Increasing numbers of people in Scotland feel they are managing well financially and nine out of ten people rate their neighbourhood as a good place to live are just two of the key findings from the Scottish Household Survey 2016 published yesterday. Continue reading Swinney welcomes Scottish Household Survey findings
Research into how juries reach decisions, including their use of the ‘not proven’ verdict, is to be carried out over the next two years. Continue reading How do juries reach decisions? Study launched
250 health volunteers reach over 30,000 young people across 90 schools
School pupils are benefitting from the advice of their peers as part of an innovative programme aimed at reducing violent crime. Medics Against Violence is led by health professionals and was created in 2008 in response to the level of young people sustaining injuries following violent incidents. Continue reading Medics Against Violence: tackling violence in young people
Workplaces encouraged to sign up for the Daily Mile
Scotland’s children have inspired one of the biggest energy firms in the UK to help make their staff healthier, happier and more productive. ScottishPower has become the first company to sign up to “The Daily Mile”™ – the free initiative credited with making primary school pupils fitter, more resilient and more focused in lessons. Continue reading Scotland takes another step towards becoming the world’s first Daily Mile nation
A new Young Carer Grant – worth £300 a year – will be part of a new package of support for young carers, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today on a visit to the Edinburgh Young Carers Project at Norton Park yesterday. The announcement has been welcomed by the Scottish Greens, who first put forward the idea. Continue reading First Minister announces more support for young carers
Two innovative City of Edinburgh Council active travel projects have been awarded millions of pounds in funding, it was announced yesterday. The West Edinburgh Active Travel Network and Meadows to George Street proposals were among five Scottish schemes named as winners of the Sustrans Scotland Community Links PLUS funding by Transport Minister Humza Yousaf at a ceremony in Glasgow. Continue reading Green light for Edinburgh active travel projects
Local MSP Ben Macpherson has encouraged bus users across the city’s capital to get involved in two new public consultations that will help shape the future of bus services and smart ticketing in Scotland. Continue reading Local MSP says: Help shape the future of bus services
International Development Secretary Priti Patel has repeated calls for an end to the violence in Burma (Myanmar) which has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes to seek safety in neighbouring Bangladesh. Recognising the ‘unprecedented scale’ of the crisis in Bangladesh and Burma, Britain is providing an additional £25 million to meet the urgent needs in both countries of those affected by the violence. Continue reading Patel calls for end to violence in Burma as more aid is sent to support stricken Rohingyas
Scotland to hold first-ever Women and Girls in Sport Week
More women and girls across Scotland are being encouraged to get involved in sport. An awareness-raising week from 1 to 8 October 2017 will build on recent success stories – such as the women’s national football team’s qualification for its first major tournament this summer – to promote the benefits of a more active lifestyle.
A Women and Girls Advisory Board – made up of key leaders from the world of women’s sport, business and media – will offer independent advice to support the Scottish Government’s work to encourage more women into sport and raise awareness of women and girls regularly taking part in sports and physical activity at all levels.
Sport Minister Aileen Campbell announced dates for the inaugural week and the membership of the board during a visit to Shawlands Academy earlier this week. There, Scottish netball stars the Sirens were hosting a body confidence session as part of their Sirens for Success Programme.
Ms Campbell (above) said: “Research shows that sport improves health and well-being, leads to improved self-esteem and, at the elite level, gives everyone something to cheer for as our stars excel on the international stage. These initiatives will help us to increase female participation in all areas of Scottish sport and support our work to transform public perceptions.
“There is much to be proud of, but I am conscious that we must do more to increase sporting participation among women and girls, and to build awareness around the successes we already have.
“That is why the inaugural Women and Girls in Sport Week, and the expert advisory board, are so important. Together, they will develop and promote news ideas and approaches that will drive participation, transform perceptions, and develop the stars of the future.”
Claire Nelson, CEO of Netball Scotland and Women and Girls Advisory Board member, said: “Despite the pockets of progress that have been made in female sport recently, the levels of disparity are still significant. There is much that still needs to be done to achieve a landscape that is fair and equal for all.
“The Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board will aim to address the key challenges currently facing women and girls in sport, as well as the many barriers to participation. We will seek to find an aligned strategic approach to driving long-term, meaningful change.
“The work that we have undertaken at Netball Scotland to tackle many of these challenges has delivered significant results – the Sirens For Success Programme being one notable achievement in this area – and I am hoping to bring the learnings, insights and expertise from my sport in order to support the drive for positive action.”
The number of affordable homes approved over the year to the end June 2017 has increased by 30% on the previous year, bringing the total number of approvals over the year to 10,612. The government says the figures show good progress but the Scottish Greens will put forward their own plans to improve housing stock in a Holyrood debate later today. Continue reading Affordable homes boost but Greens offer radical alternative
