Tag: Scottish Government

£300,000 boost for Edinburgh International Book Festival

Young people to benefit from schools programme

Over 5,000 schoolchildren will continue to enjoy free literary events from the Edinburgh International Book Festival over the next three years, thanks to a £300,000 grant from the Scottish Government.

The one-off funding will support the festival’s acclaimed schools programme with more than 60 in-person and livestreamed events, including author talks with How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell and award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce. 

The grant will also maintain travel cost support and free tickets for pupils whose families are unable to cover the cost of ticketed events, ensuring young people of all backgrounds across Edinburgh have an opportunity to participate in the internationally renowned festival.

Children attending will receive a free book through the philanthropy of Book Festival donors as well.

This investment comes as part of a record £34 million increase in Scotland’s Culture budget for 2025-26, which includes an increase of £4 million for Scottish Festivals, towards the government’s commitment to invest an additional £100 million annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29.

Creative Scotland has already awarded the Edinburgh International Book Festival £1,880,000 in public multi-year funding for the next three years, more than doubling previous support.

Minister for Business and Employment Richard Lochhead said: “The Edinburgh International Book Festival is one the country’s most significant cultural institutions. Its schools programme has been crucial in fostering literacy and cultural engagement among young people, with thousands of pupils benefiting annually from free events and resources.

“This funding secures those benefits for young readers across Edinburgh, helping schools that might otherwise struggle with travel costs, and ensuring they have the same opportunity to take part in one of the world’s leading literary festivals.”

Jenny Niven, Festival Director & CEO of Edinburgh International Book Festival said: “The work the Book Festival does for children and young people is a cornerstone of what we do. Publishing for children and young people has never been more vibrant, and the benefits of reading never better evidenced.

“The Festival is perfectly positioned to help children engage with the amazing range and breadth of stories around them, to support teachers to use books imaginatively and creatively in learning, and to supply older kids with the tools to think critically, and learn to evaluate the deluge of info around them.

“This aspect of what we do is vital, and we’re delighted to have specific public funding support to develop this work further in the coming years. 

“We’ve identified the cost of transport as a key barrier to a wider cohort of schools joining us in August, and are committed to maintaining free access for as many children as possible.

“We’re delighted that the Scottish Government’s increased support for festivals has delivered public funding to develop this work further in the coming years and we look forward to widening our reach across Scotland and exploring further the digital potential of what we do.”



About | Edinburgh International Book Festival 

Schools Programme – Learning | Edinburgh International Book Festival

Multi-Year Funding Outcome Announcement | Creative Scotland

‘On behalf of Scotland, we are sorry’: Recognising the legacy of the ‘Tinker Experiments’

First Minister announces formal apology for historical policies

First Minister John Swinney has told Parliament that policies historically applied to Gypsy/Traveller individuals and families were unacceptable and has formally apologised to those communities.

Responding to the publication of research into how Gypsy/Traveller communities were affected by the so-called ‘Tinker Experiments’, Mr Swinney said that while the policies are no longer in effect, and pre-date the Scottish Parliament, they caused significant and lasting trauma to families.

Unjust attitudes and practices resulted in children being removed from Gypsy/Traveller families and families being forced to live in substandard accommodation and degrading conditions.

Extending a formal apology to those affected, Mr Swinney said the Scottish Government is whole-heartedly committed to ensuring mistakes are not repeated in its current and future work.

The First Minister said: “It seems clear to me that stark prejudice and lack of cultural awareness led to a series of unfair and unjust policies. Policies that resulted in children being removed from families, and families  being forced to live in substandard accommodation and degrading conditions.

“The trauma that this has caused to individuals, families and groups, including those who regard themselves as ‘victims of Tinker Experiments’, is significant and lasting.

“So, as First Minister, I want to say this directly to Gypsy/Traveller communities: The ‘Tinker Experiments’ should not have happened. It was wrong. And we recognise how much it is still hurting so many. And more than anything else I want to say this. On behalf of Scotland, we are sorry.”

Clare MacGillivray, Director of Making Rights Real said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s apology to victims of the Tinker Experiments. 

“This feels like a pivotal moment in the victims’ courageous quest for justice. Roseanna and Shamus McPhee has campaigned for an apology for many years- they have worked tirelessly to shine a light on the hidden history of how Gypsy Travellers suffered egregious human rights abuses over many generations.

“Last year the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recommended that “the State party, including the government of Scotland, adopt all measures necessary to tackle the causes and legacy of the forced assimilation of Gypsy and Traveller communities”. 

“We look forward to the Scottish Government taking further steps to provide redress to the victims.”

THE Scottish Human Rights Commission has also welcomed the apology. They said: “The Scottish Human Rights Commission welcomes the apology from the Scottish Government to members of the Gypsy Traveller Community for the ‘Tinker Experiment’. 

“Victims of the experiment, alongside organisations like RAJPOT, have long campaigned for recognition of this issue and an apology is an important first step towards redress for historic injustice.

“We will publish our human framework analysis and steps to full redress in November 2025 and we look forward to continuing to engage with victims of the experiment and human rights defenders on this topic.

“Once completed we will share our findings with both the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government to ensure redress is delivered.”

SQA no more as Holyrood agrees education reforms

New qualifications body and independent inspectorate to be established

The creation of a new national qualifications body, along with an independent education inspectorate, has taken a major step forward after legislation to implement the changes was passed in the Scottish Parliament.

The Education (Scotland) Bill was backed by 69 votes to 47 by MSPs last night. This includes provisions to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new organisation, Qualifications Scotland.

The office of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, with enhanced independence, will be created to undertake the education inspection functions that currently sit within Education Scotland.

The final legislation, following Stage 2 and Stage 3 amendments to the Bill initially introduced in June last year, includes measures from all political parties represented on Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People committee.  

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system.

“The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering.

“The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from Ministers, to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector.  

“Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development.

“Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people.”

British Sign Language (BSL) recognised in Scotland’s new education legislation

The National Deaf Children’s Society and fellow deaf campaigners are celebrating after the Scottish Parliament voted through the new Education (Scotland) Bill 2025, which includes crucial recognition of the rights of British Sign Language (BSL) users.

The inclusion of BSL in the Bill is the culmination of a year-long campaign from a coalition of deaf charities, spearheaded by the National Deaf Children’s Society, and supported by more than 500 campaigners, including deaf young people and their families. 

The campaign kicked into life after a previous reading of the Bill recognised Gaelic but not BSL, despite both languages having legal recognition in Scotland. 

Campaigners urged Scottish MSPs to recognise BSL in the Bill, highlighting that deaf learners in Scotland are currently nearly three times more likely to leave school without qualifications than their hearing peers.

MSPs voted to support the legislation as the Bill completed the final stage of debate on 25 June. It is now set to become law, once it receives Royal Assent. 

George McGowan from the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “This is a historic moment for deaf children, young people, and their families, who realised this milestone through their tireless and incredible campaigning.

“This means BSL will receive the recognition and support it rightly deserves within Scotland’s educational system.”

The new education bodies created by the legislation will now have to give equal weight to both BSL and the Gaelic language.

The new qualifications agency in Scotland, Qualification Scotland, must also consider the needs of pupils who use BSL or learn in BSL.

This is significant as it recognises the importance of BSL as a language in the Scottish education system and crucially, means deaf children and young people who use BSL, will receive access to information and support from Qualification Scotland in their preferred language. 

The new law also places requirements on the new Chief Inspector of Education to consider the importance of communicating in a way that best meets the needs of children and young people, including those who use BSL.

Mr McGowan, who has severe to profound deafness and uses BSL as his first language, added: “Too many deaf children and young people in Scotland still face barriers to learning and to using sign language, if it’s the right choice for them. This is why it’s so vital that this new law now recognises the importance of BSL.”

It is hoped that the passing of the new law will ensure deaf children and young people have access to an inclusive education that meets their needs.

Deaf teenager Niamdh Braid was one of the young people involved in the campaign for the Bill to recognise the rights of BSL users.

Niamdh, who earlier this month attended a meeting with MSPs at Holyrood to discuss the Bill, said: “The inclusion of BSL is incredible as it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.

“This will hopefully not only bring more awareness to BSL but also give deaf children the access to sign language that they need.”

Niamdh, who was supported by the National Deaf Children’s Society in her legal battle with Fife Council to have a BSL interpreter in her class for school lessons, added: “Hopefully this will mean deaf young people no longer have to fight for access to their own language like I had to.”

BSL is recognised in law as one of Scotland’s languages. It is a vibrant language that allows deaf children and young people to access a rich deaf culture, heritage and identity. The importance of BSL was recognised in the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015.

Qualifications Scotland is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025.

Delivering for Scotland?

Balanced budget ‘funds key priorities’

More than £52 billion in spending last year has funded the delivery of vital public services for the people of Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s 2024-25 Provisional Outturn, which compares actual spending with overall funding, included:

  • Investing more than £19.5 billion in health and social care, protecting existing critical delivery in the face of unprecedented fiscal pressure and enabling frontline services to continue to evolve to deliver the best care and treatment for our diverse population.
  • Supporting fair and affordable pay deals for workers who provide our essential public services.
  • Investing more than £5.9 billion for 2024-25 in social security, directly supporting more than 1.4 million people across Scotland. This includes £456 million allocated to the Child Payment. As of 31 March 2025, 326,225 children aged 15 and under were actively benefiting from Scottish Child Payment.
  • Supporting economic growth despite global uncertainty. Scotland’s economy grew 1.2% in 2024, compared to 1.1% in the UK as a whole, having strengthened from 0.5% growth in 2023.

The remaining £557 million of available funding – representing 1% of the total Scottish Government budget – has been carried over to support costs in 2025-26, with no loss of spending power to the Scottish Government.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said yesterday: “The provisional outturn demonstrates once again this Government is prudently and competently managing Scotland’s finances while protecting our priorities and ensuring we can deliver effective public services.

“Managing the financial position for 2024-25 was a challenge once again. The continued impact of inflation, pressure on public sector pay, and wider geopolitical instability meant careful consideration had to be given to balancing the Scottish Budget.

“What’s more, under the UK Spending Review the Scottish Government’s day-to-day spending is set to grow by 0.8% over the next three years, considerably lower than the 1.2% average growth for UK Government departments. 

“The impact of these challenges on our financial planning will be set out in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy tomorrow (i.e. Wednesday (today)) in Parliament, but the growing future year pressures mean we must act prudently and responsibly to remain fiscally sustainable.”

2024-25 Provisional Outturn Briefing Note 24 June 2025 – gov.scot

Scotland ‘remains a safe place to live’

RAPE AND ATTEMPTED RAPE UP 15%

16% RISE IN SHOPLIFTING

Recorded crime has more than halved since 1991, according to newly-published official statistics.

The Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024-25 bulletin shows that total crime remains at similar levels to 2023-24, with a small reduction in the headline figure.

Levels of non-sexual crimes of violence have also dipped slightly over the year and continue to be 23% lower than in 2006-07 – with serious assault and attempted murder now at their lowest level since 1977.

There was a 6% decrease in 2024-25 in recorded incidents of damage and reckless behaviour – now at its lowest level since 1976, with vandalism down 73% from 2006-07.

The detection of overall crime by police has increased, with clear-up rates rising to 56%.

The recording of crimes of dishonesty are now at pre-pandemic levels and down 74% from the peak in 1991 – however there was has been a 16% rise in shoplifting.

There was a rise in recorded sexual crimes (up 3%), with rape and attempted rape up by 15%. A quarter of these crimes were reported at least one year after they had occurred.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “These figures show that Scotland continues to be safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991. This comes on the back of the flagship Scottish Crime and Justice Survey which also showed people feel safer in their communities.

“Violent crime is down significantly in the past 20 years, with serious assaults and homicide levels at record lows. However, we cannot afford to be complacent and I have been consistently clear that any instance of violence is one too many. That is why we are taking a wide range of actions to prevent, reduce and tackle violence, with more than £6 million funding invested over the past three years.

“I am concerned these figures also show a rise in reported sexual crimes. Multiple factors will lie behind this and our action to tackle sexual offending includes increasing confidence in the justice system so more victims come forward, improving support for victims and modernising the law on sexual offences.

“I also recognise the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime, which is why we have made £3 million available in this year’s Budget for Police Scotland to work with the retail sector to help tackle this issue.

“This year we will invest £4.2 billion across the justice system including a record £1.64 billion for policing – an increase of £70 million on 2024-25.

“As part of the Scottish Government’s broader package to tackle violence, we have increased funding to the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit from £1.17 million last year to over £1.2 million this year. Projects supporting young people at risk of being drawn into criminal activities, under the Cashback for Communities programme, will receive up to £26 million over the next three financial years.”

Full statistical publication Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25

Free school meals expansion

Thousands more young people to benefit from August

More than 6,000 high school pupils will be eligible for free school meals from the beginning of the next school year, further supporting the Scottish Government’s national mission to eradicate child poverty.

This trial phase of the free school meals programme will see S1 to S3 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, who attend selected schools in eight local authority areas, receive a nutritious and healthy meal. This takes the number of pupils being offered free school meals in Scotland to over 360,000.

An investment of £3 million will support almost 60 schools across eight proposed areas of Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire from August 2025.

First Minister John Swinney made the announcement during a visit to Springburn Academy in Glasgow, where 140 more pupils could benefit.

The First Minister said: “The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country.

“We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil’s learning and achievement in school.

“This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background.

“The Scottish Government will also continue its broader support to tackle the cost of the school day, including our £14.2 million School Uniform Clothing Grant and our investment in the £1 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge.”

Delivering sustainable finances

Strategy to be published after ‘disappointing’ UK Spending Review settlement

A Medium Term Financial Strategy will be set out next week in the aftermath of a “disappointing” UK Spending Review and welfare reforms that will reduce Scotland’s budget.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison will outline the five-year strategy and accompanying action plan to ensure public money is focused on Scottish Government priorities.

The Finance Secretary said: “This government has delivered a balanced budget every year while taking steps to improve the overall sustainability of our finances. This is despite a deeply challenging financial situation caused by rising global instability, persistent higher inflation and over a decade of UK austerity.

“Our disappointing settlement at the recent UK Spending Review has made the situation worse, short-changing the Scottish Government by £1.1 billion in our day-to-day funding compared with UK Government departments.

“This comes on top of reductions in our funding worth hundreds of millions of pounds as a result of the UK Government’s proposed welfare reforms and failure to fully fund its employer National Insurance increase.

“In this context, it is important that we take action to maximise funding targeted at frontline services such as our NHS.” 

The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) will outline the approach to ensuring Scotland’s finances remain on a sustainable footing.

It will be accompanied by a Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan, setting out the actions being taken in support of the MTFS.

Both documents will be presented by the Finance Secretary in a statement to Parliament on Wednesday 25 June.

Increased funding for festivals

Record culture funding uplift to benefit 14 festivals in 2025-26

Edinburgh Fringe Programme Launch 2025

Fourteen major festivals across Scotland will receive funding increases this year, thanks to a record uplift in the Scottish culture budget.

As part of an overall £4 million increase for festivals in 2025-26 Scottish Budget, this year’s Festival EXPO Fund has awarded a total of £2.8 million across the 14 festivals, up from £1.7 million the previous year.

Festivals Edinburgh will also receive £200,000 via Creative Scotland to support their branding and marketing work to promote the Edinburgh festivals.

Established in 2007, the Scottish Government’s Festival EXPO Fund is designed to support festival innovation and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists who contribute to them. The fund is managed by Creative Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland’s festivals are our cultural shopfront to the rest of the world. As well as offering performers and creatives an unrivalled international platform, they also deliver an annual economic uplift to businesses, jobs and livelihoods right across the country.

“This year’s funding increase for the existing EXPO festivals cohort represents an increase of £1 million across the 14 festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the first in 10 years.

“It recognises the success of festivals in shaping and supporting hundreds of commissions, enhancing the ambitions of thousands of Scottish artists and attracting audiences in the millions for EXPO-supported work since the fund’s creation in 2007.

“From this foundation we will expand the reach of the EXPO fund across the whole of Scotland, and I am working with festivals across the country through the Strategic Festivals Partnership to realise this commitment.”

Dana MacLeod, Executive Director of Arts, Communities and Inclusion at Creative Scotland said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to the Festivals EXPO Fund, providing invaluable support for Scotland’s world-class festivals.

“The EXPO Fund enables Scotland’s festivals to commission bold ideas, develop creative collaborations and present high-quality programmes for audiences in Scotland and internationally.”

Lori Anderson, Director of Festivals Edinburgh said: “Today’s announcement is welcome news for our festivals and for Scotland’s cultural sector, ensuring that the guiding principle of the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund – to showcase Scottish talent to the world on the country’s premier festival platforms – continues to successfully support creative careers.”

Strategic Partnership for Scotland’s Festivals – second open letter from Culture Secretary Angus Robertson – gov.scot

Multi-Year Funding Outcome Announcement | Creative Scotland

EXPO Fund 2025-26 recipients:

  • Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival: £195,000
  • Edinburgh International Film Festival: £193,000
  • Edinburgh Art Festival: £200,000
  • Edinburgh International Book Festival: £200,000
  • Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (Made in Scotland 2026): £670,000
  • Edinburgh International Festival: £100,000
  • Scottish International Storytelling Festival: £200,000
  • Edinburgh’s Hogmanay: £180,000
  • Edinburgh Science Festival: £150,000
  • Imaginate: £188,000
  • Celtic Connections: £154,000
  • Glasgow Film Festival: £120,000
  • Glasgow International: £130,000
  • Sonica: £120,000.

Mobile messaging apps removed from Scottish government devices

Updated policy published

Mobile messaging apps, including WhatsApp, are being removed from Scottish Government devices as a new policy comes into immediate effect.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes committed to updating the government’s mobile messaging app policy following the publication of an externally-led review by former Channel Islands data protection commissioner Emma Martins in December 2024.

The policy applies to all Scottish Government employees including contractors, senior civil servants, special advisers and Ministers, and states that mobile messaging apps and non-corporate communication channels will not be permitted on government devices.

A small number of business areas will take part in a time-bound and limited transition period until the end of 2025. This includes areas responding to emergencies such as wildfires or for matters of safety and security.

Ms Forbes said: “We are setting out a clear approach to ending government use of mobile messaging apps, and this will support wider work to deliver on our commitment to openness and transparency.

“The use of mobile messaging apps increased during the pandemic as staff worked remotely in unprecedented and difficult circumstances. Having reflected on our working practices, we are now implementing changes to the use of such apps.

“This follows on from actions to implement other recommendations from Ms Martins’ externally-led review including updating our hybrid working policy.

“I want to reassure the public that it is a priority of this government to maintain secure and searchable data, ensuring compliance with all records management rules. We will continue to act to ensure our data policies are robust, especially considering technological advances.”

Support for people with learning disabilities in Scotland

Funding allocated to projects working to enhance equality

People with learning disabilities are being supported to fulfil their potential through new funding awards totalling almost £1.6 million.

The Learning Disability Support Fund is allocated to community projects working directly with people with learning disabilities to provide opportunities and build a more inclusive society.

The fund will run for 30 months from October 2025, with a total of £325,000 available for the first year and £650,000 in each of the following two years. Recipients of the first round are receiving grants of between £75,000 and £250.000.

The charity get2gether is among the successful applicants and has been awarded £108,244 to support its work arranging social activities for people with learning disabilities in safe and friendly locations in Scotland.

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said: “We want to create a society where people with learning disabilities can live fulfilling, independent and active lives and this funding will support the important work of get2gether and many other organisations which are working so hard to do just that.

“The grants will be used to provide people with education and information on matters such as accessing health services and developing safe relationships.

“In developing the fund, we have taken into account the views expressed by people with learning disabilities in recent consultation and research and we will work closely with the third sector to ensure it makes a real difference.”

Director at get2gether Mojca Becaj said: “For a small charity like get2gether, the Scottish Government funding through the Learning Disability Support Fund is truly transformational.

“It will enable us to continue creating safe, inclusive spaces where people with learning disabilities can build friendships, relationships, and confidence as well as provide paid roles where they can step into their first paid employment — these are things that many adults take for granted but are life-changing for our members.

“We’re deeply grateful for the recognition and investment in our work and the opportunity to keep making a real difference to the lives of get2gether members.”

Natalie Kernaghan McCaughey, a get2gether ambassador said: “I work as an ambassador at get2gether, we are a member-led charity that works with adults with disabilities. We believe everyone deserves love and friendship.

“I am a paid member of get2gether staff team, I have a lived experience of learning disability and autism. My role is to work with other members to create and co-host their own social events and make connections with each other.”

Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland Erica Judge said: “We know that the third sector plays a critical role in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and we are pleased that this fund offers vital longer-term funding, ensuring projects like get2gether can plan their services for the next two and a half years.

“One of the important aspects of this fund is to help ensure people with learning disabilities’ voices are heard.  Not only did people with learning disabilities inform and shape the Learning Disabilities Support Fund’s aims, their voice and experience were central to the decision-making process, and they played a key role in selecting which organisations received funding.”

FUNDING AWARDS

OrganisationFunding Amount
get2gether£108,244
Project Ability£81,741
People First (Scotland)£250,000
Neighbourhood Networks£91,931
Values Into Action Scotland£175,061
Scottish Youth Dance (YDance)£206,106
Dates-n-Mates£179,318
Values Into Action Scotland – The Scottish Assembly£249,998
Association for Real Change – NIN/LIN Networks£249,474
Total£1,591,873