Scotland is to become the first country in the world to protect in law the right to access free period products. Councils and education providers will be legally required to make period products available free of charge to anyone who needs them when the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act comes into force tomorrow (Monday 15 August).
New NHS figures released on 11 August 2022 show that there were 6.73 million people waiting for NHS treatment in June 2022, an increase of 120,000 compared to May 2022. The NHS has successfully reduced the number waiting more than two years by 52% in a single month, and there are now fewer than 4,000 people in this group.
The National Care Service Scotland Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament will allow Scottish Ministers to transfer adult and children's social care services from councils to a new, national service. The aim of this is to provide more consistent (as well as higher-quality) social care services across Scotland - although, at a local level, the plan is for services to be delivered by new ‘Care Boards', rather than a single national agency.
The week's economic news has again been dominated by the implications of inflation, and in particular of huge increases in household energy bills. Projections for the energy price cap have again been revised up.
The Scottish Government is investing in a sustainable future for young people, with easier access to work, education, social and leisure opportunities through free bus travel. Expected to benefit just under a million children and young people, this generation of young people will be able to make travel choices that benefit them, their pocket and the planet! Leading the way to a brighter future.
Key defence sites in western Scotland were visited by UK Defence Procurement Minister, Jeremy Quin, to meet personnel and tour the facilities. Minister visits test, evaluation and training sites in Applecross and the Hebrides.
The number of people with long COVID (defined as reporting symptoms more than four weeks after infection) has been on the rise. The latest ONS figures showing that there were almost 2 million people with the condition as of May 2022, around double the number a year before.
A healthy, wealthy and inclusive society starts with a happy employee, writes Rachel Hunter, HIE's director of service delivery There's no doubt that people do a better job when they're happy in their work. They're more committed, more productive, and more innovative.
The Scottish Government will legislate to ensure developers provide electric vehicle (EV) charge points in the construction of new residential and non-residential buildings. The policy proposals have been published as part of a summary of responses to the consultation titled ‘Scottish Building Regulations: Proposed Changes to Energy Standards Including Ventilation, overheating and Electric Vehicle Charging Provision consultation.
Scotland's Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce has published its pathway to a zero-carbon bus sector, with the Scottish Government launching a new £500,000 scheme to support its delivery. The scheme will focus on supporting smaller operators and local authorities - including community and school transport providers.
The Scottish Government is providing £28 million across the next four years to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of heavy duty zero emission vehicles. The Zero Emission Mobility Innovation Fund is delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and links to other national funding programmes for manufacturing and supports Scotland's Mission Zero for transport.
The Pearson blog publishes items from several contributors. This one is by [John Sloman and is a very clear explanation of the problems faced by the economy.
A series of archive photos have been released to mark the 40th anniversary of the Kessock Bridge. The iconic crossing over the Beauly Firth was formally opened by the Queen Mother on Friday 6th August 1982.
Richard Murphy sets out the serious problems we will all face as the government sits on its hands until the leadership contest is over. ------------------------------ The Tory leadership campaign grinds on.
Guidance has been published so that local authorities can exercise their discretionary power to implement Workplace Parking Licensing (WPL) schemes. WPL would see employers pay an annual levy to the council for parking spaces they provide for employees, with revenue raised supporting the objectives set out in their local transport strategy.
The Transport Minister has written to the UK Government to highlight the negative impact of Brexit on the performance and safety of lifeline aviation services on the west coast of Scotland. The Scottish Government supports flights to and from Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra, but reliability on these vital routes has deteriorated over the past year following the UK Government's withdrawal from the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS).
Winged hooligans bring misery to the heroes who empty our bins A new front has opened in the war between mankind and vicious flying fury - the seagulls are after our refuse collectors, and they're bigger and angrier than before. Refuse collectors all over the country say that the avian criminals are bolder than ever in their attempts to get their beaks into tasty rubbish, to the point that they'll physically attack any poor human that stands in their way.
Cardiff tops the Royal Bank Student Living Index as most affordable Average student incomes have increased by 65% compared to 2021. Outgoing costs for students are 29% higher than last year Edinburgh is the only UK city where student spend outweighs their income.
Total imports of goods, excluding precious metals, decreased by £0.6 billion (1.1%) in June 2022 because of a £1.1 billion (4.1%) fall in imports from EU countries, while imports from non-EU countries increased by £0.6 billion (2.1%). Total exports of goods, excluding precious metals, fell by £2.7 billion (8.0%) in June 2022, driven by a £2.0 billion (11.9%) decrease in exports to non-EU countries, while exports to EU countries decreased by £0.7 billion (3.9%).
High electricity using businesses like steel and paper mills could see further relief under new proposals to help subsidise their electricity costs. Consultation launched into support scheme for energy intensive industries including steel, paper, glass, ceramics, and cement targeted proposals could mean energy intensive industries receive even more relief on their electricity bills.
