Thousands more people across Scotland will benefit from the roll-out of a new and easier screening test to detect symptoms of bowel cancer. The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) requires participants to collect one bowel motion sample, rather than the current test which requires samples over three days. Continue reading FIT for purpose: Bowel cancer test simplified to encourage take-up
Health Secretary Shona Robison has ordered an independent review into concerns around A&E waiting times practices and staff pressure at St John’s Hospital. Continue reading Dodgy data? Internal inquiry into emergency waiting times figures
People are most likely to hold positive views of young people as trustworthy and helpful to others, new research from the Scottish Government shows. The survey, published during the launch week of Year of Young People 2018 (above) examined the attitudes and perceptions of more than 1,000 adults towards 13-19 year olds. Continue reading Swinney: “More must be done to change attitudes to young people”
A pilot for a single card that can be used in any library has been launched in the north east of Scotland. The pilot gives readers access to more than 120 libraries – and 1.6 million books. Continue reading Sharing our stories: ‘One Card’ library pass to be trialled
Scotland’s employment rate grew over the year to 75.2% (July to September 2017). There are now 2,652,000 people aged 16 years and above in employment. Continue reading Encouraging trend in employment figures
The public are being asked to do a good deed on St Andrew’s Day to celebrate Scotland’s history, culture and the nation’s shared values. The #BeLikeStAndrew campaign marks the start of Scotland’s Winter Festivals – which opens with St Andrew’s Day, followed by Hogmanay, and then Burns Night. Continue reading Scots urged: be like St. Andrew
A survey of those with direct experience of the benefit system has shown that three out of five respondents rate the current UK welfare system as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The ‘About Your Benefits and You’ survey sought the views of social security experience panels members – individuals who are giving their views on the design of Scotland’s new welfare system. Continue reading Social Security Experience Panel survey results published
Plans for investment and reform to give GPs more time with patients most in need of their skills have been published by the Scottish Government. A new GP contract, jointly designed and agreed with the British Medical Association, will be the biggest reform of GPs services in over a decade. The proposals have been welcomed by the Scottish Greens, who say the plan is a step in the right direction in tackling health inequality. Continue reading GPs offered new contract
Plans to increase the number of people benefitting from the real Living Wage have been outlined by Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Keith Brown. Over the next three years the Scottish Government will work with the Poverty Alliance to build a ‘Living Wage Nation’, boosting the wages of those on low pay and supporting inclusive growth.
Measures being announced include:
Mr Brown said: “We are serious about supporting fair work and putting equality at the heart of our labour market. That is why Scotland punches well above its weight in terms of the proportion of people paid at least the Living Wage.
“However we cannot become complacent. We now need to build on this success to ensure even more organisations and individuals benefit in the future.
“Our commitment to create a Living Wage Nation is challenging, but achievable, and it will help those in low-paid sectors who need it most.
“By using the Living Wage to make pay fairer and jobs more sustainable, we will support our commitments to build a more resilient economy, a more equal labour market, and foster inclusive growth.”
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, added: “It is now just over three years since the Poverty Alliance launched the drive to increase the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland. Working in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation and thanks to support from the Scottish Government we have seen real change.
“We have seen employers from all sectors, in companies large and small, adopt the Living Wage and do their bit to help make the economy fairer. However, despite the progress that has been made, we know there is still much to be done.
“Scotland faces real challenges in some important sectors . If we are to deliver a fair economy for all then we must begin to address these head on. We are grateful for the Scottish Government support that will allow us to take the positive message for the Living Wage to employers in all parts of Scotland and into key sectors.”
Last week Stoats was confirmed as Scotland’s 1,000th Living Wage-accredited employer. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the company’s Edinburgh HQ where she met staff and congratulated the company on gaining accreditation.
Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham open Scotland’s first K9 Conference to tackle the illegal puppy trade on Thursday. The conference was hosted by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Edinburgh. Continue reading New research unveiled at Scottish SPCA puppy trade conference
