Scottish Government

People and businesses need urgent UK Government support to mitigate the rising cost of living, finance secretary Kate Forbes has said. In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak ahead of the Spring Statement, Ms Forbes called on UK Ministers to match the 6% uprate on social security

Disabled people with the most serious lifelong health conditions will have more financial security under Scotland’s social security system, social security minister Ben Macpherson said this week as a new benefit is set to end fixed-term reviews for people with lifelong conditions. The Adult Di

Six Scottish social security benefits will be increased by 6% from April 1. Social security minister Ben Macpherson has announced the rise in support for low income households and carers in light of the increasing cost of living pressures.

A new framework to shape Scotland’s health and social care workforce over the next decade places training, wellbeing, job satisfaction and the principles of Fair Work at its heart has been outlined by the Scottish Government.  The National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care in

Support is being expanded to improve the energy efficiency of homes and tackle energy costs in Scotland.  In response to the cost of living crisis, three key Scottish Government energy efficiency and heat programmes will be boosted from April.

Older people are being asked how health and social services should change to help make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old. While the NHS is remobilised and plans for a National Care Service are being finalised, a consultation has been launched on what is currently working well and what

A new partnership approach launched by the Scottish Government will be embedded across the education and skills system to ensure employers and government are working together to deliver training opportunities for the new green jobs of the future. Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformat

Views are being sought on plans to improve support for Scotland’s community of unpaid carers through the introduction of a new benefit. Under Scottish Government proposals, Scottish Carer’s Assistance will replace Carer’s Allowance, currently delivered by the Department of Work and

Over 658,000 Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments have been made to 126,055 carers since this additional payment, unique in the UK, was introduced in September 2018. In total, £188 million has been paid to carers since launch and just under 82,000 eligible carers received a payment in D

Eligible parents are being urged to apply for Scottish Child Payment on the first anniversary of its roll-out. The payment of £10 per week, unique to Scotland, began in February 2021 as a direct measure to tackle poverty. It provides regular, additional financial support to parents and carers

Changes to help improve the planning application process and the service received by applicants have been announced by planning minister Tom Arthur. Following a consultation in 2019 that sought views on reviewing the planning performance and fee regime, planning fees will rise from 1 April 2022.

More than 400 charities, organisations and advisers have signed up to refer Scots struggling with their energy bills to a £4 million support fund.

Responses to a consultation on the National Care Service show ‘huge enthusiasm’ for changing the way support and services are delivered for people who use community health and social care in Scotland. Almost 1,300 responses were received from a wide range of individuals and organisations

An amendment will be brought forward during Stage 2 of the Scottish Government's Budget Bill to allocate an additional £120 million to local authorities. The funding represents the equivalent of a 4% Council Tax rise.

The Scottish Government, SP Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution have launched a trial called Project Re-Heat to decarbonise homes in Highland and across Scotland. The industry-first project will trial how electricity networks can respond to the increase