Suicide prevention services will benefit from an additional £3 million innovation fund, Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt has announced. Speaking ahead of a debate on mental health yesterday, Ms Watt also confirmed that a new suicide prevention plan would be published before the end of the month. Continue reading Extra funding for suicide prevention – but Tories say young people are being let down
It’s a High Schools hat trick!
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has led the opening of a hat-trick of new high school buildings as the total number of new or refurbished buildings exceeded 750 since 2007. Continue reading Isn’t that just typical? You wait ages for a new school to come along, then three turn up at once!
The Scottish Government target for apprenticeships has been exceeded, with 27,145 people starting Modern Apprenticeshipsin 2017/2018, surpassing last year’s target of 27,000. Continue reading Scotland ‘funding more apprenticeships than ever before’
Over £21 million is to be invested in improving the financial support available to students at university and college, the First Minister has announced. Continue reading First Minister announces more financial help for students
EDINBURGH carer organisation, VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian), is to celebrate the opening of a new Carers’ Hub during National Carers’ Week 2018 and coinciding with the implementation of the Carers (Scotland) Act. Continue reading Aileen Campbell to open new Carers’ Hub in Leith
‘To investigate and report on the impact of policing on affected communities in Scotland during the period of the miners’ strike from March 1984 – March 1985’.
Scotland will lead the way in the UK in ensuring the experiences of those affected by the Miners’ Strike in the 1980s are properly understood, the Justice Secretary said yesterday. Michael Matheson has ordered an independent review into the impact of policing on communities during the Miners’ Strike, from March 1984 to March 1985. Continue reading At last, the truth: Independent review of policing during Miners’ Strike announced
Communities will be able to decide how best they can tackle poverty and inequalities in their own area backed by a £20 million fund. Continue reading £20 million fund to empower communities
Expert recommendations to make school food and drink even healthier are being consulted on by the Scottish Government. John Swinney says standards are already high but the Scottish Greens say more is needed to encourage healthy eating. Continue reading Please, sir: we want some more – healthier school food guidance not enough, say Greens
Access to free sanitary products extended
People from low-income households across the country will be able to receive free sanitary products. Following the successful pilot in Aberdeen, charity FareShare will receive over £500,000 to distribute sanitary products with the aim of reaching an estimated 18,800 more people. Continue reading Government acts to tackle period poverty
Scottish Government and COSLA have agreed to work together to remove all local authority charges for child burials and cremations.
While most local authorities have already removed their fees, this new commitment – which is supported by Scottish Government funding – will see the removal of their fees consistently and completely across all areas.
Confirming the agreement, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities Angela Constance said: “The death of a child is one of the most tragic experiences that anyone can go through.
“At such difficult times, it is important that we look to support parents and families. We have been actively looking for some time at ways in which we can further support bereaved parents in Scotland with funeral costs.
“Most local authorities do not charge child burial and cremation fees but the picture across Scotland is a mixed one, as local authorities introduce adult burial and cremation charges at different ages across the country.
“We agree with COSLA that no family should have to pay to bury or cremate their child. I am therefore delighted to confirm this agreement between the Scottish Government and COSLA.”
Cllr Elena Whitham, COSLA spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, said: “Scottish local authorities have had a long-standing commitment to waiving or discounting their charges for children’s funerals and cremations.
“It is truly awful to have to manage the burden of a funeral or cremation for a child. We are acutely aware that none of us plan for the financial costs because we don’t expect it to happen to our families. For some, any charges can lead to high cost borrowing and financial crisis.
“We are pleased to work together with the Scottish Government to ensure that all local authorities can fully commit to removing their charges for the burial or cremation of those aged under 18.”
