the UK. So far 37,000 payments have issued totalling £9.3 million so far this year, to support more than 33,000 children, young people and their families.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment helps people of pension age who receive certain benefits to pay their heating bills, and is providing payments of £200 or £300 to people in receipt of a qualifying benefit, depending on their age, this year.

For next year, the Scottish Government will bring forward regulations to ensure every pensioner household receives at least £100 – support which is also not available anywhere else in the UK.

Ms Somerville said: “When we asked people they told us they overwhelmingly supported the removal of the ‘cold spell’ requirement for the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment.

“Our Winter Heating Payment breaks the link with arbitrarily-defined weather dependency and provides financial support, no matter the weather. This means low-income households will automatically be paid and  do not have the uncertainty of waiting for weather readings for seven consecutive days before receiving a payment.

“More than 453,000 people got Winter Heating Payments last winter from the Scottish Government thanks to an investment of £25 million. This winter we will invest even more – £26.8 million – for Winter Heating Payment.

“That more than triples the £8.5 million provided on average by the Department for Work and Pensions in each of the last seven years prior to the introduction of our Payment.

“Our Winter Heating Payment is a very clear example of how this Scottish Government is doing more to support the people of Scotland throughout the long, cold winter months.”

Sue Bruce confirmed as Chair of Creative Scotland review

Survey launches to seek views of cultural sector

Dame Sue Bruce will chair the review of Creative Scotland, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced.

The review will examine Creative Scotland’s remit, functions and how it can best support the culture sector’s ambitions for renewal. It will be the first review of Creative Scotland since its establishment in 2010, as part of a wider commitment to review how the culture sector is supported.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson welcomed the “wealth of experience” Dame Sue Bruce will bring to the review, with previous roles in Scotland’s arts and local government sectors.

Mr Robertson said: “I’m delighted that Dame Sue Bruce has agreed to chair the Creative Scotland review. She brings a wealth of experience from previous roles in the arts and local government sectors, making her well-placed to conduct a thorough and independent review into how Creative Scotland supports the arts in Scotland.

“The 2025-26 Scottish Budget includes a record £34 million uplift for culture. I am determined to maximise the impact of every penny of that. The review will consider the diversity of potential sources of funding, such as philanthropy, for culture – to underpin a more sustainable and resilient cultural sector in the years to come.

“The intention of this review is to ensure views the length and breadth of Scotland are heard swiftly and the vitally important contribution that artists and cultural organisations do for our nation and our identity is recognised, valued and well-supported.

“The Scottish Government has also today launched a new survey seeking views on how culture and the arts are currently supported in Scotland and areas for change. The responses will help inform the scope of the review so I would encourage all those with an interest to respond to our survey.”

Dame Sue Bruce said: “Culture and the arts reflect our values, aspirations and history as a country and the people who work in the sector make an invaluable contribution to our society and our economy.

“I look forward to working with the sector and Creative Scotland to ensure that it’s remit and functions continue to be relevant for the culture sector today, recognising that there has been much change in the sector since 2010 when Creative Scotland was first established.”