SNP SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT DELIVER BOOST TO VOLUNTARY SECTOR

PVG WAIVER FOR VOLUNTEERS TO CONTINUE

The SNP Scottish Government has announced a significant boost for Scotland’s voluntary sector by continuing to provide free Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership to volunteers. This decision, which follows a public consultation, underscores the invaluable role of volunteers in supporting communities across Scotland.

Volunteers contribute immensely through roles in care, health, sports, community work, and children’s recreational activities. The continuation of the PVG fee waiver recognises their efforts and ensures that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from stepping forward to volunteer. The PVG scheme also provides vital assurance to employers and the public, confirming that volunteers are suitable to work safely with children and protected adults.

This announcement comes as Scotland’s voluntary sector faces increasing financial challenges, including a £75 million rise in costs due to the UK Labour Government’s hike in National Insurance Contributions—a move that has been strongly criticised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Commenting on the announcement, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don-Innes, said:

“Volunteers play a crucial role across the constituency and beyond, providing essential services in care, sports, and children’s activities while addressing broader issues like social isolation and loneliness. Their contributions are the backbone of many communities, helping to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.

“By extending the PVG check waiver for volunteers and freezing associated fees, the SNP Scottish Government is standing firmly behind Scotland’s voluntary sector at a time when support is needed most. In the face of soaring costs driven by Labour’s decision to increase National Insurance Contributions, I am sure that this measure will be a welcome relief for volunteers and organisations alike.”

SCOTLAND’S EMPLOYMENT GROWTH CONTINUES TO OUTPACE THE REST OF THE UK

UNEMPLOYMENT FALLING UNDER SNP GOVERNMENT

The SNP has welcomed new figures from the ONS which show that Scotland's unemployment rate fell by 0.2% to a total of 3.8% between September and November 2024 – while the UK’s overall unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in the same period.

Scotland’s growth in employment drastically outpaced the UK's in the same period - with the number of people employed in Scotland growing by 1%, while the UK shrank by -0.1%.

The SNP Government has prioritised building Scottish enterprise through initiatives like the Small Business Bonus Scheme, which enables small and medium-sized businesses to provide employment opportunities across Scotland.
Combined with a faster GDP growth rate and productivity increasing at twice the UK rate, Scotland’s economy is outperforming the UK.

Natalie Don-Innes, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, commented:

“The latest ONS figures highlight the positive impact of measures introduced by the SNP Government, such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme, in creating well-paid jobs in Renfrewshire and across Scotland. These actions are driving down unemployment and boosting local economies.

“In stark contrast, the UK Labour Government's recent decisions, like the increase in National Insurance Contributions, are projected to harm employment rates and suppress wage growth. For example, Sainsbury's, the UK's second-largest supermarket, announced today that it will cut 3,000 jobs due to rising costs linked to the Labour government’s tax hikes on employers in the October Budget.

“Scotland has all the strengths required to drive prosperity, including abundant natural resources, a highly skilled workforce, innovative businesses, and world-renowned universities. With faster GDP growth and productivity increasing at twice the UK rate, Scotland’s economy is outperforming the UK.

“However, the SNP’s vision for Scotland goes beyond these successes. Achieving independence is the most effective way to grow the economy, improve lives, and strengthen public services.”

CIRCULAR ECONOMY BILL PASSED

New powers to increase reuse and recycling rates.

Legislation giving Ministers and local authorities the tools needed to increase reuse and recycling rates, as well as modernise and improve waste and recycling services, has been passed.

The Circular Economy Bill will give Ministers the powers to:

-              Set local recycling targets, building on the experience of Wales, which has the best recycling rate in the UK.

-              Set statutory targets for delivery of a circular economy to measure progress in transforming the economy.

-              Restrict the disposal of unsold consumer goods, to prevent good products ending up in landfill.

-              Place charges on single-use items like disposable cups to encourage the move to reusable alternatives.

-              Give local authorities additional enforcement powers, allowing them to crack down on fly tipping and littering from cars.

The measures will be underpinned by support and investment, building on the investments already made through the £70 million Recycling Improvement Fund.

Circular Economy Bill Passed

Legislation giving Ministers and local authorities the tools needed to increase reuse and recycling rates, as well as modernise and improve waste and recycling services, has been passed.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“There are huge opportunities in having an economy which makes reuse and recycling the default choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.

“We have already seen businesses creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into valuable new products and services.

“The measures in the Circular Economy Bill will give local Councils, like Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, and the Scottish Government the powers needed to support the sustainable use of resources and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

“For people to do the right thing for the planet and tackle the climate emergency, it is crucial that everyone experiences a modern, easy to use waste service.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities and householders to co-design how these powers are implemented to take account of different circumstances and needs on our journey towards a truly circular economy.”

NEARLY £50 BILLION INVESTED IN SNP SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PRIOIRTIES

Funding to support the NHS, reduce carbon emissions and help tackle poverty.

Almost £50 billion was spent by the Scottish Government last year on public services to help tackle child poverty, reduce carbon emissions, support the NHS and secure pay deals, according to newly published official figures.

The Provisional Outturn, which compares actual spending with the funding commitments set out in the Budget, shows that the Scottish Government spent £49.3 billion in the 2023-24 financial year. There was £292 million remaining – representing 0.6% of the Scottish Government’s total budget – all of which has been carried over through the Scotland Reserve to be directed towards priority areas in 2024-25.

In 2023-24 the Scottish Government:

-              Spent nearly £5.2 billion on social security benefits. This includes £429 million on Scottish Child Payment, alongside funding to introduce Carer Support Payment in pilot areas, ahead of full roll-out in 2024, and to widen eligibility for Best Start Foods.

-              Invested more than £19 billion in health and social care, supporting recovery and reform to secure sustainable public services, while delivering a pay uplift for NHS staff.

-              Provided nearly £220 million to the Heat in Buildings Programme to help deliver greener and more energy efficient homes.

-              Continued providing Just Transition Fund grant funding, including £16.8 million for projects in the North-east and Moray regions, in addition to £3 million to help vulnerable global communities address loss and damage brought on by climate change.

-              Invested almost £422 million on bus services and concessionary fares, providing up to 2.3 million people in Scotland with access to free bus travel.

Nearly £50billion invested in SNP Scottish Government Priorities.

This funding was spent on public services to help tackle child poverty, reduce carbon emissions and to support the Scottish NHS.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“These figures show once again how the SNP Scottish Government is prudently and competently managing the public finances while delivering funding for the things that matter to people across Renfrewshire and the rest of Scotland, not least the NHS and action to tackle child poverty.

“The last year has been extremely challenging for the SNP Scottish Government, with the continued impact of persistently high inflation, pressure on public sector pay, backlogs as a result of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine combined to place pressure on the public finances. However, the Scottish Government has continued to consistently balanced its budgets whilst investing in public services and supporting people through the cost of living crisis.”

FOOTBALL ACTIVITY CLUB FUNDING DOUBLES TO £4 MILLION

Support to help families on low incomes with childcare.

Football clubs and trusts across Scotland, including St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation in Paisley, will receive additional funding to boost efforts to eradicate child poverty.

The Scottish Government will double its investment in the Extra Time Programme, a joint initiative with the Scottish Football Association, from £2 million to £4 million for this financial year. The funding will support more free before and after school clubs, and holiday clubs for children from families on low incomes.

By giving around a projected 3,000 children each week free access to sport and other activities which wrap around the school day, the funding will help more parents to enter or sustain employment or training. 

St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation in Paisley are one of the clubs delivering this programme, with their funding from the Scottish Government now increasing to £151,300.

Football activity club funding doubles!

SNP Scottish Government has doubled funding to £4million.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“This funding from the Extra Time Programme is enabling football clubs and trusts to provide really valuable childcare options, particularly for families from low-income households who are most at risk of living in poverty.

“This Programme is a reminder that local football clubs are supporting communities here at home – providing valuable services beyond matchday. They understand the value of that support for local families, and they are well placed to provide crucial facilities and services.

“I am delighted that this further funding will enable St Mirren FC Charitable Trust to provide free fun activities to children and young people across the constituency, helping families with childcare costs and relieving pressure on stretched family budgets.

“By removing barriers to affordable and accessible childcare, we will contribute to the Scottish Government’s goal of eradicating child poverty.”

HOME OWNERSHIP SUPPORT SCHEME REOPENS

Help for first-time buyers across the country on low to medium incomes.

A scheme to help first time buyers and certain priority groups step on to the property ladder has reopened for applications.

The Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) scheme is available across Scotland to first-time buyers on low or medium incomes who cannot afford the full price of a home.

Successful applicants will be able to buy a home without having to purchase it in full, usually between 60% and 90% of the property’s value, with the Scottish Government owning the remaining share.

Commenting, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“Taking the first step on to the property ladder can be difficult for some, especially during the cost of living crisis where we have seen inflation and interest rates push house prices up.

“The Scottish Government recognise these barriers and by reopening the OMSE scheme, we are giving help to as many people as possible to own an affordable home by creating a level playing field with other buyers.

“I would encourage anyone in the Renfrewshire North and West constituency who is either a first-time buyer or in one of the priority groups to consider applying through the scheme.”

NEW APPROACHES TO HELP ERADICATE CHILD POVERTY

Up to £500,000 to be shared by local projects.

A fund to trial new ways of combating child poverty has opened for a second round of applications.

The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund (CPAF) will provide up to £80,000 per grant towards local projects that test and evaluate new approaches which target at least one of the three drivers of child poverty reduction: improving income from employment, supporting people with the cost of living, and increasing awareness and uptake of social security benefits.

New approaches to help eradicate child poverty

Eradicating child poverty is a central mission for the SNP Scottish Government.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“Eradicating child poverty is a central mission for the SNP Scottish Government and we must find new and innovative ways to achieve this.

“Measures such as the Scottish Child Payment are estimated to keep 100,000 children in Scotland out of relative poverty this year, but we are determined to go further. The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund will support projects in Renfrewshire and beyond that target the root causes of child poverty and create lasting change in our communities.

“Local authorities and health boards are already undertaking transformative work to tackle child poverty and this fund will support them to go further and share best practice, to help make child poverty a thing of the past.”

NATALIE DON MSP WELCOMES VITAL FUNDING FOR SCOTLAND’S REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS

Natalie Don MSP for Renfrewshire North and West has welcomed funding from the SNP Scottish Government for Scottish Refugee Council’s Refugee Support Service, which will help refugees and people seeking asylum in Scotland to settle in Renfrewshire.

The £3.6 million funding, which replaces the now ended EU funding for the services, will be used by the SRC to help people access health, housing, welfare and employment support.

This funding from the Scottish Government will also help provide information and resources and to encourage social connections.

The EU funding which previously funded the service ended in 2023.

Commenting, Natalie Don MSP said:

“I welcome this vital funding for the Scottish Refugee Council, which underlines the SNP Scottish Government’s commitment to championing the rights of and supporting some of the world’s most vulnerable groups who are fleeing war and persecution.

“It is essential that we take every step possible to make sure refugees and asylum seekers looking to settle in Scotland have access to all the help they need to rebuild their lives in Renfrewshire. Following the inhumane Rwanda Bill that has recently been passed in Westminster, it is vital that refugees are treated with compassion and dignity throughout.

“Our communities are made all the richer for the asylum seekers and refugees who choose to make Scotland their home, and thanks to this continued investment from the SNP Scottish Government, Scotland will continue to leave its door open to those who need it most.”