Tag: Scottish Government

Age Scotland calls for urgent rethink on winter fuel payment decision

Age Scotland is urging the UK government to reconsider plans to scrap the winter fuel payment for pensioners who do not receive pension credit.

Scotland’s charity for older people has said the move will push tens of thousands of low income pensioners in Scotland further into poverty, and puts some of the poorest older people at greater risk of ill-health and burgeoning debt.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced the decision to means test the winter fuel payment – which is worth up to £300 a year for those of state pension age – on Monday. Anyone who does not receive, or claim, pension credit will no longer get the payment aimed at helping older people with fuel bills over the coldest months.


 
Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “This move will effectively take money away from some of the lowest income pensioners in Scotland.

“There are currently more than 150,000 pensioners living in poverty in this country, and we know that many more are living on incomes just above the pension credit threshold. They will now miss out on a payment which could help them heat their homes and stay warm over winter.

“I would urge the UK government to look again at this decision, which affects older people who are already struggling with the high cost of living and will now face being worse off at a time they desperately need support.

“Already we are getting calls to our helpline from older people who are distressed by the announcement and worried about what lies ahead. I would call on anyone in that position to get in touch with our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 where our advisers can carry out a full benefits’ check to ensure that you are getting everything you are entitled to.

“We know that around 123,000 pensioners in Scotland who are eligible for pension credit are not claiming it – and they are some of the people who are going to be worst affected when the payment is withdrawn. Just 140,000 pensioners do claim pension credit, which leaves many thousands losing out who really cannot afford to do so.   

“The winter fuel payment is due to be devolved to the Scottish Government and our hope is that it will be restored as a universal benefit, particularly in light of the fact that Scotland does generally experience worse weather than other parts of the UK and more than half of those who receive it use it as an important part of winter budgeting.

“Keeping or reinstating the winter fuel payment will also ensure that money is going to those who need it most, when they need it most.” 

The Scottish Government has also expressed ‘disappointment’ at Rachel Reeves decision.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley Ann Somerville said: “The Chancellor’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payment is disappointing and was made without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government.”

Harnessing start-up solutions to improve lives

CivTech Round 10 launched to drive public sector innovation

Up to £8 million of Scottish Government funding is being made available to help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs solve public sector challenges.

The latest round of the Scottish Government CivTech programme invites companies and individuals to come up with innovations and products that will improve lives and practices across a wide range of public sector areas.

Applications to submit ideas to tackle nine different challenges are now open. They range from cutting pharmaceutical waste to using technology to improve public engagement in policymaking. Additional “wildcard” challenges are anticipated to launch in the coming weeks.

Successful applicants will work with their Challenge Sponsor to develop their proposal and pitch for a place in the programme’s Accelerator phase, which offers both financial and practical support to develop the business and market the concept to the public sector.

Since it launched in 2016, around £20 million of Scottish Government funding has been invested in the CivTech programme, with 90 companies and entrepreneurs helped to grow and develop.

These include bioscience company SilviBio and Tape for Trees, which developed new seed germination technologies to help Forestry and Land Scotland increase the efficiency and survival rates of its tree seedlings.

Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “Driving entrepreneurship and innovation is important to helping unlock each of the Scottish Government’s priorities of eradicating child poverty, boosting economic growth, achieving net zero and improving public services.

“In CivTech, we have a way to stimulate progress across each of these priorities so that, together, we can improve people’s lives and achieve our ambitions as a nation.

“This funding offers a unique opportunity not just to foster and support the innovators and entrepreneurs as part of a vibrant economy, but harness their ideas and inventions to continually test and improve our public services and our way of life.”

CivTech 5 participant Angela Prentner-Smith, Founder and CEO of This is Milk said: “CivTech was a launchpad for us. We got the amazing opportunity to develop a world-first platform directly with Government stakeholders, who trusted us to develop the product in line with user needs. 

“My CivTech journey started with my 3-person band business, my five-year-old and a two-week-old baby called Neve. I showed up to the accelerator, baby in hand, through Covid lockdown and the team couldn’t have been more supportive.

“The result has been Neve Learning, the most accessible and inclusive, hybrid learning platform on the market. We’ve worked with the public sector for many years, and never found a fit for purpose procurement opportunity that genuinely provides the platform for innovation and human-centred product design.”

CivTech 10 challenges: https://www.civtech.scot/civtech-10-challenges

Details on the CivTech process: The CivTech Process — CivTech

Final Reminder: XL Bully dog safeguards to come into force

New rules for owners take effect on Thursday

XL Bully owners have until midnight Wednesday 31 July to apply for an exemption certificate ahead of new laws coming into force.

From Thursday 1 August it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate or having applied for an exemption certificate.

It is already illegal to sell, advertise, gift or exchange, breed or breed from XL Bully dogs, or letting such dogs stray. Owners must now also ensure their dog is muzzled and on a lead while in a public place.

The penalties available to a court upon conviction for breach of the new safeguards are up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine up to £5,000.

Exemption certificate applications must be made online by the deadline of midnight on Wednesday 31 July. Applicants must obtain third party insurance, microchip their dogs and commit to their dogs being neutered, as well as pay the £92.40 fee.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “This is the last chance for XL Bully dog owners to make sure they meet the new regulations before they come into force.

“Dog attacks, although rare, can have a devastating impact on victims and consequences for owners which is why we are taking this action.

“The laws are in place to promote and support responsible ownership and public safety as effectively as possible.”

Fairer Workplaces Fund opens for applications

Support for flexible working

A fund to help businesses, charities and other organisations adopt fair work practices has opened for applications.

Grants are available to implement changes such as the delivery of workplace training and processes that support flexible working and help to create and sustain a more diverse workforce.

The Fairer Workplaces Fund adds to Scottish Government measures supporting fair work, including making payment of the real Living Wage and providing an effective voice for workers a condition of grant awards.

Employment Minister Tom Arthur visited McAllister Litho Glasgow, a commercial print company, to learn about the benefits of fair work from staff.

The printworks offers its employees the option of working compressed work hours, swapping shifts and making minor adjustments to their hours. During the cost of living crisis, the business also paid its staff an extra £500 a month for six months to help with rising prices.

Mr Arthur said: “Offering flexible shift patterns, remote working and making workplaces more accessible are among the relatively simple steps that can help more people into work and ensure they are able to stay there.

“They are also good for business. Experience shows that adopting fair work practices can help recruitment and improve staff retention. This new fund and the dissemination of the learning from it will help more companies – and Scotland’s wider economy – reap those benefits.

“The company I’m visiting today demonstrate how supporting your workforce goes hand-in-hand with running a successful company.”

Managing Director and Owner of McAllister Litho Janette McAllister said: “The implementation of flexible working at McAllister Litho Glasgow has resulted in a happier and more satisfied workforce. Employee happiness translates into ongoing loyalty and hard work, ultimately benefiting the business.

“We are a team and we need to work together. If someone needs a bit of flexibility and we can provide that, we will because we know we’ll benefit from that person’s loyalty and hard work in return.

“Recognising the pivotal role of a dedicated team, I acknowledge that fostering flexibility not only makes good business sense but also aligns with our commitment to doing what is right.”

The Fund which totals £350,000 is open for applications until Sunday, 1 September 2024.

Further Education funding: Have your say in public consultation

A consultation on simplifying funding for universities, colleges, apprenticeships and student support is open for views.

The proposals presented in the consultation will help make the system easier for learners to navigate.

Have your say:

http://ow.ly/wWbu50SoZpf

Third drug-checking licence application submitted

Glasgow joins Dundee and Aberdeen in £1 million pilot scheme

A licence application has been submitted to the UK Government Home Office for a drug-checking pilot to be established in Glasgow.

The Glasgow health and social care partnership service would be based at a hub on the same site as the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility which is scheduled to open later this year.

The Glasgow drug-checking service would allow dependent drug users to submit a drug sample which will then be tested to identify the substance. HSCP staff at the site will then be able to provide specific health and harm-reduction information directly to people who have come in.

It follows applications from organisations in Aberdeen and Dundee for similar facilities earlier this year. Scottish Government funding of £1 million has been committed to establish the three sites.

Speaking during a visit to the site of the Glasgow hub, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Glasgow’s licence application is a welcome milestone.

“Drug-checking facilities would enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends – which is particularly important given the presence of highly dangerous, super-strong synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply. These increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death, and are being found in a range of substances.

“We’re taking a wide range of measures to reduce harm and save lives – including the opening of a Safe Drug Consumption Facility pilot in Glasgow, supported by £2.3 million in ringfenced funding.

“I was pleased to see the progress that has been made and I’m grateful to everyone involved for their hard work. This facility is not a silver bullet. But we know from evidence from more than 100 facilities worldwide that they work.”

City Convener for Workforce, Homelessness and Addiction Services Councillor Allan Casey said: “Glasgow’s plans to open Scotland’s first safer drug consumption facility are progressing well and the submission of a Home Office licence application to operate a drug-checking service is another step towards providing comprehensive harm-reduction measures at our Hunter Street site.

“Being able to test drug samples on site will give staff the opportunity to engage with service users about what they’re using and provide harm-reduction advice and support. 

“Engagement with local businesses, residents and community groups regarding the opening of our safer drug consumption facility is still ongoing. We recently completed a successful recruitment campaign, supported by volunteers with lived experience, and staff will be coming into post in the coming weeks, where they will undertake induction and training plans.”

NHS building plans for Scotland delayed: Briggs speaks out

Plans to reveal which new hospitals, surgeries and treatment centres will be built in Scotland have been delayed.

In a letter to Holyrood’s finance committee, Cabinet secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison explained: ‘To provide as much certainty as possible to parliament and wider stakeholders of our capital investment plans, I must wait until I have confirmed capital allocations from the new UK government”.

That confirmation is not expected until late Autumn – and, given the new Labour government’s warnings about a £20 bn. ‘black hole in the UK’s finances, it’s not expected to be good news.

Lothian Conservative MSP, Miles Briggs said: “This further delay to finding out if SNP Ministers will reinstate the funding for a new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is extremely disappointing. 

“We urgently need a new eye hospital to improve the delivery of ophthalmology across the South East of Scotland. 

“The decision by SNP Ministers not to reverse funding for a new hospital has been a disastrous decision and will ultimately lead to additional costs for the delivery of a new hospital.

“I will continue to lead calls for the funding for a new eye hospital. What we desperately need is to see some leadership from SNP Ministers.”

XL Bully Dogs: Deadline approaching

XL Bully dog owners have until 31 July to apply for an exemption certificate so they can continue to keep and legally own their dogs. Otherwise, you’ll be committing a criminal offence.

THE DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING!

Apply here: http://gov.scot/publications/xl-bully-dog-rules/pages/what-you-need-to-apply-for-an-exemption/

See The Show for Young Men with North Edinburgh Arts

Special Invitation for NEA Ordinary and Youth Members! 🎭

We’re excited to invite local families to a special preview performance of The Show for Young Men!

📅 Date: Wednesday 31 July, 11am

📍 Location: PASS Theatre @ Edinburgh College (Granton Campus)

350 West Granton Road Edinburgh EH5 1QE

This captivating production by GuestHouse Projects, presented in association with Imaginate UK, is directed by Eoin McKenzie in collaboration with award-winning dancer Robbie Synge and young performer Alfie from Forthview Primary School.

Designed for young audiences aged 8+, The Show For Young Men considers familiar and unexpected ideas about men and friendship, forging a space where a more compassionate and caring mode of masculinity can exist.

🎟️ Find out more and book your spot: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/938511401867

📌 Learn more about NEA membership and sign up: https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/membership/