NHS Lothian has taken the difficult decision to withdraw joint funding from a service that provides support to veterans in Lothian, following a stark financial review.
The health board has told Veterans First Point Lothian staff and patients that it can no longer provide its share – £214,778 – of the total budget required, to maintain the service amid the significant financial challenge facing health boards.
Veterans First Point Lothian was jointly funded by Scottish Government and NHS Lothian as a “one-stop shop” offering support, advice and mental health care for veterans. It is a multi-award-winning service that has provided support to over 2500 different veterans throughout the last 15 years.
By April 2025, the service will cease to exist in its current form and a significant redesign and move of premises is planned by March 2025.
It comes as NHS Lothian is forced to review all services and departments in a bid to make efficiency savings of seven per cent following the budget allocation made earlier this year.
Further reductions in part of the mental health budget of 4.6 per cent means that the health board can no longer continue to find its share of this service.
Tracey McKigen, Director of Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services, NHS Lothian, said: “This has been a really difficult decision and we apologise to all of our patients and staff who are affected. We would like to thank the team for their dedication and commitment to supporting our veterans over the years.
“This is no reflection on the quality of the Veterans First Point Lothian service, but it does serve as a stark reminder of the extremely difficult choices that we are facing every day as we balance the need to provide safe and effective healthcare while meeting the severe financial challenges facing health board and other public sector organisations.”
Scottish Government will allocate its 40 per cent share of the funding and NHS Lothian is currently reviewing the future service provision possible within the remaining budget.
However it does mean that Veterans First Point Lothian will no longer be able to accept new referrals or commence any new episodes of treatment. Veterans, who are impacted by the change, are urged to contact the team to discuss alternative support.
If veterans feel they need help or support and are not already part of Veterans First Point Lothian, they should contact their GP during the day, and at evenings and weekends they should contact NHS 24 on 111.
Scottish councils reject SNP bid to roll out regional “commercial sexual exploitation hubs”, citing concerns over plans to involve “dangerous” religious charity
Leading sex worker safety charity says ministers should be ashamed of backing “hocus-pocus nonsense”
National Violence Against Women Network warns ministers of “significant implementation gap” in SNP sex work
The Scottish Government has told councils to partner with a religious charity whose boss recommends carrying out exorcisms on sex workers who are “possessed by demons”, according to documents seen by National Ugly Mugs, the UK’s national sex worker safety charity.
Local authorities have complained to ministers about government proposals to involve Azalea, an English charity whose boss believes yoga is an “occult practice” and sex work leads to a “lesbian lifestyle”, as a key partner in a new national network of sex work support hubs.
Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown announced the creation of the network of regional “commercial sexual exploitation hubs” in February, which the Government said would “support women to safely exit from prostitution and challenge men’s demand for prostitution”.
However, documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that Glasgow City Council, chosen by ministers to pilot the proposals, has refused to take part, citing “dangerous” plans to involve Azalea, and complaining that ministers have given “no detail or structure in relation to governance, accountability, outcomes, milestones, monitoring, evaluation, funding or timescales” for the strategy.
The National Violence Against Women Network, which represents staff at local agencies across the country, also wrote to ministers to warn of a “significant implementation gap” in the proposals, with local officials complaining of a lack of Government consultation and an “unrealistic and unworkable” timetable.
In a presentation to councils across the country, in June, Scottish Government officials proposed piloting support services offered by Azalea, a Christian charity based in Luton, as part of an approach to persuade men not to purchase sexual services.
Officials wrote that the project would be “similar to approaches within the Nordic Model”, a controversial legal approach under which the purchase of sex is outlawed, which is opposed by sex workers, as well as international NGOs such as Amnesty and Human Rights Watch.
Azalea’s co-founder and CEO, Ruth Robb, has co-authored two guidebooks for Christian organisations undertaking outreach to sex workers, in which she writes that “most prostitutes have had some exposure to the occult” and sets out a checklist to establish whether a sex worker has fallen prey to “demonic possession”.
She says “signs of a demonic attack” include “flailing limbs” or a “sudden change of voice”, and provides a guide to carrying out “deliverance prayers” to ensure the “demon is expelled”.
Robb, writing alongside her co-author, fellow evangelical Marion Carson, says that “there is certainly demonic activity going on” among sex workers.
She writes:
· Examples of “occult practices” experienced by sex workers can include an “addiction to blood and human flesh”, yoga, and the fantasy game Dungeons and Dragons. She says: “There is no doubt that occultic involvement opens the way to demonic activity in a person’s life”.
· When working with sex workers, it may become “clear that there is a demonic spirit in control of this person’s life. Such demonic possession may have been caused by deliberate invitation on the part of the individual, e.g. by subscribing to a satanic group or beliefs. Alternatively, it could be caused by others who have cursed the person or by mediums who have instructed the demon to go into a person.”
· There is a “high degree of lesbian promiscuity” within sex workers, with “strong loyalty” between women leading them into a “lesbian lifestyle” or “homosexual tendencies”. She writes: “Those involved in lesbian relationships may well feel a sense of frustration. They have a natural desire to be protected and provided for by a man”.
· Staff should see data confidentiality rules as “guidance” rather than as “strait-jackets”, and should not let them become “replacements for the unique guidance of the Holy Spirit”. She writes that staff thinking of breaching a sex worker’s confidentiality should consider whether doing so would be a means of “bringing glory to God”, telling them: “Don’t allow rules to stifle the Spirit”.
· Trans sex workers, “commonly known as ‘trannies’… can be easily identified as they tend to exaggerate their feminine qualities, for example, they may adopt a swaggering walk and feminine hand movements”. She warns that they “tend to be very violent towards one another because of the high level of frustration which they feel towards themselves and their lives”.
Nordic Model campaigners have praised Azalea’s work, with the Westminster All-Party Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation inviting Robb to contribute to reports and speak at events.
Its Holyrood counterpart, the Cross-Party Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation, which campaigns for the Nordic Model in Scotland, counts representatives from the Evangelical Alliance amongst its membership.
Ash Regan, the Alba MSP who is seeking to pass a new law to implement the Nordic Model in Scotland, previously worked for Tearfund, a religious charity that has published policy documents claiming that demons “are real and affect the world we live in”.
Dr Raven Bowen, chief executive of National Ugly Mugs, said: “The fact that the Scottish Government is telling councils to procure the services of an organisation that believes in hocus-pocus nonsense such as sex workers being ‘possessed by demons’ instead of women and individuals in need of material support and resources, tells you everything you need to know about how the SNP’s sex work policy is informed.
“While evidence-informed and progressive organisations such Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and UN Aids advocate for sex worker rights and the decriminalisation of sex work, the SNP has instead chosen to side with religious crackpots and the regressive right in moving towards the de facto criminalisation of sex workers.
“Polling data shows the Scottish people are overwhelmingly opposed to the SNP’s approach to sex work, and instead want the Government to focus on supporting sex worker safety and wellbeing.
“Making their lives more dangerous by criminalising their sources of revenue while denying agency and offering no income replacement will push sex workers further into poverty, destitution and despair”.
Scottish Government statement on publication of legal advice relating to court case against the Scottish Information Commissioner:
On 9 September 2024 the Scottish Information Commissioner issued a decision notice (193/2024) requiring the Scottish Ministers to disclose legal advice in connection with its Court of Session case against the Scottish Information Commissioner (case XA10/23).
The information had been withheld by the Scottish Government in response to a Freedom of Information request as it considered that the Government should have been able to receive the advice in confidence under “legal professional privilege” and that the public interest was not sufficient to override this exemption.
The Commissioner, in responding to an appeal from the requester, took a different view – that considerations favouring release in this case outweighed those for maintaining legal professional privilege.
That decision of the Commissioner was carefully considered by The Scottish Government and it was decided to release the information.
The material being disclosed outlines that Scottish Ministers took decisions informed by appropriate analysis of the legal considerations and on an important point of principle which was acknowledged as addressing a ‘sharp and important question of statutory interpretation’ in the Court of Session’s judgement.
The released documentation confirms that Ministers had been advised that there were reasonable prospects of success in taking an appeal. The documentation also shows that Ministers had discussed the legal advice with the Lord Advocate, the most senior government legal adviser, who was content that there were proper grounds for appealing and who agreed with Ministers that the decision should be appealed.
There is a longstanding convention, observed by Scottish, UK and other governments, that government does not disclose legal advice except in exceptional circumstances. This ensures that government can access full, frank and confidential legal advice, just as other organisations and individuals are able to. The ability to access such advice is central to the effective conduct of government in the public interest.
The Scottish Government disagrees with the Commissioner’s reasoning in his decision and considers that there were good grounds for a successful appeal to the Court of Session had it chosen to do so. It considers that it is important to emphasise that while minimising further cost to the taxpayer.
The Scottish Government’s publication of the material in this case does not set any precedent for its position on releasing other information that is subject to legal professional privilege. Nor does the Scottish Information Commissioner’s decision represent a binding legal precedent.
The Government will continue to apply the relevant exemptions, in line with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, and will follow the Scottish Ministerial Code in relation to legal advice.
It will also closely monitor Scottish Information Commissioner decisions relating to the release of legally privileged information and will refer them to the Court of Session if it considers that appropriate in future.
Welcoming the release of the information former SNP MP Joanna Cherry, a lawyer and a fierce critic of the Scottish Government, said: “This information is rather jumbled up & there are redactions which makes it difficult to follow but it is fascinating.
“On first reading there are three major takeaways. First, Scottish ministers made misleading statements to the Information Commissioner.
“Second, the appeal proceeded in the face of advice from counsel that the prospects of success were weak. And third the frequent redactions of the name of a civil servant whose actions appear to be central to the whole saga.”
On Wednesday, Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton published his own legal advice received in relation to a 2023 FOI decision which was appealed to the Court of Session by the Scottish Government.
Decision 004/2023 found that information relating to James Hamilton’s investigation into former first Minister Nicola Sturgeon under the Ministerial Code was held by the Scottish Government and should therefore be considered by it when responding to freedom of information (FOI) requests. The Court found in the Commissioner’s favour in its December 2023 ruling.
The Commissioner subsequently considered a request for copies of the legal advice received by the Scottish Government in relation to its decision to bring the 2023 appeal. This request had been refused by the Scottish Government. In a September 2024 decision, the Commissioner found that this legal advice should be disclosed.
The decision requires that this information be disclosed by 26 October 2024. The Commissioner has received notification that the Scottish Government will comply with this decision.
The Commissioner’s own legal advice received in relation to this case is published below.
The legal advice published below contains a small number of redactions of information. Where redactions occur, these relate to the name and job title of one official, and the supplier of the legal advice. Redactions have been made in order to prevent a breach of rights under the Data Protection Act 2018.
Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton’s statement in response to the Scottish Government’s disclosure of legal advice, complying with Decision 193/2024:
“I welcome Scottish Government complying with my direction, albeit at the 11th hour.
“We have now learnt that Scottish Ministers were advised that prospects of winning this appeal were “not strong” and indeed diminished as advice developed. It is therefore frustrating to know that my scarce resources were absorbed in an appeal that advisers pointed out was not the one to test the particular legal argument being deployed.
“The applicant’s request for information to which this appeal related was delayed for two and a half years which is wholly unacceptable and as a result the substantive information initially requested still remains under investigation.
“I will be corresponding with the Permanent Secretary to share these and further concerns.”
People are being encouraged to share their views on plans for the future of foster care in Scotland.
The consultation, which will help ensure foster care is fit for the future, sets out proposals including more peer support opportunities, and using foster carers to facilitate family time with parents and siblings of children in foster care. The new approach could potentially offer an increased role for foster carers supporting families on the edge of care.
A national push to recruit more foster carers will also launch in 2025, with the aim of ensuring there are enough foster carers to support children in care.
Meeting foster carers earlier this week, First Minister John Swinney heard about the important role they play in supporting children and young people. Mr Swinney encouraged foster carers and children with care experience in particular to take part in the consultation.
Marking Care Experience Week, both the announcement of a new recruitment campaign next year and the consultation are key steps towards Keeping The Promise by delivering for care experienced children and young people.
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes, said: “We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up. To do this we need to ensure that children and young people with care experience are given the support, love and nurture that they need.
“Foster carers have a key role to play in Keeping The Promise. The consultation is shaped by the honest and open reflections that have been shared by foster carers and children and young people with experience of foster care.
“I recognise some of the challenges facing foster care and that’s why along with the consultation, we will be launching a recruitment campaign for foster carers ensuring we can provide family-based care for those in need.”
Anne Currie, Assistant Director Scotland at the Fostering Network, said: “The Fostering Network is pleased the Scottish Government is launching a national consultation on fostering and is seeking the views of those most affected, foster carers and care experienced young people.
“We know urgent changes are needed to improve fostering and to Keep The Promise so all children and young people can grow up in stable, loving homes. It’s crucial that foster carers’ voices are heard, which is why we’re working with the government to host online and in-person engagement sessions to provide an opportunity to ensure their views are heard.
“Last year the number of fostering households in Scotland fell by 8%, so retention and recruitment of foster carers are more important than ever. We welcome plans to launch a national recruitment campaign and want to ensure current and former foster carers are involved in this as much as possible.”
Marking a year since Israeli forces began their ground invasion of Gaza, First Minister John Swinney said: “The ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is now entering its second year. The horror, suffering and killing we have watched unfold in Gaza in real-time, on such a devastating scale, has now spread across the region.
“The need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is at the heart of reaching wider peace in the Middle East, and we must see the unconditional release of all hostages.
“International recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine, as part of a two-state solution, is also a fundamental pillar upon which we can build lasting peace.
“There have been repeated breaches of international law and violations of human rights since the conflict began, and Israel must stop blocking essential humanitarian aid from reaching wounded and starving civilians who are surviving in nightmarish conditions.
“I repeat the Scottish Government’s calls for an end to all UK arms sales to Israel.
“Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions more have been directly affected by this catastrophe.
“I stand with our communities in Scotland who have lost loves ones and face the daily torment of not knowing if their family members will make it through the day.”
UK Government urged to remove limit on funds raised for good causes
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to urge the UK Government to remove the cap on charity lottery sales.
Charity lotteries raise money for local, national and international good causes through their ticket sales. However, the current sales cap means that charities can raise no more than £50m for these causes per year.
Ms Somerville said: ““As the difficult economic climate has made it harder for charities to raise funds, while also increasing the need of the communities they serve, the cap on charity lottery sales is only serving to restrict the positive impact they could have in raising money for good causes.
“The UK Government should undertake a review of the cap and consider the huge difference that lifting it could bring to lives and communities across the country.”
People’s Postcode Lottery Managing Director, Clara Govier, said: “The charity lottery sales limits are causing increasing difficulties for charity fundraising at a time when charities need these vital funds to respond to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Charity lotteries exist to benefit society, yet have sales limits in place which do not apply to any other type of gambling product, and ultimately make raising funds for charity more difficult.
“Removing them would cost the Treasury nothing but benefit many charities. We welcome the Scottish Government’s call for these outdated sales limits to be removed, and urge the UK Government to take action.”
The full text of the Social Justice Secretary’s letter:
Long-standing enterprise and financial education programmes for schools and colleges to cease immediately as Young Enterprise Scotland denied Scottish Government support
Young Enterprise Scotland, a national charity that has delivered enterprise education to schools and colleges for over 30 years, is now at risk of closing after the Scottish Government scrapped established grants and failed to follow through on funding assurances.
The national charity is facing closure due to the Scottish Government’s failure to honour funding assurances and last-minute changes to funding methods.
YE Scotland, which develops entrepreneurial mindsets in young people and educators has been a crucial strategic delivery partner in supporting national ambitions in education and entrepreneurship. The organisation has lost its full Scottish Government grant, which accounts for the majority of its overall income.
If no emergency funding can be sourced, the organisation will be forced to close. Thousands of hours of practical learning to primary and secondary students in the circular economy, teamwork, communication, financial planning, sales and marketing and more will be immediately wiped off the school week.
Students will no longer be able to complete the SCQF Level 6 qualification ‘higher’ in entrepreneurship and up to 31 jobs will be lost.
Last year, YE Scotland supported over 18,000 school and college students through its enterprise programmes, including its flagship Company Programme, which many entrepreneurs credit with setting them on a successful business career. In the past three years, more than 1,000 students have gained a YE Scotland enterprise qualification (SCQF Level 6) to prepare them for further education, work and life.
Young Enterprise Scotland Chief Executive Emma Soanessaid: “We are absolutely devastated that the future of Young Enterprise Scotland now seems untenable with the loss of our major income source.
“Not only will this have a huge detrimental impact on our dedicated staff team, who now face redundancy, but given our extensive reach across Scotland it will also impact massively on the national education landscape and the education of young people in Scotland of which our work played such a crucial role.
“Failing to support this crucial stage of the entrepreneurial pipeline is entirely at odds with strategic priorities reflected in the Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation and the key recommendations of the Entrepreneurial Campus report.”
YE Scotland’s funding has historically come from a combination of a core continuity grant from the Scottish Government, an ongoing pipeline of support from Trusts and Foundations and, to a lesser extent, support from the private sector.
For both the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, the Scottish Government grant was significantly delayed. This was particularly so in the last financial year with the delay resulting in late submission of the charity’s audited accounts, directly impacting its ability to apply for additional funding.
Over both years, the charity has supported the Scottish Government during their funding delays by continuing to deliver vital services in good faith.
As a provider of education-based programmes that relies on onboarding schools ready for delivery at the start of the academic year, YE Scotland continued to work on delivering its programmes for 2024/25.
Given the charity’s long standing relationship with the Scottish Government, the experience of previous grant cycles and communications from government officials right up until May 2024 about the availability of funding, the charity onboarded around 80% of the schools and colleges it would be working with for the coming year.
However, in July this year, YE Scotland was advised the grant process would now cease with immediate effect, replaced with a competitive process. The Entrepreneurial Education Fund subsequently opened in August, with no consideration being given to work already underway or any costs incurred up to that point.
YE Scotland Chair, Dr Andy Campbell, who is founder of the Scottish Space Network, added: “For over 30 years, Young Enterprise has delivered life-changing opportunities for young people in Scotland, myself included.
“We understand that government budgets can face challenges and delays, particularly in the current climate. As a committed partner, the charity has historically supported the Government’s delays in funding, continuing delivery to ensure our young people’s futures are not impacted.
“Historically, these delays were always addressed, with costs settled and accompanied by thanks and apologies. However, despite this constructive commitment, it now appears that future funding is to be withdrawn — which we can manage, albeit as a vastly smaller organisation and not delivering the vast majority of our current activity.
“However, critically it now seems that our historical outlays will remain unsettled putting the entire organisation at risk of closure. Without emergency funding, the charity will be in a precarious situation, one that could have been avoided. We are ready to engage with Ministers and officers, hopeful that our past support will be reciprocated.”
The charity is seeking immediate emergency financial support to ensure the organisation can survive, albeit in a reduced capacity, maintaining YE Scotland’s crucial role in delivering enterprise education and supporting Scotland’s future entrepreneurial leaders.
New survey: government regulations causing spike in mental health problems in Edinburgh’s tourism sector
The Scottish self-catering industry highlights that Edinburgh-based operators report the highest levels of mental health issues in the country due the lingering threat of business closures.
A membership survey conducted by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) shows that the Scottish Government’s short-term let regulations are causing a mental health crisis amongst small business owners.
In October 2024, around 450 operators were questioned by the trade body in an online survey as it continues to gather evidence around the impact of STL regulations.
Overall, around one-in-ten (11%) respondents said they had experienced no mental health issues as a consequence of regulatory changes.Incredibly, this figure drops to 0% in Edinburgh where the most stringent STL controls can be found.
The overwhelming sentiment is that the regulations have created financial strain, as well as increased anxiety and uncertainty, with sectoral discontent abundantly clear.
In terms of the key findings:
Across Scotland, over two-thirds (68%) had either experienced a ‘negative’ or ‘extremely negative’ impact on their mental health and wellbeing from recent regulatory changes;
This was particularly acute in Edinburgh where around 90% of operators had seen a negative or extremely negative impact; and
Edinburgh also had the highest number of extremely negative responses (46%).
The professional and personal strain is taking its toll. Several respondents highlighted the emotional toll, such as sleeplessness, anxiety, stress-related health issues, and feelings of helplessness, especially with the uncertainty of future income and business viability.
Many respondents also mentioned the high cost of compliance, administrative burdens, and delays in licensing applications, particularly for those relying on self-catering as their primary income.
These disturbing findings come as BiGGAR Economics published their independent analysis of the sector in Edinburgh. This showed it generated £154m in GVA and supported 5,580 jobs in 2023, while only having a negligible impact on housing with empty homes far outstripping the numbers of STLs.
Conscious to the issues facing small and micro businesses, the industry has attempted to work with national and local government to address the outstanding challenges to the regulatory framework but often to no avail. Edinburgh Council has now suffered a hat trick of legal setbacks, most recently with their u-turn over issuing three-month suspension notices.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, commented: “Running a small business can be a rewarding experience but the last few years have been gruelling with the pandemic and cost of living crisis bearing down on everyone.
“Our survey highlights widespread concern amongst Edinburgh’s self-catering sector, with a clear negative impact on mental health due to recent regulatory changes.
“What is causing particular anguish is the ominous threat that livelihoods will be snatched away due to heavy-handed government regulation, especially with the conflation of licensing and planning requirements.
“To compound matters, just as professional businesses have been shut down or are at threat of closure, we’ve seen a burgeoning black market of unlicensed accommodation, thereby undermining the entire purpose of the regulations.
“Well-managed short-term lets can easily coexist within communities while contributing meaningfully to local employment and the economy.
“As BiGGAR Economics have shown, STLs support over 5,500 jobs in Edinburgh alone yet are vastly outnumbered by the number of empty properties in the city. That is where the policy focus should be directed rather than scapegoating an industry for housing challenges.
“It has to be remembered that the very same individuals under the cosh have dedicated their working lives to ensuring the capital remains a welcoming and leading destination. Quite frankly, they deserve much better.”
The Scottish Student Awards Agency (SSAA) is proposing to stop providing bursaries for students based in Scotland to study at the prestigious College of Europe.
The College provides post-graduate education and training for high achieving students. Many go on to be senior civil servants at the European Commission or be elected to the European Parliament.
Others become specialists in areas like trade, environmental law and foreign and defence policy with governments across Europe and with international organisations globally.
College of Europe graduates can be found in bodies like the Oragnisation for Economic Development and Cooperation, NATO, UN and World Bank, and holding senior posts in leading private sector businesses.
Chair of the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), David Clarke, says: “We urge the Scottish government to think again about ending the bursaries for Scotland domiciled students to attend the College of Europe.
“This is a world class training ground for the brightest and the best. Cutting our ties with the College will be another great blow to our talented young people and have a lasting negative impact on Scotland’s relationship with the EU for decades to come. That’s bad for trade, bad for business, bad our universities and for our international relations. And bad for our ties of democracy, culture and friendship.”
The Scottish Government supported three places a year for recent graduates of Scottish universities. The cost is around £120,000 a year. The position is different in England where up to 28 British civil servants can get UK government funds to meet the cost of attending the College of Europe.
EMiS says continuing to support students from Scottish universities will deliver positive benefits for Scotland for decades to come.
Pension Age Disability Payment launches in pilot locations
A new disability benefit for people of State Pension age opens today for new applications from people living in five local authority areas.
Pension Age Disability Payment is the 15th benefit administered by Social Security Scotland. It is for people of State Pension age and over who are disabled or have a long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe; or are terminally ill
People who live in Argyll & Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland can now apply. The payment will be available across Scotland by 22 April next year.
It is not means-tested and is worth between £290 and £434 a month depending on the needs of the person who gets it.
Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). People do not need to apply separately as their award will automatically be moved to Social Security Scotland, starting early 2025.
There is a separate fast-track application process for people who are terminally ill and eligible people will be entitled to the higher rate of payment regardless of how long they have had a terminal illness.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As people continue to face a cost of living crisis it is more important than ever that older disabled people across Scotland get all the financial support they are entitled to.
“Today we are launching Pension Age Disability Payment, our 15th benefit, in five locations before it is rolled out across Scotland later next year.
“This new benefit has been developed by listening to older disabled people and we have made many changes, including making it easier for them to nominate someone to support them in their engagement with Social Security Scotland, something they told us was important to them.
“I would encourage anyone who thinks they are eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment to apply. It’s important they get the money they need to help them look after themselves, stay safe and get support to live with the dignity and respect that we all deserve as we get older.”
Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “We welcome today’s launch of Pension Age Disability Payment in the first five local authority areas. Support for the costs related to disability while in later life are an essential part of our social security system and a vital part of enabling dignity and independence as we age.
“Putting dignity and respect at the heart of how the payment is delivered is essential. We hope changes made to the payment, such as making it simpler for people at the end of their life to get support, result in an improved experience for older people applying for the payment in Scotland.
“We encourage all older people living in the pilot areas who may be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment to apply, or get in touch with an independent advice service, such as Independent Age, who can help to ensure older people in Scotland receive all of the support they are entitled to.”
Tommy Campbell, Executive Committee member at The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum and poverty campaigner said: “The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, and other organisations, worked extensively with the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland to help develop a fairer and more just application system for pensioners with disabilities and more complex needs in Scotland.
“We support many people of Stage Pension age and over with long-term health conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and arthritis who would really benefit from this financial support.
“We hope that the roll out of this pilot programme over the coming months will demonstrate and deliver on this.”
