Scottish Government

Almost 6,000 people received a Funeral Support Payment from the Scottish Government in its first full year, according to new statistics. Since it started making payments last September, Social Security Scotland has paid out £8.7 million to people who have lost a loved one.

More than 23,000 iPads and Chromebooks are being distributed among digitally excluded low-income families and care leavers in Scotland, as part of the latest phase of the £43 million Connecting Scotland programme. As well as a new device, recipients also receive mobile data and help to use the

The Highland Council is inviting communities to come forward with expressions of interest for projects that, if successful, could receive a share of funding aimed at supporting coastal communities throughout Highland. The Highland Coastal Communities Fund has been set up by the council following an

The Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) has officially opened for business today with a mission to focus on supporting Scotland’s transition to net zero; extending equality of opportunity through improving places, and harnessing innovation to enable Scotland to flourish. Being capitalised

The Scottish Government has announced a £35 million five-year programme which will make it easier for planners to work together and for members of the public to get involved in creating and shaping their places. The new data and technology system, to begin development in early 2021, will provi

Finance secretary Kate Forbes has called on the UK Government to prioritise public services and economic recovery through a fresh fiscal stimulus package of £98 billion, ahead of the Spending Review on Wednesday. This support, which is at least 5% of GDP, would be on par with the economic reco

A five-year programme to fund affordable housing projects in rural and island communities is being extended, housing minister Kevin Stewart has told Parliament. The Rural and Islands Housing Funds, worth up to £30 million, were launched in 2016 and will now run beyond March next year.

West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking comments from the Scottish Government on a plan to introduce enhanced fire safety measures across the area’s high rise buildings. The proposed programme of further enhancements, including upgrades to window panels in 11 blocks, as well as installation of

The Scottish Housing Regulator is consulting on indicators to allow it to monitor and report on social landlords’ progress towards the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard in Social Housing 2 (EESSH2). Last year the Scottish Government confirmed that the second EESSH mileston

New homes will be built in the Highlands in an attempt to entice workers to salmon farms due to a shortage of affordable housing throughout the region.

The next Scottish Government should invest at least £1.3 billion over the next Parliament in making Scotland’s homes highly energy-efficient and zero carbon emissions from heat, according to the Existing Homes Alliance Scotland. Launching its Manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliame

A plan outlining steps to prepare and support Scotland’s social care sector through the winter has been published by the Scottish Government. The Adult Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan, backed by an additional £112 million in funding, will support social care users in residential, co

A Holyrood committee has called on the Scottish Government to set out how it intends to address the disproportionately negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on protected groups, such as women and young people as well as disabled people and black and minority ethnic communities, in its post-COV

People challenging disability benefit decisions will be able to claim a new Short Term Assistance payment under Scotland’s new social security system. Short Term Assistance will mean people continue to receive the amount of money they were getting before the decision was made to lower or stop

Members of the Highland Council approved its response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the proposals for short-term lets in Scotland. The council's response was submitted by the October 16 deadline following consultation with the chairs of the tourism and licensing committees.