A fund to offer emotional and practical support to survivors of childhood abuse has begun accepting applications from eligible organisations.
The new £10 million fund aims to help organisations improve access to services which can reduce the impact of inequalities and disadvantage experienced as a result of childhood abuse. Continue reading New fund for childhood abuse survivors opens for applications
The Scottish Government has requested £52 million from the UK Government’s EU Exit Operational Contingency Fund ahead of 31 October to help prepare for a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU.
Restating the Scottish Government’s opposition to a Brexit of any kind, and in particular to a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay called on the UK Government to cover all additional costs associated with preparing to leave the EU, including those beyond 31 October.
The UK Government has indicated that funding is available where Scotland faces disproportionate costs.
Requests include funding to support:
Mr Mackay said: “The UK Government now seems to be actively pursuing a ‘no deal’ outcome which is utterly unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs.
“We have requested £52 million from the UK Government’s fund to help us prepare for a ‘no deal’ outcome. This is the minimum requirement for operational activity but the real costs of a ‘no deal’ Brexit will massively outweigh these and further funding will be required.
“Exiting the EU was not Scotland’s choice and the Scottish Government has been clear that any related costs must be covered by the UK Government. The Scottish Government should not have to cut spending on public services to fund Brexit preparations.
“As a responsible government, we are already taking steps to protect jobs and our economy from a ‘no deal’ Brexit and we will set out those plans to Parliament shortly but we are facing additional and disproportionate costs to mitigate the impact of such an outcome.
“We will continue make the case for staying in the EU and will stand firm against efforts to take us out against our will.”
A new Scottish Government loan scheme to help social landlords meet improved housing safety standards is already making a difference. Continue reading £13 million to improve safety standards in social housing
£1 million announced for historic vessel
The last sea-going paddle steamer in the world will receive £1 million of Scottish Government funding to help it sail again, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced.
The Waverley Paddle Steamer has been in operation for over 70 years, transporting millions of passengers to a variety of locations throughout the UK but is currently out-of-service and urgently requires new boilers.
Scottish Government funding will go towards replacing the twin boilers as well as other necessary maintenance and upkeep such as replacing the main electrical switch board, new cabling and installing new generators.
Ms Hyslop said: “The Waverley has delighted generations of locals and visitors throughout its 70-year history and I am pleased to be able to announce this significant financial commitment to help the historic paddle steamer set sail once again.
“In 2020 Scotland’s coasts and waters will be celebrated with a programme of activity designed to inspire more people than ever before to explore and experience our unrivalled shores. I look forward to seeing the Waverley, such a key part of our maritime and cultural history, back in service and able to play a central part in that celebration.”
General Manager of Waverley Excursions Paul Semple said: “The trustees are delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the Waverley’s importance to Scotland’s heritage and tourism with this generous grant towards our Boiler Refit Appeal.
“Taken together with the donations received from thousands of individuals across the UK it brings our appeal total to £1.9 million but more funding is required to reach our £2.3 million target to Save the Waverley.
“The continued support we are receiving is extremely heartening and we would like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated so far, we now hope that the corporate sector and grant-giving bodies will join the Government in supporting the Waverley to return to service next summer.”
The Waverley Paddle Steamer undertook its maiden voyage in 1947 and is registered as part of the National Historic Fleet as being a vessel of pre-eminent national significance.
A commitment to support the repairs was originally included in the Programme for Government as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 although no funding commitment was announced at that time.
A new benefit to support young people starting a new job after a period of unemployment will be introduced next Spring. The Job Start Payment is a new payment to help young people with the cost of starting a new job. Continue reading Young workers to benefit from Job Start Payment
Low-income families are to be protected against homelessness with a £1.5 million fund.
The Homelessness Prevention Fund will support housing associations and social landlords to work with their tenants to prevent crisis, and stop families from becoming homeless. Continue reading £1.5 million for social landlords to work with families to prevent homelessness
A public inquiry will be held to examine issues at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) sites following recent concerns from affected parents over safety and wellbeing.
The inquiry will determine how vital issues relating to ventilation and other key building systems occurred, and what steps can be taken to prevent this being repeated in future projects.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The safety and well-being of all patients and their families is my top priority and should be the primary consideration in all NHS construction projects.
“I want to make sure this is the case for all future projects, which is why, following calls from affected parents, I am announcing a public inquiry to examine the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sites.
“The recent KPMG and NSS reports into the new Edinburgh Children’s Hospital will provide a significant amount of the underpinning evidence for the inquiry alongside the ongoing independent review into the delivery and maintenance of the QEUH.
“The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”
Creating healthy balance sheets for Credit Unions
More people will have greater access to affordable credit and savings plans through a new £10 million fund.
Announced as part of the Programme for Government, the Credit Union Investment Fund will support credit unions to increase financial inclusion and help them to grow.
Credit unions are member-owned financial co-operatives, meaning they exist only for the benefit of the people who use their services. They are not-for-profit and, as such, any money they make goes right back into providing competitive rates on savings and loans.
The Fund, which will open next spring, will be supported by a new Credit Union strategy that will improve credit union systems and increase their provision of affordable credit, reducing the cost of borrowing and offering savings opportunities in a responsible way.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Credit Unions are driven by a singular purpose: to serve their members, rather than to make profits for a select few.
“While more than 410,000 people in Scotland are already members of a credit union, we want them to become more mainstream so more people can benefit from their ethical services.
“This is particularly so for people who are unable to access mainstream financial services or have limited choices on where to go to borrow money so can feel forced to turn to high cost lenders who can exploit their vulnerable position.
“Credit unions offer saving plans as well as repayment rates that are affordable and tailored to the borrower’s income.
“By working with the sector to deliver this fund and strategy, we can enable it to develop and flourish.”
Edinburgh businesses urged to help each other improve productivity
The Scottish Government and one of Scotland’s leading independent economic development networks have urged Edinburgh SMEs to register for new resources and events to help them drive innovation, productivity, sustainable development and economic growth. Continue reading Join the Clubs!
A Senior Programme Director, who will report directly to the Scottish Government, has been appointed to work with NHS Lothian on the delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP).
Mary Morgan (above), who is currently Director of Strategy, Performance and Service Transformation at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) will take up post today.
The appointment has been made by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman following the publication of KPMG’s independent review of governance arrangements and NSS’s assessment of compliance of all building systems at the new hospital. Following these reports, NHS Lothian has been escalated to level 4 in the NHS Board Performance Framework for this specific issue.
The new Senior Programme Director will oversee actions to ensure the safe delivery of RHCYP and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
Ms Freeman said: “I am pleased to have swiftly appointed Mary Morgan to the role of Senior Programme Director. Mary comes with a wealth of experience within NHS Scotland, leading on major change programmes, and will bring extensive expertise and knowledge to this role.
“Mary will work closely with both the Scottish Government and senior management at NHS Lothian and will oversee the safe delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
“Our overriding priority is that the children and families who depend on these hospital services can receive them in the safest way possible. The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”
Mary Morgan joined the National Health Service in Scotland in 1982 and subsequently pursued her career in nursing and NHS management. Ms Morgan joined NHS National Services Scotland as the Director of Health Protection Scotland in 2008 and prior to her current role she was the Director for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) and led the successful completion of the award winning new SNBTS facility (Jack Copland Centre)..
Ms Morgan said: “I recognise the importance and the challenge of the task ahead, whilst acknowledging the large amount of work that has been already undertaken.
“I am looking forward to working with colleagues in NHS Lothian in order to ensure that the new site for the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences is fully compliant and safe, ensuring the successful completion and move of services to the new premises.”
