£10 million boost to youth music initiatives
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced £10 million continued funding for the refreshed Youth Music Initiative and revealed the recipients of £1.1 million funding. In a keynote speech, Ms Hyslop stressed the vital role the arts have to play in tackling youth inequality. Continue reading Let’s make some noise!
The target of 26,000 Modern apprentices for the year 2016 /2017 has been set by Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work Roseanna Cunningham. Continue reading 26,000 Modern Apprenticeships for year ahead
GMB Scotland is among the organisations who will lobby Holyrood this afternoon and call on the Scottish government to end the eight-year Council Tax freeze. Continue reading Protest at parliament over council tax freeze
REFERENDUM DATE set for 23 JUNE
Not quite a ‘peace in our time’ moment – but has the Prime Minister secured enough concessions to keep Britain in Europe?
The Prime Minister made a statement following the meeting of the European Council where he negotiated a deal to give the UK special status in the EU. Continue reading Europe Referendum date is 23 June
Funding for Macmillan advice services
Cancer patients and their families will receive help to apply for benefits and access debt and money saving advice through a £450,000 investment, it was announced yesterday.
Funding for the Macmillan Benefits Services is supporting cancer patients, their families and carers to access benefits, claim grants, free white goods and deal with debt.
Last year Macmillan’s financial advice services in Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness helped clients access £16.9 million of benefits and grant schemes, they would have otherwise missed out on.
Research from Macmillan has found 80 per cent of Scottish cancer patients are £420 worse off every month after they are diagnosed, through a mix of lost income and extra costs.
The £450,000 for Macmillan is part of the £2.5 million package of support for advice services confirmed in the 2016-17 draft budget.
Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess announced the funding on a visit to meet support workers at the project in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.
She said: “It is extremely stressful for people coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis to find themselves hundreds of pounds worse off and worried about paying their bills.
“Trying to navigate the benefits process while dealing with the physical and emotional problems cancer brings can be very difficult.
“Our investment in the Macmillan Benefits Service is removing some of the financial stress and uncertainty that comes when people are diagnosed, but are faced with increased heating, transport and healthcare costs.
“This funding is part of our £2.5 million package for advice services and sits alongside other measures like the Scottish Welfare Fund which helps vulnerable people in crisis and enables people to live independently.”
Macmillan’s Head of Services Janice Preston said: “Money worries are a real issue for many people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Some people will need to give up work and this can come at the same time as they face increased costs like travelling to hospital for treatment, or higher heating bills as many cancer patients feel the cold more.
“Services like this are vitally important in helping patients access the money they need and Scottish Government support and funding make these services possible.”
Community job opportunities for young people
Young people are set to benefit from an additional £6.1 million to help them get into work, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday. Continue reading Helping more young people into work
‘English language learning is crucial to ensure successful integration in our communities’ – Humza Yousaf
All adult refugees who have arrived in Scotland under the Syrian Resettlement Programme are receiving English language training, Humza Yousaf confirmed today. Continue reading Yousaf: All refugees receive English language tuition
Youth organisations share Cash Back proceeds
More than £400,000 seized from criminals is being used to fund six youth projects across Scotland, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has announced. Continue reading Youth projects share cash seized from criminals
It’s a subject we’d all rather avoid, but we need to talk about funerals – and how much they can cost …
A new report on funeral poverty has found funeral director and local authority costs should be more consistent and bereavement support more widely available. Continue reading Report calls for action to address funeral costs
£81 million support for Scots in crisis
More than 178,000 vulnerable households, including around 59,000 families with children, have received essential help to buy everyday products like nappies, food and cookers through the Scottish Welfare Fund. Continue reading The worst of times: 60,000 Scots families receive emergency aid
