Scottish Government

The Highland Council has announced that it will continue working with the tourism industry to co-create a draft Visitor Levy scheme targeting the Highlands.

Up to 2,000 households could receive funding to enter the property ladder through the shared-equity scheme, the First Homes Fund, with applications having now opened. 

Projects supporting people most at risk of social isolation and loneliness have had their funding extended until March 2027. A total of £1.05 million will help 52 organisations provide group and community activities, warm spaces, and opportunities for people to come together for a meal or othe

SNP leader John Swinney has promised that private tenants will be given the right of first refusal when a landlord decides to sell their home, if his party wins the upcoming Scottish elections. Under the proposal, renters would be granted an exclusive period in which to purchase the property at a fa

Scots can now apply for £300 of heating oil support under a new scheme run by Advice Direct Scotland. The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme is aimed at low-income and vulnerable households facing increased oil and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) heating costs.

Social housebuilding is on track to fall far below what is needed to tackle the housing emergency, new data has revealed. Figures from the Scottish Government show the number of affordable homes completed under the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in 2025 dropped by 25% compared to 2024.

Scotland built 17,336 new homes in 2025, with 14,999 new builds started across the social and private sectors, according to the latest official statistics published by the Scottish Government. The figures reveal significant year-on-year falls, with all-sector completions down 13% and starts down 6%

The Attix CIC turbine in Kilbirnie has completed its first full week of operations, becoming Scotland’s first community owned development to operate commercially without long-term government subsidies. Capable of generating over 7,000MWh of clean electricity a year, the equivalent of powering

First minister John Swinney has pledged bold reform of housing in the public sector to ensure the next generation has access to affordable homes to rent or buy. Speaking ahead of a government announcement tomorrow, the first minister said changes are needed if Scotland is to fully grasp the opportun

New legislation has been published by the Scottish Government that will give councils more choice in how they design and apply a visitor levy to raise funds for local tourist services.  While local authorities currently have the power to apply a charge on overnight stays based on a percentage o

Services that support people struggling with debt on their energy bills have been expanded after receiving almost £1 million of additional funding. This will help organisations to provide money and debt advice to customers, increase capacity through additional training for staff, and enhance e

The eco-renovation of affordable homes on the Isle of Eigg is one of 23 community-led projects to benefit from dedicated islands funding in 2025-26. The projects, spanning 22 islands across Argyll and Bute, Highland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, North Ayrshire, Orkney, and Shetland, include four islands

Efforts to tackle homelessness, reduce poverty and support women who have experienced domestic abuse are being bolstered by an additional £1.6 million in funding from the Scottish Government this year.

A number of local groups are celebrating a major financial boost after becoming recipients of North-Ayrshire wide fund. The council’s Communities and Place Fund is set to contribute £397,000 to 24 local groups. The fund is comprised of a £250,000 allocation from the UK Shared Prosp

Prospect Community Housing held a formal opening on Wednesday 8 October to celebrate the completion of its development at Clovenstone Close, Edinburgh. Prospect have been working with the contractor, J Smart and Co (Contractors) PLC over the past seven years to develop this site.