Social housing landlords will be able to make their properties more energy efficient, with money from a £3.5 million decarbonisation fund. Local authorities and housing associations will be able to use the fund on projects that improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating, for example when installing solar panels or air source heat pumps. Continue reading £3.5 million to improve energy efficiency in social housing
Refugees can now organise financial support for family members before they are reunited in Scotland. Up to £100,000 in Family Reunion Crisis Grants will smooth the path for new arrivals, bridging the gap before they can be assessed for benefits entitlement. Continue reading A welcoming country: support for refugee families ahead of arrival in Scotland
New support will help ensure community organisations, charities and other grassroots groups are listened to during the ongoing Brexit negotiations. The £150,000 stakeholder engagement fund will provide grants to Scottish organisations who wouldn’t otherwise have the resources to gather and promote the views of their members on preparing for the UK leaving the EU. Continue reading New fund will give communities a voice on Brexit
A fund which supports the introduction of new walking and cycling infrastructure will be more than doubled, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has announced. £36m will be available through the Community Links Fund in 2018/19, the highest amount since it was launched in 2010.
The fund has previously helped projects like the cycling and walking path between Elgin and Lhanbryde, a cycle path linking Glasgow City Centre with its southern suburbs, and plans to redesign Stirling Road in Dunblane.
Mr Yousaf said: “We want Scotland to be an active nation, where people lead healthier and more active lifestyles. Cyclists often tell me they want to see more safe cycling infrastructure, which I fully endorse and is one of the reasons why this is the highest amount we’ve ever invested in the Community Links Fund.
“We want this extra money to create pleasant and safe routes which make it easier for people of all ages to choose to walk and cycle as part of their everyday lives.
“This is a great opportunity for organisations to bring forward projects that will encourage people to make active travel a bigger part of their daily lives and realise the health and environmental benefits that come with it.
John Lauder, National Director for Sustrans Scotland, which delivers the fund, said: “Increasing everyday levels of active travel can hugely benefit a person’s health and wellbeing, boost local economies and create greener, more pleasant local environments to live and travel through.
“This increased funding for active travel routes from the Scottish Government demonstrates its continued commitment to creating safe and accessible walking and cycling routes across the country.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Transport Scotland, local authorities, community trusts and other partners up and down the country to help deliver the Scottish Government’s vision for an Active Nation.”
People considering stopping smoking are being urged to get support to help them through the first 72 hours, and beyond. Continue reading Get through the first 72
Students have begun the first course at Scotland’s new film and television school as a result of Scottish Government funding. Continue reading Action! Scotland’s new film and television school opens it’s doors
New funding of £1 million will help employers with support and advice to enable more disabled people to move into work, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Continue reading New £1 million fund to help disabled people into employment
Improved nursing care provided closer to home will be made available – thanks to almost £7 million being invested in training. The funding will ensure the existing nurse workforce have the skills to even better meet the needs of people requiring care in their own homes, GP practices or in other community settings. Continue reading £7 million investment in nurse training
Scotland leads the way in tackling alcohol-related harm
Increased funding to ensure councils can deliver more homes
More affordable homes will be delivered across Scotland this year following a £35 million increase to council allocations, bringing it to £568 million. The increases will continue over the coming years, rising to £591 million in 2019-20 and £630 million in 2020 -21. Continue reading £568 million for affordable housing
