TWENTY YEARS SUPPORTING SCOTLAND’S PARTNER COUNTRIES
First Minister John Swinney will visit Zambia and Malawi to see the impact of the Scottish Government’s international development and climate justice work on the lives of people in partner countries over the past two decades.
This will be the first time a First Minister has visited Malawi since the historic Co-operation Agreement between the governments of Scotland and Malawi in 2005, and the first ever visit to Zambia.
While in the countries, the First Minister is due to announce new international development funding for health and investment partnerships, and see existing programmes supporting education, advancing gender equality and helping to tackle the impacts of climate change.
Speaking ahead of his visit, the First Minister said: “The 20-year anniversary of our overseas development programme is a landmark that we should be proud of – we have seen how working together with our partner countries to better understand their challenges, can have transformative impact on communities.
“Current global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, conflict, poverty and inequality can only be addressed if the Global South and North work together.
“Through that partnership approach, Scotland is both contributing globally and learning from our partners – for example providing joint leadership on climate justice, including loss and damage, and by focusing investment in traditionally neglected areas such as non-communicable diseases and disability education.
“Our funding has helped to build operating rooms for children’s hospitals, establish research labs, advance gender equality, support renewable energy initiatives, and ensure children – in particular girls – can attend school.
“At a time when governments across the world are cutting aid programmes overseas, internationalism, and international solidarity, has never been more important.
“Scotland will continue to stand with the international community and to do our bit for a fairer, more equal world.”
CEO of the Malawi Scotland Partnership Linda Dembo said: “We are deeply honoured to welcome the First Minister of Scotland to Malawi for a visit that not only strengthens our enduring friendship, but also marks 20 years of transformative partnership through Scottish Government international development support.
“This milestone is a celebration of shared values, mutual respect, and the countless lives uplifted through collaboration.
“At the Malawi Scotland Partnership, we remain committed to deepening these ties and amplifying the impact of our collective efforts.”
The First Minister will travel to Zambia tomorrow (Tuesday 14 October) and return from Malawi on Monday 20 October.
Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers Bill published
A new Bill to regulate some of the most commonly performed non-surgical procedures has been published by the Scottish Parliament.
If passed by parliament, the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill will regulate the provision of certain non-surgical cosmetic and wellbeing procedures to ensure they are carried out in appropriate settings which can meet standards of safety and hygiene.
It will create new offences for providing non-surgical procedures outwith premises where appropriate healthcare professionals are available or to under 18s. It will also give Healthcare Improvement Scotland new powers to enter and search premises where there is a suspicion that these procedures are being carried out in breach of these offenses.
The Bill covers cosmetic and wellbeing procedures, such as Botoxinjections and dermal fillers, and some of the riskiest including ‘Brazilian Butt Lifts’ and thread lifts. The Bill follows a consultation carried out in 2020, which found 98% of respondents supported the principle of further regulation of procedures led by those who are not qualified healthcare professionals.
Businesses seeking guidance on adapting to the requirements of the Bill will be able to access free support through Business Gateway.
Additionally, FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot offers a comprehensive overview of funding opportunities, helping them navigate to change.
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto said: “Our aim is to ensure there is robust and proportionate regulation in place so that anyone who chooses to have these procedures can do so safely.
“We have worked with a range of stakeholders including business owners, healthcare professionals, non-healthcare practitioners, environmental health officers and professional regulators to develop our proposals.
“Our priority is to address the public safety concerns that exist in this sector, whilst ensuring businesses that may be impacted are able to access support.”
Hundreds of new and expanded breakfast clubs are supporting thousands of children start the day with a healthy meal and increased access to activities thanks to Scottish Government funding.
490 breakfast clubs are helping more than 20,000 children and their families across the whole country. The clubs combine access to a nutritious breakfast with before-school childcare and activities.
Supported by nearly £3 million from the Scottish Government’s Bright Start Breakfasts Fund, 142 new services have been introduced and a further 348 clubs have expanded their services offering additional hours of childcare, activities like loose parts and active play as well as places available for more children.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville visited one of the new services this morning (Friday 10 October) at Abbeyview Kids Club in Dunfermline.
The Cabinet Secretary met some of the families who are benefiting from the new club, as well as service managers, to hear about the difference it is making to the health and financial wellbeing of families in the local community.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Ms Somerville said: “The expansion of breakfast club services is an integral part of our mission to eradicate child poverty.
“Breakfast clubs are community staples and provide a warm, friendly place for children to start their day in the best possible way, while supporting parents to work or study.
“Alongside our free school meals programme, which is providing nutritious meals to more than 230,000 primary school pupils, we are ensuring that children, regardless of circumstances beyond their control, are afforded the opportunities they deserve.
“While we know that a good breakfast can improve school attendance, learning and health, these clubs also help to address food insecurity for families. That’s why we are putting more money in people’s pockets by delivering real savings and this is, in turn, is helping to build a fairer Scotland.”
Managed by Inspiring Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the fund has awarded £2,838,461.90 to clubs for primary-age children across the country.
Funding was prioritised for areas with low existing provision, high levels of poverty, and rural communities. The fund has reached all local authorities across Scotland, including remote communities across the Western Isles, Orkney, Argyll and Bute, and the Highlands.
Funding will allow 142 new breakfast clubs to be set up, and 348 clubs to expand their provision. The supported clubs include 261 run by Local Authorities, 109 run by third-sector organisations, 100 primary schools, and 20 are registered childcare providers or activity providers.
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland, said: “Breakfast clubs are a simple but powerful way to support children’s wellbeing and learning.
“By funding clubs across Scotland, we’re helping to reduce the impact of poverty and ensure more children start the day nourished, supported, and ready to learn.”
Cornton Out of School Care in Stirling was one of the successful organisations. Speaking about the funding, Treasurer Orla Bell said: “These funds are critical for our charity, so we can continue to offer a Breakfast Club for the children in our community in Cornton.
“The Club has been running for less than a year, and we are still finding our feet with it, but are in no doubt that it is a much needed and welcomed club.
“We’re extremely grateful.”
Funding will support breakfast clubs through to the end of the 2025-26 academic year, contributing to the Scottish Government’s commitment to building a year-round system of school-age childcare.
Scotland’s carers getting more financial support through Social Security Scotland
Around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland’s Carer Support Payment.
Carer Support Payment began rolling out across Scotland in November 2023 to replace Carer’s Allowance delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Since the formation of Social Security Scotland in 2018, the Scottish Government has delivered more financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland under a very different social security system, rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement provides up to £587 a year while Young Carer Grant offers over £390 each year to carers aged 16-18 years. These payments are only available in Scotland.
Carer Support Payment has also been extended to enable more carers in full time education to access the payment.
Further improvements to carer benefits in Scotland are planned within the next six months. This includes extension of Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and a new payment worth up to £520 a year for carers who are caring for more than one person.
Extending eligibility for financial support following the death of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks is also amongst the plans.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are supporting over 126,000 unpaid carers in Scotland through devolved carer benefits, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving social security, under a kinder system that treats people with dignity and respect.
“It was always our intention that once carers’ benefits had successfully transferred to Carer Support Payment, we’d deliver even more changes to help make a difference to carers’ lives.
“Unpaid carers make a huge contribution within our communities and I’m proud to be able to improve the financial support available to them in Scotland.”
FM: Scots should make choices that best serve Scotland’s interests
Independence would give the people of Scotland new opportunities to improve their standards of living, according to a new paper published by First Minister John Swinney.
‘A Fresh Start with Independence’ examines how an independent Scotland would be able to improve the economy and the NHS, and tackle issues such as household finances, pensions, social security, migration, energy and defence.
The paper states that the Scottish Government has worked hard to improve the lives of people living in Scotland using devolved powers but it would only be able to fully capitalise on the nation’s potential with independence.
The First Minister said: “I firmly believe that the people who live in Scotland are best placed to make decisions about Scotland. That is the fundamental democratic and practical argument underpinning the case that we make.
“Too many people in Scotland today do not have a decent standard of living and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. That is because standards of living in the UK have improved little in over 10 years, due to a failing economic system and Westminster decisions such as austerity and the disastrous decision to leave the European Union. Scotland did not support austerity and it did not support Brexit. The reality is Westminster is not working for Scotland.
“The Scottish Government works tirelessly to use the powers of devolution to deliver the very best for Scotland. Much good has been achieved through the expansion of early learning and childcare, the introduction of free university tuition, the expansion of the rail network, the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol, the creation of the Scottish Child Payment and many other measures.
“But Scotland needs to be able to improve the opportunities available to our people, our communities and our businesses. Scotland needs to build a stronger, more inclusive economy that works for all. Those possibilities would only be available to Scotland with the fresh start of independence.
“We have shown that when we have the power to decide for ourselves, we find solutions and make choices that best serve Scotland’s interests. I believe Scotland can and will become a successful independent country, with a more dynamic economy and a fairer society.”
The Scottish Conservatives don’t agree, oddly enough:
Considering the past, present and future of Scotland’s flagship music making fund for children and young people.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed a review highlighting the impact of music for young people of all backgrounds during Challenge Poverty Week.
The £9.78 million Scottish Government-funded Youth Music Initiative provides music-making opportunities for young people across Scotland, particularly those who would otherwise be unable to participate.
The review found the Creative Scotland-administered programme had expanded access and opportunities for children across Scotland with more than 453,000 children supported over the last year.
It also found that its newest strand, the Youth Arts Open Fund, delivered in participation with YouthLink, is already creating additional opportunities for young people facing barriers to participation. This includes ‘Starcatchers’, who opened their Baby Studio in an empty retail unit in Wester Hailes, providing free access to creative space for babies and young children.
The review makes a range of recommendations for the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland to consider. These focus on potential structural changes as well as seeking out opportunities to innovate and cement YMI’s position as an internationally-recognised model of best practice in youth arts and engagement.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “At its heart, the YMI is about providing young people of all backgrounds the opportunity to enjoy music.
“Participation in cultural and creative activities helps young people grow into confident citizens and plays an important role in fostering wellbeing and supporting attainment.
“The Scottish Government is proud to support the delivery of these benefits with £9.78 million funding in the last Budget. The review’s recommendations will be considered carefully alongside the independent Review of Creative Scotland.”
Morag Macdonald, YMI Manager at Creative Scotland said: “This report marks a pivotal moment to both reflect on the profound impact of the YMI on Scotland’s children and young people, and to celebrate how deeply it’s now embedded within the fabric of our national cultural offer.
“We welcome the report’s recommendations which provide a clear focus for the programme’s strategic development, and we remain ambitious about the future direction of the fund.”
New review process will ensure lessons are learned from each case
‘a thousand words’ commissioned by Scottish Womens Aid and Zero Tolerance. Copyright Laura Dodsworth
Legislation to help reduce the number of domestic abuse-related homicides and suicides in Scotland has been passed unanimously by Parliament.
The Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill will legally require a new robust review process following the death of a partner, ex-partner, or child where abuse is known or suspected.
The reviews, which are expected to start next spring, will mean that where there has been a death of this nature, justice, health, social care, local government and third sector agencies must work together to identify and agree any areas for change and improvement so further deaths may be prevented.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to work with partners, those with direct experience of domestic abuse and families bereaved in these circumstances, to develop national standards to support how the reviews are undertaken and the multi-agency and multi-disciplinary response to domestic homicide and suicide.
The Bill will also help to modernise the justice sector by supporting greater use of digital technology, including evidence-sharing, and efficient processes.
It will make permanent a number of temporary measures that were put in place during the COVID pandemic in 2020 which improved how the criminal justice system works. The reforms include allowing more virtual attendance at criminal courts, electronic signing and sending of documents in criminal cases, and greater use of digital evidence from crime scene to court room.
As well as benefiting victims and witnesses, these reforms will help efforts to support frontline policing – sparing officers from unduly waiting around in court buildings.
The Justice Secretary said: “Any death following domestic abuse is one too many. The new Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Model, backed by national standards, will help to ensure lessons are learned following such deaths, so that services are improved and victims are better protected.
“I hope that identifying what needs to improve will mean there are fewer deaths of this kind.
“Legislation alone is not enough, though. The real change we need to see will only happen when those who perpetrate domestic abuse – the majority of whom are men – change their actions and behaviour.
“This Bill will also provide resilience to the criminal justice sector by embedding efficiency and modernisation in procedures – making sure Scotland’s criminal justice system can meet current and future demands.
“This includes greater use of digital technology, including evidence-sharing, and efficient processes such as allowing more virtual attendance at criminal courts and electronic signing and sending of documents in criminal cases.”
Fiona Drouet, who founded the EmilyTest charity in memory of her daughter, and who chairs the Domestic Abuse Related Suicide Group under the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce, said: “The introduction of statutory reviews into domestic abuse homicides and suicides is a hugely important step.
“Like so many families, we were left to piece together the devastating circumstances that led to our daughter Emily taking her own life, all whilst in the most painful time of our lives.
“Doors closed on us, and the desperation to make sure no one else ended up in Emily’s shoes felt all-consuming – a responsibility we should never have had to carry.
“Having comprehensive reviews in place means there’s less risk of lessons being missed and future tragedies prevented. Domestic abuse-related suicides now outnumber domestic homicides, which is why giving equal priority to these deaths is so vital.
“As Chair of the Group under the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce that is informing Scotland’s suicide reviews, I see firsthand the depth of expertise partners bring to the process, and am confident in a system that puts lived experience at its heart.
“The wider provisions in the Bill to strengthen existing practices and protections are also welcome, bringing greater consistency and safety across Scotland.”
Scottish Women’s Aid CEO Dr Marsha Scott said: ““Scottish Women’s Aid warmly welcomes this legislation.
“We have been calling for a Scottish response to domestic abuse deaths for almost a decade, and this new law delivers a unique approach that was developed in an inclusive, thoughtful, and evidence-based process.
“Implementation, as always, must be resourced supported by the expertise of specialist services, but this law gives us the tools to make a difference.’’
Victim Support Scotland Head of Communications and External Affairs Carol Eden said: “Victim Support Scotland welcomes legislation in both parts of this important Bill.
“Much of what is being put into legislation reflects what has been in practice for several years now as a result of COVID. Victims and witnesses have become accustomed to and expect the level of flexibility this offers, and to not make permanent these powers would be a retrograde step.
“Equally, Victim Support Scotland is supportive of legislation to underpin a Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review model to help to develop a better understanding of how domestic abuse impacts communities in Scotland.
“We have been heavily involved in these developments as an active member of the Domestic Homicide and Suicide Review Taskforce and associated sub-groups, with our work informed by our Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service, which provides practical and emotional support to families bereaved by murder and culpable homicide.”
Plans to improve Scotland’s care system have been slow to come together after not enough early delivery planning by the Scottish Government and COSLA.
The Promise, a national commitment to improving the lives of care experienced people by 2030, was made by the Scottish Government in 2020.
Organisations and individuals remain dedicated to achieving that goal. But five years on, there is still confusion about what different bodies should be doing to deliver the changes needed.
Plans to date have lacked detail and direction for individual sectors. New structures set up by the Scottish Government to help deliver The Promise have lacked clarity about their roles and responsibilities.
And Scottish Government efforts to streamline The Promise’s complex governance arrangements have been insufficient. This has contributed to slow progress and made collective accountability challenging.
From the outset, there was no assessment of what resources and skills were needed to deliver The Promise by 2030, or how success would be defined or measured.
A framework to measure progress was agreed in December 2024 but further work remains. The Scottish Government is working on national data, which is not currently good enough to assess if services are improving the lives of care experienced people.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Public bodies remain committed to improving Scotland’s care system and the lives of people who go through it. But initial planning about how The Promise would be delivered didn’t provide a strong platform for success.
“The Scottish Government needs to work with its partners to clearly set out the action that will be taken over the next five years to deliver The Promise, and how that work will be resourced.”
Angela Leitch, a member of the Accounts Commission, said: “Despite public bodies working hard to support local and national change to the services underpinning Scotland’s care system, greater pace and momentum is now needed.
“Local bodies need to work with their national partners to clarify roles and responsibilities, and prioritise the work needed to achieve The Promise’s aims.”
Commenting on the latest report on the Promise by the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission, Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Children First, said: “This report makes it clear that time is running out to keep the Promise.
“Investing in prevention and whole family support is the best way to stop children going into care in the first place. No child should be taken into care because support isn’t available.
“Real efforts have been made across Scotland over the last five years but as today’s report recognises, lack of clarity and accountability and failure to value and invest in the crucial role of the third sector are standing in the way.
“Children can’t wait. At Children First our commitment to keeping the Promise is as strong as ever. But unless the recommendations of the Auditor General and the Accounts Commission are acted on immediately the Promise won’t be kept.”
Projects aimed at tackling child poverty across the country will receive increased, multi-year funding thanks to a boost from the Scottish Government.
Successful applicants to the third round of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, now worth more than £1.8 million, will receive grants of up to £100,000 over two years to improve local services.
The Scottish Government has already invested over £1.4 million to support 21 projects across Scotland over the first two rounds of the fund, having launched in 2023.
Previous grants have been used to improve the use of data to identify families who need support, to improve access to financial advice services, and to support parents to engage with employability services.
The fund sits alongside other innovative measures, such as the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, which are helping to reduce child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty, supporting families and giving children the best start in life are the driving principles of this government.
“That’s why, alongside a range of measures, we have reopened this fund to help local authorities and health boards to go further, aiding the collective effort to confine child poverty to history.
“Work through the fund has previously helped maximise income and to tackle household debt, which is vital to easing the strains felt by households as the cost of living rises, and I look forward to receiving many innovative proposals.
“Our collective measures mean that Scotland remains the only part of the UK where child poverty levels are falling.
“We should recognise that progress, but we must not forget that one child living in poverty is one too many. We are laser-focussed on addressing the challenges faced by households across the country, and this fund is another step towards eradicating child poverty.”
Transformation Project Manager at North Ayrshire Council Tracy Simpson said: “The fund supported the council on our journey towards implementing a North Ayrshire Single Shared Assessment model.
“Being involved in the fund’s project network provided an opportunity to share learning and experiences across local authorities and ideas from others helped shape work that could be replicated at North Ayrshire.
“Expanding our network and having access to key contacts has helped us to raise awareness at a government level about the key challenges faced around data reuse to maximise customer entitlements and target unmet need across the public sector. The support provided from the Scottish Government was exceptional.”
The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund strengthens the collaborative efforts to tackle child poverty between the Scottish Government and local partners. Elsewhere, through the Fairer Futures Partnerships (FFPs), the Scottish Government is working with local authorities to test and improve services to better help families living in poverty.
Last month, the First Minister announced an extension to the FFP programme with support now available in 16 regions.
This included expanding to Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh, South Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian, meeting a Programme for Government commitment to work to identify further adopters in addition to three new partnerships in Fife, North Lanarkshire and Shetland this year.
Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s driving mission.
As Challenge Poverty Week begins, First Minister @johnswinney highlighted action we're taking to benefit families and how we can go further to help more people access the support they need. pic.twitter.com/eRJJrnMBSG
The proportion of Scottish children living in absolute poverty has reached its lowest level in 30 years and the latest figures (for 2023-24) show that the rates of both relative and absolute child poverty in Scotland were 9 percentage points lower than the UK average.
Awareness week comes as research shows less than half of girls aged 13-15 enjoy recommended activity levels
Former Scotland Women’s International Rachel Corsie backs 2025 campaign, encouraging women and girls to ‘Find your fit’
The Scottish Government’s Women and Girls in Sport Week 2025 launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.
Taking place from Monday 6th October – Sunday 13th October, this year’s campaign is supported by former Scotland Women’s football captain Rachel Corsie. Corsie uses her platform as a leading figure in women’s sport to recognise that there remain significant barriers to sport and physical activity for women and girls.
The latest Scottish Health Survey showed that women remain less likely to be physically active than men across most age groups, with a notable drop off in physical activity for girls during adolescence, from 74% of girls aged 11-12 meeting recommended activity levels, down to just 43% of those aged 13-15.
There are many reasons behind this drop off, including gender stereotypes, lack of visible role models, body image concerns, and practical barriers like cost, time and transport. Cultural factors also impact participation, particularly for ethnic minority women and girls.
The Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2025 campaign seeks to increase the visibility of women and girls in sport, increase awareness of barriers to participation, and showcase the opportunities open to women and girls across the country.
The campaign is built around the message that movement looks different for everyone. It’s not about performance, it’s about feeling good, building confidence, and connecting with others. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a fitness class, or trying something new for the first time, ‘Find Your Fit’ is about discovering what makes you feel good and keeps you moving.
Reflecting on the importance of the Week, former Scotland International Women’s Football captain Rachel Corsie, said: “Sport has been a huge part of my life from a young age but after retiring from the game, I got to rediscover my love for different sports and activities that I couldn’t do as a professional footballer.
“Feeling happy and healthy is so important as you go through life and exercise is huge part of that. It’s all about finding what you enjoy and what works for you. It could be a walk in the park with friends or a jog on the beach to clear the head, I’d encourage all women and girls to try as many options as they can.
“There is something out there for everyone and it’s about finding a way for you that celebrates the benefits of being active”.
A Scottish Government Representative said: “Initiatives such as Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week remain absolutely vital to our nation’s health and wellbeing programme. Being active isn’t just good for physical health.
“It improves mental wellbeing, and contributes greatly to social health, helping people to connect with others and their communities.
“Scotland is a proud sporting nation, and the continued growth and success of women’s sport is brilliant to see, however, we know there’s still a long way to go to fully realise women’s sport potential and to address gendered gaps in participation.
“Having role models like Rachel to show that sport and exercise can be for everyone is vital. We hope that the Week inspires women and girls across the country to try something new”.
Whether you’re just getting started, returning to activity, or looking for something new, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Find your fit in your area by visiting swgis2025.actify.org.uk or by contacting your local authority leisure trust.
Let’s get active and move together this Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week by using #FindYourFit and #SheCanSheWill
For more information and updates, follow @ActiveScotGov.
