Vulnerable people with complex needs who need help to get into settled accommodation are to be supported by funding of up to £6.5 million, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Continue reading Housing First: Scottish Government commits £6.5m to tackle homelessness
New digital system to reduce stigma and make it easier to eat healthily
Pre-paid digital smartcards will replace food vouchers, following strong support for changes to the scheme for helping low income families eat healthily.
Healthy Start Vouchers will become known as Best Start Foods and the current paper vouchers replaced by smartcards in Summer 2019.
Respondents to a Scottish Government consultation on changes to the Welfare Foods scheme said the move to smartcards could reduce stigma, increase uptake and be easier for families. They also wanted support and training for retailers to ensure the system was easy for them to use.
The consultation also found overwhelming support for extending the range of eligible foods in the scheme, and providing free milk and healthy snacks to all children in funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “Improving Scotland’s health and tackling inequality starts with ensuring everyone can have a healthy diet, especially families with young children. Diet impacts on children’s health, their learning ability and their life chances as they grow up, but too many low income families face barriers to eating healthily.
“There is clear and strong backing for our plans to further support families, through making the system easy to use and by increasing the foods that families can access. This gives us a strong foundation for introducing these changes.”
Welfare Foods consultation summary report
Welfare Foods consultation full report
Powers over Welfare Foods have been devolved to Scotland under the Scotland Act 2016. These powers have not yet commenced and the consultation sought views on how best to take these forward.
Families’ allowances will rise from £3.10 to £4.25 a week, and from £899 to £1,011 in total over the period they receive support.
Consultation respondents also suggested a national awareness raising campaign, through a range of media channels, to raise the uptake of Best Start Foods.
First Minister confirms bursary will rise to £10,000 by 2020.
Nursing and midwifery students’ bursary will rise to £10,000, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.
Continue reading “Forward thinking”: Support for student nurses and midwives
Legislative option to form part of forthcoming public consultation
Ministers will consult on how the criminal law might be strengthened as part of efforts to tackle misogynistic behaviour, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf has announced.
Mr Yousaf said a forthcoming consultation focusing on updating and consolidating Scotland’s hate crime laws will include consideration as to what measures may be needed to better tackle gender-based violence, including misogyny.
Mr Yousaf (above) said: “The Scottish Government is working with a range of partners – through education, legislation and enforcement – to tackle violence against women and girls, including challenging unacceptable attitudes and harmful behaviour.
“We must guard against a pervasive misogyny which, unchecked, impacts on the wider health, wellbeing and safety of our communities – breeding a culture where this type of harm is tolerated – sometimes even condoned – and as a result is allowed to continue.
“So there is a clear need for continued action to be taken to tackle gender-based prejudice and misogyny in Scotland, although there are different views on the specific actions needed.
“We will be consulting later this year on Lord Bracadale’s recommendations for necessary reform to Scotland’s hate crime legislation. We will keep an open mind on the best way to address behaviour motivated by misogyny, including the possibility of new criminal law measures.
“The consultation will be launched in November and will seek views on a number of options, including an aggravation based on gender hostility as proposed by Lord Bracadale. But we will also ask whether, separately, a specific offence targeting misogynistic behaviour could be an effective step in addressing this form of behaviour and the damage it does.”
Lord Bracadale was appointed by the Scottish Government to review hate crime legislation in Scotland and to consider whether existing laws represent the most effective approach for the justice system to deal with criminal conduct motivated by hatred, malice, ill-will or prejudice. On 31 May Lord Bracadale published his review report and recommendations which included consolidation of hate crime legislation and the addition of gender and age hostility aggravations.
Current hate crime legislation allows any existing offence to be aggravated by prejudice in respect of one or more of the protected characteristics of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity. Where a person is convicted of an offence with a statutory aggravation in respect of a protected characteristic it will be recorded and taken into account in sentencing. In addition, there are some stand-alone offences too.
A number of organisations have called for the development of a standalone offence for misogyny to tackle the unique features of violence and harassment against women. They take the view that adding a statutory aggregation for gender hostility will not be helpful in tackling misogynistic behaviour.
The Scottish Government has accepted Lord Bracadale’s recommendation to consolidate all Scottish hate crime legislation into one new hate crime statute and will use his report and recommendations as the basis for consulting on the detail of what should be included in a new hate crime bill. This will include considering how best to tackle misogyny in Scotland.
The United Nations has defined violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Read further information about Scottish Government work with partners to tackle violence against women and girls.
Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham has urged people across Scotland to enjoy organised fireworks safely and responsibly this November 5th, stressing that anyone who puts lives in danger faces robust action.
The call follows a number of incidents last year where Police Scotland officers and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crew members were injured by projectile fireworks.
The Scottish Government has been working in partnership with Police Scotland, the SFRS and the two HM Inspectorates to ensure that services are well prepared for this year’s celebrations and can respond robustly to any anti-social behaviour.
Ms Denham was in North Edinburgh this morning to discuss on-going preparations with local community partnership members who have been working to promote the safe and responsible use of fireworks.
Ms Denham also met police officers and fire crew staff who have previously experienced unacceptable abuse on or around Bonfire Night.
Speaking after the visit to Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Ms Denham (above) said: “Bonfire Night is an opportunity for local communities to come together and for families to enjoy fireworks responsibly and I would encourage people to attend officially organised displays where fireworks are controlled in a safe environment.
“The safety of the public is paramount and we need to ensure a selfish minority do not spoil the celebrations for others. The use of fireworks as a means of inflicting injury on individuals, including members of our emergency services, is completely unacceptable and illegal. Robust action will be taken against anyone who puts lives at risk.
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to hear first-hand from officers and firefighters about their experiences of dealing with abuse and anti-social behaviour on what is one of the busiest nights of the year for our blue-light services. I would urge members of the public to report any criminal or anti-social behaviour to Police Scotland or their local council, or otherwise through Crimestoppers or their neighbourhood watch.”
Lewis Ramsay, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Response and Resilience, said: “These firefighters are your father, mother, brother or sister – someone’s family. It is beggars belief when I hear that they have either been physically assaulted or verbally abused when trying to assist their communities.
“This type of behaviour not only prevents our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion but it can impact on our emergency service colleagues including the police when they have to escort us at the scene.
“But be left in absolutely no doubt that it is often down to a very small minority of individuals within those communities. In the run-up to bonfire night I would ask communities to watch our social media channels and website as we launch our #DoNotAttackMe campaign – this will shine a spotlight on the impact these attacks can have on our people behind the uniform, and our response to emergencies.
“Once again, violence against our crews will not be tolerated – our firefighters absolutely do not deserve to be met with such behaviour.”
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Anderson, Police Scotland, said: “For the vast majority of people, last year’s Bonfire Night was either spent at home, or enjoying an appropriately organised fireworks display. However, a small group of individuals were responsible for localised incidents of disorder, which included the targetting of emergency services personnel. Such behaviour is unacceptable.
“To assist our divisions, a range of specialist resources will be at their disposal to deal with any incidents which arise and officers across the country are continuing to liaise with relevant partners. We are working with our communities and we want people to enjoy themselves over this period but we will take positive action against anyone participating in disorder and antisocial behaviour.”
The Scottish Government has been working with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, as well as the related Inspectorates HMICS and HMFSI, to review any change in trends and any further work that can be progressed to address antisocial behaviour on Bonfire Night.
This review is available online – Bonfire Night 2017: briefing paper
Bonfire Night safety advice is available on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.
Bonfire night in Scotland – 9 quick tips from Police Scotland.
Royal Mail and Vue Cinema Group have become the first businesses to be nominated and recognised by members of the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group (SAITG) for their outstanding efforts in the battle against the trade of fake goods. Continue reading Humza Yousaf presents counterfeit crackdown awards to Royal Mail and Vue
More than 75,000 carers in Scotland have received the Carer’s Allowance Supplement.
Carers are getting an additional payment of £442 this financial year, in two payments of £221, equivalent of an extra £8.50 per week and an increase of 13% on the current Carer’s Allowance.
Speaking during a visit to South West Glasgow Carers Centre, Social Security Secretary, Shirley–Anne Somerville said: “It was inspiring to meet the carers from Glasgow South West Carers Centre and hear their own personal stories and experiences. Continue reading Welcome cash boost for Scottish carers
Communities will benefit from a share of £1.75 million to increase the numbers of people involved in making decisions about investment in their local areas. Continue reading Community Choices Fund: More people to have their say on how money is spent in their neighbourhoods
UK Government urged to end benefits freeze
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has called on the UK Government to use this month’s autumn statement to announce an end to the benefits freeze that has brought misery to families and communities.
In a letter to Esther McVey, the Work and Pensions Secretary, Ms Somerville has highlighted the findings of the annual Welfare Reform Report, which estimates that the UK Government’s welfare cuts will lead to a £3.7 billion fall in social security spending by 2021 in Scotland.
The report estimates the benefit freeze has the biggest impact, reducing spending by around £190 million in the current year, rising to around £370 million by 2020/21.
Other findings include:
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This detailed report paints a stark picture of the reality of life for many people in Scotland. It represents damning evidence against the DWP’s current programme of welfare cuts which are only set to get worse.
“These cruel cuts are forcing more people into poverty at the very time the Scottish Government is focussed on getting children and families out of poverty.
“More and more families are finding it hard to make ends meet as prices of essentials go up and the levels of their income and benefits go down. The increased reliance on food banks is a damning indictment.
“Esther McVey cannot ignore this report. That is why I am sending her a copy and urging her to immediately end the freeze on benefits. I will also be sending a copy to the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights in advance of his visit to the UK later this year.
“Scotland’s social security system is being built upon principles of dignity and respect. Today’s report – published at the start of Challenge Poverty Week – shows that the current UK system is built upon the complete opposite.”
Director of the Poverty Alliance, Peter Kelly said: “Scotland is a compassionate country where we all believe everyone should have a decent standard of living. The help that people receive through social security is important in helping to make that happen. This report shows that more needs to be done.
“In order to ensure everyone has a decent standard of living we need to see an end to the freeze in benefit levels. The cost of living hasn’t been frozen, so it’s right that social security payments should keep up with those costs.”
Challenge Poverty Week runs from Monday 1 until Sunday 7 October. More than 100 groups and organisations are expected to take part in the annual event to highlight the problem of poverty in Scotland, to show its impact on the whole of society and showcase solutions.
A full list of activities can be found at www.challengepoverty.net/events/
The Benefit Cap refers to the UK Government’s policy to limit the total benefit entitlement for working age households, with some exemptions. From November 2016, couples with or without children (living outside London) cannot receive more that £20,000 in benefit entitlement per year. The cap is lower for single people without children (£13,400 per year).
The Benefit Freeze refers to the UK Government’s policy to not uprate with inflation the main working-age rates of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (excluding the support component) and Housing Benefit, as well as most elements of Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credit (and the corresponding element of Universal Credit) and Child Benefit. The policy is in place for four years from 2016/17 until 2019/20 inclusive.
The Two-Child Limit refers to the UK Government’s policy to restrict the Child Tax Credits (CTC) and child element of UC to two children per household. The rule applies to new births after 5 April 2017 for Child Tax Credits and new claims to Universal Credit. A number of exceptions apply, in the cases of multiple births and non-consensual conceptions.
A Scottish Government-funded programme designed to encourage closer collaboration between the arts and heritage sectors and Scotland’s business community has generated almost £650,000 of investment in cultural projects during its first year. Continue reading £650,000 invested in Scottish culture in business partnership programme’s first year
