Measures to help re-engage young people from low-income backgrounds with school and address anti-social behaviour have been announced by Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson.
Third sector organisation Youth Scotland will deliver a £100,000 investment in grassroots youth work to secure safe spaces for young people, helping them overcome barriers to learning and develop skills.
In addition, £50,000 has been made available to YouthLink Scotland to support measures that focus on improving school attendance and positive behaviours.
Announcing the support at Scotland’s National Youth Work Conference yesterday, Mr Macpherson said: “We want to see further investment in projects and initiatives supporting young people from communities impacted by criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, to help them take a different pathway and develop positive skills they need for learning, life and work.
“I have seen the demonstrable difference that youth workers can make in helping to divert young people away from negative paths, and instead towards positive behaviours and destinations.
“Youth work can prevent violence and anti-social behaviour before it starts, by offering trusted relationships, safe environments, and positive role models, and often reducing risky harmful behaviours from escalating.
“Youth workers support young people to build confidence and resilience, and develop skills to navigate challenges, reach their full potential, and positively contribute to their communities.”
New Scottish Government funding to prevent homelessness and expand emergency grants
Efforts to tackle homelessness, reduce poverty and support women who have experienced domestic abuse are being bolstered by an additional £1.6 million this year.This includes:
A further £1 million investment in Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) for local authorities to help people move from temporary accommodation into settled homes
£100,000 to expand an emergency fund that outreach workers can use to help rough sleepers or those at risk of becoming homeless
£500,000 to further bolster the £1 million Fund to Leave announced on 2 September. This supports women experiencing domestic abuse to buy essentials when leaving an abusive partner, recognising that domestic abuse remains a leading cause of women’s homelessness
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan announced the suite of measures ahead of a speech to Scotland’s Annual Homelessness Conference in Perth today.
Commenting before the event, Ms McAllan said: “Our approach to supporting people is rooted in compassion and is driven by the belief that everyone – regardless of circumstance – deserves a place to call home.
“These investments reflect that housing is about more than basic shelter – it’s about safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild. And it follows on from the work set out in the Housing Bill to revolutionise homelessness prevention and improve standards in rented housing.
“When we get housing and anti-poverty measures right, we don’t just solve a problem, we build a fairer and healthier Scotland for generations.
“Today’s announcement, building on extensive work already carried out, show’s how seriously we take our duty to build a fairer Scotland.”
Proposals aimed at creating new jobs and driving economic growth by keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible have been published for consultation.
The draft Circular Economy Strategy sets out plans to increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates, for example by:
increasing the reuse of construction materials
supporting sustainable alternatives to fast-fashion
increasing EV battery re-purposing, recycling and material reprocessing
exploring ways to cut food waste
The draft Strategy will develop sector specific road-maps for four of the five sectors with the greatest potential for increasing reuse, repair and recycling rates in Scotland – the built environment, net zero energy infrastructure, textiles and food. Actions for the fifth sector, transport, will be included in the forthcoming draft Climate Change Plan.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Reducing, reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.
“It also brings huge benefits to households and communities – from lowering the costs of items and creating new jobs to cutting the amount of litter on our streets, helping to improve our local environment and protect wildlife.
“By supporting Scotland to move towards a culture where keeping materials and goods in use for as long as possible is the norm, we will also be able to drive economic growth by increasing the resilience of our supply-chains and encouraging innovation.
“This consultation outlines priority sectors key to cutting waste and capitalising on the economic opportunities that a circular economy presents to businesses. I urge everyone to take part.”
The Scottish Health Survey 2024 results, published yesterday, provide information on the health, and factors relating to health, of adults and children in Scotland.
Half of all adults now have at least one long-term condition, continuing the upward trend. Almost two in five adults (39%) reporting having a long-term condition that limits their activities.
Eight percent of adults report having doctor-diagnosed diabetes, the highest level recorded.
There has been a decrease in the proportion of adults eating five or more portions of fruit or vegetables per day, with only 11% meeting this guideline compared to 20% in 2021 when the questions were last included.
Food insecurity reduced with 8% of adults reporting being worried about running out of food due to a lack of money or other resources in the last 12 months, a decrease from 14% in 2023 which was the highest level recorded.
New questions on menopause and perimenopause showed that 76% of those who had experienced symptoms had utilised one or more ways of managing them. The largest proportions had utilised physical activity (40%), Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) (38%) and/or vitamins, minerals or supplements (35%).
New questions indicated that prevalence of possible eating disorders among adults, based on self-reported eating behaviours and feelings towards food,was 13%. This was highest among those aged 16-24 (26%).
Other key findings show that in 2024:
The proportion of adults who reported having felt lonely ‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ decreased from 10% in 2023 to 7% in 2024, similar to the proportion recorded in 2021 (8%).
Prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma amongst adults reached 18%, the highest proportion recorded.
Prevalence of any CVD (excluding diabetes or high blood pressure) remained in line with recent years at 16% of adults.
In 2023/2024 combined, 15% of adults reported being unpaid carers.
The proportion of adults with a GHQ-12 score of 4 or more, indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder, was 22%, similar to levels in 2021 and 2023 (22% and 21%) and lower than the peak in 2022 (27%).
In 2023/2024 combined, the prevalence of adults with two or more symptoms of depression was 10%, a decrease from 13% in 2021/2022 combined.
Seven per cent of adults reported currently having long COVID, consistent with 2023 (8%) and remaining higher than in 2021 (5%).
Around six in ten adults met the guidelines for moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (62%), a similar proportion as recorded in 2023 (63%).
The prevalence of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption remained at 20% of adults, the same proportion as in 2023 and a decrease from 34% in 2003.
Almost a third of adults (31%) were living with obesity, a similar proportion to 2023 (32%), with a significantly higher proportion of females (35%) living with obesity compared with males (27%).
Fourteen per cent of adults were current smokers the same level as in 2023, maintaining the overall downward trend in prevalence recorded since 2003 (28%).
Current use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices (10%) remained in the range seen since 2022 (10%-12%).
Thirteen per cent of adults met the Scottish Dietary Goal for saturated fat of no more than 10% of energy excluding ethanol.
Less than a quarter (22%) of adults met the Scottish Dietary Goal of free sugars accounting for no more than 5% of energy excluding ethanol.
ASH Scotland calls for smoking cessation service funding transparency as survey shows stagnation of adult smoking rates
ASH Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government and NHS regional health boards to demonstrate increased transparency regarding funding being invested in smoking cessation services, which can help people to give up tobacco and reduce their risks of non-communicable diseases such as cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
ASH Scotland’s call comes as the Scottish Health Survey 2024 findings published today (Tuesday 21 October 2025) by the Scottish Governent show that fourteen per cent of adults were currentsmokers, which is the same level as in 2023.
The charity is raising concern that the Scottish Government has not provided details of its annual funding to health boards specifically for smoking cessation services in 2025/26. The last publicly available figure regarding government annual funding to NHS health boards to deliver specifically smoking cessation services was £7,852,085 invested in 2021/22, a significant reduction from the £9,110,000 allocated in 2016/17.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “With tobacco continuing to be the biggest preventable killer in Scotland causing nearly 9,000 premature deaths each year, it is concerning that there is stagnation in the nation’s overall smoking rate, although we welcome the decrease from 26% down to 23% in our most deprived communities.
“The vast majority of people in Scotland who successfully give up smoking don’t use anything to aid their quit attempts, but it is vital that those who need behavioural support can benefit from NHS Scotland’s free person-centred specialist Quit Your Way services delivered by qualified health professionals which improves the chances of success by three to four times to reach a tobacco-free life and reduce the risk of cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
“As the Scottish Government’s funding for smoking cessation services showed a downward trend between 2016/17 and 2021/22, and no details have been provided for 2025/26, ASH Scotland is calling for increased transparency by the government and regional health boards regarding funding for Quit Your Way services, which are needed to drive progress towards Scotland becoming a tobacco-free nation in 2034.”
The Scottish Health Survey 2024 main report, including a summary of key results, is available on the Scottish Health Survey website.
Driver MOT roadshow visits The Gyle Shopping Centre as part of Scotland-wide tour
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a national driver MOT roadshow, which is set to visit The Gyle Shopping Centre on 23-24 October as part of a Fitness to Drive campaign, encouraging local drivers aged 60 and over to reflect on their driving skills and take steps to stay safe and confident behind the wheel.
Transport Scotland data show a continuing trend towards increasing numbers of casualties aged 60 and over.1 With more than 850,000 drivers2 in this age group in Scotland, the campaign highlights the importance of recognising changes that can come with age and taking simple, practical steps to address them.
These include booking regular eye examinations, reducing night-time driving, avoiding busy junctions at peak hours, and refreshing driving skills with a mature driving review.
The driver MOT roadshow visiting Edinburgh will raise awareness of these measures. Local drivers can drop by for information and reassurance, as well as advice on how to adapt driving habits to continue driving safely for longer.
Friends and family are also encouraged to attend for tips on starting supportive conversations if they have concerns about a loved one’s driving.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “As we get older, changes to eyesight, hearing, and reaction times can all affect our ability to drive safely.
“The Fitness to Drive campaign is about supporting older drivers to recognise those changes and take action to continue to stay safe on the road.
“Even one death on Scotland’s roads is one too many. By encouraging older drivers and their families to reflect on driving fitness, we can help save lives and ensure people feel confident and secure when they travel.”
Caroline MacQueen, Centre Manager at The Gyle Shopping Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the national driver MOT roadshow and look forward to welcoming local drivers and their families to our Shopping Centre”
The campaign is backed by IAM RoadSmart, a leading UK road safety charity, helping to improve driving and riding skills through courses and coaching. IAM RoadSmart offers mature driver reviews to help maintain driving skills and confidence and has played a key role in supporting the delivery of the driver MOT roadshow.
IAM RoadSmart Road Safety Manager for Scotland Stewart Mackie said: “Having a mature driver review can be a great way to boost your confidence on the roads and ensure that you and your passengers are safe.
“We know just how important driving is, and how it represents the freedom to go anywhere, anytime. This is why many mature drivers choose our course, because it gives them the confidence and skills to carry on driving and maintain their independence.
“We’d encourage anyone who is interested to come along to their local driver MOT event, where a friendly team will be on hand to offer support, guidance and practical advice to help you drive safely for longer.”
The driver MOT roadshow will run until January 2026, with stops at shopping centres, garden centres, and community hubs across Scotland.
The University of Dundee has agreed to host Scotland’s first national testing and research laboratory for drug-checking, boosting efforts to cut drug-related harm and save lives.
Part of a national pilot and backed by increased Scottish Government funding of more than £1.5 million, the site will analyse samples to help respond to emerging trends such as highly dangerous synthetic substances.
In addition, a proposal for a drug-checking service in Glasgow has been approved by the Home Office. Applications for similar services in Aberdeen and Dundee have been submitted to the Home Office, while a fourth facility in Edinburgh is working on its application. People will be able to submit drugs for testing and receive harm-reduction advice alongside the results.
The Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee will provide more complete analysis of samples from the local sites, giving vital information for the national early warning system.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “The University of Dundee has a strong reputation for forensic science and reaching this agreement, along with the licence approval for the first drug-checking site, are vital steps in our National Mission on drugs.
“It is particularly important in light of the current dangers posed by new synthetic opioids like nitazenes which raise the risk of overdose and death. Often people who use drugs are not aware of exactly what they contain.
“That is why we have consistently impressed upon the UK Government the importance of giving drug-checking facilities the go-ahead.
“We will now work at pace with local partners in Glasgow and all the pilot cities to get these services up and running as soon as possible.”
LRCFS Director Professor Niamh Nic Daeid said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Scottish Government’s National Mission to reduce drug-related deaths.
“The National Research and Testing Laboratory will provide information and research about the types of drugs circulating in Scotland that will inform colleagues and communities working to reduce drug deaths across the country.”
Glasgow City Convener for Workforce, Homelessness and Addiction Services Councillor Allan Casey said: “We are delighted to have received notification of the Home Office licence approval, having worked on the application and alongside national partners for some time.
“The service will complement other harm-reduction services in operation across the city and provide an opportunity to engage people in conversations about their health and wellbeing, as well as treatment, care and recovery.”
Thousands more North Sea workers will be able to access tailored support to help them transition into jobs in the sustainable energy sector – thanks to an £18 million boost in funding.
The Scottish Government will invest a total of £9 million over the next three years to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, matched by £9 million from the UK Government, to help oil and gas workers access careers advice and funding for training to enable them to move into roles in sustainable energy industries.
Launched as a pilot programme in June, in response to demand from oil and gas workers, the scheme has received a total of £1.39 million funding to date, with at least 300 workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire set to be supported in this financial year.
The additional government funding will allow thousands of additional workers to be supported by 2029. Both Governments will now work with trade unions and industry to develop and promote the scheme and explore opportunities for additional private investment.
More than £120 million has already been invested by the Scottish Government in the North East through the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund to support the region’s transition to net zero. This funding has helped create green jobs, support innovation, and secured the highly skilled workforce of the future.
Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland’s innovation, expertise and vast renewable energy resources will not only benefit the planet – but deliver new economic opportunities and new jobs for households and communities across the country.
“This continued and expanded funding to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector over the next three years – helping to deliver a fair and managed transition to the sector.
“We will continue to explore how best to support Scotland’s energy skills transition, working closely with the UK Government on options like guaranteed interview schemes, redeployment pools and skills passporting.”
UK Government Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Communities across Scotland have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call – and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen and places Scotland at the very heart of the clean energy revolution this government is delivering.
“Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job. Thanks to this government’s commitment to clean energy a generation of young people in Scotland can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders.
“This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union, agenda that will deliver the national renewal our country needs.”
All future Scottish Government funding remains dependent on the upcoming 2026/27 Scottish Budget, Scottish Spending Review and future annual Scottish Budget.
The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund is aimed at individuals who are currently working (or have worked in the last two years) in the oil and gas industry.
Further information regarding the pilot can be found here: Home
Specialist teams improving care and easing hospital pressures
All NHS Boards now have frailty services in emergency departments to help older and vulnerable patients as soon as they arrive – improving care and reducing pressure on A&E departments.
On a visit to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary Acute Frailty Unit, Health Secretary Neil Gray saw the impact the service is having on patient care, including:
the average hospital stay for those admitted to the Acute Frailty Unit was 3.4 days – compared to a typical 17.5 day average hospital stay for older frail patients.
no increase in re-admissions
two thirds of frailty patients admitted have been discharged directly home.
Frailty services provide specialist, multidisciplinary assessment and care for older patients where required. They are designed to accelerate early discharge, reduce delays, and shorten hospital stays — helping patients recover more quickly and return home sooner.
This expansion of frailty services across the country is backed by a share of the £200 million investment from the 2025-26 Budget, aimed at reducing waiting times, improving hospital flow, and minimising delayed discharges.
After his visit, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The success of the frailty service here in Dumfries and Galloway is something we are replicating across Scotland.
“By shifting the balance of care from acute hospitals to community-based services, we can ensure that people experiencing frailty are supported earlier – whether through GP referral or direct access via the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“This is about making sure people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
“The work being done here is making a real difference, particularly for older patients, with average length of stay reduced by 14 days and no increase in re-admissions.
“Improving patient flow is a key priority, and services like this show how targeted, well-coordinated care can lead to better outcomes.”
Chief Operating Officer of NHS Dumfries and Galloway Nicole Hamlet said: “This work is making a real and measurable difference.
By reducing unnecessary time in hospital, we’re helping people get home or to a homely setting safely and sooner. It also frees up vital capacity in the hospital, which helps us deliver better care across the board.
“I’m very proud of what the team has achieved.
“The project builds on previous frailty work in Dumfries and Galloway and continues to evolve with input from those delivering the care. The team is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership’s management team and project leads.”
We’re urging people to be aware of scam text messages as most winter heating payments will be paid to people automatically. We’ll never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.
Our winter heating payments helped over half a million families warm their homes last year.
Winter Heating Payment, Child Winter Heating Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment are automatic payments for almost everyone who is eligible and most people do not need to apply for these benefits.
Scam text messages are from criminals often pretending to be Social Security Scotland or another Government department. They tell people they are missing out on financial help and ask them to click a link to update their details or to apply for benefits.
We will never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.
Information about our benefits is available on official channels, such as its website and social media accounts. People can also phone our helpline if they have questions.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said:“As we approach the winter months, Social Security Scotland will be giving valuable payments to thousands of people automatically to help them stay warm during colder weather.
“It is important that people remain alert to scam text messages and e-mails. Social Security Scotland will never ask people for personal or financial details by text or e-mail.
“If anyone is unsure if they are eligible or are worried they will not receive a payment they are eligible for, please get in touch with Social Security Scotland directly.”
Tips to identify scam messages:
be suspicious of messages asking you to send money or share personal information such as passwords or bank details
scammers try to create panic by setting a time limit or saying something frightening
stop and think before giving out information
don’t follow links in suspicious emails or download files
check phone numbers and email addresses on the official websites
use ‘contact us’ sections to access information and services
If you think you have been the victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately.
Report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101.
Social Security Scotland offers free assistance to people making applications for benefits. More details can be found here: mygov.scot/benefits-support
A veterans support fund is open for applications to help improve the lives of former service personnel and their families.
The Scottish Veterans Fund is awarded to projects improving the lives of veterans and their families including with financial support, mental and physical health challenges and employment.
Next year the fund will, for the first time, be split into two funding streams. One will welcome bids for projects for up to three years which focus on supporting veterans and their families, and the other will prioritise small-scale, one year projects, particularly those which bring together veterans and serving communities.
Since the Scottish Government created the Fund in 2008 over 220 individual projects have been supported, receiving more than £2.8 million. This year 14 organisations across Scotland have shared £460,000 in funding.
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said: “Scottish veterans have provided a valuable service to their country and returning to civilian life can be challenging for many, impacting families in ways that can be difficult to navigate alone.
“The Scottish Veterans Fund has supported thousands of veterans and their families since its launch in 2008. Next year’s fund will continue to provide much-needed targeted support for our Armed Forces and veterans community, prioritising projects that address recommendations made by the Scottish Veterans Commissioner and bring together both veterans and serving communities.
Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton, who chairs the independent panel that assesses bids for the Fund, said: “For those veterans and families who face challenges, effective support can make a profound difference, and I welcome the continuation of the Scottish Veterans Fund in providing that assistance.
“I hope to see many of the commendable projects delivering that expert help come forward for funding.”
