The Winter fleet for Scotland’s trunk roads has been expanded to help make it more responsive to weather conditions. As well as more than two hundred traditional gritters located at 42 depots across the country, Transport Scotland has procured a new recovery vehicle which will help mitigate the impacts of flooding. It has been custom fitted with a remote controlled crane and specialist pump to help clear up incidents. Continue reading Roads team preparing for all conditions
EU nationals working in Scotland contribute an average of £34,400 each to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – more than £4.4 billion a year – according to new data analysis. Evidence submitted to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) by the Scottish Government demonstrates how the economy benefits from the presence of 128,000 workers born elsewhere in Europe. Continue reading Migrants make positive contribution, says new Scottish Government study
People are being asked to give their views on a new long-term strategy to tackle fuel poverty. The consultation will run until 1 February 2018 and will seek opinions on, among other things, ambitious targets for fuel poverty reduction – with a revised definition recommended by an independent, expert review – and the timescales for meeting them. Continue reading Have your say on Fuel Poverty plans
Communities across the central belt can bring environmental and health benefits to their areas by bidding for a share of a fund worth up to £400,000. Continue reading CSGN environmental fund open for bids
Scotland is set to become the only part of the UK with statutory targets to tackle child poverty after the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill was unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament today. Continue reading Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill passes final stage
The First Minister has announced her intention to appoint Maree Todd as Minister for Childcare and Early Years. Subject to approval by the Parliament and Her Majesty the Queen, Ms Todd will begin to undertake some Ministerial duties immediately. Continue reading Maree Todd is new Minister for Childcare and Early Years
New bill will give more power to Head Teachers
Consultation on a bill to introduce radical reforms to the education system has opened. Education Secretary John Swinney launched the consultation at the Royal High School in Barnton today. Continue reading Swinney launches education consultation at Royal High School
Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Keith Brown welcomed the new Living Wage rate and has urged more Scottish employers to become accredited. The 30 pence uplift to £8.75p will see thousands of people benefit from higher wages to help meet the increasing cost of living. Continue reading Living Wage rate rises to £8.75
More than 265,000 households have received £140 million since the creation of the Scottish Welfare Fund in April 2013. Figures published yesterday show that between April and June of this year councils received 42,005 applications for Crisis Grants, an increase of 11% on the same quarter the previous year. Continue reading Families in crisis: 265,000 Scottish households cry out for help
A partnership between Port of Leith Housing Association,the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government has delivered a new community of affordable homes in Leith. An opening ceremony will take place today at the site of the 18th century Leith Fort, which was the original home of Edinburgh Castle’s world famous One o’clock gun. Continue reading Starting gun sounds for historic Leith Fort site
