Aberdeen bids farewell to 50 vessels after successful four day programme
First Minister John Swinney will be among the crowds of people gathering in Aberdeen today to watch the Parade of Sail on the last day of the Tall Ships Races festival.
The First Minister will meet young trainees who are taking part in the races, event organisers and volunteers before watching the 50 Tall Ships leave the harbour.
Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister commented: “The Tall Ships Races 2025 is a major international maritime and cultural moment for Aberdeen and Scotland as a whole.
“Over the past four days it has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, making it the city’s biggest event in a generation. The success of this festival is a testament to Aberdeen’s role as a maritime city with a focus on international engagement and community involvement.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting world-class events, such as the Tall Ships Festival, that raise Scotland’s profile as the perfect stage and showcase our event and tourism assets.
“Scotland is set to host several other major international and national events, including the Commonwealth Games in 2026, Tour de France Grand Depart in 2027 and the 2028 UEFA European Championships – further enhancing our global profile and supporting economic, cultural and community development across the country.”
£2.5m. fund allocated to third sector organisations
Nine organisations working with autistic adults are to benefit from a £2.5 million multi-year fund.
The Autistic Adult Support Fund, launched in 2023, supports third sector organisations to help autistic adults reach their full potential – supporting them, their families and their carers to understand what neurodivergence means for them and improve their wellbeing.
Among the latest recipients of the fund is The Anchor charity in Greenock, which is being awarded £247,450 to help autistic adults at risk of suicide or self-harm.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “I am pleased to announce the recipients of this funding to provide support to autistic adults and their families and carers.
“All successful projects will meaningfully involve autistic people in the development, design, and delivery of the support. Autistic adults will be helped to thrive – the projects will support them to access services and improve their general wellbeing so they can get involved in and truly feel part of their community.
“Our commitment to multi-year funding will ensure that funded projects have the security and space to develop and grow high quality support, making the most of the skills and experiences of autistic people they support.”
Chris Paul, Chief Executive of The Anchor said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding, bringing the opportunity to support autistic adults in our community at new levels.
“As a local grassroots organisation with big ambition, we are looking forward to taking this project forward.”
Celia Tennant, Chief Executive Officer at Inspiring Scotland said: “Everyone in Scotland should have the same opportunity to lead happy and healthy lives and ensuring there is support to understand an autistic diagnosis or identity is important in making that possible.
“The volume of applications received to this fund further demonstrates not just the need for investment in this area but also the vital role that the third sector is providing in supporting autistic adults to understand their autism to improve wellbeing.
“In managing the application process for this new fund, we were pleased to be supported by a panel of autistic people and professionals from relevant areas, ensuring the fund decisions were informed by lived experience.”
Single injection to help prevent the common winter virus
More babies who are born very prematurely will now be protected against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with the introduction of a new single injection which lasts throughout the winter season.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the single dose long-acting antibody medicine, nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) will replace the five monthly jabs which were previously offered to higher-risk infants between October and February.
In addition, the existing programme for higher risk infants is being expanded to include very preterm infants, born before 32 weeks.
Minister for Public Health Jenni Minto said: “RSV can be life-threatening to babies born very early.
“That is why I am pleased the single jab will be offered by all NHS Boards across Scotland from this September, helping to protect these high-risk infants over winter.
“We will continue to work hard to protect Scotland’s most vulnerable groups against the respiratory illnesses which circulate throughout the colder months. Our various prevention programmes help reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and therefore the pressure on our NHS.”
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at Public Health Scotland, said:
“The last year has seen significant progress in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV, including the introduction of the maternal RSV vaccine which is offered at 28 weeks of pregnancy and helps protect newborn babies from serious illness. Babies born prematurely are at highest risk of serious complications from RSV and we welcome this programme expansion, which will help to ensure that even more babies are protected during their most vulnerable early months.”
RSV can lead to life-threatening pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis, a lung infection.
The current RSV maternal vaccine (for infant protection) is given at 28 weeks, so the expansion of the programme to all infants born before 32 weeks gives protection to those babies who are unlikely to benefit from maternal vaccination.
The new injection for babies is the latest development in efforts to protect those most vulnerable to RSV and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions over the busy winter period.
Last August, Scotland was the first nation in the UK to introduce another new RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, for pregnant women and older adults – more than 70% of eligible older adults took up the offer, leading to a Public Health Scotland study, published in the Lancet, showing a 62% reduction in RSV related hospitalisations among this group.
High value businesses to boost growth and tackle poverty
New jobs will be created and derelict sites regenerated in Glasgow’s former industrial heartland with the help of funding announced by First Minister John Swinney.
Urban regeneration company Clyde Gateway is to receive £3.5 million to support the continued redevelopment of the former Shawfield Chemical Works site into a hub for high value manufacturing businesses.
It is part of the company’s ongoing plan to develop homes, hotels and business premises on land equivalent in size to 130 football pitches in Rutherglen and the East End of Glasgow.
The First Minister made the announcement ahead of a visit to the Innovation Shawfield, another Clyde Gateway regeneration scheme, where he will see Scotland’s first renewable district heating system of its kind. The site is expected to become one of the largest office parks in the UK and the heating system, which is also capable of cooling buildings, will provide occupants with low-cost energy.
The project has been supported by £660,000 from the Scottish Government and sees power generated from sources including solar and heat pumps.
The First Minister said: “Regenerating our industrial heartlands of the 20th century is an integral part of transforming Scotland’s economy in the 21st and Clyde Gateway is a shining example of what can achieved. Its ambition is creating jobs, improving communities and tackling poverty.
“I am delighted to be able to announce funding to help it continue that work and also to see first-hand this innovative project which will provide affordable green energy to businesses. This part of Glasgow has a proud industrial past and the Scottish Government is determined that it will have a strong economic future.
“I want to see these benefits continue to spread across Scotland and this financial year we are providing £62.15 million towards regeneration projects that will revitalise town centres, derelict sites and green spaces.”
Martin Joyce, Executive Director for Regeneration at Clyde Gateway, said: “This £3.5 million investment will accelerate our efforts to transform the East End of Glasgow and Rutherglen.
“Working alongside the Scottish Government and other key partners, we have already remediated nearly 750 acres of contaminated land, supported the creation of more than 8,000 jobs and delivered 4,000 much needed new homes, helping to build vibrant communities where people can live, work and play.”
The Scottish Government has supported Clyde Gateway’s regeneration programme with more than £200 million since 2007.
Fund to support Scotland’s diaspora increased by 50%
Applications are now open for the Scottish Connections Fund 2025-26, which helps strengthen Scotland’s international diaspora.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for new projects that help to promote Scotland and bring together our diaspora around the world. This year’s total funding has increased by 50% to £75,000 – supporting a minimum of 15 projects in 2025-26.
The Fund aims to promote increased visibility and connectivity with and between Scottish diaspora communities. It offers funding to deliver new and innovative projects outwith Scotland that promote the nation’s reputation and interests around the globe.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Scottish Connections Fund has increased by 50% to £75,000 for this year – meaning that even more new and innovative projects will be able to benefit and engage Scotland’s diaspora community.
“The Fund is open to bids from any individual or organisation with a Scottish connection, whether that link is through heritage, education, business, culture, or a broader affinity.
“We see Scotland diaspora as an extension of Scotland itself – and we want to support this thriving community around the world.”
One of the Fund’s beneficiaries last year was the Africa Scotland Business Network which received funding to set up a new Future Leaders business network for under 30s.
Director Claire Alexander said: “The Scottish Connections Fund has played a pivotal role in launching a powerful legacy initiative that’s making a real difference in the lives of young people.
“Africa Scotland Business Network (ASBN) was honoured to receive a grant from the fund, which enabled the creation of ASBN Future Leaders – a dynamic, new, international and intercultural business network tailored specifically for the needs of young people.
“Today, ASBN Future Leaders is home to young people from Scotland, England, Namibia, South Africa, and Kenya – and the community continues to grow every month.”
Applications for this year’s Fund will close on Tuesday 9 September 2025. Projects must be completed by the end of March 2026.
Games are part of a four-year pipeline of major events
The largest event ever hosted in Orkney begins today, as part of four years of international sport in Scotland which are expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors and provide a significant economic boost.
Orkney is welcoming more than 1,600 athletes from 24 island groups for the 20th International Island Games, which run until 18 July. Orkney is the smallest island group to ever host the Games and competitors have come from as far afield as the Falklands, the Cayman Islands, Saaremaa in Estonia and Åland in Finland.
It is the first of a series of high-profile sporting events being hosted in Scotland, which include this weekend’s Genesis Scottish Open, the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the 2027 Open Championship and the 2028 UEFA European football championships.
The Scottish Government invests in major events to maximise local and national economic benefits. At the end of 2024, it was revealed that the last Open Championship in Scotland added more than £300 million to the economy, highlighting the scale of opportunity for the next four years.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “The Orkney Island Games represent a significant opportunity to drive economic growth and build a lasting legacy for people and businesses in Orkney and beyond.
“They also provide a taste of what is to come and illustrate our wider ambition to make sure every corner of Scotland benefits from the prestigious events we are increasingly able to attract.
“This is a team effort and the benefits go way beyond the events themselves. The global platform they provide enables us to highlight Scotland to tourists, businesses and potential inward investors across the world.”
Information about the Orkney 2025 International Island Games is available online.
A new £85 million investment will be targeted at front line NHS frailty services, helping to improve the flow of patients throughout hospitals and providing care for patients in the comfort of their own homes.
The ‘Hospital at Home’ service is to be expanded to 2,000 beds by December 2026. It predominantly provides care for frail, older people in their own homes and who may be suffering with acute illnesses and health conditions, including respiratory and cardiac conditions, infections, or treatment after a fall.
Keeping patients in their own homes ensures they can stay in familiar surroundings rather than be separated from family, friends and pets while also helping to reduce some of the risks associated with hospitalisations such as acquiring infections and lessening delayed discharge from hospital due to waits for appropriate care provision.
The funding will also be used to support the introduction of frailty services in every A&E department by the end of summer 2025, aiming to cut the average length of stay for vulnerable patients.
Speaking during a visit to Falkirk Community Hospital, where he met clinicians leading the Hospital at Home service across NHS Forth Valley, First Minister John Swinney said: “I am resolutely focused on taking the necessary action to reduce wait times and clear the blockages leading to delayed discharges across our NHS.
“This investment will ensure many patients can receive first class NHS care in the comfort of their own homes and not have to travel to a hospital where it isn’t required.
“Expanding Hospital at Home to 2,000 beds by December 2026 will create the largest ‘hospital’ in the country, thereby improving the flow of patients throughout the NHS and generating greater capacity for staff. The staff delivering this service at Falkirk Community Hospital are testament to the success of Hospital at Home and it’s been eye opening to see the effort that goes into provide this first class care.
“The NHS is Scotland’s greatest treasure but we know we must do better to ensure patients get the care they need, when and where they need it. The 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for Health and Social Care services – with NHS boards across Scotland receiving an additional £2 billion to deliver key front line services.”
Dr Sarah Henderson, Consultant Geriatrician, NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home Service, said: ““Our local Hospital at Home team do an amazing job to help ensure that patients, who in the past would have to come into hospital, are able to remain in their own homes and access the specialist clinical care and support they require.
“Over the last four years the service has helped thousands of local patients and the feedback we have received from them and their families has been overwhelmingly positive as they really appreciate everything the team does to help them stay out of hospital and in familiar surroundings at home, close to their family, friends and pets.
“I am delighted that the additional funding announced today will help us expand the Hospital at Home service further as well as develop local heart failure, respiratory and Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services to help more people remain at home and still access the specialist care they require.”
Marion Denholm’s husband Bill was recently supported by NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home team after he developed a chest infection. Ms Denholm said: “There are no words to adequately describe the care and attention my husband received while under the care of Hospital at Home.
“We’ve had doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a dietitian and a speech and language therapist all visit our home to provide the care and treatment he required so he didn’t have to go into hospital.
“This meant he was able to stay in familiar surroundings with his family around him at all times and still receive the same type of care he would have received in hospital. I also felt very supported as I could contact the Team direct if I had any worries or concerns.
“I can’t praise the Hospital at Home service enough and I am sure many other local families feel the same. It also makes so much more sense to treat people in their own homes if you can rather than occupy a bed in a busy hospital – it’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved.”
Organisations that support victims of crime can apply for a share of more than £700,000 from a fund financed by penalties imposed on offenders.
More than 5,000 people have benefited from the Victim Surcharge Fund (VSF) since it was set up in 2019, with over £2.4 million awarded to 18 organisations.
Support for victims can include help with essentials like food and clothing, repairs for property damaged as a result of crime, and emotional support.
The fund has now opened for applications for the sixth time.
Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “We know the impact of crime can be traumatic and it is absolutely right that offenders should be made to pay towards supporting victims.
“The additional support offered through the Victim Surcharge Fund is vital and allows support organisations to provide quick and practical help to victims and their relatives, covering costs, for example of emergency accommodation, food and clothing.
“Although recorded crime is down significantly over the long term, I recognise that this is of little comfort for victims, which is why we will continue to put their needs at the heart of the criminal justice system.
“The Victim Surcharge Fund builds on our wider support which includes a significant package of reform proposed in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill to ensure those impacted by crime are treated with compassion and their voices heard.”
The Victim Surcharge Fund opens for new applicants today.
The fund is financed by penalties imposed on offenders.
To date, the fund has awarded £2.4 million to organisations that provide victims of crime with direct, practical support.
Michelle Herd, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Abernecessites, which has received funds from the Victim Surcharge Fund to support families fleeing domestic abuse said: “Feedback from the professionals we work with highlights the critical role of our service in preventing survivors from returning to abusive situations and addressing their concerns for their children’s well-being.
“We have provided essentials such as clothing, school uniforms, shoes, bedding, storage units along with beds, kitchen essentials and white goods which were vital to enable families to move into a safe property or make their place of refuge homely. Having the basic essentials, even as simple as a child’s favourite toy that has been left behind can have a huge impact on the whole family.”
The victim surcharge came into force in November 2019 and applies to those who commit an offence and are subsequently convicted and receive a court fine. Such offenders are charged an additional penalty – the victim surcharge.
This is transferred to the VSF and distributed to organisations to supplement and enhance support for victims.
The sixth round of applications for the VSF is now open. Organisations can request an application form by emailing VictimSurchargefund@gov.scot and should apply by 4 August 2025
Official Scottish Government research finds banning purchase of sex would have “limited impact” on stopping trafficking and sexual exploitation
Ministers warned of “notable evidence gaps” behind Ash Regan’s claims that tackling demand for sex would reduce harm
Victims Minister Siobhian Brown says evidence raises “significant questions and concerns” about Regan’s Nordic Model Bill
Ash Regan’s proposals to outlaw the purchase of sex have been dealt a hammer blow after the Scottish Government admitted that the measures would have “limited impact” on stopping trafficking and exploitation, according to national sex worker group Ugly Mugs.
Official Scottish Government research, published last week, acknowledges that there are “notable evidence gaps” behind claims by supporters of Ms Regan’s Bill that prosecuting sex buyers would reduce exploitation in Scotland.
Civil servants spent months trawling international evidence on tackling trafficking and sexual exploitation.
In their conclusions, published last week, they write: “Much of the literature reviewed focuses on criminal justice interventions. This tends to focus on the effectiveness of preventative measures which aim to reduce demand for prostitution (e.g. via deterrence). The evidence reviewed suggests that such measures may have limited impact on preventing trafficking and sexual exploitation.”
The research was published on the same day that Siobhian Brown, the Victims and Community Safety Minister, told MSPs scrutinising Ms Regan’s Bill that she had “significant questions and concerns” about the proposed legislation.
In a letter to the Criminal Justice Committee, Ms Brown cited “challenges experienced internationally” in implementing similar legislation, and said she had “concerns about the accuracy” of Ms Regan’s cost estimates of implementing the Bill.
The minister wrote: “There remain significant questions and concerns regarding the measures within the Bill and how they would work in practice, the extent to which they would deliver on the policy intent, and the associated financial implications.”
Sex worker groups, led by National Ugly Mugs, the UK’s national sex worker safety charity, have repeatedly warned that criminalising clients has no impact on stopping exploitation and would only make life more difficult and dangerous for sex workers, by pushing the industry underground.
Lynsey Walton, chief executive of National Ugly Mugs, said: “Sex worker groups, alongside leading NGOs like Amnesty and the World Health Organisation, have long warned that criminalising the purchase of sex only serves to make life more difficult and dangerous for sex workers, while having no impact on trafficking and exploitation.
“We are pleased that the Scottish Government has now accepted that the international evidence backs this up. MSPs now need to pull the plug on Ms Regan’s misguided and dangerous legislation, and focus on supporting sex workers’ rights to work safely and free from stigma.”
The Scottish Government research comes after independent reviews carried out for the Irish and Northern Irish governments – which have both criminalised the purchase of sex – found that the Nordic Model had not reduced the demand for sexual services in each country.
The Northern Irish review found that there was “no evidence that the offence of purchasing sexual services has produced a downward pressure on the demand for, or supply of, sexual services”. It also found that “the legislation has contributed to a climate whereby sex workers feel further marginalised and stigmatised”.
The Irish Government’s review, published earlier this year, found that after seven years of the legislation being in force, just 15 men had been convicted for purchasing sex. Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “Regrettably, the review highlights that despite the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services, demand has not decreased.”
Scotland’s first dedicated complex needs college will receive up to £1.4 million to secure its future for the next two years.
Since launching in 2022, the Corseford College pilot has received over £1 million from the Scottish Government, which has helped to provide 35 students with complex and additional needs an opportunity for further learning beyond school.
An independent evaluation found the pilot provided valuable support to young people with complex needs. It also included key recommendations for the future model of provision in Scotland which the Government will be considering in the months ahead.
The College has now received additional funding to continue the pilot for two more years. A total of 41 young people will benefit from specialist support in the 2025-26 academic year starting in August.
Further Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “Corseford College has delivered vital support to many young people with complex additional needs since its launch three years ago. This has been recognised in an independent evaluation of the model, which is why we are securing the College’s future for another two years to ensure that its students can continue to be supported.
“We are keen to explore a sustainable approach for specialist provision going forward, and the continued pilot at Corseford will help inform this. The evaluation provided a number of important insights and recommendations which we will be reflecting on and will allow us to evolve the best possible model for the future.
“We are determined to support Scotland’s young people with complex additional needs and disabilities. Last month, we published our first national strategy that ensures young disabled people can access the help they need as they transition to adulthood. Our continued funding for Corseford will support this work.”
Capability Scotland Chief Executive, Brian Logan, said: “The Scottish Government’s funding decision following the independent evaluation is a vital endorsement of Corseford College’s pioneering approach to specialist post-school education.
“We would like to thank Minister Graeme Dey and his team for their cooperation and unwavering commitment in making this possible.
“This success reflects the dedication of the college’s staff, whose work is transforming the lives of young people with complex needs. The funding secures Corseford College’s future, but also marks a key step towards a national solution for those young people living with complex needs across the country.”
