Tag: Scottish Government

New report highlights the success of the Family Nurse Partnership

Over 7000 young mothers and their new-borns have received valuable support through an innovative programme led by specially trained nurses and midwives. Continue reading New report highlights the success of the Family Nurse Partnership

First Minister announces food education programme

A food education programme designed to teach children and young people about Scotland’s food industry has been launched by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Good Food Futures programme, backed by £1 million of investment, aims to give children a greater understanding of where food comes from and the many career opportunities available in the industry.

The programme will also include support for more farm visits, healthy cooking lessons and put more locally produced healthy food on school menus.

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, the First Minister said: “Scottish produce is enjoyed across the globe and Scots work in many of the world’s finest kitchens. I want people to enjoy our quality food, but I also want children and young people growing up here to benefit from it too.

“The Good Food Futures programme will help more children understand where their food comes from as well as benefit from it in their school meals. It will also encourage more young people to consider a career in the industry.

“In introducing more of our produce to children and young people, we will help farmers, food producers, manufacturers and businesses benefit in the longer term too.

“This is central to our work to become a Good Food Nation and the Royal Highland Show – with its focus on the best of Scottish produce – provides the perfect place to launch this programme.”

 The Good Food Futures food education programme is being delivered in partnership with:

  • Education Scotland and Food for Thought. The Food For Thought programme has been running for several years and provides funding to support schools in teaching teach children about growing and cooking healthy food.
  • Soil Association though the Food for Life Programme aims to stimulate more local sourcing through a holistic approach encompassing catering and supply chain work and education.

 

New benefit for teenage carers to launch in autumn

Young carers in Scotland aged 16 to 18 could benefit from a new £300 social security payment.

The Young Carer Grant is the first of its kind in the UK. It will be available to 16, 17 and 18 year olds who help care for someone in receipt of a certain type of disability benefit. The payment will be introduced this autumn.

Following feedback from young carers, eligiblity is being widened to include all 18-year-olds, not just those in education.

In a further another extension of the policy, young carers will now also be able to combine the hours they spend caring for more than one eligible person in order to reach the 16 hours a week requirement.

Young carers will also be able to take respite weeks without this impacting upon their application.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are using our new social security powers to recognise the extraordinary contribution young carers make to the lives of those they care for.

“This is the first time young carers aged 16 to 18 will be given a cash benefit to spend as they choose. We will be making these payments at what could be a pivotal stage in their lives – when they may be finishing school, looking for employment or starting further education or training.

“Young carers make an invaluable contribution to society but many have difficulty participating in the normal activities their peers can enjoy. The Young Carer Grant will help ensure they are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.”

The Scottish Government is investing £600,000 to support nearly 2000 young carers in 2019/20.

The Young Carer Grant will open for applications in autumn this year and applications can be made online, over the phone or by post.

 

Planning Bill is passed: ‘business as usual’?

SNP and Conservative MSPs voted through the Planning Bill at Holyrood yesterday. The Scottish Government says the Bill gives communities more say in the planning system – but campaigners are bitterly disappointed and argue that the legislation is a missed opportunity. Continue reading Planning Bill is passed: ‘business as usual’?

Drive on the Left campaign launched

Police Scotland and Road Safety Scotland were joined at tourist hotspot Urquhart Castle, Inverness, today by members of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), along with local MSP, Kate Forbes, to launch a new campaign to remind motorists to ‘Drive on the Left’ when visiting Scotland. Continue reading Drive on the Left campaign launched

UK Government to support Scottish rural businesses at this year’s Royal Highland Show

The UK Government will show its support for Scotland’s agriculture, food and farming sectors when it takes part in the 2019 Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh later this week. Continue reading UK Government to support Scottish rural businesses at this year’s Royal Highland Show

Brexit: Unheard Voices – consultation report published

The results of a consultation carried out across Scotland on the impact of Brexit has been published in a new report. Brexit: Unheard Voices brings together the views of 13 groups on preparing for the UK leaving the EU. Continue reading Brexit: Unheard Voices – consultation report published

Biodiversity funding for The Wild Line

Four projects from across the country have been confirmed as the first recipients of Scottish Natural Heritage’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund, sharing a total of £1.8 million over a two-year period.  One of them is The Wild Line, centred on a strip of Edinburgh’s coastline.

The projects will take practical steps to improve natural habitats, safeguard plant and animal species and improve biodiversity.

Biodiversity is all the different types of animals, plants and other organisms in our natural world. People know that climate change is a big issue but not as many know that nature – and biodiversity loss – is also a global and generational threat to human well-being. However, enhancing our nature is also recognised as being part of the solution to the climate emergency.

The funding will support large-scale projects that aim to deliver rapid change on the ground to help our most at-risk habitats and species, including mammals and birds, connect existing nature reserves and tackle non-native invasive species.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon visited a newly funded project – The Wild Line – in Edinburgh. The Wild Line is a strip of wilderness that edges the land and the sea which has become increasingly narrow due to urban development.

To boost nature and resilience to climate change, a network of species rich wildflower meadows to provide habitats for pollinators will be created. On shore retrofitting artificial habitats will enhance sea defences and protect people and nature against sea level rises providing homes for intertidal species, and invasive species, which outcompete native ones, will be removed.

Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon said: “I am delighted that, through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the Scottish Government and SNH can support these fantastic projects across the country to safeguard some of our most vulnerable species and habitats, and protect them from invasive species.

Their success will play a crucial role in our efforts to improve nature and help Scotland meet its international biodiversity commitments.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Shoreline Project said: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce the latest strand to the Edinburgh Shoreline project: ‘The Wild Line’. Funding from the Biodiversity Challenge Fund will enable us to work with incredible partners to deliver habitat creation & improvement for pollinators, rocky shore invertebrates & sea birds.

“Our fantastic delivery partners are the Scottish Seabird Centre, City of Edinburgh Council, University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. Huge thanks to Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon for coming down to meet us at Cramond to hear more about the project. We’re looking forward to a busy year!

SNH Chief Executive Francesca  Osowska said: “Nature loss is one of the key drivers of climate change – but it’s not too late to act. In fact, improving nature is also one of the solutions to the climate emergency.

“There are five areas we need to focus on to improve biodiversity – restoring our habitats, changing our use of the land and sea, reducing pollution and climate change and tackling invasive non-native species. These projects will improve nature across Scotland for all our benefit.

“We know we have a big task before us but we have been working for years with our partners to meet international nature targets. We are ready to deliver the transformational change needed to bring a nature rich future for Scotland.”