Tag: Scottish Government

Venezuela: Starmer shies away from criticising illegal US action

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued the following statement yesterday:

‘The UK has long supported a transition of power in Venezuela. We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime.

‘I reiterated my support for international law this morning. The UK government will discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts in the days ahead as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.’

Other political leaders have been braver in their condemnation:

First Minister John Swinney has commented on the unfolding situation in Venezuela, urging the international community to ensure that de-escalation, diplomacy and democracy are the foundations of what follows.

YOUR PARTY leader Jeremy Corbyn said: The US has launched an unprovoked and illegal attack on Venezuela. This is a brazen attempt to secure control over Venezuelan natural resources.

“It is an act of war that puts the lives of millions of people at risk — and should be condemned by anyone who believes in sovereignty and international law.”

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Senator Bernie Sanders’ statement on President Trump’s actions in Venezuela

Former Democrat US Presidential candidate Kamala Harris said: “Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.

“That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise.

“We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price. The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to.

“This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies.

“The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilizing a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home.

“America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and — most importantly — putting the American people first.”

SCOTTISH GREENS: ‘Trump’s illegal invasion and occupation of Venezuela must end. We stand in full solidarity with the people of Venezuela.

“This kind of blatant US imperialism cannot be allowed to stand.’

The UN has issued the following statement:

‘The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region.

‘Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected. 

‘The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.’

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL said: “Today’s military action by the Trump Administration in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, raises grave concerns for the human rights of the Venezuelan population and most likely constitutes a violation of international law“.

Health Minister welcomes start of new chickenpox vaccination programme

Health Secretary Neil Gray @neilcgray has welcomed the start of the new chickenpox routine childhood vaccination programme and encouraged parents or carers to take up this offer when called to appointments to give their children the very best protection.

Following a detailed review by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the UK’s independent expert group on vaccines, Public Health Scotland (PHS) has been working with the Scottish Government and colleagues across NHS Boards to make some changes to Scotland’s childhood vaccination programme.

The changes, which began in July 2025, are based on the latest scientific evidence and are designed to ensure that children continue to have the best possible protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

From January 2026, children will be offered a varicella (chickenpox) vaccine as part of the routine childhood schedule for the first time in Scotland.

JCVI’s recommendation is to offer a two-dose programme offering vaccination at 12 and 18 months of age, using the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine.

Varicella vaccines have been seen to dramatically decrease the number of cases of chickenpox seen in childhood when used in other countries.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS said: “Chickenpox is a highly contagious infectious disease. While most cases of chickenpox in children are relatively mild, many children are unwell for several days and have to miss school or nursery as a result.

“In some cases, chickenpox can be more severe and can lead to hospitalisations from serious secondary infections or other complications.

“The offer of the varicella vaccine is a welcome new addition to the routine childhood schedule and, as well as reducing the number of cases, will prevent more severe cases of chickenpox.”

Vaccination programmes are regularly reviewed to make sure that all children are offered the best protection against preventable diseases.

As new vaccines become available, or research shows that giving existing vaccines at different times improves protection, the programme will be changed.

Parents and carers will receive appointment invitations from local NHS immunisation teams and are encouraged to look out for them and bring their children for vaccination as scheduled.

More school leavers in positive destinations

More than 93% of young people were in work, training or further study nine months after they left school, according to the latest figures.

The proportion in these positive destinations has grown from 85.9% in 2009-10.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “These figures show the proportion of Scotland’s young people achieving positive destinations is almost back to pre-pandemic levels and at a near record high.

“The increase among those in Higher and Further Education is hugely encouraging and testament to the hard work of those young people and the extraordinary support provided by Scotland’s teachers, lecturers and other support staff.

“The gap in positive destinations between young people from our most and least deprived communities has more than halved since 2009-10, but this latest data shows we still have more to do. We also know this cohort of young people faced significant disruption to their education during the pandemic.

“A range of support, including from careers advisers and the Developing the Young Workforce network, is available for young people considering their options after school.

“I am determined to ensure young people can access the right help they need to enable them into a positive destination and this Government will continue to invest in opportunities for young people across Scotland.”

Summary statistics for follow-up leaver destinations, no. 7: 2025 edition – gov.scot

Disability and carer benefit transfer completed

700,000 benefit awards transferred to Social Security Scotland

Carers and disabled people have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland from the Department for Work and Pensions after a multi-year project.  

More than 700,000 benefit awards have been successfully moved over to the Scottish system, meaning every disabled person and carer in the country who received Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance will now receive their benefits from Social Security Scotland.

The case transfer process was designed so people did not need to reapply for their benefits or experience any break in the payments they rely on for vital support.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: “Moving more than 700,000 benefits safely and securely from the DWP to Social Security Scotland was a huge undertaking that was essential to ensure carers and disabled people who need financial support are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve. 

“We have also met our commitment to complete case transfer on time and on budget by the end of 2025.

“When developing our case transfer process, people told us about the stress and anxiety caused by DWP transitions where they had to apply for benefits again with no guarantee they would continue to be eligible.

“We’ve taken a different approach, transferring people’s benefit awards without requiring an application and ensuring no break in entitlement to protect people’s critical payments.

“We set out to deliver a fairer social security system starting from a position of trust, and the majority of clients have told us they were treated with kindness by staff during the process.”

First Minister announces additional funding for community projects

Supporting mental health and tackling loneliness

First Minister John Swinney has announced additional funding to help people with their mental health. A further £3 million will be made available so people can get early help close to home to improve their wellbeing and tackle loneliness.

Since 2021, more than 6,100 grants have been awarded from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults to projects, including those that deliver:

  • support groups for people with long-term health conditions
  • walking, cycling and fitness sessions to reduce stress
  • arts and music programmes to build confidence and social connection
  • befriending services for older adults and carers

The additional funding was announced by First Minister John Swinney ahead of a visit to the EATS Rosyth community hub and garden.

The First Minister said: “I am pleased to announce a further £3 million from the Scottish Government for projects to help people with their mental health and wellbeing.

“This investment reflects our commitment to healthcare that delivers prevention and early intervention, supporting people before they reach crisis point and prioritising those who are most at risk.

“Local support for people who need a bit of extra help with their mental health is really important – projects close to home in familiar settings are often where people feel the safest and most comfortable.

“Offering that kind of support is particularly important at this time of year, which many find difficult. But the festive season also reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion, and caring for one another.

“Getting outside and spending time in the fresh air can really improve our physical and mental wellbeing, and the Fund that I am announcing today has supported projects that support people to do exactly that.

“After seeing the new community hub, I am looking forward to visiting the EATS Rosyth garden to see how local people are benefitting from the chance to enjoy valuable time outdoors.”

With the additional £3 million investment, total funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults in 2025-2026 will be £18 million, and the total provided by the Fund since 2021 will be £84 million.

Helping to keep young people safe

Youth project receives additional funding

More young people will benefit from a project providing a safe space, trusted adults and safeguarding support in Glasgow city centre as a result of Scottish Government funding.

Common Ground is being backed to continue its front line services and ensure more young people can access support when and where they need it most. Since launching as a pilot in March 2025, the project has supported more than 2,000 young people from half (16) of Scotland’s council areas who had come to the city.  

The project, which will receive more than £37,000 in 2025-26, offers a safe and welcoming Hub space, support from street‑based youth workers and trained staff and helps to reduce risks facing young people, including homelessness, exploitation, violence, substance misuse and unsafe situations.

Led by Barnardo’s Scotland, working in partnership with the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, Aberlour, Action for Children, Right There, Glasgow Girls Club, One Community Scotland and G20, the project has a reach beyond Glasgow.

Two-thirds of young people accessing the service come from outside the city through encounters with the ‘street guardians’, self-referrals or referrals through police and social work.

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Early intervention is key to keeping young people safe and creating safer communities for everyone. Youth workers are often the first trusted adults that young people turn to, and their role in promoting safety and preventing harm cannot be overstated.

“Common Ground is already making a significant difference to the wellbeing of young people in Glasgow and beyond, and our additional funding will strengthen its vital work to reduce exploitation and harm.”

Barnardo’s Scotland Director Martin Crewe said: “It was great to welcome the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to Common Ground recently and share more about how we work with delivery partners and key stakeholders across Glasgow and Scotland to support young people to feel safer in Glasgow City Centre.

“Since March 2025, we have engaged with more than 2,000 young people from around 16 different local authorities on the streets and in our safe space at the Common Ground Hub, meeting needs ranging from travel and friendship issues to more complex safeguarding needs, including homelessness and different forms of exploitation.

“Overwhelmingly, young people have welcomed the support and safety offered by Common Ground as they navigate the often-challenging environment of a busy city centre. The ongoing support and contribution from the Scottish Government – and other funding and delivery partners – allows us to continue providing a much-needed safety net for all our young people as and when they need it.”

Deputy Head of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Will Linden said: “The SVRU welcomes the Scottish Government’s investment in the Common Ground and Street Guardian initiative.

“Glasgow city centre is a primary destination for Scotland’s youth, and we believe a collaborative approach is the most effective way to keep them free from all forms of harm including violence.

“By providing trusted adults into the city centre the goal is simple: to create a safer environment where young people can enjoy the city’s atmosphere and return home safely at the end of the night.”

Common Ground Glasgow is a project led by Barnardo’s Scotland, working in partnership with Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, Aberlour, Action for Children, Right There, Glasgow Girls Club, One Community Scotland and G20.

Get the Right Care at the Right Place

People should follow NHS inform guidance before calling 111 or 999

First Minister John Swinney has urged people to ensure they get the Right Care at the Right Place by checking the NHS inform website in the first instance if they become unwell.

During a visit to NHS 24 and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), the First Minister thanked staff for their commitment to keeping the public as safe and informed as possible ahead of the busy festive period.

The guidance in the NHS Winter Preparedness plan sets out that anyone feeling unwell should:

  • check the NHS inform website for guidance and advice on symptoms. Around a quarter of 111 calls result in self-care advice, checking the website instead of calling ensures people can safely treat their symptoms without calling for help
  • call 111 if anyone thinks they need A&E but it is not a life-threatening emergency, support for mental health distress, or advice when the GP, pharmacy, or dental practice is closed
  • only attend A&E for genuine emergencies that cannot wait
  • call 999 immediately for life-threatening emergencies

First Minister John Swinney said: “We know that demand for the NHS increases quite substantially over the festive period and there are a number of steps you can take to help yourself if you become unwell.

“In the first instance, check the symptom checkers on the NHS inform website – it can help you decide what to do next. If you still require medical help, NHS 24’s 111 service is there for you and dedicated professionals can provide advice.  

“A&E is expected to be exceptionally busy in the coming weeks so only attend if you have a genuine emergency that requires urgent medical treatment.

“Our dedicated NHS staff will continue working throughout the festive period to provide support and care for the people of Scotland. I’m extremely grateful for their hard work and my thanks go out to all of you.”

Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Michael Dickson OBE said: “Winter is always an exceptionally busy period and as demand on our service increases, we’re asking the public to use our service responsibly by only phoning 999 in a life-threatening emergency.

“Currently over 50% of our calls are managed without having to take patients to A&E. However, for those who do need hospital treatment, system-wide pressures, including lengthy handover times in key areas, are having a direct impact on our ability to get crews back on the road to reach other patients.

“Our fantastic staff are working extremely hard and we continue to prioritise those patients who are most critically ill. For those patients who are not critically ill, they may have to wait longer for an ambulance than usual and we thank the public for their patience; we will try to get to them as quickly as we can.”

NHS 24 Executive Medical Director Dr Ron Cook said: “With public holidays limiting access to GP and pharmacy services for four consecutive days across both festive weekends, NHS 24 is forecasting a significant rise in demand for our services as other primary care services take a well‑earned break.

“We plan carefully to ensure we have the right staff in place so people can access the right care in the right place. Our teams bring a wide range of skills, and every practitioner and clinician will play a vital role in supporting patients and each other to stay well during this busy period.

“We realise it’s not possible to cover every health eventuality, but we encourage everyone to plan ahead if possible. Make sure you have your prescription medicines, have over‑the‑counter remedies available at home, and check in on vulnerable friends or family. By preparing now, you can protect your festive time and avoid unnecessary interruptions.”

Self-help guides can be found on NHS inform