Cosla

Scottish local government unions have suspended preparations for industrial action ballots of their memberships ahead of talks next week but have warned that COSLA must “make good” on an improved local government pay offer to avoid strikes. GMB Scotland, the union for local governme

Eligible families can apply for a Scottish Government grant of at least £120 to help with the cost of school uniforms. The Scottish Government and local authority leaders have reached an agreement to increase the national school clothing grant to a minimum of £120 per eligible primary sc

Private and social landlords have signed new joint statements reaffirming their commitment to only take eviction action as a last resort. The statements have been agreed by the Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA), the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWS

A new investment programme to help deliver Scotland’s just transition to a net zero emissions economy has been launched. The Green Growth Accelerator will speed up delivery of low carbon infrastructure projects across Scotland and provide extra resources and technical support to local authorit

Local authorities can now apply to a new £20 million fund launched by the Scottish Government which will help to provide more and better accommodation for Gypsy/Traveller communities. This funding will help to build experience and skills in Gypsy/Traveller site development by focusing on demon

Nicola Sturgeon has committed to building 100,000 new homes in the next decade while also promising to support 14,000 jobs a year as part of Scotland’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic should the SNP be re-elected. Under the SNP, almost 100,000 homes have been built in Scotland since 200

A commitment to ensure adult social care workers receive at least the Real Living Wage of £9.50 an hour has been agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA. Funding of £64.5 million will be committed to ensure adult social care workers will be paid at least the Real Living Wag

The Scottish public will have a greater say in how major decisions around health and social care services are delivered in Scotland. New guidance issued by the Scottish Government will ensure NHS Boards, Integration Joint Boards and local authorities uphold their legal duty to consult and engage wit

An ambition to achieve ”world leading" levels of digital inclusion is at the heart of plans to equip Scotland for the technological transformation of the post-coronavirus world. The updated Digital Strategy, developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA in consultation with business and the t

Covid-19 will drive large rises in costs and spending combined with falling income for Scotland's local authorities, according to an overview of local government finances published today by the Accounts Commission. Despite an increase of funding received by councils of £500 million in 2019/20,

Communities across Scotland will face unavoidable and damaging consequences if local government does not receive a fair funding settlement in this year’s budget, COSLA has warned. COSLA said that the trend of recent settlements for local government needs to change because on top of existing pr

Housing minister Kevin Stewart has called on social landlords to remain vigilant in their quest to keep their staff and tenants safe during the ever-changing landscape of coronavirus protection procedures. In a joint letter to RSLs with COSLA community wellbeing spokesperson Councillor Kelly Pa

The Scottish Government and COSLA have issued a joint letter to RSL CEOs on service delivery following the introduction of a new five-level system of measures to help tackle the spread of COVID-19.

A guide for Scotland’s 32 local authorities has been published today summarising more than 100 recommendations from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) after it was reconvened by the Scottish Government in response to the pandemic. The guide has been developed by Crisis a

Night shelters across Scotland will be replaced with rapid rehousing welcome centres for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough this winter, in the Scottish Government's updated plans for tackling homelessness. The centres will provide emergency accommodation for people who have no other optio