News Archive

Council Tax Reduction Supports Over 450,000 Households

Scotland's Chief Statistician today released the latest annual Council Tax Reduction statistics.  In March 2024, Scotland’s Council Tax Reduction scheme supported 461,550 households (an increase of 1.6 per cent from 454,350 in March 2023) and the total weekly income forgone by local authorities was £7.543 million (an increase of 2.4 per cent from £7.364 million in March 2023).  

NHS Waiting Times - Stage Of Treatment - Not A Pretty Picture

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) relates to the length of time patients wait to be seen as a new outpatient or admitted for treatment as an inpatient or day case.  The latest statistics represent all patients covered by the national standards for these stages of treatment.  

Without Reform, The Two-child Limit Will Affect 670,000 Additional Children By The End Of The Next Parliament

The ‘two-child limit' policy caps at two the number of children low-income families can claim additional universal credit for.   The ‘two-child limit' policy caps at two the number of children low-income families can claim additional universal credit for (worth £3,455 per year per child).  

Local Feedback Sought For The Highland Local Living Tool

Communities and businesses are being called on to help inform an interactive tool which assesses how well Highland places meet the principles of local living.   ‘Local living' aims to provide people the ability to meet the majority of their daily needs within a reasonable distance to their home.  

Record Residential Rehabilitation Placements - More Than 900 Placements Approved

A total of 938 residential rehabilitation placements were approved between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 to support people to attain an alcohol or drug-free lifestyle.   The Scottish Government is making £100 million available over this parliamentary term to increase access to residential rehabilitation for problematic drug or alcohol use.  

There Is No Black Hole In Government Funding

Politicians might talk endlessly about black holes in government funding but in reality there can never be any such thing.  All that actually exists are choices about how the government might fund its spending - some of which options those same politicians are refusing to consider, at cost to us all.  

Scottish Labour Manifesto Published

Scottish Labour's vision for the country in five years is one that is free of the restrictions placed on us by Covid-19, where the looming social and economic crisis has been dealt with successfully through government and civic action, and where we have strengthened our NHS to prepare it for the future.   To achieve this vision, we believe our country must be focused on recovery for the next five years.  

School Leaver Follow-up Destinations

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published ‘Summary statistics for follow-up leaver destinations’ for 2022-23 school leavers.  These cover the destinations of school leavers nine months after the end of the school year.  

Trust And Confidence In Britain's System Of Government At Record Low

Findings from the latest British Social Attitudes (BSA) report, from the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).   The 41st British Social Attitudes (BSA) report, published on 12 June 2024 by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), reveals that the public is as critical now of how Britain is governed as they have ever been.  

Savings are dead money

Savings do not create economic wealth.  They have a use in terms of financial security, but they rarely create useful economic activity.