Historic legislation to establish Scotland’s first social security system has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Social Security (Scotland) Bill will give the Scottish Government the powers to deliver eleven benefits devolved as part of the Scotland Act 2016. Continue reading Scotland’s own Social Security Bill published
Registration for Baby Box roll out begins
The list of contents for Scotland’s Baby Box is now available online as registration for the nationwide roll out begins. All babies due on or after 15 August 2017 will receive a box of essential items to support parents and promote a fair and equal start for all children in Scotland. Continue reading What’s in the Box?
Greater direct control of funding by schools will help improve education, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said as he called for parents, teachers and young people to have their say in revamping the way schools are funded. Continue reading Fair funding for schools: have your say
Fund to improve and align support services
A new £2.5 million fund will improve the help delivered to people looking to access employment and training. The Employability Innovation and Integration Fund will look to join up employment support with health and social care, justice and housing services, making sure people receive the level of support they need to find sustainable employment. Continue reading More help to get into work
Empowerment at heart of radical reforms – but do proposals undermine local government?
Sweeping new powers for schools have been announced by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney. Mr Swinney made his announcement following a visit to Ferryhill Primary School in Drylaw. Continue reading Sweeping new powers for school heads
Children from across the country took part in the first celebration event for an initiative that fosters a lifelong love of reading amongst Scotland’s young people. Around 600 P4 – P7 children joined First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the inaugural First Minister’s Reading Challenge ceremony in Edinburgh. Continue reading Children join First Minister for Reading Challenge celebration
‘No place here for intolerance, discrimination or violence’ – Communites Secretary Angela Constance
A series of practical measures have been set out to tackle and prevent hate crime in Scotland, focused on tackling prejudice and building stronger communities.
Responding to the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime which reported in September, Communities and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance has confirmed:
Ms Constance (above) said: “These actions will drive practical measures in the months and years ahead that demonstrate Scotland’s leadership in the fight against hate crime. We are making abundantly clear that there is no place here for intolerance, discrimination or violence.
“We must continue to tackle the underlying causes and conditions that allow hatred and intolerance to flourish. It is vital in these challenging times that we remain united, which is why we are redoubling our efforts to promote fairness, equality and a respect right across our society.”
The Scottish Government and Young Scot have joined forces to raise awareness of the support young adult carers may be entitled to. Continue reading Young adult carers encouraged to claim what’s theirs
Further reduction in waiting times
The number of children and young people seen by mental health services (CAMHS) within the target time has increased for the third consecutive quarter.
Figures published by ISD Scotland this week show that 83.6% of people were seen within 18 weeks during the quarter ending 31 March 2017, up from 82.5% in the previous quarter.
CAMHS workforce has increased by 65% under this Government, with the the number of CAMHS psychologists having more than doubled.
Maureen Watt, Minister for Mental Health, said: “This continued reduction in CAMHS waiting times is encouraging, with 10 Boards achieving the target this quarter – up from seven at the end of 2016. However I’m clear that we must continue to reduce waiting times and I will not be satisfied until our target is met sustainably.
“We will continue to work with Boards to make sure that happens right across Scotland and the Mental Health Access Improvement Support Team, which has delivered significant improvements in NHS Forth valley, are working in partnership with Boards to deliver sustained improvements.
“Our recently published ten-year strategy for mental health sets out a range of measures that focus on prevention and early intervention to meet the mental health needs of children and young people, backed by £150 million of funding.
“We will also soon commission reviews into school counselling and rejected child and adolescent mental health service referrals, as a foundation for making further improvements.”
Continue reading Minister welcomes mental health target improvements
10% fall in racial hate crime charges brought by police
People affected by hate crime have been encouraged to come forward to police to ensure perpetrators can be properly dealt with.
Minister for Community Safety Annabel Ewing made the appeal following the publication of a series of reports covering hate crime, religiously aggravated offences and the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 which show:
Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing said: “Any crime motivated by prejudice is absolutely unacceptable. While the statistics show a decrease in reported racial crimes, there have been increases in those related to sexual orientation, religion and transgender identity and we cannot be complacent about these crimes are dealt with.
“I remain concerned that hate crimes are under-reported and want to encourage anyone who has been subjected to such appalling acts to come forward to ensure that perpetrators can be dealt with appropriately. We will keep engaging with community leaders on how best to raise awareness of how such crimes can be reported and in the meantime. We will continue to work with Police Scotland and others to ensure a robust response to perpetrators.
“Scotland does not exist in isolation from the rest of the world and we know that global events have an impact on the levels of hate crime that different communities are subjected to. We must ensure that we have appropriate legislation in place to deal with those who continue to perpetrate prejudice, bigotry and hatred, which is why I commissioned the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland and expect that its findings will help us to ensure that our hate crime legislation is fit for the 21st century.
“The number of charges under the Offensive Behaviour Act demonstrate that we still have a problem with offensive and abusive behaviour related to football matches and that we need legislation to give our police the powers required to ensure that football is not immune from the standards expected in the rest of society.”
Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan, Head of Safer Communities, Police Scotland, added: “I would always encourage anyone who has been the victim of hate crime in any form, whether because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or any other individual circumstance, to come forward and report it to the police. It is only through reporting offences that we can form a more complete picture of the issue and address is in the most robust manner possible.
“Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target any community by any misguided individual or group and will work with all of our partners to resolve any issues and address any concerns. Should anyone become a victim of, or witness to, any hate crime, they should contact the police and report the incident, by calling 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.”
