Scotland will become one of the first countries to achieve a 100% reduction in carbon emissions, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced last week. Continue reading World leaders: Scotland’s Climate Change legislation set to be ‘toughest in the world’
An estimated 120,000 families will benefit from a new £100 national minimum school clothing grant in Scotland as a result of partnership working between Scotland’s Local Authorities and the Scottish Government. It means for the first time all eligible families, regardless of their local authority area, will have access to the same minimum level of financial support for school clothing. Continue reading New national school clothing grant
Schools across Edinburgh will receive £925,243 from the Scottish Attainment Challenge fund in 2018/19 to help boost attainment levels. This will be used by local schools to help those who need it most. Continue reading Funding boost for Edinburgh schools
Health Secretary encourages Scots to share their stories
Health Secretary Shona Robison is encouraging people across the Scotland to share their stories and memories of health care throughout the years at the launch of the celebrations to mark the run up to the 70th anniversary of the NHS. Continue reading Marking 70 years of the NHS
Multi-million pound fund is open for applications.
Communities and charities with new ideas to tackle child poverty will be given the opportunity to bid for part of a new £7.5 million Innovation Fund. Announced as part of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, the fund, financed by the Scottish Government and the Hunter Foundation, is now open for applications from communities, local charities, health boards and councils.
A panel with membership from across the sector will judge the applications, which will support new or existing projects that will have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030.
Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “We want to tackle child poverty and ensure the very best outcomes for children today, and generations to come. As a government, we are taking bold action through our Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, but we need to work together to make a difference.
“We want to ensure that if actions to tackle poverty are working well in some communities, they can be shared elsewhere so more children and families can benefit. Government can’t end child poverty on our own – so partnerships are vital to make change happen.”
Sir Tom Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Foundation added: “This is about engaging with local communities and people who can make a real difference. The fund’s priority is to meet the needs of families and carers and up to £100,000 per organisation can make a real difference. It is time Scotland changed the dynamic on poverty and set about leading the world in its eradication.”
Applications can be made online.
The Innovation Fund will support both new and the expansion of existing approaches that will have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030 in a way that helps families to remain out of poverty for a minimum three year period and are viable and sustainable practices for public sector/third sector.
A scrutiny panel from across the public, private and third sector will provide advice on applications, members of the panel will include:
Applications are now open and will close at midnight on 29 June 2018 with awards being made, subject to final diligence and shortlisted interviews/project visits, no later than 17 August 2018.
Applications can be made online.
They are not heeding my warnings, says Lothian Tory MSP
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, has received a written response from Shona Robison on his call for a national review of parking at all Scottish Hospitals (see below). Continue reading Hospital Parking: Something needs to be done, says Briggs
New funeral benefit available to 50% more people
An extra 2,000 people will be eligible for financial support to help pay for a funeral, under Scottish Government plans. Improvements to Funeral Expense Assistance will also see an annual increase to the contribution for other funeral costs as well as quicker processing times – within 10 working days.
A public consultation is now open, seeking views on proposals including how to consider difficult family circumstances.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: “Arranging a funeral can be a daunting, stressful and painful process and if you are struggling financially it can make matters even worse. By extending eligibility we will reach more people who would have previously received nothing under the UK government system.
“We are taking action to support more people who are struggling with these costs and will invest more than £3 million each year, over and above the existing funding that will be transferred from the UK Government.
“We have listened carefully to the views of stakeholders and those with direct experience of the current DWP payment. I am keen to hear from as many people as possible during this consultation so we can continue to build a service that treats everyone with dignity, fairness and respect.”
Funeral planning training helps advisers offer support
Continue reading It’s Your Funeral: helping people plan ahead
Childcare Minister visits North Edinburgh Childcare
Thousands of parents will no longer have to pay expensive upfront childcare deposits under a pilot scheme. Continue reading Ending upfront childcare deposits
LIFT (Low Income Families Together) organised an event to give local people an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing changes to the welfare and benefits system yesterday. Around sixty people attended the Scotland’s New Social Security System: What Does It Mean for You? conference in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre yesterday. Continue reading LIFTing the lid on Scotland’s new social security system
