Funding of £10 million to create more specially equipped toilets
Around 150 additional community toilet facilities for people with complex disabilities and health conditions will be created across the country thanks to £10 million Scottish Government funding over the next two years.
There are currently around 270 of the specially equipped facilities, known as Changing Places Toilets, in Scotland. This is an increase of 30% since 2019 when new legislation required these spaces to be included in large new buildings with public access.
Changing Places Toilets (CPT) offer a vital facility for people with disabilities and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met through standard accessible toilet provision.
We visited @gsc1 to hear from Jill and Laura about how CPT impacts their lives.
Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: “Access to toilet facilities is a fundamental human right. “This £10 million investment in Changing Places Toilets will make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families and carers as it will enable them to participate fully in society and access community resources – things which most of us take for granted.
“The Fund will be open to all communities in Scotland and will prioritise areas which do not currently have adequate provision.
“Support from local bodies has been, and will continue to be, central to driving this work forward, and we look forward to receiving applications from all over Scotland when the Fund opens in the summer.”
Jill Clark, a Glasgow-based Changing Places Toilets user said: “It is really important to have changing places toilets across Scotland because it lets people like myself lead a normal life without worrying about getting access to a toilet everywhere we go!”
PAMIS (Promoting a more inclusive society) CEO Jenny Miller said: ““PAMIS is delighted that this fund is progressing.
“It is vital that we ensure that those who need this life changing resource and those who are keen to develop inclusive venues and services are involved in shaping the fund.
“Your insights are key, and we know that for the community PAMIS supports, those with a profound learning and multiple disabilities, the fund will make a huge difference to their inclusion within communities across Scotland.”
Visit is ‘Opportunity to promote strong business links with US’
First Minister John Swinney will undertake a series of engagements in New York as part of Tartan Week, the annual celebration of Scottish heritage and culture in the United States.
In recognition of the important role of the US as a key investment and trading partner, the First Minister will meet a number of high profile current and potential investors to promote the economic opportunities on offer in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of his visit, the First Minister said: “Scotland enjoys deep and enduring links with the US, which is both our largest inward investor, and second largest export market after the European Union.
“In 2023, exports of Scottish goods to the US were worth £4 billion. And here in Scotland, more than 700 US-owned enterprises provide employment to more than 115,000 people.
“Scotland is open for business and is one of the best places in the world to invest. We have a reputation as a world-class entrepreneurial nation, with the number of start-ups, spinouts, and scale up companies growing at pace.
“We also have the potential to become a strategic hub for future renewable energy investments, specifically by developing and scaling projects in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and energy storage.
“Tartan Week in April is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scottish culture, and promote economic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.
“I am looking forward to attending this week’s Tartan Week events, meeting our dynamic diaspora, and engaging with some of our biggest current and potential investors. I want to showcase Scotland’s progressive international outlook, and our focus on innovation, sustainability and growth.”
Alan Cumming is Grand Marshal of the 2025 NYC Tartan Day Parade.
A Bill designed to create jobs and drive economic growth across Scotland by promoting investment in communities has been published.
The Community Wealth Building Bill is the first of its kind in the world and would require councils, National Health Service boards and other public bodies to take forward measures which boost their local economies.
These can include:
Buying more goods and services from their local companies
Promoting employee-owned businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises
Helping community groups to acquire and regenerate derelict sites
Supporting fair work practices including payment of the real Living Wage
Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “To create jobs and support thriving communities we want to ensure that more money spent in Scotland stays in Scotland.
“This unique legislation will help to increase investment in local economies so that they become fairer, greener and more prosperous.
“I visited Greencity Wholefoods to highlight how supporting practices such as paying the real Living Wage and being a worker’s co-operative benefits the economy and helps to address wealth inequalities.”
Sight loss charities have hailed the ‘life-changing’ pilot scheme that will provide free rail travel for companions of blind and partially sighted individuals on all Scotrail train journeys.
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans highlight the profound impact this initiative will have in reducing loneliness and isolation, fostering independence, and enhancing mental well-being.
Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, officially launched the pilot scheme at Anniesland Station this week, and was joined by Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, along with representatives and campaigners from Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, both of which have driven the successful Fair Rail Campaign.
Under this new pilot scheme, individuals holding an eye +1 National Entitlement Card (NEC) will be able to travel with a companion at no additional cost starting 01 April 2025.
The pilot scheme, which will run for one year, aims to make train travel more affordable and accessible for blind and partially sighted passengers by introducing a consistent, nationwide policy for free companion rail travel, aligning with existing concessionary bus and ferry travel across Scotland.
Ms Stewart said: “I am genuinely delighted to be launching this pilot, which is testament to the hard work by all those involved in the campaign to bring this about.
“Making rail travel more accessible and affordable for people with sight loss is an important step in helping them access communities, education, and employment.”
Claire Dickie, ScotRail Commercial Director, said: “At ScotRail, we are committed to improving accessibility and ensuring that our services are as inclusive as possible for all customers.
“This trial initiative is an important step towards making travel easier for those who rely on assistance when using our services.”
Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government is introducing this pilot. After over two years of campaigning, this is a significant achievement for our Fair Rail Campaign.
“Thanks to collaboration with ScotRail and Transport Scotland, rail travel will become more accessible and affordable for people with sight loss across Scotland.
“For many visually impaired individuals, public transport is essential, yet travelling alone is often not an option, and the cost of a companion ticket can be prohibitive.
“This new policy will make a real difference, supporting rehabilitation, promoting independence, and ensuring that people with vision impairments remain connected with their communities.”
Joe Tottenham, a 92-year-old army veteran, who is supported by Sight Scotland Veterans, comments: “I’m so proud to be part of the Fair Rail campaign led by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans who have campaigned tirelessly on this issue.
“Knowing no matter where I’m going in Scotland that my companion can travel with me at no extra cost will change my life. As a blind person, having someone to help me get on and off the train is vital – I’d be lost without them.”
Colette Walker, who is visually impaired and co- chair of Sight Scotland’s policy group, adds: “This will make such a difference to me financially, as well as to my safety and quality of life.”
The Fair Rail Campaign was launched over two years ago, calling for a national policy to provide free rail travel across Scotland for the companions of those with a National (Scotland) Concessionary Travel for Blind Persons card.
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans were approached by many individuals with sight loss who were concerned about rising travel costs and the confusion surrounding various concessionary schemes.
The charities brought the issue to the Scottish Parliament, where it was debated in a Members Debate brought forward by Graham Simpson MSP and considered in the Fair Fares Review, ultimately leading to this pilot scheme.
Mr Simpson commented: “I welcome the launch of the fair rail campaign pilot. This is long overdue after many years of campaigning by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, who first brought the issue to my attention several years ago.
“I held a Members’ Debate in the Parliament on this issue in 2022. Last year, the Fair Fares Review made a loose commitment to a pilot project, so I am pleased to see that the Scottish Government is finally addressing this important issue.
“For many blind and partially sighted people, having a companion can mean the difference between travelling or not travelling. This pilot is a step in the right direction, but I would urge the Scottish Government to get on with implementing a national policy that entitles the companions of people with sight loss to free rail travel, to make our rail network more equitable and accessible for everyone.”
Additional investment of £24 million through an innovative programme to deliver affordable homes across Scotland will see total funding in the scheme reach half a billion pounds.
Started in 2014, the Charitable Bonds scheme provides loans to housing associations to build properties for social rent, while also generating additional funds for the Scottish Government’s affordable housing budget.
So far, the programme has supported the delivery of more than 4,000 new homes through direct loans to Registered Social Landlords. This has generated a further £146 million to support the delivery of 1,300 social rented homes.
On a visit to an affordable housing development in Rosewell, Midlothian which has benefitted from the scheme, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed that additional investment will support the issuing of new bonds to three housing associations.
Link Group, Kingdom Housing Association and Wheatley Group will be provided with loan finance to build around 175 homes while generating additional funds for future projects.
Ms Somerville said: “We need to use all the tools available to deliver more new affordable homes and help tackle the housing emergency. The Charitable Bonds programme has successfully supplemented investment in our affordable housing budget while also allowing social landlords to access additional borrowing to build much needed new homes.
“Taking our investment to more than £500 million demonstrates our commitment to continue that success and see more affordable homes built – building on the 4,000 already delivered through this scheme.
“We will also continue to support the delivery of social homes through the £768 million investment in affordable housing over the next financial year which will enable the delivery of at least 8,000 more homes, as set out in the Scottish Government’s Budget – an increase of more than £200 million.
“The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the housing emergency – and while there is more to do, there is real progress being delivered.”
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations CEO Sally Thomas said: “It’s never been more crucial that we deliver many more secure, warm and affordable homes. The Charitable Bonds scheme is an important part of doing so, and it’s great to see SFHA members receiving these funds to deliver the homes we desperately need.
“Social homes make lives and places better. As we move forward, working our way out of the housing emergency, continuing, consistent and multi-year government investment in our social homes will be essential – not only to provide the homes we need but also to tackle poverty and help us create a fairer Scotland.”
Allia C&C Director and Head of Scottish Office Peter Freer said: “Allia issued its first charitable bonds in 1999, raising just under £1 million to support local housing and community projects in Sheffield.
“From these small beginnings, we’re proud to now celebrate over £500 million of Scottish Government investment in our bonds since 2014. Through this highly successful partnership, we have provided simple finance and grants to housing associations of all sizes all across Scotland, funding the creation of thousands of new affordable homes.”
Access to higher education at university for Scottish students from the most deprived areas has increased to a near record high, official figures have shown.
The latest Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) figures for 2023-24 show that 16.7% of full-time first degree entrants to Scottish universities came from the nation’s 20% most deprived areas. This marks an increase from 16.3% the previous year.
The figures also show an increase overall in the number of Scottish-based students at Scottish universities to 173,795, as well as a rise in full-time Scottish first degree entrants.
However, non-EU international student numbers have seen a decline in 2023-24 following changes by the UK Government to the immigration system, such as ending the inclusion of family members on student visas.
Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey said: “These figures show the significant progress of Scotland’s universities in making higher education not only more inclusive, but also attracting a rising number of Scots overall.
“The number of Scots from the most deprived backgrounds entering university on full-time first degree courses is now up 37% since the establishment of the Commission on Widening Access by this Government.
“This means many more people, no matter their background, have the opportunity to prosper in their lives.
“We recognise the issues raised by the sector around a decline in international student numbers and damaging UK migration policies which is why we have proposed a ‘Scottish Graduate Visa’ which would allow us to retain international students after they graduate from Scottish institutions.”
One Parent Families Scotland and Social Security Scotland link-up
Thousands of single parents are being offered a helping hand on National Single Parents Day (21 March), thanks to a link-up between One Parent Families Scotland and Social Security Scotland.
While 25% of children in Scotland live in poverty, the figure is much higher, 40%, for children in single parent families. A quarter of all the families with dependent children are single parent households.
Working together as part of One Parent Families Scotland’s “Single Parent Community” Campaign, both organisations are working to highlight the support that is available to eligible parents and carers. including Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and Best Start Grant.
Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and the Best Start Grant aim to give children the best start in life. They offer financial support to families, both in and out of work, who receive certain benefits and tax credits.
Best Start Grant consists of three payments designed to provide support at key stages in a child’s life: Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment.
Scottish Child Payment, unique to Scotland, is payable to eligible families in receipt of Universal Credit or certain other qualifying reserved benefits, for children aged under-16. Unlike the UK Government there is no limit to the number of children a family can receive the payment for
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “All parents know that bringing up children can be hard work – and doing so as a single parent household can be even more so. So I’m proud of the support that the Scottish Government offers single parent families.
“A report from the Fraser of Allander Institute, about health inequalities in Scotland, highlighted that single parents are much more likely to experience food insecurity than other household types. In stark terms food insecurity is when a person doesn’t have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious, healthy food.
“That is why the support the Scottish Government provides is so crucial, especially for single parent families. Since it was introduced in August 2019, £65.6million has been paid in Best Start Foods to provide exactly the nutritious, healthy food children need.
“And over £1 billion worth of Scottish Child payments have been issued by 31 December 2024; putting money directly into the pockets of those families who need it most.”
Chief Executive of OPFS, Satwat Rehman said: “For too many single parents, the challenge of making ends meet is a daily struggle.
“With 38% of children in single parent families living in poverty, financial support like Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grants can be life-changing.
These payments put money directly into the hands of families who need it most, helping to ease the pressure of rising costs and ensuring children have the essentials they deserve.
“One Parent Families Scotland is proud to work alongside Social Security Scotland to make sure single parents know about and can access the support they are entitled to.
Case Study
Sarah, a single mum of two, had been struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. Every week, she worried about how she would stretch her budget to cover food, bills, and other essentials. When she reached out to One Parent Families Scotland Glasgow, she had no idea she was missing out on vital support.
During a benefit check with a One Parent Families Scotland adviser, Sarah discovered she was entitled to the Best Start Foods card—and even more incredibly, it had over £650 in unclaimed credit waiting for her.
“I was completely shocked! I had no idea that money was there. I kept thinking about all the times I had struggled to afford the basics and worried about how I’d manage. If I’d known about this sooner, it could have saved me so much stress. It’s a massive help and has given me some much-needed breathing space.
“This has made such a huge difference to my life. Instead of panicking at the checkout or having to put things back, I can actually do a proper food shop. I can buy the things my kids like and need without feeling guilty or stressed about every penny. It’s lifted such a weight off my shoulders.”
Support from One Parent Families Scotland, has not only allowed Sarah to access the financial support she was entitled to but also to gain peace of mind knowing she has extra help when she needs it.
Carers in full and part-time education could be entitled to over £4,900 a year in financial support from Social Security Scotland.
It is estimated that there are over 30,000 students at college or university in Scotland providing unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour. Research from Carers Trust Scotland shows student carers are four times more likely to drop out of their studies with a key reason being financial struggles.
Together, Carer Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance Supplement could provide over £4,900 a year to unpaid carers.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, which was delivered by the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Unlike its predecessor, Carer Support Payment is available to many student carers in full-time education.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement, only available in Scotland, is paid twice a year to people receiving Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance.
Students aged 16, 17 or 18 may be able to get Young Carer Grant if they aren’t eligible for Carer Support Payment.
Speaking to student carers and staff at Edinburgh College yesterday (Wednesday 19 March), Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “We worked with carers and support organisations in designing Carer Support Payment to ensure it worked better for the people who receive it. Extending Carer Support Payment to more carers in education is an example of doing just that.
“I recognise the challenges many students face juggling their studies with caring responsibilities and hope the increased support available provides additional financial security and helps them to complete their course.”
Anna Vogt, Assistant Principal Student Experience at Edinburgh College said: “We are committed to supporting our student carers to be able to come to Edinburgh College and achieve their educational ambitions.
“We do this by individualising support for carers, engaging with carer organisations in our region and by designing systems that acknowledge our students have responsibilities and communities outside of college.
“Colleges change lives and we are pleased that this new benefit will support more carers to think about becoming a student at any institution across Scotland.”
Josh, a student at Edinburgh College, added: “The support from Edinburgh College has made a real difference to me and is very different from the support I received at school. It has been particularly helpful to be linked up with my local carer’s association – I didn’t know about them. Now I know about this new benefit, I’m going to explore a bit more about it.”
The £4,900 a year calculation is based on a carer receiving a full year entitlement for Carer Support Payment (52 weeks) and Carer’s Allowance Supplement (a payment in June and then in December) at the 2025-26 rates coming into effect from 1 April 2025.
Friends of the Earth: Project Willow “does nothing” for the hundreds of people at Grangemouth set to lose their jobs in the coming months
Plans to secure a long-term industrial future for Grangemouth have been stepped up as a feasibility study sets out nine options for its future.
The plan – which is backed by £25 million from the Scottish Government and £200 million from the UK Government – will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.
The £1.5 million feasibility study – published today by EY – follows the recent decision by Petroineos to decommission the oil refinery.
It has identified credible long-term industrial options for the Grangemouth site and explored how Grangemouth can build on its skilled workforce, local expertise and long heritage as a fuel leader in Scotland to forge a new path in low carbon energy production.
The report provides nine proposals likely to attract private investment, including plastics recycling, hydrogen production and other projects that could create up to 800 jobs by 2040.
It follows First Minister John Swinney’s announcement of £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund, which will support businesses and stakeholders to bring forward investible propositions for the site over the next 12 months, and the Prime Minister’s announcement last month of £200 million to help unlock Grangemouth’s full potential.
First Minister John Swinney said: “We will leave no stone unturned in order to secure the future of the Grangemouth refinery site, and the Scottish Government has already committed or invested a total of £87 million to help do so.
“Grangemouth is home to over a century of industrial expertise and employs thousands of highly skilled workers, placing the site at a massive competitive advantage and creating a unique opportunity for investors.
“Everyone working at Grangemouth’s refinery – and in the wider industrial cluster – is a valued employee with skills that are key to Scotland’s economic and net zero future.
“This report sets out a wide range of viable alternatives for the refinery site, demonstrating that a long term, new industrial future at Grangemouth is achievable.
“We will continue to work closely with the UK Government to realise these opportunities and Scottish Enterprise stands ready to support inward investors looking to progress any of these technologies.”
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “We committed to leaving no stone unturned in supporting an industrial future for Grangemouth delivering jobs and economic growth.
“This report and the £200 million investment by the UK Government demonstrates that commitment.
“We will build on Grangemouth’s expertise and industrial heritage to attract investors, secure a long-term clean energy future, and deliver on our Plan for Change.”
To kickstart the process, Energy Minister Michael Shanks and Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin co-chaired a meeting yesterday (Wednesday 19 March) of the Grangemouth Future Industry Board with local industry leaders, Falkirk Council, trade bodies and unions.
Scottish Enterprise and the UK Government’s Office for Investment will work with Petroineos to market the proposals set out in Project Willow and seek investor interest.
Alongside launching a search for investors, both governments have also committed to review the Project Willow policy recommendations and understand how government funding can be deployed to mature proposals from the private sector.
The nine projects include:
Waste: hydrothermal upgrading (breaking down hard to recycle plastics), chemical plastics recycling, ABE biorefining (breaking down waste material)
Bio-feedstock: breaking down Scottish timber into bioethanol, anaerobic digestion of bioresources and digestate pyrolysis, HEFA (conversion of Scottish cover crops into sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel using low carbon hydrogen).
Offshore wind conduit: Replacing natural gas with hydrogen, using low carbon hydrogen to produce methanol and convert it to SAF, producing low carbon ammonia from hydrogen for shipping and chemicals.
Just transition campaigners say Project Willow “does nothing” for the hundreds of people at Grangemouth set to lose their jobs in the coming months, however.
The Project Willow feasibility study, published yesterday:
Sets out 9 possible options for the future of Grangemouth, all of which would require private investment
States up to 800 jobs could be created by 2040
Does not include any support for the hundreds of people set to lose their jobs this year
PetroIneos announced the oil refinery will close by summer 2025. The company instead will import refined oil, effectively offshoring the resultant climate pollution.
Friends of the Earth Scotland just transition campaigner Rosie Hampton commented: “It would be disingenuous to suggest the Project Willow report is a plan for workers and the community at Grangemouth – it’s simply a set of suggestions that would ultimately rely on private investment if they were to happen.
“They haven’t been put together with any involvement from trade unions or workers at the refinery, and it does nothing for the hundreds of people set to lose their jobs when the refinery closes this summer.
“As one of Scotland’s most polluting sites, we’ve known for years that Grangemouth needed a transition plan. There was no excuse for politicians not having the right investment, planning and policy in place, because their inaction has paved the way for the swingeing job cuts by Petroineos.
“It’s welcome that options beyond fossil fuels are finally being considered but the scope of the report has left room for dodgy greenwashing projects which are more about maximising profits for companies than protecting the environment.
“It’s not surprising that a report commissioned by Petroineos using public money doesn’t address that company’s failures to plan for a sustainable future and look after its workforce. The core assumption that private money has to be enticed into investing with government subsidy, for which the public get the risk but not the returns, is a real cause for concern.
“The paper speculates it might be possible to create up to 800 jobs by 2040 but that is 15 years too late for the 400 people at the refinery, and many more across the supply chain, facing the loss of their livelihoods in the next few months.
“The two governments must now set out much tighter criteria for any investments and say how it will build on this to create an actual just transition plan that will protect people and the planet.”
Social housing residents in Scotland will be given greater protection against issues of disrepair in their homes such as damp and mould through the introduction of Awaab’s Law.
Awaab’s Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after being exposed to mould in his home in Rochdale.
The Scottish Government intends to introduce amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will broaden Ministers’ powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation, following engagement with the sector.
The regulations will build on provisions already in the Bill on strengthening tenants’ rights and Scotland’s existing legal protections for social tenants such as the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Introducing timescales and expectations for repairs aims to make sure this never happens to a child or their family ever again.
“Everyone in Scotland deserves the right to live in a warm, safe and secure home, free from disrepair. We already have a strong set of rights and standards that have been improving in Scotland.
“However, these measures will go even further and give power and confidence to tenants that any issues identified and repairs started in a timely manner, so any issues do not have a detrimental impact on their health.
“Our Housing Bill already contains proposals to improve tenants’ rights, and these measures will strengthen those even further to make sure their home is safe for them and their families.”
