Improved access to support and advice
Significant new rights improving support and recognition for unpaid cares have come into force. Under the Carers (Scotland) Act, all people who provide unpaid care for friends, family, and neighbours will now have the right to a personalised plan. This will identify their needs and help them access information, advice and support, before reaching a crisis point. Continue reading Landmark new rights for unpaid carers
Low income families will have greater access to affordable credit through a new £2 million fund. Announced as part of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, the Scottish Government will provide £1 million to the Carnegie Trust’s Affordable Credit Loan Fund, doubling the size of the fund. Continue reading Credit where it’s due: new support to help reduce the cost of borrowing
The new GP contract for Scotland comes into force today. Backed by investment of £110 million in 2018-19 and jointly developed with the BMA, it will ensure GPs can spend more time with the patients who need them most by ensuring patients can access the right person at the right time. Continue reading Patient care strengthened as new GP contract introduced
Parents of premature and sick newborn babies will receive help meeting the additional costs they face as a result of their baby being in hospital with the introduction of a new £1.5 million fund. From 1 April, the Neonatal Expenses Fund will be available to all parents to support them to spend as much time with their babies as possible, while they are receiving care within a neonatal unit. Continue reading Neonatal Fund will support families through “hugely testing and emotional time”
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
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
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
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
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
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:
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.”
