Members of the public, businesses and the tourism sector are being asked for their views on the design of a levy which would let local authorities, who deem it appropriate for their local circumstances, charge visitors a fee for staying overnight in their area. Continue reading Tourist Tax consultation launched
People affected by suicide will join a new panel to inform and educate on the ways to prevent suicide.
The panel will be made up of those who have previously attempted suicide or who have experienced suicidal thoughts and those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Continue reading World Suicide Prevention Day: Scottish Government announces new lived experiencepanel
Advice and support to stay in Scotland
EU citizens affected by changes to the immigration rules as a result of Brexit are to be offered extra support and advice.
The EU Citizens’ Rights Project, backed by £50,000 from the Scottish Government, will deliver nationwide events to raise awareness about what they need to do to stay in Scotland after Brexit.
The focus will be on helping vulnerable EU citizens who may have more complex needs or who may face barriers to applying for settled status, and may need additional support. Immigration lawyers will offer expert advice and interpretation will be available where appropriate.
Migration Minister Ben Macpherson said: “EU citizens significantly enrich our society and make a huge contribution to Scotland’s economy and public services. My message to them is simple: you will always be welcome in Scotland, we want you to stay and we will support you to stay. That is why the Scottish Government launched our Stay in Scotland campaign earlier this year.
“It is deplorable that the UK Government is forcing EU citizens to apply to retain their existing rights, and we continue to urge the UK Government to implement a declaratory system. However we also want to ensure that people remain in Scotland and that they are informed and supported when applying for settled status.
“That is why we are funding the Citizens’ Rights Project to deliver a series of outreach and information events for EU citizens and their families across Scotland. These events will raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme, provide applicants with the necessary information, and signpost to available support to help people to stay.”
Noelia Martinez, Project Coordinator for the Citizens Rights Project, said: “This type of support is extremely important for EU citizens in Scotland who are concerned about what would happen to their rights after Brexit.
“Many, like myself, have successfully applied for Settled Status, but we know from our previous outreach and information work that there are still lots of EU citizens who are not sure about how to apply, or have faced difficulties in making application.
“This further funding is very welcome, as it will allow us to continue our work, with an emphasis in particular on reaching vulnerable EU citizens, and those who live in more remote areas of Scotland.”
The charity Who Cares? Scotland has welcomed new policies announced today by the Scottish Government. If realised in full, the charity says that the policies will make a real difference to Care Experienced people. Continue reading Government Heeds Warning From Children’s Charity
NHS Lothian lowest funded health board per head of population.
NHS Lothian have not hit a single one of their performance targets and have the lowest funding per head of population, with £1,540 based on mid 2018 population estimates. Continue reading NHS Lothian needs more government support, says Briggs
Anyone facing homelessness will spend no longer than a week in unsuitable accommodation like bed and breakfasts under new legislation.
The seven day limit on unsuitable temporary accommodation which currently covers families with children and pregnant women will now be extended to protect everyone at risk of homelessness.
Announcing the changes, which will come into effect by May 2021, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “We know that people living in these unsuitable environments can for too long often lack cooking or washing facilities, and some have reported that they cannot have visits from family or friends.
“These experiences have a detrimental effect on people’s physical and mental wellbeing, preventing them from rebuilding their lives.
“While temporary accommodation can offer an important emergency safety net for anyone who finds themselves homeless, such as those fleeing domestic violence, it should be a purely temporary measure.
“In Scotland we are already world-leading in tackling homelessness, and now this new legislation, which is a UK first, will make sure that the time anyone spends in unsuitable temporary accommodation is as short as possible before moving to a more appropriate, permanent home.
“We recognise the importance of a settled home in supporting people to live their life with good health, wellbeing and a sense of community and belonging.
“That’s why we’re investing £32.5 million, which includes more than half of our £50 million Ending Homelessness Together Fund, to support local authorities to prioritise settled accommodation for all.”
Research published by Crisis last year gathered experiences of 74 people across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Glasgow, Midlothian, Aberdeenshire and Highland who have faced months in unsuitable temporary accommodation such as B&Bs.
It showed that these experiences damage people’s mental health and job prospects, entrenching their homelessness.
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of homeless charity Crisis, said: “We strongly welcome the announcement that the Scottish Government will change the law so that people will no longer have to live in the most unsuitable forms of temporary accommodation for longer than seven days.
“This marks a major achievement for our Life in Limbo campaign, a three year project which has sought to put an end to lengthy and dehumanising stays in unsupported hostels, hotels and B&Bs.
“This decision is a recognition of the resolve of our clients to shine a light on the inhumane conditions they were experiencing and the determination to ensure no one else was subjected to these prolonged stays.
“Making sure that everyone has a home where they can begin to rebuild their lives benefits all of us. Once again Scotland has shown it is a world leader in tackling homelessness and this commitment is a major step forward towards it being the first nation in Great Britain to end homelessness for good.”
i_wont_last_long_in_here_experiences_of_unsuitable_temporary_accommodation_in_scotland_-pdf
Approximately 1,000 extra pupil support assistants will be recruited this year to work with children with additional support needs.
This week the First Minister announced £15 million for councils to expand on the 13,636 pupil support assistants already working in Scotland’s classrooms – but the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition say greater investment yet is still required.
Visiting West End Campus in Dundee, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Every child should have the support they need to reach their full learning potential.
Through listening to the experiences of children and young people with additional support needs, their families and those who support them, we recognise we need to do more to enhance their experience at school.
“Working in partnership with local authorities we will invest an extra £15 million in the coming year to increase frontline staff to support learners with additional support needs.
“This will make an significant impact in our classrooms and will help to ensure our young people and their families get the right help at the right time.”
COSLA Spokesperson Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “Additional resource for Local Government is always welcomed and this funding will make a positive difference to children and young people in classrooms across Scotland, helping those with additional support needs to reach their full potential on their school journey.
“Core Local Government services like education are vital to all of Scotland’s communities and COSLA will work hard in the coming months to ensure that Councils across Scotland continue to have the resources they need to support every child, young person, citizen and community.”
Responding to the Scottish Government announcement, a spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “This increase in investment to expand the number of pupil support assistants working in Scotland’s schools is to be greatly welcomed.
“However, what is also vital is boost in the number of ASN teachers, who have seen their numbers slashed over the last few years, as well as specialist support staff.
“Between 2012 and 2018 the number of specialist teachers supporting those with ASN has decreased from 3,840 to 3,437, a decline of 403, representing a new low.
“There has also been a fall in the number of specialist support staff in key categories such as behaviour support staff, where the number has dropped by 58 from 2012 (from 180 to 122) and by 43 in the number of educational psychologists (from 411 to 368).
“This fall is against the background of an overall increase by 68.7 per cent since 2012 in the number of pupils identified with ASN, from 118,034 to 199,065 in 2018, representing just over a quarter of all pupils (28.7 per cent).
“Figures reveal that per pupil spend on those with ASN has slumped from £4,276 in 2012/13 to £3,387 in 2017/18. This amounts to a cut of £889 per pupil, representing a 26.1 per cent drop in real terms (20.8 per cent in cash terms).
“It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need, which is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap. Any increase in support, which this Scottish Government announcement does, is to be welcomed, but this is clearly challenging in an environment of austerity and evidence of cuts in sspending per pupil with ASN.”
Q-Bot technology has recently been added to the range of energy efficiency measures offered under Warmer Homes Scotland – the Scottish Government’s national scheme for improving energy efficiency in homes who are in or at risk of fuel poverty.
The scheme’s Managing Agent, Warmworks Scotland, has now confirmed that the technology, a unique robot that is controlled via remote control, will be used to insulate the area underneath suspended timber floors, thus creating a warmer, more comfortable home, with fewer draughts, more even temperatures, and a reduced risk of damp or mould. Continue reading Warmer homes? Send for the Q-Bots!
Programme for Government 2019-20
Ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change and securing a positive future for generations to come are the focus of this year’s Programme for Government, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
While attention was concentrated on the drama unfolding down at Westminster, MSPs returned to Holyrood after the summer recess and Nicola Sturgeon laid out the SNP government’s plan for the year ahead.
Following the First Minister’s acknowledgement of a global climate emergency earlier this year, the Programme for Government sets out the Scottish Government’s next steps to tackle climate change, including a landmark investment of more than £500 million to improve bus infrastructure across the country to encourage more people to use public transport.
The First Minister also announced plans to decarbonise Scotland’s railways by 2035 and make the Highlands and Islands the world’s first net zero aviation region by 2040.
She also confirmed the first wave of schools to be built or refurbished through a new £1 billion school investment programme will be announced later this month and an extra £15 million will be provided to help improve additional support for learning.
An additional £20 million of funding will help tackle the public health emergency of drug deaths in Scotland. The Child Payment, which will benefit low income families with young children by £500 each year, will now be introduced by Christmas 2020 – ahead of the original schedule.
Other measures include:
The First Minister also confirmed the Referendums Bill will go forward this year and that the Scottish Government will ask, during the passage of the Bill, for the transfer of power to hold an independence referendum within this term of Parliament.
The First Minister said: “This Programme for Government will put health, prosperity and wellbeing at its heart, and will reinforce Scotland’s place as a dynamic, open, innovative economy.
“In the last 12 months we have made important progress in creating a better and fairer country and this year’s Programme for Government builds on that record.
“Earlier this year, I acknowledged that Scotland – like the rest of the world – faces a climate emergency. We are now committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest – earlier than any other UK nation.
“This year’s Programme for Government is an important part of our response to the climate emergency, containing measures which will reduce emissions while supporting sustainable and inclusive growth.
“It sets out actions which will make a difference for years to come. It details measures which can help make our country the best in the world to grow up, learn, work and live. It meets the challenges of the future, while staying true to our enduring values.
“However, alongside these crucial steps, we will continue to plan for the possibility of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and, as long as this remains a risk, the Scottish Government will work as hard as we can to mitigate the impact on families, communities and businesses across the country.”
Bills for introduction in 2019-20:
Edinburgh Pentlands MSP, Gordon Macdonald, has welcomed the SNP’s ambitious new plans to tackle climate change and build a fairer country, outlined in this year’s Programme for Government.
SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “The SNP has achieved a huge amount in government – in just the last year we’ve increased NHS funding, increased teacher numbers and pay and delivered brand new benefits through our Scottish Social Security Agency.
“Our plan for the year ahead is an ambitious set of proposals to tackle climate change and build a fairer country.
“Even in the midst of Westminster chaos and instability, the Scottish Government is determined to get on with improving lives in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
“But it cannot be stressed enough – while we are doing everything we can to move Scotland forward, the threat to our economy and our society posed by Boris Johnson’s plan for a No Deal Brexit remains.”
Rollout of £1 million for counselling and befriending.
New mums at risk of poor mental health will be given access to increased support including counselling and befriending services.
The rollout is part of a £50 million investment in mental health services for new mums, babies and young children announced by the First Minister earlier this year.
An initial £1 million will support several key areas, including helping the third sector provide counselling, befriending and peer support for women and their families.
The funding will see new and expectant mothers get more consistent access to psychological assessment and treatment.
It will also be used to increase staffing and training at Mother and Baby Units for the 2,250 women with the most serious illnesses and to develop mental health services for babies.
Announcing the funding at Aberlour children’s charity, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “It’s crucial that these services are led by the needs of women, young children and families.
“We have sought the views of people who have experienced mental health issues during and after pregnancy – their voices have influenced where this money will go and the services it will deliver.
“Our vision is of a Scotland where women, young children and families do not face fear or stigma when experiencing mental health issues.”
We're increasing support for new mums who are at risk of poor mental health, including more funding for counselling and befriending services.
Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/Y5tXuX1VWM pic.twitter.com/PKzVuzLSJQ
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) August 31, 2019
Aberlour Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “I welcome this funding for third sector organisations who are striving to deliver high quality perinatal services to new parents and parents-to-be. To give children the best start in life, it is vital we support parents effectively.
“Aberlour has worked with over 300 families across Forth Valley and East Lothian but our ambition is to roll the Perinatal Befriending Service out across Scotland so that every parent, no matter where they live, has access to personalised support and assistance when and where they need it most.”
