Scottish Government – Page 405 – The NEN

Make 2015 a tree-mendously green New Year

Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste

With the smell of fresh pine in your home, there’s nothing quite like a real tree at Christmas – and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead is urging everyone who bought a real tree in 2014 to recycle it, or replant it and use it again this year.

Scottish farms grow around 4.3 million Christmas trees every year with many of these home-grown trees taking pride of place in households across the country.

Mr Lochhead said: “Real Christmas trees, many of which have been grown here on Scottish farms, add some authentic festive sparkle to homes but I don’t think many people realise they can do their bit for the environment after they’ve used their trees by recycling them.

“All local authorities have recycling centres to take advantage of and I would encourage everyone who has bought a real tree this year to make sure they do.

“Alternatively, the gardeners among us might want to replant their tree to use again year on year – again doing your bit for the environment and also saving yourself some money next year.

“Christmas is a great time of year – it’s all about celebrating, having fun, relaxing and enjoying quality time with family and friends – but it’s also a time to reflect on the past year and what your aims are for 2015. I hope everyone in Scotland will resolve to make 2015 their Greenest year yet.”

Future Starts here

£145,000 Scottish Government support to help young people into jobs

New pilot projects to help young people find work are to be rolled out in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and North Lanarkshire this year.

The Prince’s Trust will deliver Future Starts in collaboration with schools, colleges and employers with the support of £145,000 investment from the Scottish Government and a further £173,000 from The Wood Foundation.

The projects are specifically targeted at young people in education who are at risk of disengagement by helping them raise their ambitions and build up their confidence so they can move towards vocational training or employment.

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham said: “A few weeks ago the Scottish Government published a new Youth Employment Strategy, which followed on from the work of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.

“Helping more young people into vocational education is a fundamental element of this work and I am very pleased to be able to fund these Prince’s Trust pilots which will intervene early in the lives of a number of young people to ensure they do not slip off our radar.

“While last month’s statistics on leaver destinations and recent employment figures have been very encouraging, there are still too many young women and men unable to fulfil their potential for a variety of reasons. I am determined to do everything we can to help them succeed.”

Allan Watt, director of The Prince’s Trust in Scotland said: “Our Future Starts pilot responds to recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. It means that with our school, college and private sector partners, we will reach out to those young people who face the greatest challenges moving from education to employment with relevant, engaging vocational experience and qualifications.

“With this funding from the Scottish Government and the Wood Foundation we can build relevant career options for those young people and help them create brighter futures for themselves.”

Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of The Wood Foundation said: “The Wood Foundation (TWF) is pleased to work in partnership with the Scottish Government to support the development and delivery of Future Starts, a new Prince’s Trust Scotland pilot programme. This builds on the best practice of Get Into, a Prince’s Trust programme into which TWF have invested £716,000 since 2008.

“Future Starts engages with employers to offer students, who are at their senior phase of school, the opportunity to sample potential career options and develop their skills. This programme, to which we will be contributing £173,000 over the next two and a half years, is a good fit with TWF’s Developing Young People in Scotland portfolio and also with my report for The Scottish Government – Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.

“I believe Future Starts will be successful in providing relevant and practical knowledge of careers and the workplace to Scotland’s next working generation whilst they’re still at school, and should ensure as many youngsters as possible leave with a positive destination into employment or further education.”

Children and families charities to receive £14.7 million

“Our parents often refer to our family sessions as a real lifeline, and we are very grateful for this support.” – Celine Sinclair, The Yard

Children and families across Scotland are set to benefit from funding awards totalling almost £15 million, announced by the Acting Children’s Minister today.

The funding has been awarded to 132 voluntary organisations which aim to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children and young people across Scotland and their families and communities that support them.

Confirming the funding allocations for 2015-16, Acting Minister for Children and Young People Fiona McLeod said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to creating a fairer Scotland and reducing inequalities, and supporting families is key to achieving that aim. I’m pleased we can invest further funding in these organisations to continue their fantastic work supporting children and families across Scotland.

“From vital childcare and youth work projects, to counselling and learning support, the work of these organisations is wide ranging, helping ensure our children get the best start in life. I’ve visited the Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh and have seen first hand the excellent work they do to support families.”

The funding is allocated through both the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund (TSEIF) and Strategic Funding Partnerships which began in 2013.

In the first year of the TSEIF alone, more than 3,500 families facing challenges were supported through project work.

The Yard Adventure Centre in Edinburgh is one organisation which has received funding through the TSEIF. It provides supported play and recreational activities for children with multiple and complex additional support needs.

Since the TSEIF grant began, there has been an increase in the number of new families using the centre and the funding has enabled them to increase their opening hours at the weekend.

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of Scotland Yard Adventure Centre said: “We are delighted to receive funding from the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund for a further year. The funds will support our weekend and holiday family sessions which provide both emotional and practical support to families with children with additional support needs. The sessions run every weekend and throughout the school holidays and give children and young people a safe and dynamic play space that meets their needs.

“Our parents often refer to our family sessions as a real lifeline, and we are very grateful for this support.”

Earlier this year the Scottish Government established a short-term working group to advise it on how the current funding arrangements supporting the Third Sector could be refined in the future.

The Third Sector Early Intervention Fund was launched in December 2012 with awards beginning from May 2013. It was originally intended to operate for two years, but has been extended to March 2016.

A Strategic Funding Partnership (SFP) is an agreement between the Scottish Government and a third sector organisation. The agreement is focused on the delivery of one or more Scottish Government outcomes, where the organisation is uniquely placed to assist with delivery and improve outcomes for children, young people, adults, families and communities. SFPs were also extended until March 2016 earlier this year.

Organisations receiving funding under the SFPs are:

Birthlink

British Association for Adoption and Fostering, Scotland

The Mentor Foundation UK (Mentor)

Genetic Alliance UK

Hearts and Minds

Article 12 in Scotland

Capability Scotland

The Alliance Scotland

Sense Scotland

Sleep Scotland

Scottish Youth Parliament

Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens

Dyslexia Scotland

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)

Lead Scotland

Learning Link Scotland

Scotland’s Learning Partnership

Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC)

Scottish Community Development Network

Workers’ Educational Association

Girlguiding Scotland

John Muir Trust

LGBT Youth Scotland

Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs

Scottish Environmental & Outdoor Education Centres Association

The Boys’ Brigade

The Girls Brigade in Scotland

The Iona Community

The Princes Trust

The Scout Association

Woodcraft Folk

YWCA Scotland

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

National Day Nurseries Association

Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta)

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland

Families Need Fathers Scotland

Fathers Network Scotland (FNS)

Parent Network Scotland

Working On Wheels

Family Service Unit Scotland (Circle)

Relationships Scotland

The Spark (Previously Scottish Marriage Care)

Asthma UK Scotland

Partners in Advocacy

Organisations receiving funding under the TSEIF are:

Action for Sick Children Scotland

Adoption UK in Scotland

Afasic Scotland

Befriending Networks

Black & Ethnic Minority Infrastructure in Scotland – BEMIS Scotland

Child Bereavement UK

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland

Children in Scotland – Working for Children and their Families (CiS)

Community Care Providers Scotland – Coalition Of Care And Support Providers In Scotland

Community Law Advice Network

Contact a Family Scotland

Down’s Syndrome Scotland

Edinburgh Cyrenians

Enable Scotland

Families Outside

Fast Forward

Govan Law Centre (Education Law Unit)

Home-Start UK

Mellow Parenting – Fathers & Parents with Learning disabilities

Mellow Parenting Very Early Intervention Project for Parents to Be

NSPCC

One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS)

Parents Early Education Partnership (PEEP)

Play Scotland

Quarriers

Rape Crisis Scotland

Re-Solv

Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (Children 1st)

Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children RSSPCC – Parenting across Scotland (Children 1st)

Save the Children

Scottish Child Law Centre

Scottish Childminding Association

Scottish Families Affected by Drugs- Strand 1

Scottish Mentoring Network

Scottish Out of School Care Network

Scottish Pre-School Play Association

Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (STAF)

Scottish Women’s Aid

Smart Play Network

Stepping Stones for Families

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN)

The Children’s Parliament

The Church Of Scotland CrossReach – Children, Young People and Families Directorate

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Fostering Network (Fosterline Scotland: Early Intervention through Advice, Advocacy and Mediation)

The Fostering Network Scotland

The National Autistic Society

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)

Who Cares? Scotland

YMCA Scotland

Youth Scotland

YouthLink Scotland

3D Drumchapel

Aberlour and Quarriers: Growing2gether – Early Years/Early Intervention Service

Aberlour Child Care Trust (Aberlour Bridges Glasgow: evidence-based early-intervention model)

Action for Children (Family support volunteering project)

Action for Sick Children Scotland

Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis

Barnardo’s Scotland – You First

Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

Childcare First Limited – Ready, Steady, Restore

Drugs Action – Families First

Edinburgh Young Carers Project

Families Outside – Addiewell Prison Visitors’ Centre

Kindred Advocacy

Midlothian Sure Start

MindMosaic Counselling and Therapy – Providing Therapeutic support for children and young people.

One Parent Families Scotland (Supporting Scotland’s Children and Fathers)

Open Secret

Play Alloa: STEP UP Project

Positive Help-Children & Young people’s (C&YP) Services

Quarriers (Opt-In Early Years Project)

Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre Perth & Kinross

Saheliya

Scotland Yard Adventure Centre (The Yard – Families Project)

Scottish Childminding Association

Scottish Spina Bifida Association (“Be All You Can Be” Project)

Sense Scotland (Early Years Advisory Service)

St Andrew’s Children’s Society (SACS) – SafeBase Parenting Programme

The Butterfly Trust – Social Support for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis

The Church of Scotland Social Care Council – Daisy Chain Early Years Project

The Church of Scotland Social Care Council – Postnatal Depression Services, Lothian

The Moira Anderson Foundation

The National Deaf Children’s Society (Your Child Your Choices)

Tourette Scotland

Waverley Care (African Health Project Children and Families)

New Year, new funding to tackle homelessness

Government announces £2.3 million to address housing issues

Organisations which help homeless and vulnerable people find homes and live independently will get a funding boost next year, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has announced.

More than £2.3 million will be allocated to 32 new and existing projects which make it easier for older and disabled people to live independently, will improve access to housing for homeless people and will support refugee, asylum seekers and new migrant communities.

Projects to benefit from the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme in 2015-16, include Housing Options Scotland which will receive £242,000 to meet increased demand for its advice services for disabled people, older people and veterans.

Shelter Housing Law Service will be awarded £183,868 to provide specialist legal expertise on housing issues while the Scottish Refugee Council has been granted £130,000 for its work helping refugees adapt to life in Scotland.

Mrs Burgess said: “It is heart-breaking that in a country as prosperous as Scotland some people do not have the support they need to help them live as independently as they can and fulfil their potential.

“I am pleased this £2.3 million fund will be split between organisations that are addressing these inequalities, and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“This Government is clear, we want to provide opportunities for people to flourish and we recognise that a lack of suitable housing can be a major barrier preventing them from achieving their full potential.

“Whether it’s through working with the elderly, veterans, young people or asylum seekers, each of these 32 projects is closing this inequality gap, and tackling prejudice and discrimination.”

Moira Bayne, the chief executive officer of Housing Options Scotland welcomed the funding support. She said: “In 2014 Housing Options Scotland was able to help over 400 disabled people, older people and armed forces veterans to find the Right House in the Right Place.

“None of this would have been possible without the financial support of the Scottish Government.

“Thanks to this funding we have been able to help a wide range of people including a visually impaired teenager in the Scottish Borders who has had his family home extended to maximise his independence and a young former RAF officer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who has now returned to live near her son in Morayshire.

“We are absolutely delighted with the funding we have been awarded for 2015. We are mindful of how privileged we are to be offered such support in such difficult times and we look forward to helping many more people in the coming year.”

The Glasgow Simon Community and Positive Steps are two projects that will receive funding for the first time in 2015.

Through £90,975 funding Positive Steps will give training to men who have a history of re-offending and homelessness.

Cathryn Mill, development officer with Positive Steps said:

“Funding through the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme will allow Positive Steps to deliver and implement a significant test of change project.

“Dundee in particular suffers from high levels of reconviction rates that present issues related to homelessness.

“The proposed project will target short term persistent offending and the lack of access to secure accommodation. We will also offer targeted support to address offending behaviours.”

The following Edinburgh-based organisations will receive funding in 2015 -16:

Age Scotland £126,250

To provide information and advice to older people to help them maintain their independence.

Bethany Christian Trust £44,000

Funding for homelessness projects including literacy and numeracy, budgeting support, employment and volunteering, and street work.

CRISIS (project 1) £26,000

The project to help improve access to the Private Rented Sector for homeless people in Scotland.

CRISIS (project 2) £52,943

Tenancy support project which works with people in shared housing.

Housing Support Enabling Unit (HSEU) £120,640

Assisting providers in the voluntary, private and registered social landlord sectors.

Move On Ltd £25,000

Project helping young people at threat of homelessness through peer support.

Housing Options Scotland £242,000

Provides tailored housing advice to disabled people, older people and veterans.

SACRO £49,000

Dealing with neighbourhood conflict and promoting positive community relations.

Scottish Churches Housing Action (1) £57,000

Project supporting a range of services and activities including starter packs and befriending networks.

Scottish Churches Housing Action (2) £9,000

Prison leaver peer support project for HMP Edinburgh. Prisoners will be supported through housing, health, training and employment interviews following release.

Scottish Housing & Support Conference £11,000

Funding for annual conference for service users and providers of housing support services.

Scottish Women’s Aid £67,345

Project focusses on homelessness and prevention of homelessness for women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Homeless Action Scotland £164,000

Facilitates national homelessness networks and National Homelessness and Employability co-ordinator.

Shelter Housing Law Service £183,868

To provide access to specialist legal expertise and representation on housing issues across Scotland

Scottish Social Networks (Rock Trust) £30,721

To support the work of the Housing Option Hubs. In particular by raising awareness of the link between positive social networks and prevention of homelessness.

Venture Trust £60,437

Outward bound courses and wilderness training to improve the confidence of homeless young people to develop their independent living skills.

An Audioboom clip of the Housing Minister can be found here: https://audioboom.com/boos/2745068

Government sets out priorities for health and social care

‘care that puts patients, service users, families and carers at the heart of service planning and delivery.’

Health Secretary Shona Robison has outlined new guidance to help health boards and local authorities jointly plan local services.

Reducing health inequalities and providing dedicated support in early years have been identified as a priority for Scotland’s NHS, as health boards have been set six improvement areas to drive forward services and quality of care.

For the first time separate, mutually supportive, guidance also sets out what local authorities and health boards will be asked to deliver in 2015/16 as part of the new partnership working legislation which comes into force from April.

Integration of health and social care will ensure that people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, and that people are supported to stay in their own homes and communities as much as possible.

The guidance sets out the key standards that the health service will be expected to meet in the next year. This includes standards around A&E waits, the treatment time guarantee, GP access and child and adolescent mental health waiting times, and also focusses on improving preventative and anticipatory care.

NHS boards are expected to improve the 12 week outpatient waiting times performance during 2015/16 to achieve a 95 per cent standard with the aim of getting to 100 per cent. The guidance ensures delayed discharge remains a key priority for health boards and the new integrated partnerships.

Speaking yesterday, Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“We all know that Scotland’s people are living longer. Not only does the Scottish Government want to ensure that people are living healthier long lives, but we want more older people to be supported to stay in their own home and local communities.

“We will only achieve this by ensuring that our health and social care services work seamlessly together – something Scotland is already leading the way on across the UK.

“This guidance sets out the Government’s vision for how health and social care will be brought together with services delivered around the patient’s needs. A key element of this guidance is the retention of a focus on reducing delayed discharge. While we have made substantial progress since this Government came to power, recent increases suggest we need to do more. This guidance should provide clear indication that we expect boards and the new integrated partnerships to deliver significant reductions in people spending longer in hospital than they have to.

“This government is clear that health inequalities must be tackled, every child in Scotland should have the best start in life through better early years support and that every patient treated by our NHS receives safe care centred on their needs.

“We’re absolutely committed to supporting our NHS to deliver world-leading care. That is why we have clearly outlined the standards of care that Scottish people can be assured they will get from our NHS.

“Scotland has some of the strongest health standards in Europe, with standards introduced by this Government reducing waiting times to among the lowest levels on record. This has seen more Scots diagnosed and treated quickly for cancer, greatly improving their chances of survival. We will continue to do everything we can to support health boards to achieve these standards.

“Of course our system of health and social care must put the quality of care and the interests of people using services first, and these standards are just one part of our continuing drive forward to further improve care.

“Through this guidance we have reviewed the standards to ensure the focus is on those which provide the most significant benefits.”

The guidance will help health boards and the new integrated partnerships deliver care that puts patients, service users, families and carers at the heart of service planning and delivery.

NHS Scotland LDP Guidance 2015-16: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvement-Performance/NHSScotland/LDPGuid1516

Getting ready for work

‘We will not settle for a return to pre-recession levels of joblessness in young people’ – Roseanna Cunningham

Additional funding to help develop a world class vocational education system that supports joint working between employers, schools, and colleges is to be made available, the Scottish Government has announced. Local authorities will receive £6.5 million to help ensure young people are ready for work.

The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government’s new youth employment strategy, which will set out plans for implementing the recommendations of the report by the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.

Local authorities will share £6.5 million in 2014/15 to develop vocational and employment pathways open to all young people, strengthen links between schools and employers, and help vulnerable groups towards the labour market.

Ms Cunningham said: “Since the publication of the Commission’s report earlier this year, working closely with our partners, we have made significant progress in planning for a system of vocational education that is better equipped to help more young women and men into work.

“From a total £12 million made available this year, we have already invested £5.5 million in taking forward elements of the report. Pilots for foundation and advanced apprenticeships are already underway, and interest among employers in the new Investors in Young People accolade is steadily building. I will shortly outline in full how the Scottish Government will work with its partners to implement the report’s recommendations.

“Scotland’s local authorities are a central part of this process and I am delighted to be able to provide £6.5 million to maintain momentum at a local level, enabling schools to work more closely with colleges and employers. This approach will build on Curriculum for Excellence, benefiting children from early years onwards, developing their understanding of and skills for work and opening up high quality vocational pathways in their senior phase. That way, they will be better prepared to progress into sustained high quality employment.

“With this investment, pupils, parents and teachers will be supported to better understand the careers and routes open to young people and see opportunities in areas like science and engineering enhanced. Local authorities will also have a responsibility to ensure different routes are open to everyone, including those from vulnerable groups.

“We will not settle for a return to pre-recession levels of joblessness in young people, and the full extent of our ambition will become clear in the coming days with the publication of our new youth employment strategy.”

Edinburgh has already enjoyed some success in getting our young people into training or employment. At a ‘Celebrating Success’ reception held at the Scottish Parliament last week it was announced that 1252 young people have successfully progressed their careers though the Edinburgh Guarantee, a partnership between the city council, local employers and the voluntary sector.

Launched three years ago, The Edinburgh Guarantee is a vision that all sectors in the city will work together to ensure that every young person in Edinburgh will leave school with the choice of a job, training or further education opportunity available to them.

It seeks to increase the number of jobs, education, and training opportunities being made available to young people. Over 300 organisations have offered support so far, over 1600 opportunities have been identified including jobs, apprenticeships and placements and over 1,252 of those opportunities have been matched to young people.

The Edinburgh Guarantee has contributed £29m to Scotland’s economy since it ‘s launch, according to a report published by the city council last week. More than £17m of this has added value to Edinburgh’s economy.

This has been achieved by supporting businesses to match 1,252 young people into jobs, apprenticeships, internships or training. A further saving of £3.9m to the Department of Work and Pensions has been made from not having to pay Job Seekers allowance to 18-20 year olds.

A total of 757 jobs have been directly created for young people and as a knock on effect of this a further 575 other jobs have been created.

The findings were announced at a ‘Celebrating Success’ event, held at the Scottish Parliament, which brought together employers, potential employers and young people to celebrate and hear the news.

In addition to this, since 2009/10 the percentage of school leavers going into positive destinations has increased from 82.5 per cent to 91per cent in 2012/13. The most recent figures are due to be published at the end of this month.

Councillor Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and the figures announced today surpass all of our expectations. We must keep up this excellent work, however, as ensuring that Edinburgh’s young people have opportunities is vital for the economic success of our city.

“The year on year improvements that have been achieved since the inception of the Edinburgh Guarantee show that focused collaboration can make a real difference to many young lives. I am confident that with sustained investment and the support of our public, private and third sector partners these improvements will continue in future.”

Sandy Begbie, Chief Operations Officer, Standard Life: “We passionately believe in giving young people a chance to demonstrate their capabilities and helping them to achieve their potential. Since we agreed to take part in the Edinburgh Guarantee initiative we have welcomed over 90 interns into our business, all of whom have performed valuable roles within the organisation, while receiving The Living Wage.

“Over two-thirds have been successful in securing full-time employment with us, while the other third have moved on to further education or roles with other employers.

“The young people bring so much enthusiasm, energy and a refreshing new perspective to our business. We are delighted with the outcome, so much so we are now starting to roll out similar programmes to some of our other offices in the UK.”

One success story is seventeen year old Emily Lynch from South Queensferry, who completed a Modern Apprenticeship in Business Administration two weeks ago.

She wasn’t keen to stay on at school but wanted to continue in some form of training, so after hearing about Modern Apprenticeships Emily looked up MyJobScotland on the advice of her parents.

Emily said: “When I went on to the site, there were Modern Apprenticeships on offer for Business Administration in the City of Edinburgh Council.

“I looked up MyJobScotland because my mum knew about it and I remembered my guidance teacher talking about it when we had covered introduction to the workplace in school.

“Although I had been for interviews for Saturday jobs in the past, this was my first experience of a proper formal interview but we had done mock interviews in school so I tried to remember everything we had gone through then.

“Bits of the interview were good, I talked about myself, my interests, my hobbies, what I could bring to this job, so that was all fine. But to be quite honest, some of the questions they asked me about the department went right over my head!

“Let’s just say the phone call I made to my mum right after the interview finished wasn’t an optimistic one!

“The last week before the end of summer term, I get a phone call on the Tuesday offering me the Modern Apprentice Post! Suddenly everything changed, I wasn’t going to be at school anymore!

“The school were absolutely over the moon for me, and my guidance teacher sorted everything out and submitted my leavers form for me right away, so on Friday 28 June, I walked out of the school building, ready to start my professional career.

“Contracts had to be negotiated with the City of Edinburgh Council along with all the usual background checks and I started the post on 5 August last year as a Business Administration Modern Apprentice.

“Over the course of the year, I have learned and developed, been challenged, been frightened and been supported.

“Modern Apprenticeships are not just about the learning and curriculum, they are about every aspect of workplace skills. I had come from a school environment completely surrounded by people my own age, and suddenly, here I am in a team adapting to people of all different ages!

“Over the last year I have had fantastic opportunities to work in different areas of the Council.

“ I have been part of a number of different finance teams and gained a real insight into important functions including working with housing teams, putting through the charges for the repairs and maintenance bills on Council Houses, Assisting the Housing Finance Manager with work on the city wide 21st Century Homes project, which itself supports a number of Modern Apprentices. I have also worked on the Finance Administration of the City Car Club learned about the grant support of charitable organisations.

“I have also been asked on a number of project working groups, bringing a pair of fresh eyes to the table, someone who is fairly new to the Council and has a different outlook on things.

“One working group was BOLD, which is a team looking at creative ways to manage the Council budget. Another, looking at bringing more Modern Apprentices into the workplace.

“I can still hear my mum’s voice now saying “as long as there’s learning, as long as there’s training”. The saying ‘earn as you learn’ also comes to mind when I think about my experiences from the past year.

“I hope I will have the opportunity to apply for a permanent post within the City of Edinburgh Council. It is the organisation that gave me my opportunity, trained and supported me and somewhere I would like to stay. No one knows what the future holds; if that doesn’t happen, I am ready for the workplace. “

Burgess: 'Westminster has failed fuel poor'

Scottish Government calls on UK to do more to address fuel poverty

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has demanded Westminster do more to cut fuel bills for vulnerable households as new figures show higher energy prices pushed more people into fuel poverty in 2013.

Mrs Burgess has asked the UK Government to urgently increase the £140 a year Warm Homes Discount that helps low income households.

The Scottish House Condition Survey, published yesterday, shows a seven per cent increase in fuel prices between 2012 and 2013 led to 100,000 more households living in fuel poverty.

Fuel bills have now risen nearly six times faster than household incomes since 2003.

Scottish Government spending on domestic energy efficiency, which is £94 million this year and next, has already made hundreds of thousands of homes warmer and cheaper to heat and, as the report indicates, has helped to mitigate the rise in fuel poverty.

Mrs Burgess said: “Fuel prices rose by an inflation-busting seven per cent in 2013, pushing more people into fuel poverty. The fact that this is happening in an energy-rich country is scandalous.

“We have invested over £300 million since 2009 to make fuel poor homes more energy efficient. This year and next, we are spending £94 million to improve energy efficiency. Around one in three Scottish households, over 700,000, have now benefited from measures like new boilers or insulation.

“These statistics make clear that without action to improve energy efficiency, which is our responsibility, price increases would have put even more households into fuel poverty in 2013.

“So the Scottish Government is doing what it can, but we don’t control prices and don’t have any powers over ECO or the Warm Homes Discount.

“Fuel costs have risen six times faster than incomes since 2003, while the UK Government’s fiscal policies since June 2010 will leave the poorest 20 per cent of households worse off by the equivalent of £441 per year in 2015-16. We will mitigate against this where possible but we know there are further cuts to come.

“That is why we are calling on the UK Government to increase the Warm Homes Discount and fund that increase centrally. That would give immediate relief to the lowest income households and those on benefits and go some way to lifting people out of fuel poverty this winter.”

Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow and a member of Holyrood’s economy and energy committee, called for major investment in energy-efficient housing as statistics confirmed that the Government will fail its target of ending fuel poverty by 2016.

The latest figures show that 36 per cent of housing is in urgent disrepair, with 51 per cent of private housing failing the Scottish Housing Quality Standard. The biggest reason for houses failing is ‘Not Energy Efficient’.

Patrick Harvie MSP said: “Energy efficient homes should be a national infrastructure priority and I will continue to press for this to feature in the forthcoming Scottish budget. It would help create thousands of high quality jobs while also tackling fuel poverty.

“We also need college courses and well-paid modern apprenticeships in energy efficiency. Fuel prices and profiteering by the energy companies must be urgently tackled across the UK, but unless the Scottish Government also steps up investment we’ll miss out on the potential for energy efficiency jobs in Scotland.”

Politicians welcome school meals cash

Edinburgh’s education leader has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government has agreed to meet additional costs for providing free school meals for all P1 to P3s. The government will provide £4.5m capital funding for the City of Edinburgh Council to build new dining accommodation and upgrade catering facilities across the city.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee, said he was pleased that the Government had met their commitment to fully fund the policy.

He said: “There have been a number of discussions between the Council, Cosla and the Government over recent months regarding the additional capital funding needed to fully deliver the extended entitlement to free school meals in Edinburgh.

“There was a real danger that that we would not be able to fully deliver this policy due to the additional costs involved but I’m pleased the Government has put the funding in place.”

The £4.5m from the Scottish Government will result in:

New gym halls at Cramond and East Craigs Primary Schools
An extension to Towerbank Primary School’s dining hall (pictured above)
Additional dining accommodation at Sciennes Primary School
Minor works to other schools to provide additional dining capacity and upgrade catering facilities

Cllr Godzik continued: “The minor works required in some schools have already been completed or will be complete before January 2015. Obviously the new buildings and extensions will take some time to deliver but we will put in place interim measures in those four schools to ensure those pupils who want to receive free schools meals from next term can do so.

“It has been an uncertain few months for many parents and staff at the affected schools but I’m sure everyone is relieved that the funding has been agreed. We will of course ensure parents are kept up to date as the plans progress.”

Learning Minister Dr Alasdair Allan said: “Free school meals will also play an important role in improving attainment in schools, through offering children healthy and nutritious lunches that will help them achieve their best in class.

“It’s never too early for children to start learning about the benefits of healthy eating and free school meals, in addition to learning through Curriculum for Excellence, will play a big role in helping to deliver that message.”

News of the investment has been welcomed by Edinburgh MSP Colin Keir. The funding will lead to new halls being built at East Craigs and Cramond Primary Schools in his Edinburgh Western constituency.

Colin Keir MSP said: “This news is very welcome. I have been campaigning since I was the local councillor for a separate dining hall for East Craigs as the current hall doubles as a gym. This is good news too for Cramond Primary where I’m sure news of this investment will also be warmly welcomed. Investment in these new halls will not only improve the accommodation and facilities but also allow them to provide the Scottish Government’s promise of free school meals for P1-3 pupils.

“In the aftermath of the former Labour government’s financial crash and in the teeth of the Tory/Liberal Democrat austerity agenda slashing budgets, it is testament to the good stewardship of the Scottish Government that this extremely welcome investment has been achieved. ”

A report outlining the background to the Free School Meals will be discussed at the Education, Children and Families Committee tomorrow (Tuesday 8 December).

One-stop money advice service portal launched

Credit Unions play key role in tackling debt

A new Financial Health Service offering a one-stop-shop for money advice services has been launched by Business Minister Fergus Ewing. Scotland’s Financial Health Service website provides links to a range of organisations offering information and advice on debt, managing money, housing, homelessness and ethical lending.

A key part of the new website is a Financial Education module which aims to help people to manage their money to stop any future problems.

The website also allows users to search for their local credit unions and find out about the products offered by them, and to search for approved money advisers.

A new law, the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act, which comes into force in April 2015, ensures appropriate debt relief and management and includes mandatory provision of money advice.

Launching Scotland’s Financial Health Service in Edinburgh yesterday Mr Ewing said:

“It is important that we take action to help those people in Scotland who are struggling under the burden of debt. We have developed Scotland’s Financial Health Service because we must ensure that people who need to access debt and budgeting advice, do so easily with credible sources.

“Last year, the Accountant in Bankruptcy’s ‘12 Days of Debtmas’ campaign targeted people who may get into financial trouble over the festive period by using high interest, short-term credit.

“During the six months between October 2013 and March 2014 – during which time the ‘12 days of Debtmas’ and ‘Helping Hand with debt’ campaigns ran – 14,307 new members joined credit unions in Scotland. This is a 4.2 per cent increase in total membership.

“People across Scotland can join credit unions – all sorts of people from all walks of life use credit unions to save and borrow responsibly, and the most successful attract a diverse membership.”

Welcoming the launch Paul Walsh, CEO of CUNA Mutual said: “With the ever widening protection gap continuing to spread – leaving 86 per cent of Scottish residents in trouble if their income was lost – it is vital that the right support is provided to those who become financially vulnerable.

Initiatives like this government website, supporting those shouldering the burden of debt, are imperative alongside the practical credit and protection solutions offered by credit unions throughout Scotland. “The credit union movement in Scotland both funds and protects thousands of Scottish residents and has become a solid part of the Scottish financial community.”

ABCUL Scotland Policy Manager Frank McKillop said: “Since Scotland’s first credit union was founded in 1970, generations of volunteers, directors and staff have been focused on helping people in their communities and workplaces to get on top of – and stay in control of – their finances.

“By encouraging a responsible approach to saving, borrowing and budgeting, Scotland’s credit unions are well placed to play their part in building the nation’s financial health.”

'A commitment writ in stane'

Monument reaffirms commitment to no tuition fees in Scotland

A monument to the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to having no higher education tuition fees was unveiled by the First Minister Alex Salmond at Heriot Watt University yesterday.

After viewing the commemorative stone, which was carved and designed by second-year stonemasonry apprentices from Historic Scotland’s National Conservation Centre in Elgin, the First Minister said: “The single biggest achievement by this Government has been the abolition of tuition fees. This one action has restored Scotland’s long tradition of education being based on ability to learn – not the ability to pay.

“Scottish students can be assured this Government remains strongly committed to them and their futures – at a time when fees have soared to £9,000 a year in other parts of the UK, putting university out of reach for many without the means to pay.

“At the same time, we have boosted apprenticeship numbers to record levels, brought more women into the workforce and are outperforming the rest of the UK on job numbers as whole.

“It is both fitting and humbling to have this wonderful monument to that commitment created by young skilled apprentices – and to have the unveiling witnessed by students of today and children who will be the students of tomorrow. It is without doubt now a commitment writ in stane.”

The rock is inscribed with the words of the statement made by the First Minister made in March 2011 which reads:

“The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scottish students.”

Weighing 0.97 tonnes, it was carved by apprentice stonemasons Gregor Alcorn, 26, and Ross Kennedy, 22, from Clashach Sandstone – the same stone used in the building of the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. It was handpicked from Tennants Quarries in Elgin by training manager Graham Campbell who, along with other members of the team, also created the design for the stone.

Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said: “We are delighted to host this stone, a beautifully crafted piece and a monument to Alex Salmond’s tenure as First Minister and his strongly held commitment to access to education for Scottish students.”