Tag: Scottish Government

Two months to go before short-term lets licensing deadline

Hosts must sign up to scheme before 1st October

Owners of short-term let properties are being urged to apply for a licence under Scotland’s short-term licensing scheme before the 1 October 2023 deadline.

Short-term let hosts must apply for a licence with their relevant local authority before the deadline. Anyone who operated a short-term let before 1 October 2022 can still accept bookings and guests until an application is determined, but must apply before the 1 October 2023 deadline. Owners who started operations after 1 October 2022 cannot begin trading until they receive their licence.

Hosts must apply for a licence with the local authority their property is located and are being urged to check local criteria before making an application.

Local councils’ licensing schemes are in operation across Scotland and many short-term let hosts have already obtained licences.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Short-term let accommodation plays an important role in Scotland’s economy, supporting our tourism and hospitality sector and allowing tourists and holiday goers somewhere to take them closer to the best that Scotland can offer.

“However, it is also important that there is appropriate regulation in place to ensure the safety of guests, and so that local authorities can make decisions that are right for their local areas. That is why the Scottish Government has introduced the short-term lets licensing scheme.

“I would like to thank those who have already signed up to the scheme, bringing assurances to tourists that their safety is paramount and that they have met local guidelines.

“Visitors coming to Scotland can already expect to see the benefits of properties being licensed and meeting specific standards. Meanwhile, the thousands of short-term let operators who provide a quality service can have the assurance that would-be competitors have to meet licensing standards as well.

“There is only two months to go until the 1 October deadline and so I would urge anyone who owns short-term let accommodation and has yet to apply to do so as soon as possible to ensure you can still take bookings and welcome guests from far and wide.”

Short Stay St Andrews Director Jordan Mitchell said: “As the largest holiday letting agency in St Andrews and the East Neuk, the initial thought of an application process for short-term letting our 130+ managed properties was a daunting one.

“However, the application process has been plain sailing once we had all the required safety certification in place.

“Fife Council has been extremely supportive in its quest to process the applications despite the extra pressure on its systems.

“I can only recommend applying as soon as possible to give your business plenty of time to adjust to the new Scottish Government requirements.”

Owners have until 1 October 2023 to apply for a short-term lets licence, with local authorities required to process applications by 1 October 2024.

Apply for a short-term let licence: gov.scot/shorttermlets

Glasgow gears up for cycling extravaganza

Get ready for UCI Cycling World Championship

Thousands of international elite cyclists, including para-athletes, will gather in Glasgow and across Scotland this week for the start of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

From Thursday 3 August, Scotland will proudly host the world’s biggest ever staged cycling event, which is expected to attract around a million spectators. The majority of the action will take place in Glasgow – building on the legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games – alongside locations including Fort William, the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Perthshire and Dundee and Angus.

The 11 days of sporting action will see cyclists compete for the following 13 world championships:

  • UCI Road World Championships
  • UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships
  • UCI Track Cycling World Championships presented by Tissot
  • UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships
  • UCI Mountain Bike Cross-country World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz
  • UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz
  • UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships
  • UCI Mountain Bike Cross Country Eliminator World Championships
  • UCI Trials World Championships
  • UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Championships
  • UCI BMX World Championships
  • UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships
  • UCI Gran Fondo World Championships

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I want to extend a warm welcome to every cyclist taking part in the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – the world’s biggest ever cycling event. I wish everyone good luck.

“Hosting the UCI World Championships is further vote of confidence in Scotland as a destination of choice for staging major global events.

“The Scottish Government is proud to fund this innovative and inclusive event. Our funding will help promote the health and wellbeing benefits of cycling and help drive wider economic and social benefits across the country.

“Whether it’s indoor competitions at the velodrome or Mountain Biking and road events set in some of the most scenic parts of Scotland, there is something for everyone. Many of these events are free and I would encourage as many people across the country to try and catch a piece of the action.”

As Glasgow prepares for the UCI Cycling World Championships, road closures and changes to public transport timetables will have an impact on how people travel to NHSGGC hospitals. 

The event – which runs from Thursday, 3rd August to Sunday 13th August – will mean the closure of some roads in Glasgow during some races. 

As a result, public transport providers are amending timetables and services on certain days during the event. 

All NHSGGC services are planning to run as normal while the event is taking place but we realise that the road closures and changes to public transport may impact on people attending our sites. 

So it’s best to plan ahead and all the latest information is being made information available on the Get Ready Glasgow website. 

Most local First Glasgow routes will use the M8 as a diversion while some Stagecoach services in the City Centre will be curtailed at Bridge Street subway station or the Broomielaw. 

Edinburgh hosts the elite men’s road race next Sunday.

More information on bus route diversions is available from Traveline Scotland. 

Protecting migrants’ rights in an independent Scotland

Proposal to create Migrants’ Commissioner

An independent Migrants’ Commissioner would stand up for the rights of people who have moved to an independent Scotland, under Scottish Government proposals.

The latest ‘Building a New Scotland’ prospectus paper, which focuses on citizenship in an independent Scotland, sets out how a commissioner could advocate for migrants, including protecting the rights of EU citizens.

The creation of an independent Migrants’ Commissioner was a key recommendation of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review and would bring Scotland into line with countries like Germany. The UK Government has declined to implement this recommendation.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Migrants are an important part of the fabric of Scottish society – enriching our culture, boosting our economy and contributing to our communities.

“After independence, this government would appoint a Migrants’ Commissioner to speak up for individuals and families, including the hundreds of thousands of EU citizens who call Scotland home, to ensure migrants’ voices are heard at the highest level.

“Unlike the UK Government, who rejected the Windrush review’s recommendation to establish this role, we are committed to protecting the rights and equality of migrants – alongside all our citizens – in an independent nation.

“Under our proposals, it will be up to individuals to decide whether Scottish citizenship is something they want to pursue, but we are clear that people from around the world will always be welcome in Scotland.”

Citizenship in an independent Scotland

First Minister outlines who may be eligible for Scottish citizenship

Scotland could take a fairer, and more welcoming approach to citizenship as an independent nation, according to a new paper published by First Minister Humza Yousaf.

‘Citizenship in an independent Scotland’, the fifth paper in the Building a New Scotland series’, sets out who could automatically become a citizen of an independent Scotland, and the pathway for others to qualify for Scottish citizenship, including those with a close and enduring connection to Scotland.

Other proposals in the paper include a fairer fee system for citizenship applications, based on cost recovery rather than revenue generation, and a commitment to establish an independent Migrants’ Commissioner – a key recommendation of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review.

The First Minister held a roundtable discussion at National Records of Scotland’s New Register House where he discussed the paper with representatives from migration policy organisations and individuals who may be eligible for citizenship under these proposals.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “In this country, we are used to feeling a mix of identities. As a proud Scottish Pakistani, that’s something I understand and respect, and the policies in this paper would not require anybody to choose between being Scottish, British, or any other nationality.

“Instead, this paper proposes an open and inclusive approach to citizenship. One that welcomes people who want to settle in Scotland, rather than putting barriers and excessive fees in the way of individuals and their families.  

“With our aging population, Scotland faces an urgent demographic challenge. That’s why we want to welcome more people, to join those who have already settled in communities across our country and are contributing to a better economy, higher living standards, and stronger public services like our NHS.

“Scottish citizens could also enjoy benefits such as the right to hold a Scottish passport, continued freedom of movement within the Common Travel Area, and eventually, following our commitment to re-join the EU as an independent nation, resumed rights as EU citizens.

“I hope this paper will help to answer questions people might have about citizenship in an independent Scotland, and I look forward to hearing people’s views on our proposals.”

Building a New Scotland: Citizenship in an independent Scotland

All Smiles? Increased fees for NHS dentists

Improved payment system to expand services – but BDA says the reforms will not repair a ‘broken system’

NHS dental teams will receive increased fees under a new payment structure which will help them to provide enhanced NHS care and treatment.

Developed in partnership with the dental sector and as part of the Oral Health Improvement Plan, the reforms also include an additional £10 million from the Scottish Government to support the delivery of laboratory-based treatment items, such as dentures.

The updated system will drive greater consideration of patients’ specific oral health needs, with more focus on patient-centred care such as preventative periodontal – gum disease – treatment.

For dentists it will streamline Item of Service payments by reducing the numbers of fees from over 700 to 45, cutting bureaucracy and giving them greater authority over the treatments offered.

While patients that are required to pay a NHS charge are likely to see an increase in costs, this will be dependent on overall treatment plan. Around 40% of patients will continue to receive free NHS care and treatment, as they did under the previous arrangements.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “This new NHS offer improves the system for both dental teams and patients and is the first step in the process to make the services available on  the NHS reflect the changing oral health needs of the population. It also reaffirms our commitment to the sector and to all NHS patients in Scotland.

“We are confident that the modernised system, with increased clinical freedom for dentists, will provide longer-term sustainability to the sector and encourage dentists to continue to provide NHS care.

“All patients will continue to receive free NHS dental examinations and I want to reassure those who are exempt from NHS dental charges – including children and young people under 26, and those on certain benefits – they will continue to receive free care and treatment. People on a low income are also eligible for support, details of which can be found on NHS Inform. 

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank  all NHS dental teams for their continued engagement and commitment to NHS dentistry. Increased costs for energy and the cost of living crisis still pose challenges for them but we will continue to work together to ensure the best quality of care is available.”

The British Dental Association has said Scottish Government reforms to NHS dentistry announced today fall short of the root and branch change required to make the service fit for the 2020s.

Following tense negotiations, a reformed payment system will be rolled out from 1 November 2023. This includes changes to the fees provided for many treatments and will see the number of items on the ‘menu’ at dental practices slimmed down – purportedly meant to make it less burdensome – to 45 codes down from around 400. The BDA had stressed that surging costs had left practices delivering some NHS care at a financial loss, particularly for items like dentures that require laboratory work. These items have seen significant increases in fee levels.

However, the professional body has stressed reforms offer no fundamental changes to the current model of care. The service is still predicated on a low margin/high volume system, without the appropriate targeting of resources for those in highest need. The BDA had been seeking a clean break towards a new patient-centred and prevention-focused model and say the package as it stands will do little to tackle deep oral health inequality across Scotland.

Dentist leaders have warned ministers not to view the current package as a ‘final destination’. There is uncertainty over whether these changes will be sufficient to halt the exodus of dentists from NHS services and restore access to millions.

The Scottish Parliament COVID Recovery Committee recently concluded its inquiry into the recovery of NHS dentistry, including a recommendation that the Scottish Government provide costings for – and consults on – different service model options, including those that it does not prefer, in partnership with the sector so that the opportunity is not missed to consider a full range of options for the future of service delivery.

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “We’ve secured some improvements, but the fundamentals of a broken system remain unchanged. 

“The Scottish Government have stuck with a drill and fill model designed in the 20th century. They were unwilling to even start a conversation on making this service fit for the 21st. 

“Ministers cannot pretend this is a final destination for NHS dentistry in Scotland. We struggle to see how these changes alone will close the oral health gap, end the access crisis or halt the exodus from the NHS.”

Anyone struggling to pay for their dental care is urged to visit NHS Inform to view the support available. Patients can check if they are exempt from NHS dental charges by visiting NHS Inform.

For those not eligible for exemption but on a low income, financial support is available via the NHS low income scheme. Patients can apply for this support by completing a HC1 form. Paper copies can be picked up at community pharmacies, GP practices, Citizens Advice Scotland offices and Jobcentre Plus offices.

Record medical trainee recruitment levels in Scotland

New starts will begin training this August

More medical training posts have been accepted at this stage of the recruitment year than ever before – exceeding last year’s record by 100 posts.

NHS Education for Scotland data as of 25 July 2023 shows that 1,061 posts have been filled so far this year from 1,137 advertised.

This includes 100% fill rates at entry level in General Practice, Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, Radiology and Emergency Medicine.

These trainee doctors will take up post in August 2023. Another recruitment round will be held before the end of the year for those taking up post in February 2024.

Minister for Public Health Jenni Minto said: “I am delighted to see that Scotland continues to be recognised as a highly desirable place both to live and pursue a career in medicine.

“This is testament to our world-class medical education and training system as well as those working hard to prepare the next generation of doctors who will look after us in the future. 

“These results show that NHS Scotland continues to grow accordingly to meet the needs of its patients and I look forward to welcoming these new doctors into the health service.”

NHS Education for Scotland Medical Director Dr Emma Watson said: “As of today, 93% of posts advertised for August 2023 start dates in Scotland are filled.

“Many programmes have filled at 100% and in programmes which have not filled, we are working to understand why. There has also been a significant expansion of training posts across Scotland, particularly in General Practice which has a current fill rate of 100%.”

Improving Scotland’s maternity and neonatal care

New intensive care model for the highest risk pre-term babies

Three specialist intensive care neonatal units for babies born at highest risk will be based in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Care for babies born at less than 27 weeks,  lighter than 800 grams or who need complex life support, will be provided by Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) at Aberdeen Maternity Unit, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

The new model of neonatal intensive care was recommended by The Best Start Report and is based on evidence that care for babies at highest risk is safest in units which can treat a high volume of patients.

Neonatal units in Ninewells in Dundee, Princess Royal Maternity in Glasgow, Wishaw General, Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy and Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock will continue as local neonatal units to provide neonatal care for their populations.  

Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “These three Neonatal Intensive Care Units will offer the most specialist and complex care in fewer centres for the most pre-term and sickest babies.

“Local neonatal units will continue to offer care to babies who need it, including a level of neonatal intensive care, and no neonatal units are closing as part of these plans. This decision has been made in line with advice from expert clinicians.

“I would like to thank all of those who have worked with us to look at how we can best deliver the changes recommended by the Best Start Report and will offer increased care for those who need it most, before they are able to return to one of our other excellent local neonatal units across the country.”

Lesley Jackson, Clinical Lead for the Scottish Neonatal Network and a Consultant Neonatologist in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: ““I very much welcome this change to the provision of neonatal intensive care, which will enable clinical teams to deliver the best outcomes for the smallest and sickest babies born in Scotland.

“The neonatal community is committed to working collaboratively to deliver the new model of neonatal care for our patients and families.”

Caroline Lee-Davey, Bliss Chief Executive said: ““At Bliss, we believe the proposed changes have the potential to improve the quality of neonatal services in Scotland, as well as improve the care provided to babies and their families.

“Reconfiguring services will help to make sure that the smallest and sickest babies requiring highly specialist intensive care every year will receive the best and safest care at a unit fully equipped for their needs.

“It is crucial for parents to be by their baby’s side in hospital, playing a hands-on role as partners in care with the medical team. When babies have to be transferred further from home to receive the best care, appropriate support must be provided to enable their parents to be at their cot side as much as possible, including through the Young Patients Family Fund, which enables families to claim financial assistance to support them during their baby’s neonatal stay.”

Funding to support Scottish Rural Parliament

Rural and island communities will have a chance to have their voices heard in local and national decision-making as a result of Scottish Government funding.

Around £80,000 will help to deliver the next Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – a grassroots democratic assembly ­– which will take place in the autumn.

The Scottish Government has supported voluntary organisation Scottish Rural Action (SRA) to set up four Scottish Rural Parliaments since 2014. The event is supported by a partnership of over 40 organisations, coordinated by SRA and the Scottish Islands Federation, and more than 400 people have taken part in each event.

The outcomes of discussions from the next Parliament will be presented to the Scottish Government, and will be considered as part of work to develop the Rural Delivery Plan and review the National Islands Plan. They will also be showcased at the European Rural Parliament in September 2024, maintaining Scotland’s deep connection with institutions, networks and organisations in Europe.

Speaking at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, where the Rural and Islands Parliament will be convened, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “When I became First Minister, I promised to lead Scotland in the interests of all of our people – and to listen and work with anyone and everyone who shares my vision of a fairer Scotland.

“I believe, therefore, that it is vital that rural and island communities and businesses have a say in decisions that affect them. The Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – the only rural parliament in the UK – provides an important opportunity for people who work and live in these areas to have their voices heard.

“The discussions and views aired will help to inform Scottish Government policy-making. Indeed, discussions at previous Rural Parliaments helped to shape the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods within the National Planning Framework.

“The most recent Scottish Rural Parliament in 2021 hosted a democratic assembly of over 600 participants from across rural Scotland. I would encourage anyone with an interest to sign up for this year’s event and to make what I am sure will be very valuable contributions to the discussions on the future of Scotland’s rural and island communities.”

Chair of Scottish Rural Action Theona Morrison said: “Rural and island places make up 98% of our country’s landmass. They are the locus of our natural assets, of our capacity to produce food and generate energy, and of a rich, enterprising, cultural and linguistic tapestry. We have an opportunity now to shine a light on the solutions that rural and islands communities offer to global challenges, including climate change.

“We look forward to sharing these solutions with the First Minister after the November event, and to working with the Scottish Government to build the resilience and sustainability of our rural and island places from the Borders and Lothians, to Shetland; and to make these solutions a reality.”  

Tomorrow: Water Safety Open Day

Looking for an action-packed day out for the whole family? Join us at Scotland’s only Water Safety Open Day, Tuesday 25th July at the Helix in Falkirk!

Water Safety Scotland, in collaboration with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Scottish Water, Falkirk Council, Scottish Canals, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), is hosting a Water Safety Open Day in support of the third World Drowning Prevention Day. The event takes place at Helix Park, Falkirk on July 25, 2023, between 11am – 4pm and is free to attend.

The theme of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, facilitated by The World Health Organization (WHO), builds on last year’s “Do one thing” for drowning prevention and suggests a series of calls to action, namely “Do one thing, improve one thing, ask one thing” to prevent drowning.

At the Water Safety Scotland event, members of the public are invited to visit information and activity stands and watch and participate in water rescue demonstrations.

A fun programme of activities includes free facepainting, beat the goalie, cold water challenge, as well as throwline and bandaging challenges. There will be the chance to win some prizes on the day too.

The aim of the day is to raise awareness of safety in and around water and promote the water safety code and other work done by WSS. This includes water safety school resources, local approaches to water safety through Partnership Approach to Water Safety (PAWS) groups and enhanced data capture in Scotland through the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR).

Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown said: “I welcome the opportunity to support the UN’s World Drowning Prevention Day. We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and surrounded by waterways that can appear tempting during hot weather so this family friendly event is vital to provide key safety messages to people.

“It is critically important people exercise extreme caution if venturing into open water and everyone heed all the safety advice as entering any waterway has an element of risk and can have tragic consequences.

“The Scottish Government takes the issue of water safety very seriously and we are committed to continuing to work closely with all relevant organisations to help reduce harm and raise awareness around this vital issue.”

Carlene McAvoy, Secretariat and Founder of Water Safety Scotland, said: “Supporting World Drowning Prevention Day through this public event is extremely important given the fact that on average 96 people drown in Scotland each year.

“If we can reach many people in Scotland with our water safety guidance through events such as the water safety open day, we can help to reduce the number of drownings in Scotland.

“Our event is underpinned by our key message – the Water Safety Code. We want to provide life-saving information and advice in a fun and memorable way to help people in Scotland have a positive and safe experience in and around water.”  

The Water Safety Open Day is free and open to all, and will be hosted at Helix Park, Falkirk on Monday 25 July 2023 – 11am – 4pm.

Come along, have some fun & learn all things #WaterSafety!

#DrowningPreventionDay

More info: watersafetyscotland.org.uk/about/water-safety-open-day/

Scotland’s Ministerial Code updated

Changes to improve transparency

The Scottish Ministerial Code has been updated to further strengthen transparency and propriety.

Updates to the Code include:

  • New text reflecting the updates to the procedure for handling complaints by civil servants about the behaviour of a Minister or former Minister, making clear that for future complaints certain information about concluded cases will be made public, including the Minister’s name, the nature of the complaint and the outcome of the complaint, even after a Minister has left office, and setting out the obligation on Ministers to cooperate with the procedure. 
  • The introduction of an annual review of Ministers’ private interests, and proactive publication of these interests on an annual basis, to enhance integrity and transparency around actual or perceived conflicts of interest.  In addition, new text has been introduced to provide additional clarity for Ministers on managing overlaps between their Ministerial responsibilities and constituency interests.
  • General updates on provisions for maternity leave and to reflect the introduction of the Bute House Agreement, as well as minor amends to take account of digital developments, new published strategies and changes in Ministerial titles and responsibilities.

The First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “This new edition of the Ministerial Code sets the highest standards of propriety and transparency for Government Ministers. All Scottish Ministers, including myself, are bound by its terms and are committed to uphold the Principles of Public life, ensuring integrity, accountability and honesty at every level of leadership.

“Scottish Ministers are committed to building a better future for the people of Scotland while facing the profound challenges of our time. This will mean taking some tough decisions to ensure that we support those in greatest need, and it is vital that we are guided in this mission by a clear set of principles.”

2023 edition of the Ministerial Code.

Ministerial Complaints procedure.

The first annual review of Minister’s private interests will publish early in the next parliamentary session.