It will be an offence to give or make alcohol available to a child or young person for consumption in a public place from today (Monday 15 May). The provision is part of the alcohol licensing section of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 and is in place to help Police Scotland better tackle outdoor drinking dens. Continue reading Under age drinking: new legislation to tackle ‘drinking dens’
Another major cyber-attack could be on the way as soon as Monday, IT security experts have warned. Friday’s global hit infected more than 125,000 computer systems across the world, spreading to at least one hundred countries. The effects of that ransomware attack are still being tackled and industry experts now fear a further attack could be imminent. Continue reading Cyber-crime: experts braced for another attack
Thousands of people with direct personal experience of the current benefits system have signed up to help shape the delivery of benefits in Scotland’s new social security system. As recruitment comes to a close, the latest volunteer figures for the Experience Panels stand at 2,335 – far in excess of the minimum 2,000 initially sought after – and applications will still be accepted over the next few weeks. Continue reading Still time to sign on to benefits Experience Panel
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chaired a Scottish Government resilience (SGORR) meeting last night following confirmation that a number of Scottish health boards are affected by cyber attacks.
Continue reading Resilience committee meets following cyber attacks
Scotland’s first missing persons framework launched
Cooperation key to helping 30,000 people that go missing every year.
No place for private firms in new social security setup
Scotland’s new social security agency will put people before profits, with no private companies carrying out benefit assessments, Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman has announced. Continue reading Scotland’s social security agency will put people first
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs and Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society have announced plans for the inaugural World Fringe Day, an international day of celebration that will take place on Tuesday 11 July. Continue reading Edinburgh to take centre stage on World Fringe Day
Four new laws aimed at tackling abusive behaviour and sexual harm come into force today. These include a requirement for judges to direct juries when dealing with trials relating to certain sexual offences. Continue reading Tackling abusive behaviour and sexual harm: new laws come into force today
A new national action plan to help protect children and young people online has been launched by Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald. The refreshed plan will help children and young people develop the skills they need to stay safe on the internet and support parents and carers to be more aware of the potential risks that their children face online. Continue reading Protecting children online: Action Plan launched
The Mental Health Information Station (MHIS) in Palmerston Place played host to Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt recently. Lead Occupational Therapist, Community Mental Health Services Jane Sutherland guided the Minister round the service, where she met with some of the project’s partners and Ms Watt went on to speak with a number of people who have benefited from using the service. Continue reading Minister visits Mental Health Information Station
