Research by the Scottish Conservatives has found that the number of Special Constables in Edinburgh has more than halved since 2014 (Division E). Continue reading Number of Special Constables in Edinburgh has more than halved since 2014
Tag: Scottish Government
Short-term deal saves Scottish Youth Theatre … for now
A short-term funding agreement has been reached to enable the Scottish Youth Theatre to remain open beyond July 2018, allowing young people across the whole of Scotland to benefit from their programmes. Continue reading Short-term deal saves Scottish Youth Theatre … for now
Safe as Houses: new home safety regulations proposed
All homes will have the highest level of protection from smoke and fire, the Scottish Government has announced. Following a consultation on fire and smoke alarms, the existing high standard required in private rented housing will be extended to all homes. Continue reading Safe as Houses: new home safety regulations proposed
Climate Challenge cash bonanza for local projects
Granton Parish Church, North Edinburgh Arts, Leith Cops in Pots and ELREC are among fourteen city projects to share grants totalling £15.3 million in the latest round of Climate Challenge Funding. The initiative supporting action to combat climate change has now helped in excess of 1,000 projects – and provided more than £100 million funding over the past decade. Continue reading Climate Challenge cash bonanza for local projects
Boost for Leith as £26 million allocated for local regeneration
Communities across Scotland are to benefit from a share of £26 million to support local regeneration – and Edinburgh’s share goes to Duncan Place Resource Centre project in Leith, which will receive £1.2 million. Continue reading Boost for Leith as £26 million allocated for local regeneration
Strengthening cyber resilience
New action plan puts cyber-skills at the heart of learning and development
Widening awareness of cyber resilience and developing a strong pool of talent skilled in cyber security will be at heart of improving resilience to online and digital threats.
The Cyber Resilience Learning and Skills Action Plan includes key actions for education, business and the public sector to strengthen and further embed understanding of the need for cyber-security.
The aims of the action plan are to:
- Increase cyber resilience through awareness raising and engagement
- Explicitly embed cyber resilience throughout education and lifelong learning system
- Increase cyber resilience at work
- Develop the cyber security workforce to ensure that skills supply meets demand and professionals can find rewarding employment in Scotland.
The action plan was launched by Economy Secretary Keith Brown while meeting BT apprentices in Edinburgh as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2018. He said: “This plan is a blueprint for the Scottish Government and all its partners across the public and private sectors to work together to enhance our wider understanding of cyber security.
“We want to see people across Scotland, whether in early years, school, college or the workplace, get greater opportunities to develop the skills needed to be safe and resilient in their online lives.
“The plan also sets out how we can ensure we have a strong pool of professionals able to secure our businesses, charities and public services against current and future threats, and who can develop innovative goods and services for the rest of the world.
“Supporting the development of these specialist skills will be vital to the success of other activity on cyber resilience as well as our forthcoming plan to help us to take advantage of the economic opportunities presented by our work on cyber security.”
Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, said: “As one of the biggest dedicated cyber security practices in the world we’re pleased to host the launch of this action plan which will help to bolster the cyber security profession in Scotland. We’re proud to be one of the first employers of cyber security apprentices in Scotland, with around 20 in Edinburgh, and more broadly we have 320 apprentices across Scotland.
“Apprentices are important to our business in providing new talent and fresh ideas. Last year we became the first-ever employer in Scotland to be awarded the highest possible marks in a review of our Modern Apprenticeship scheme by HM Inspectors.
“We’re supporting the development of digital skills for young people through our partnerships with Young Engineers and Science Clubs and Digital Xtra Fund, as well as the Barefoot Computing initiative to boost tech literacy. We urge young people to consider careers in the fast growing cyber security sector.”
SDS Director of Industry and Enterprise Networks, Gordon McGuinness, said: “We welcome the launch of the Cyber Resilience Learning and Skills Action Plan and fully support raising the awareness of cyber resilience in our schools, workplaces and beyond.
“Cyber skills are a key focus for Skills Development Scotland. We launched our Cyber Skills Programme in 2017 which is an initiative encouraging school pupils to choose fighting cybercrime as a career choice.
“Through a series of collaborative events with industry, school pupils have been able to learn more about cyber security and the many exciting career opportunities that are available in this industry.”
SFRS breaks ground on £12 million training facility
The safety of Scotland’s communities is set to be further bolstered as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service breaks ground on a new, multi-million pound training centre in Edinburgh. It will boast the capacity and latest cutting edge technology to train more than 1,600 frontline firefighters annually to respond to the most challenging incidents and protect people and communities. Continue reading SFRS breaks ground on £12 million training facility
£1.6 million funding for youth music
48 groups have been awarded almost £1.6 million through the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) to enable more young people to learn about and enjoy musical activities. Continue reading £1.6 million funding for youth music
Government backs action plan to end rough sleeping
New recommendations to ensure the commitment to eradicate rough sleeping is met have been set out by the Scottish Government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group. The recommendations have all been accepted in principle by the Scottish Government, and build on the group’s earlier advice to tackle rough sleeping over the winter period.
The measures include a national system of rapid rehousing, involving integrated support from frontline outreach services and local authorities. This will include moving to a ‘Housing First’ model for those with most complex needs – where people move straight into a permanent, settled home rather than temporary accommodation.
In December, £328,000 was invested to support additional capacity for night shelters and extra staff to help get more people into accommodation over winter. The Scottish Government will now provide a further £150,000 to continue to provide some services to the summer, while the latest recommendations are taken forward.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “As we come out of a particularly bad winter period, the action group’s work so far has been vital in ensuring front-line staff are supported and that people are helped to move into safe and warm places to stay. Additional funding will allow the work that has taken place in our main cities to continue while we take the group’s hard work forward.
“I was extremely impressed by the fast and effective work of organisations supporting those sleeping rough during last week’s unprecedented and extreme winter weather and want to thank everyone involved for the work and commitment they have shown. It is now important that we build on this good work and these latest recommendations provide a blueprint to do that and reach our national priority to eradicate rough sleeping for good.
“The group’s recommendations focus on improving advice and support for those sleeping rough, and ensuring that housing, funding and services are directed at those who need them most.
“They will play a vital role in meeting our commitment to end homelessness and transform temporary accommodation, backed by our £50 million fund – which is why we have accepted them all in principle, and will now work closely with partners to implement.”
Action group chair and chief executive of Crisis UK, Jon Sparkes said: “Nobody in Scotland should have to endure the danger and indignity of sleeping rough, and these recommendations show what is needed to prevent people from being forced to live on the streets.
These include providing immediate access to permanent housing for people who are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness, such as people leaving a state institution, such as care or prison, and giving frontline staff the power to make informed decisions based on the needs of each individual.
“The members of the action group have gone above and beyond to dedicate themselves to bringing forward the right recommendations that will have the biggest impact on the way people sleeping rough can access and receive services. The group members have engaged colleagues across the sector, reviewed international evidence on what works, and listened to people from across the country who have experience of homelessness.
“We can end rough sleeping in Scotland. Other countries and cities around the world have done it, so we know it’s possible. With the right political will and momentum, we can make this a reality in Scotland too.”
The full recommendations of the group are available online.
First Mentor initiative to run again
The ‘First Mentor’ initiative, which gives a young woman aged between 18-23 a chance to be mentored by the First Minister, will run again in 2018. Following the success of the 2017-18 opportunity, a new round of applications opens today. Continue reading First Mentor initiative to run again