Tag: Scottish Government

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 6 January 2023.

A Scottish Government-backed initiative supporting veterans on hospital visits is expanding to cope with increased demand.

Veterans can be accompanied to hospital and receive help with transport under a unique collaboration between the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), which provides trained welfare officers, and Fares4Free, a charity offering transport through their outreach support drivers.

The organisations were awarded £40,000 from the Scottish Veterans Fund in July as part of an overall £500,000 fund, which this year benefitted 25 projects across the country.

The service is now so popular that Fares4Free is appealing for volunteers to meet demand in rural areas.

Veterans Secretary Keith Brown said:

“This initiative is a fantastic example of the work supported by the Scottish Veterans Fund and I am delighted the grant has allowed the expanded roll-out of this vital service.

“Scotland has a long and proud military tradition. There are some fantastic organisations supporting our veterans in Scotland and money provided by the fund – totalling over £2.3m since 2008 – will help continue some really good work.

“We are committed to supporting our veterans and ensuring that they are not disadvantaged as a result of their service. Projects such as this will ensure our veterans are given the help that they need, when they need it.”

Bob Reid, DMWS Regional Manager Scotland and Overseas, said:

“Thanks to the support received we’re geared up to provide welfare support on journeys to appointments. Transport to healthcare appointments is a big issue for older veterans especially. It’s complex. Some people want to be accompanied on journeys, some just want a phone call, and others want someone to meet them when they arrive. We’ve learned to be flexible and imaginative to ensure everyone gets the support they need.”

Leon Fisher, Fares4Free Operations Manager, said:

“We continue to enhance and grow our volunteer network throughout the country but are actively seeking additional drivers to help us deliver this unique collaboration. It’s one which is tailored to users to establish exactly what’s needed so we can arrange a suitable solution and powered by dedicated staff, frequent meetings, and efficient administration to ensure the service is of the best quality – made evident by the growing popularity of the service.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 5 January 2023.

Initiatives aimed at promoting the benefits of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among school pupils will receive funding to help develop Scotland’s future workforce.

National STEM programmes Generation Science and the Young Engineers and Science Clubs will benefit from a total amount of £100,000. More than 100,000 pupils across Scotland have benefitted from both initiatives.

Further funding will be given to supporting science festivals – including those taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.

The funding supports the Scottish Government’s STEM Education and Training Strategy and the commitment to equip communities and young people – particularly those from remote and deprived areas – with STEM skills to tackle current and real life challenges, including climate change and health related issues.

Minister for Further Education, Higher Education, Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn said:

“We are working hard to ensure we maximise the number of people highly educated and skilled in STEM to adapt to the challenges of today and in the future.

“These initiatives can help inspire a generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and innovators, and develop the talent which will required in our future workforce.

“We saw the critical role that STEM knowledge played in tackling the Covid pandemic through the rollout of vaccines, which have saved countless numbers of lives. We will build on that work to ensure Scotland has the tools required to guide the country to a net zero future.

“The continuation of this funding is a big step to helping make our vision for a greener and fairer Scotland a reality.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 4 January 2023.

More than 180 projects across rural Scotland will receive grants ranging from £100,000 to several hundred pounds, from the Rural & Island Communities Ideas into Action (RICIA) fund.

The fund encourages and supports not-for-profit community groups with innovative approaches to community-led local development, including work towards net zero and just transition goals, tackling rural poverty and supporting rural communities through the cost of living crisis.

Supported projects include:

• building of mountain bike trails to bring in new visitors and provide sports opportunities to the local community
• opening up of a community hall as a ‘warm space’ over the winter months and providing suppers to alleviate rising costs
• purchase of educational equipment by a community centre to benefit the mental health of children, and
• installation of solar thermal panels at a community hub to help manage electricity costs.

The funding is being delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

“We are working to ensure local communities are empowered to tackle local challenges.

“This investment comes at a critical time for our rural and island communities, who are disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis compared to the rest of the country.

“I wish all the successful community groups well as they now look to take forward these projects and make a positive difference to their local areas.”

Inspiring Scotland CEO Celia Tennant said:

“We’re delighted to continue to support the Scottish Government to deliver the Rural and Islands Communities Ideas into Action Fund.

“We know local, grassroots groups are best placed to respond to the needs and opportunities most important to their communities.  We look forward to working alongside successful applicants and will support them to make meaningful change in their local area.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 4 January 2023.

Professor John McKendrick has been appointed as the new Commissioner for Fair Access to Higher Education in Scotland.

Currently Professor of Social Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, he will work across Scotland’s education system to champion increased representation at university for students from the country’s most deprived areas.

Prof McKendrick succeeds Prof Sir Peter Scott who stepped down as Scotland’s inaugural Commissioner for Fair Access last year after six years in the role.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that students from the 20% most deprived communities will represent 20% of entrants to Scottish universities by 2030, and steady progress has been made towards this in recent years.

Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment & Training Jamie Hepburn said:

“I would like to thank Peter Scott for his tireless hard work and effort during his time as Commissioner. I have no doubt that Prof McKendrick will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, alongside a strong passion for widening access to higher education.

“More students from our most deprived areas are attending university than ever before – we have already exceeded the first interim target to have 16% of all entrants to Scottish universities from the 20% most deprived areas.

“This progress is extremely encouraging, but we know we have more to do. Prof McKendrick’s appointment provides an excellent opportunity to continue to drive progress on fairer access to higher education for all at such a pivotal juncture.”

Prof McKendrick said:

“It is a great honour to be appointed Commissioner for Fair Access and I relish the opportunity of working with those committed to tackling inequalities in access.

“Progress has been made toward meeting the ambitious 2030 target to widen access, but the world in which we live has changed. The Covid pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis have intensified the problems for those already facing most disadvantage.

“We now need to upscale our efforts to widen access in Higher Education, if Scotland is to prosper as a high-skill economy, and to do so as an inclusive society.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 3 January 2023.

First-time buyers and others on low to medium incomes are being encouraged to take advantage of the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme to help buy a home in 2023.

The scheme allows people to buy a home without having to fund its entire cost and is available across Scotland to these people who face particular barriers to the housing market:

• people aged 60 and over
• first time buyers
• social renters (people who rent from the council or a housing association)
• disabled people
• members of the armed forces
• veterans who have left the armed forces within the past two years
• widows, widowers and other bereaved partners of service personnel for up to two years after their partner has lost their life while serving

Housing Secretary Shona Robison said:

“We recognise the challenges people are facing in this cost of living crisis and we want to help as many people as possible to buy an affordable home this new year.

“This scheme puts applicants on a more level playing field with other buyers when purchasing an affordable home. Buyers can purchase a share of a property while holding the full title, with the Scottish Government funding the remaining share under a shared equity agreement.

“Scotland continues to be a great place to buy a first home and has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK. We have now delivered almost 113,000 affordable homes since 2007, over 79,000 of which were for social rent.

“If you’re from one of the priority groups and would like to own a home, I’d encourage you to consider the Open Market Shared Equity scheme.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 2 January 2023.

Scotland’s ambition to become Europe’s leading space nation by 2030 is being given a boost under the guidance of a group of global experts from the space industry.

The Scotland International Space Advisory Committee (SISAC) consists of members of the Scottish Government’s GlobalScot programme – a network of Scots in business around the world – who have come together voluntarily to provide advice and identify opportunities to achieve a £4 billion share of the global space market and 20,000 jobs in the sector over the next seven years.

Scotland is making huge advances in the space sector, with the first orbital launch from Scottish soil due in 2023. Both SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland and Space Hub Sutherland – working alongside Scottish-based launch manufacturers – are months away from lift off. Space Hub Sutherland will host launches by owners Orbex from next year. SaxaVord Spaceport will offer a multi-pad, multi-user, launch facility with multiple launch partners, including Scottish-based Skyrora which has developed its own eco-friendly fuel, Ecosene, made of waste plastics.

As well as its launch capabilities, Scotland is also world leading in small satellite manufacturing, with Glasgow building more satellites than any other place in Europe. Expertise in data gathering and analysis makes Scotland the data driven capital of Europe, hosting the largest centre for informatics and having more than 170 data sciences companies. And our world class research institutions have been demonstrated, as Scottish skills and innovation played an important role in the development of the instruments on board the James Webb Space Telescope.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said:

“Space brings great opportunity for Scotland in terms of the economic development it delivers, its relevance for the climate change agenda and the power it has to inspire the next generation. That is why the Scottish Government has identified it as a priority in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation

“The space sector is a key opportunity for the future, and we will continue to build on our strengths. The expertise and insight offered by the members of SISAC will be hugely beneficial to our progress.

“I am grateful to the members of this new committee for volunteering to come together to help Scotland live up to its full potential in growing the space sector.”

Chair of SISAC Joanna Peters said:

“It is the intent of the SISAC to help fuel and ignite a national passion toward a space-based economy by capitalising on its strong heritage of exploration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

“Working with the GlobalScot organisation and our network of national and international leaders, we aim to develop strategic recommendations, building upon precise and transparent advocacy, influence, consultation, and development.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 31 December 2022.

The people of Scotland must be given a choice about their future given the damage inflicted by Brexit, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has said.

Marking two years since the end of the transition period to leave the European Union after 47 years of membership, Mr Robertson highlighted the negative impacts Brexit continues to have on Scotland’s economy.

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said:

“The damages caused by Brexit just continue to mount. In the two years since the end of the transition period, we have seen no advantages to leaving the European Union. The cost of living crisis and recession are being felt more deeply in the UK than anywhere else, with recent research showing food bills in the UK are £210 higher in the last two years due to Brexit. Households on the lowest incomes are the hardest hit.

“The UK economy is fundamentally on the wrong path and there is no real alternative on offer within the current system. The Scottish Government is committed to giving the people of Scotland a choice about the future they want – a greener, wealthier and fairer economy within the European Union, or a sluggish, stagnating economy outside of the European Union. We will continue to publish the Building a New Scotland series of prospectus papers to ensure people can make that informed choice.

“According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, UK GDP is expected to be 4% lower as a consequence of Brexit – this equates to around £100 billion in output and £40 billion in public revenues lost each and every year. Businesses are suffering from lower exports to the EU, labour shortages and recruitment challenges. These issues are also affecting our NHS, with new research by the Nuffield Trust showing that lower EU migration is exacerbating staff shortages.

“Scotland is and always has been a proud European nation and we’re determined to continue to be an active and constructive participant on EU matters, which will ease the process of Scotland’s future return to the EU. This is in stark contrast to the approach being taken by the UK Government, intent on undermining retained EU law which will be hugely damaging to people and businesses in Scotland.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 30 December 2022.

The introduction of Adult Disability Payment, further automation and the increase and extension of Scottish Child Payment has seen more people apply for and get financial support they are entitled to.

Thousands of people have also had their benefit awards transferred to Social Security Scotland from the Department of Work and Pensions.

In March, Adult Disability Payment, which replaces the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment and is the most complex benefit to be introduced so far, was launched as a pilot project before being made available to eligible disabled adults aged 16 to state pension age in Scotland at the end of August.

In November, Scottish Child Payment increased to £25 and was extended to include eligible children up to age 16 and around 385,000 children are now expected to be eligible.

At the same time, Social Security Scotland introduced further automation. Families and carers who already get Scottish Child Payment will now automatically be paid Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age payments when their child is eligible.

Automatic payments continued for around 90,000 carers eligible for the December payment of Carers Allowance Supplement, as well as around 23,000 disabled children and young people who received Child Winter Heating Assistance to help heat their homes.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said:

“There is no doubt that 2022 has been the biggest and most complex year yet for Social Security Scotland. Creating a new social security system at pace has not been a simple task, but the progress made since 2018 has been substantial.

“Introducing Adult Disability Payment to replace the DWP’s Personal Independence Payment was a significant milestone in the growth of the Scottish social security system and marked a step change, delivering an improved experience for disabled people that is compassionate and rooted in trust.

“With many people facing financial hardship during the ongoing cost of living crisis, extending the Scottish Child Payment to under 16 year olds means that now hundreds of thousands more children will get much needed extra financial support.

“Investing in social security is a priority for the Scottish Government. Our commitment in the 2023-24 Budget to uprate benefits by 10.1% will mean more support going to people on low-incomes, disabled people, carers and young people right across Scotland at a time when many are facing tough financial challenges.

“Though there is still much work to do, we are creating a system to be proud of  and building strong foundations to serve Scotland for generations to come, treating people with dignity, fairness and respect. Social security is a human right and an investment in creating a fairer society, together.”

Dad Martin, whose daughter has learning difficulties, says receiving benefits helped his daughter flourish.

He said: “I went on the website and applied for Child Disability Payment. When I got accepted I went from having nothing at the end of the month to having £97 left. This enabled me to do so many things with my daughter and because of that she has flourished.”

Another young woman who received the Young Carer’s Grant this year, said: “It had a positive impact because I needed new clothes so I spent about £100 on clothes and then I shared the rest of the grant with my brother and sister.”

A mum who received School Age Payment for their child said: “I applied for this grant for my child when she started primary one. It was a great help to us to cover the costs of school uniforms and accessories required for school. I would urge all parents to apply for this grant.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 30 December 2022.

Scotland is missing out on more than £300 million in European support under the UK Government’s replacement funding programme.

As the first payments are made to local authorities through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said Scotland is suffering from a 60% shortfall in financial help.

The UK Government promised its UK Shared Prosperity Fund would replace in full all EU funding lost to Scotland after Brexit. But it has only allocated £212 million to Scotland over a three-year period, when EU funding would have been worth around £549 million over three years – a shortfall of £337 million.

The new fund is distributed exclusively through local authorities, excluding national, community and Third Sector groups, risking the loss of the services which these organisations provided. The UK Government has also taken sole responsibility for use of the funds; previously the Scottish Government allocated EU funding to ensure the needs of Scotland’s people and communities were properly met.

Mr Lochhead said:

“EU structural funds have made a real difference across the country, helping more people into work and delivering new skills through better training and support. This welcome contribution from the EU has been eradicated by Brexit and the UK Government’s replacement for EU funding has fallen far short in both the quality and quantity of what is required.

“The UK Government has ignored the devolution settlement and failed to recognise the authority of the Scottish Government in devolved areas. This replacement for EU funding ought to be fully devolved, allowing funding to flow to regions and communities in line with shared Scottish policies, designed to best serve Scottish needs.

“Shared Prosperity has also left local authorities racing against the clock to spend their funding by March, or face losing it and see their plans reduced to tatters due to the UK Government’s delay in only now agreeing the allocations.

“The approach taken thus far by the UK Government is against the principles of partnership working and risks diluting Scottish Government efforts to transform the economy and support families and sustainable public services during this cost of living crisis.”

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 28 December 2022.

Scottish households have saved more than £3 billion in council tax since the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme was introduced almost ten years ago.

The latest figures published by the Scottish Government show 456,790 recipients received CTR in October 2022, meaning around one-in-five households were benefiting from the scheme.

People on low incomes are eligible for CTR if they live in Scotland – there is no equivalent benefit in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.

People who receive CTR save on average £750 a year and become eligible for up to 35% off their water and waste charges.

Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said:

“The Council Tax Reduction scheme celebrates its tenth anniversary in April 2023 and these latest figures show the scale of support it has provided to people in Scotland over the last decade.

“The cost of living crisis is disproportionately affecting poorer households and now, more than ever, it is important everyone is aware of the help that is available.

“Some people are also eligible for other council tax discounts or sometimes full exemptions, including students, people with disabilities and carers amongst others.

“I urge people to check their eligibility for council tax reduction and other financial support by visiting our online resources or by contacting their local council.”