A total of £84 million has been paid to families since it was introduced less than 18 months ago. The payment of £20 per week, unique to Scotland in the UK, began in February 2021 as a direct measure to tackle child poverty. It provides regular, additional financial support to parents an
Scottish Government
Immediate funding is being awarded to key energy advice organisations to make sure energy customers can access crucial support and advice to deal with rising energy bills and heating costs. More than £1.2 million will be distributed to help key agencies, including Advice Direct Scotland, Home
The Scottish Government has announced that thousands of businesses can now apply for up to £15,000 to help retrain and upskill their workforce. The Flexible Workforce Development Fund provides workers in organisations of all sizes with access to training courses through local colleges, the Ope
New figures show Scotland’s public finances are recovering from the coronavirus pandemic faster than the UK as a whole. The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2021-22 statistics show Scotland’s deficit fell by 10.3%– compared to a drop of 8.4% for the UK.
The Scottish Government has announced that its proposal for a £5 million Islands Bond will not go ahead following responses to a consultation. Announced last year, the proposed bond sought to address depopulation, lack of housing, and economic opportunities. The bond would have provided £
The Scottish Government has announced £16.2 million in funding for five zero-emission heat networks that will cut carbon emissions in homes and commercial properties. Made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and zero carbon buildings minister Patrick Harvie during a visit to ng homes i
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will convene an urgent summit with energy supply companies and consumer groups later this month to discuss how advice and support for people struggling with energy bills can be improved. The summit will consider what collective action can be taken by government, energy
Nicola Sturgeon has sought an emergency meeting of the Prime Minister and heads of the devolved Government Council to agree steps to help people in need as a result of the cost of living crisis. In a letter to the Prime Minister urging the suggested September meeting be brought forward due to a &ldq
Planning permission will be required for Edinburgh’s short-term let conversions, the Scottish Government has announced.
People in Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen, Fife, Moray, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, and South Ayrshire are now able to apply for Adult Disability Payment. This means Adult Disability Payment is now available in 13 council areas ahead of opening nationwide on 29 August. It is the twelfth and most
Finance minister Kate Forbes has joined her counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland to call for further action to help households and businesses ahead of another increase in energy prices. In a joint letter to the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, Ministers say the focus should be on
Family benefits, free school meals and concessionary travel are part of £3 billion of support helping households in Scotland to mitigate the increased cost of living. Funding for 2022-23 includes £294.4m for Scottish Child Payment and other family benefits, including Best Start Grants, B
The Scottish Government has announced a three-month pause on new visa applications for displaced Ukrainians to come to Scotland from Wednesday morning. In addition to the pause, the Scottish Government has also chartered a passenger vessel, the M/S Victoria, which will be docked in Leith to pro
Angus Council is putting £100,000 towards fighting food poverty in the local area. The money is a slice of the £1.672 million provided to Angus via the Scottish Government’s £80mLocal Authority Covid Economic Recovery fund, which is designed to provide targeted support for bu
The public is being asked for their opinions on how the country’s energy sector can reach its net zero targets in a way that will benefit the people of Scotland. Over the coming months, people will be encouraged to voice their thoughts about the upcoming draft Energy Strategy and Just Transiti