Scottish Government – Page 2 – The NEN

Scottish government consults on ending the Universal Credit two-child cap

Views sought on flagship policy

The Scottish Government is launching a consultation on its plans to end the two-child cap on benefits.

Eradicating child poverty is the government’s top priority and ministers have committed to ending the limit by April 2026, or sooner if possible. The Child Poverty Action Group estimate that scrapping the two-child cap in Scotland could lift 15,000 children out of poverty.

The consultation is seeking views from the public and stakeholders about the most effective ways to put systems in place to mitigate the effects of the two-child cap. It asks for views on questions such as whether Social Security Scotland should administer top-up payments.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1892967518219751851

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The UK Government has failed to scrap the two child cap despite it being a key driver of child poverty. In the face of such inaction the Scottish Government is determined to end the impact in Scotland. If we can safely get the systems up and running earlier than April 2026, then we will make our first payments earlier – helping to lift thousands more children out of poverty.

“We have launched a consultation calling for people to respond as we look to put the necessary systems in place to achieve our goal. We have made clear to the UK Government what is needed for us to end the impact of this policy and I would urge people and organisations across Scotland to contribute to make their views known.

“The draft 2025-26 budget continues to invest more than £3 billion to policies which tackle poverty and the cost of living for households – and I would hope that would command widespread support across Parliament.

“There is irrefutable evidence that the two child limit is increasing poverty and hardship across the UK. We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to end the two-child cap, and we have been just one of many voices saying the same thing. Until they do so, the Scottish Government will do everything in its power to mitigate the policy, which helps create child poverty.”

The consultation closes on April 18th 2025.

Neil Gray: “Our plan is delivering”

Pledge on waiting times exceeded

The pledge to carry out 64,000 surgeries and procedures with additional funding by the end of March 2025 has been exceeded, new figures released to the Scottish Parliament have revealed.

More than 75,500 NHS surgeries and procedures were delivered between April 2024 the end of January 2025, around 11,500 more than pledged.

Funded through £30 million investment, the targeted activity has resulted in significant reductions in inpatient/daycase waiting lists across a number of health board areas and specialities. Between April 2024 and September 2024 there has been:

a 44% decrease in Imaging waits at NHS Fife
a 22% decrease in Urology waits at NHS Forth Valley.
a 19% decrease in Ear, Nose and Throat waits at NHS Highland
an almost 15% decrease in Ophthalmology waits at NHS Lanarkshire
an almost 10% decrease in General Surgery waits at NHS Lothian.

The targeted funding has also helped reduce the total national waiting list size between April 2024 and September 2024 for imaging by 7.5% and for scopes by 7.3%.

In April 2024 the Scottish Government funded NHS boards to deliver 64,000 procedures (40,000 diagnostic procedures, 12,000 surgeries and 12,000 new outpatient appointments) by March 2025. By January 2025, 56,500 diagnostic procedures, almost 9,200 surgeries, and over 9,800 outpatient appointments took place.

The Scottish Government will continue to monitor the impact of the funding until the end of March 2025 with boards reporting they expect to see further progress.

Latest published data also shows a rise in planned care activity between April 2024 and September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 – with an 8.3% increase in inpatient/daycase procedures and a 2.5% increase for new outpatient appointments.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am pleased to see health boards are now reporting the tangible impacts of our investment to clear the longest waits. Our plan is delivering and we are seeing progress across a number of speciality areas. I thank staff for their outstanding effort in carrying out this additional activity which is having a positive impact on people’s lives.

“This is a good start, however, we know many people are still waiting too long. We are determined do more and our 2025-26 Budget, with cross-party support now agreed, will provide a record £21.7 billion for health – including £200 million to help clear waiting list backlogs, improve capacity and reduce delayed discharge.

“This record funding will help us ensure no one waits more than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment or inpatient/daycase treatment by March 2026. We will also deliver over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year which will ensure people receive the care they need as quickly as possible.”

Campaign launched to highlight tenants’ rights

Raising awareness of how to access support

A campaign to increase awareness of tenants’ rights has been launched by Housing Minister Paul McLennan. This includes information about where renters can to go to access help and advice.

Tenants in Scotland have some of the strongest rights in the UK which include:

the right to ask for a review of a rent increase and for landlords to give the correct notice period before increasing rent
protection from illegal evictions or being asked to leave a property without proper notice
the right to a rented home that is maintained to an acceptable standard.

Speaking on his visit to Citizens Advice Scotland in Pennywell yesterday, Mr McLennan said: “People who rent their homes in Scotland already have strong rights when it comes to rent rises, maintenance and repairs and evictions. This campaign is important to make sure we increase awareness of these rights.

“We also want to highlight the end of the temporary change to rent adjudication on 31 March. This was put in place to support the transition back to market rent following the temporary cap on rents under the Cost of Living Act.

“Under existing legislation most private tenants continue to have the right to seek a review of a rent increase and I would encourage any tenant who is concerned about this to apply.

“We’re also taking forward measures in the Housing Bill to address the need for longer term action on rent control and strengthen tenants’ rights where it’s needed.”

Citizens Advice Scotland spokesperson Aoife Derry said: “A safe, secure home is foundational to people’s lives. We see thousands of people coming to our local bureaux seeking advice because they are struggling to afford their rent, as well as landlords who need support.

“The Scottish CAB network is here to help with free confidential advice for anyone who needs it. We need to see a rented sector that works for everyone, where everyone knows their rights and responsibilities, and clear information and access to redress when things go wrong.

“Scotland deserves a rented sector that works for everyone, so that more people can stay in their homes.”

Information is available to support tenants who are concerned about paying their rent:

If you cannot pay your rent – mygov.scot

Securing a future for Grangemouth

Additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund

First Minister John Swinney has announced an additional £25 million to establish a fund to help secure the future of Grangemouth.

During a statement to Parliament he also called on the UK Government to address the immediacy and urgency of the situation facing Grangemouth by at least matching the Scottish Government’s investment.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1891907870150590846

The First Minister said: “The aim of this fund is to expedite any of the potential solutions that will be set out in the Project Willow report, as well as other proposals that will give Grangemouth a secure and sustainable future.

“We have made the strategic decision to support this key activity through an additional draw down of ScotWind revenue totalling £25 million, to add to the £7.8 million in our budget for 2025-26. Altogether, the Scottish Government – with a finite budget – has committed or already invested £87 million in Grangemouth.

“We need the UK Government to do at least the same and deliver a fair amount to avoid significant economic disruption in central Scotland, and to protect and promote Scotland’s – and Grangemouth’s – future interests.”

The First Minister confirmed to Parliament that an amendment will be lodged to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate an additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund.

Funds will be available immediately in the new financial year to support businesses and stakeholders to bring forward investible propositions over the next 12 months, and if necessary, beyond.

He added: “We believe that refining at Grangemouth should continue, that this closure is premature and that it is detrimental to Scotland’s transition to net zero.

“We recognise the significance of the fact that we are now facing a programme of redundancies at Grangemouth and the impact this will have on the lives of those employed at the site. Every person, every family and every business impacted by the closing of the Grangemouth refinery, matters. Our immediate focus, rightly, is on providing those who are losing their jobs with targeted skills support.

“Everyone working at Grangemouth’s refinery is a valued employee with skills that are key to Scotland’s net zero future. We want them to stay in Scotland and continue to make their lives here. We will do all we can to ensure they have a future in the Scottish economy as we make the transition to net zero.

“That is why we are also working to secure Grangemouth’s role in that future and create an investible industrial strategy for the site.”

The First Minister also called on the UK Government to continue to work together with the Scottish Government to drive forward the next phase of Project Willow; to expedite a decision on Acorn and the Scottish Cluster of carbon capture projects; and to make urgent progress on allocating funding for the second round of hydrogen production projects.

Securing a future for Grangemouth – First Minister’s statement – 18 February 2025

Delivering Social Care reform

Changes proposed to reflect people’s needs

Plans to transform the way social care is delivered are being progressed as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to improve the experience of everyone who accesses social care, social work and community health services.

Ahead of Stage 2 proceedings of the National Care Service Bill later this month, a number of amendments have been lodged, all of which are subject to Parliament’s agreement.

As the National Care Service will now be established through both legislative and non-legislative means, with reform of social care at the centre it is proposed the Bill will be known as the “Care Reform (Scotland) Bill”.

If agreed by Parliament, as amended, the Bill will also bring forward significant reforms to social care, including:

Anne’s Law being enshrined into legislation to uphold the rights of people living in adult care homes to see loved ones and identify an essential care supporter
ensuring all those working in or supplying services to the health and social care sector follow the same information standards allowing easier communication
the creation of a National Chief Social Work Advisor post, in statute, to bring strategic leadership at a national level.

The Bill will also retain measures to establish a legal right to breaks for unpaid carers. Ahead of the legislation, the Scottish Government has identified an additional £5 million in the draft 2025-26 Budget to support 15,000 carers to take short breaks from their caring responsibilities.

Ministers announced in January that legislation to set up a new public body to oversee national improvements would no longer go ahead. However, work to establish a National Care Service Advisory Board is progressing and it is due to meet for the first time in March.

Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: ”Social care has the power to transform people lives, that is why it is so important that those accessing services receive the highest quality care, delivered consistently across Scotland.

“The amendments lodged in Parliament offer us the best opportunity to urgently get to work to reform the system and have a transformative impact on people’s lives.

“Positive progress is being made on establishing an advisory board that puts people with experience of the social care system at the heart of it, helping deliver the changes we all want to see.”

An essential care supporter is someone, for example close relatives or friends, who plays a vital role in providing their loved ones with regular care and support alongside staff. This includes companionship, personal support and advocacy.
Additional funding for Short Breaks Fund – gov.scot

Your Community: Play Your Part!

Getting involved with voluntary and community groups can allow you to:

– Help others in your local area

– Learn new skills

– Build friendships

See our guide on some of the different ways you can get involved

https://www.ready.scot/get-involved/playing-your-part

Social Care Roundtable on Employer National Insurance Contributions

Yesterday COSLA and the Scottish Government convened a roundtable discussion to consider immediate challenges facing the delivery of social care services:

COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly, reflected on the meeting: “I was very grateful for the representation from across the care sector, including our partners in the third and independent sectors, involved in this critical discussion.

“We all have a shared responsibility to improve outcomes for people using health and social care services in Scotland, and I am acutely aware of how much more challenging this becomes when confronted with significant budget gaps for Local Government and Integrated Joint Boards.

“Of course, I know that it’s a similarly challenging financial context for our partner providers who deliver vital care and support for people.

“The reality is that the current financial challenges will have a very real impact on services and it’s for this reason I thought it was crucial to bring together key partners to highlight the impact this has been having – and will continue to have – on the system.

“The changes to employer National Insurance contributions, coupled with continued financial constraints and uncertainties, are a significant risk felt by Local Government which will impact upon the delivery, commissioning and procurement of services.

“There are no easy solutions to the challenges that were aired but I was encouraged by the frank and open contributions from attendees, and the consensus that it’s more important than ever that we work collaboratively to ensure continued delivery of social care for all those who need it.

“As COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, I want to reiterate that we are doing everything we can to address the challenges the sector collectively faces, and that COSLA remains absolutely committed to engaging with the Scottish and UK Governments on these matters.”

Taskforce recommends actions to attract and retain nurses and midwives in Scotland

A taskforce has published 44 recommended actions on how to improve working conditions for Scotland’s nurses and midwives.

The Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce was established by the Scottish Government in 2023 to build on efforts to make Scotland the best place for nurses and midwives to work. Chaired by Health Secretary Neil Gray, it brings together key stakeholders, including the Royal Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery, to engage with nursing and midwifery staff, understand the challenges they face and recommend ways to improve the profession.

A key part of this work was the Listening Project, which gathered insights from more than 4,000 nurses, midwives, students and academics to shape future improvements. The findings from the Listening Project have led to 44 recommended actions designed to improve recruitment and retention of staff and workplace conditions.

These actions include:

ensuring appropriate staffing levels so that all staff can take the breaks they are entitled to
reviewing data-inputting and paperwork requirements to reduce the administrative burden on nurses and midwives
developing national guidance on rostering and flexible working to ensure better work-life balance
ensuring nurses and midwives can participate in decision making and planning
widening entry routes into nursing and midwifery careers

The next stage of the taskforce will focus on implementation, with a dedicated group developing a detailed work plan and timeline that ensures these recommended actions are delivered effectively.

Accepting all 44 recommendations, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray said: “Our nurses and midwives are the backbone of Scotland’s healthcare system and we are committed to ensuring they have the support, flexibility and workplace conditions to thrive.

“The publication of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce report marks an important milestone; we have heard directly from staff about what matters most to them, and this has shaped the recommended actions which will deliver real change for nurses and midwives.

“I am very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to take part in this important piece of work. The Scottish Government will now work with our partners to deliver the actions contained in the report.”

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Director, said: “This is the culmination of two years of collaborative working, and we welcome the recommended actions announced today.

“We see this as a significant step and, as the implementation board begins its work, the recommendations should provide a strategic roadmap to begin to tackle the nursing retention and recruitment challenges in Scotland.

“Implementation of the recommendations will take time and investment, we look forward to playing a key role in the Implementation Board to ensure delivery and enable Scottish government to meet its aspiration of making Scotland the best place for nurses and midwives to work.”

SWALK? Call to help Scots reunite with loved ones

Equalities Minister urges UK Government to change family visa rules ON Valentine’s Day

Changes to the UK Family Visa Route would support the wellbeing of married couples and families by helping them reunite in Scotland, according to a new Scottish Government report.

Under current rules, people living in the UK need to earn a minimum of £29,000 to bring an immediate family member from abroad to live here.

Planned increases to this threshold were paused in July 2024 by the UK Government, which is currently seeking views on whether the requirements should continue in their current form.

The Scottish Government report sets out evidence that the minimum salary requirement does not support Scotland’s interests, and disproportionately impacts women and part-time workers.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “This Valentine’s Day, I am calling on the UK Government to make the changes needed so that couples and families who do not meet the current financial requirements can be reunited.

“People who live in Scotland should be able to build a life with their spouse and raise children here – wherever in the world their husband or wife is from. Allowing more people to bring their families to live here would enrich communities, support public services and contribute to the economy.

“The UK Government’s review of the income threshold is welcome, and the Scottish Government is clear that the minimum income threshold needs to be reduced or removed altogether to allow more families to build their lives here in Scotland.”

Sarah Douglas is from the Scottish Borders. She is currently living in Perugia, Italy with her husband and their three children. Sarah would like to return to Scotland with her family, however due to the minimum income requirement, they are unable to move to the UK.

Sarah said: “The minimum income requirement is currently preventing me from living in Scotland with my Italian husband.

“As a mother to three young children meeting the threshold is challenging especially since I’m expected to do so whilst being separated from my husband and caring for my children alone.

“I am faced with a choice between separating my family or permanent exile. It is a cruel policy which places unnecessary emotional and financial strain on families. A new policy should be implemented to ensure that families like mine can stay together.”

Demi Kara is from Edinburgh. She married her husband, who is from Adana, Turkey, in 2024. Due to the minimum income requirement, the couple are currently living separately in Scotland and Turkey.

Demi said: “A price on love seems very much unfair. Younger long distance couples have no chance in this generation – you pay the price and put your life on hold, or you leave, it’s as simple as that.

“I put my degree on hold to fight for my husband to be by my side – a basic right every person should have. A change the minimum income requirement would allow my life to be whole, allow my heart to be full of love and not broken and torn between two countries.”

Scotland to be showcased at Expo 2025

Scotland’s innovation, skills and natural resources are to be showcased at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan later this year.

Three one day events at the global exhibition will highlight the country’s strengths in creative industries, life sciences and the offshore wind sector.

It follows a successful attendance at Expo 2020 in Dubai, which generated forecast sales of almost £90 million for participating Scottish businesses.

Games companies will be the focus of the creative industries day on 17 April, including eight being supported through the Scottish Government’s Techscaler business accelerator. Also attending will be KeelWorks, an established Edinburgh game development company with an existing deal with Japanese publisher KONAMI.

Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited the company to launch the Expo programme and hear about its export success.

Mr Lochhead said: “This is an opportunity for Scotland to showcase and shine on the global stage. Our message in Osaka will be simple – Scotland is open for business and is one of the best places in the world to invest.

“We will demonstrate first hand that we have the skills, technology and opportunities in a range of emerging industries. KeelWorks is just one example of that and later in the year our buoyant life sciences businesses and the offshore wind sector will also be centre stage.

“Japanese businesses already recognise Scotland’s economic potential, including Sumitomo, which is currently building a subsea cable factory at Nigg in the Highlands. I am confident that further companies and significant investment will follow as result of our presence at the Expo.”

KeelWorks Chief Executive Meher Kalenderian said: “This activity is about strengthening connections, driving investment and opening new doors for collaboration. So, we’re thrilled to be part of Scotland’s presence at Expo 2025 Osaka, highlighting the strong business opportunities between Scotland and Japan’s prominent gaming industries.

“This platform offers a great chance to showcase our thriving creative sector and build new collaborations. At KeelWorks, we’ve seen first-hand the value of such partnerships through our work with KONAMI on CYGNI: All Guns Blazing.

“Our presence at the Expo reflects the growing potential for Scottish and Japanese gaming sectors to engage, as both countries lead in innovation.”

Expo 2025 Osaka takes place from 13 April to 13 October. It is an international event at which countries, organisations and companies showcase innovations, cultural exchanges and solutions to global challenges.

It is expected to attract about 28 million visitors and more than 150 participating countries. Scotland’s three events are supported by Scottish Enterprise.