SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PROMOTING EQUALITY IN SCHOOLS

Around 20,000 pupils are expected to benefit from anti-racism and equality projects based in school libraries across Scotland.

A total of 21 schools will be awarded a share of £200,000 from the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).

£19,734 will be shared amongst 10 schools in Glasgow and Renfrewshire towards their Library Young Team initiative.

£23,350 will also be distributed across schools in Inverclyde to teach pupils Black, Asian and minority ethnic history as part of learning on historical links to slavery in Inverclyde

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

“School libraries play a key role in the Scottish Government’s efforts to further boost literacy and continue improving attainment, but they are also places where positive values can be developed and celebrated.

“Projects across the Renfrewshire North and West constituency supported by this funding will help young people to understand the harmful consequences of racism and ensure they feel empowered to challenge discrimination.

“Scotland’s school libraries help accelerate education and learning, ensuring every young person has the chance to fulfil their potential by enabling access to information and creative opportunities. This funding will help ensure that people from all backgrounds feel the full benefits.”

SNP ACTION SEES RECORD LEVELS OF GREEN ENERGY

113% OF SCOTLAND’S ENERGY GENERATED FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES

Scotland is punching well above its weight when it comes to tackling the global climate crisis as new figures from the Scottish Government have revealed that 113% of Scotland’s gross electricity consumption in 2022 was generated from renewable sources.

Representing a 26 percentage point increase from 2021, the SNP has said this shows a significant step towards the Scottish Government’s goal of making Scotland a Net Zero nation.

In contrast, just months ago the UK Tory government sanctioned a series of U-turns on its own climate commitments, which doesn’t only put the UK woefully behind it its own climate targets, but will have a drag effect on Scotland’s journey towards a just transition.

Reports have also suggested that, under Keir Starmer, a Labour UK government would scrap its pledge of £28bn worth of green investment each year – threatening Scotland’s energy security, economic growth and potential for a new skilled workforce.

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

“The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity, and it is important that governments are doing all they can to tackle it.

SNP action sees record levels of Green Energy

These figures show that Scotland has the resources and the ambition to be fully self-sufficient in renewable energy as an independent country.

“I welcome these new statistics which show Scotland is punching well above its weight in delivering on its renewable energy targets. Under the SNP, Scotland is taking the global climate emergency seriously – unlike the talking heads in Westminster.

“Scotland is a renewable energy powerhouse and there is a global energy race to Net Zero - if the UK takes us out of that race the damage will be catastrophic, with far reaching consequences.

“These figures show that Scotland has the resources and the ambition to be fully self-sufficient in renewable energy as an independent country – but this momentum will be wasted under any Tory or Labour UK government, who have both watered down their own climate commitments so much, the time to act is slipping through our fingers.”

NATALIE DON MSP WELCOMES CONTINUING RENT PROTECTION FOR PRIVATE TENANTS

Regulations to protect tenants concerned about rent increases following the ending of the emergency rent cap have been laid in the Scottish Parliament.

From 1 April onwards, subject to parliamentary approval, the process for rent adjudication will temporarily be modified for one year.

This will enable challenges to rent increases on the basis of open market rent, as well as a maximum ‘reasonable’ increase to be defined by reference to a new ‘taper’ that supports a transition away from the cap. The government will also introduce a Housing Bill later this year, which is expected to establish a longer-term rent control system.

Any tenant who wishes to dispute a rent increase notice can apply for rent adjudication. In such cases, Rent Service Scotland or the First-tier Tribunal will set rent based on the lowest of the following three figures:

• the open market rate

• the rent requested by the landlord

• and a comparator based on the difference between the market rate and current rent

Rent Protection for Private Tenants

The Scottish Government is committed to bringing in a long-term system of rent controls and creating new rights for tenants through the forthcoming Housing Bill.

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

“The Scottish Government’s emergency legislation, which capped in-tenancy rent increases and protected tenants across Scotland, led the way in protecting people from the from the worst impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

“As final deadline for these temporary measures approaches, the Scottish Government is continuing to put power into the hands of tenants, reducing rent increases and giving more certainty to those who are struggling.

“From the 1st February, the Scottish Government is proposing temporary changes to the way rents are decided when tenants challenge a rent increase to provide a level of protection for private tenants which remains far greater than anywhere else in the UK. It will also enable landlords to react to an increase in costs and reinvest in our private rented sector.

“This follows the significant progress made by the SNP in government, which has delivered 126,396 affordable homes since 2007 – over 40% more per head of population than in England – while making Scotland the fairest place to rent in the UK after the introduction of Private Residential Tenancies in 2017 with the very limited powers it has.

“At the same time, the Scottish Government is committed to bringing in a long-term system of rent controls and creating new rights for tenants through the forthcoming Housing Bill.

“This stands in stark contrast to Westminster’s antics, which have resulted in austerity, Brexit and a cost of living crisis – all of which have put huge strain on household budgets across Scotland.

“Under the SNP, Scotland’s values of fairness, equality and prosperity are reflected in government, and those impacted by damaging Westminster policies will always be protected and empowered.”

UK Economic Recession highlights the failure of Tory economic policies

“It’s now official, the UK economy is in recession, further highlighting the incompetence of Tory economic policies,” said Natalie Don MSP.

A recession occurs when a countries economic growth is in reverse.  This follows the recent 40-year high inflation rate which has seen mortgages, food and energy prices rising rapidly. Although inflation has now fallen, food and energy prices are still rising – but only at a slower rate than before – putting more pressure on hard pressed households during this ongoing Tory Cost of Living Crisis. 

Some analysts such as Professor Richard Murphy have highlighted that the Tory economic policies of austerity, tax cuts and high interest rates have promoted everything that creates a recession.

UK’s recession highlights Tory Economic Failure

Scotland’s potential is wasted by the Westminster parties and their flawed economic policies.  We need to grow our economy to create a greener, wealthier and fairer economy for our future but that can only come with Independence.

Natalie Don MSP added:

“It is clear that the Tories are incompetent when it comes to delivering economic growth and a strong economy.  Along with the disaster of Brexit, all their policies have enriched their supporters – such as the lifting of the cap of bankers’ bonuses and the VIP lane for dodgy Covid contracts – to the detriment of everyone else.

“The Tory UK Government had boasted about growing the UK economy but instead they introduced policies such as tax cuts, austerity and high interest rates which helped to deliver this recession.

“It is also clear that the Labour Party under Sir Keir Starmer are also planning to follow Tory economic policies – having recently ditched their £28billion plan to boost the green economy and agreeing to lifting the cap on bankers’ bonuses.

“Scotland’s potential is wasted by the Westminster parties and their flawed economic policies.  We need to grow our economy to create a greener, wealthier and fairer economy for our future but that can only come with Independence.”

ANALYSIS SHOWS HOUSEHOLDS IN SCOTLAND ARE THOUSANDS BETTER OFF

Opposition party claims that Scots would move to England because of the SNP's budget are exposed as new analysis conducted by the SNP has revealed that people choosing to live in Scotland are significantly better off than those living in England.

Findings show that average house prices in England are £306,000 compared to £191,000 in Scotland. This would result in yearly mortgage repayment up to £22,392 compared to £13,980 in Scotland - a difference of £8,412.

For London, where Labour has claimed people would move, would see an even worse outcome. The average house price in London is now at £516,000 which would result in a yearly mortgage repayment of over £37,764 - a staggering £23,784 difference.

Plus purchasing a property in England would also incur significant stamp duty charges of an average of £2,800 for England and £13,300 in London.

Choosing to live in Scotland also ensures:

-              Free prescriptions – the average Scot receives 19 prescriptions per year, saving £183.35.

-              Lower council tax – the average Band D rate in Scotland is £648 lower than England.

-              Free tuition – a saving of over £9,000 for each year of study.

-              Access to the baby box – providing essential items for the first six months of a child’s life.

-              Free personal and nursing care for everyone who needs it.

-              Free bus travel for over 2 million people in Scotland.

-              Support from Social Security Scotland – ensuring 1.2 million people get the assistance they need, including 7 benefits unique to Scotland such as the Scottish Child Payment.

Households in Scotland are Better Off

Despite significant financial pressures caused by Westminster economic chaos and cuts, the SNP Government is continuing to do everything possible to make Scotland a fairer, equal and more prosperous country to live in

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

“Whilst Westminster parties encourage people in Scotland to move to England, these figures lay bare exactly how beneficial it is to live, work and raise a family in Scotland.

“With lower mortgage prices and the SNP Government’s council tax freeze, being a homeowner in Scotland is significantly more financially rewarding than in England – with household budgets potentially thousands of pounds better off.

“Free tuition and prescriptions, access to the baby box and support from Social Security Scotland are just some of the ways we are ensuring that everyone in Scotland, including those living in Renfrewshire, has access to the education, healthcare and support they require without financial barriers.

“Despite significant financial pressures caused by Westminster economic chaos and cuts, the SNP Government is continuing to do everything possible to make Scotland a fairer, equal and more prosperous country to live in.”

NATALIE DON MSP: NEW REPORT SHOWS WESTMINSTER CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO TACKLE POVERTY

Westminster can’t be trusted to tackle poverty, the SNP has said after new research revealed those on the lowest incomes would need to double their incomes to escape poverty.

A report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found the poverty gap, the amount of money needed to bring the incomes of people in poverty to the poverty line, has nearly doubled since the mid-90s, with a couple with two children under-14 in poverty now needing an additional £6,200 per year to reach the poverty line, with families in very deep poverty needing £12,800 to reach the poverty line.

The report also highlights Scotland's “much lower” child poverty rate of 24% – compared to 31% in England and 28% in Wales – attributing this to “at least in part” the Scottish Child Payment, which provides low-income families with £25 a week for each child.

SNP MPs have slammed Westminster for refusing to follow in the footsteps of the SNP Scottish Government in implementing policies like the Scottish Child Payment, and attacked the Tories for driving poverty rates to massive levels through their over decade-long austerity regime and damaging Brexit.

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

“Westminster cannot be trusted to take meaningful action to tackle this growing issue, with fourteen years of Tory austerity leading to almost Dickensian levels of extreme poverty in the UK.

“At every opportunity, the UK Tory government has doubled down on their punitive policies and ignored every suggestion that could lift households out of poverty, including SNP calls to replicate the Scottish Child Payment across the UK, introduce an energy social tariff for vulnerable households and bring back the £400 energy rebate and implement a Real Living Wage.

“The SNP Scottish Government’s game-changing £25 a week Scottish Child Payment has been instrumental in lowering rates of child poverty within Scotland, and it would make a huge difference to poverty levels in the UK if the Westminster government matched this policy.  

“The Scottish Government is also spending around £83.7 million to protect households in Scotland from the Tories’ cruel bedroom tax and housing benefit cap, which could be much better spent on further efforts to tackle poverty.

“The SNP will continue to lead the way on calling on not only the Tories, but also Labour, to scrap these abhorrent policies.

“For years, we have seen that with every step forward we take in Scotland, the Westminster drags us back two. It’s impossible for the Scottish Government to fully eradicate poverty in Scotland when it has one hand tied behind its back, with a cloud of Tory austerity and Brexit lingering over us. 

“Only the SNP will stand up for Scotland.”

NATALIE DON MSP CALLS FOR LAW CHANGE TO SUPPORT KINSHIP CARERS

UK GOVERNMENT URGED TO RECONSIDER POSITION ON PARENTAL LEAVE RIGHTS

The Scottish Government’s Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Natalie Don, has written to the UK Government calling for statutory parental leave rights to be extended to kinship carers.

Kinship carers are people caring for a child on behalf of a friend or relative, full time. The latest statistics show there are currently 4,249 formally looked after children in kinship care across Scotland. It is estimated there are around a further 3,000 non-looked after children in kinship care who are supported by local authorities.

As it stands, UK Government guidance means these carers are reliant on the “good will” of their employers to secure paid time off to look after the children in their care.

Natalie Don MSP calls for change to support Kinship Carers

The Scottish Government wants to ensure kinship carers are not penalised for taking in their kin.

Commenting, Minister for Keeping the Promise and MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“It is very disappointing that family leave for kinship carers remains entirely dependent on the good will of the employer to ensure kinship carers, whose circumstances often change without notice, are given paid time off work to help the children they care for adjust to their new environment.

“I have been advised by kinship carers in Scotland that because there is no statutory leave, which is offered to other carers such as adoptive parents, some kinship carers have been forced to leave employment. Some, who were fortunate enough to own their homes, have also been forced to sell their house to make ends meet, forcing them into poverty. This is unacceptable.

“This issue was highlighted in the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, published in May 2022, which recommended that kinship carers receive paid employment leave on a par with statutory adoption leave
“Kinship carers should not have to wait any longer as a result of delays from the UK Government, so I have requested an urgent update from the UK Government on the implementation of the recommendation regarding statutory leave in relation to kinship carers and have called on them to make these changes immediately.

“The Scottish Government wants to ensure kinship carers are not penalised for taking in their kin. Given the vital role they play in providing a loving, safe and stable home, I believe it is imperative that kinship carers are treated on an equal par with all parents eligible for parental leave.”

Natalie Don MSP welcomes over 43,000 automatic payments to help families with the cost of living

“The introduction of automatic payments means the Scottish Government is getting money to families quickly in the crucial early years of their child’s development”, said Natalie Don MSP commenting on the more than 43,000 payments paid automatically to help parents and carers with the cost of living and starting school.

The introduction of automatic payments means that tens of thousands of people getting Scottish Child Payment have been awarded Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments without the need to apply separately.

For each of the two benefits, people are awarded one-off payments of £294.70 per child to help with costs like clothes, toys and school trips.

Some parents and carers don’t get Scottish Child Payment but could still qualify for the two grants and they have been urged to apply. These include people who opted out of automatic payments and some who get housing benefit.

Natalie Don MSP added:

“I am so pleased that automatic payments are now being introduced because it means we are getting money to families quickly in the crucial early years of their child’s development.

“While the majority of eligible people get these payments automatically, I would urge anyone who doesn’t to check if they are eligible and make sure they get the support they are entitled to.

“The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to tackling poverty and we are doing everything we can within our power to make life easier for people. In 2024-25 the Scottish Government is committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure, providing support to over 1.2 million people. This is £1.1 billion more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security, demonstrating our commitment to put more money in people’s pockets."

NATALIE DON MSP WELCOMES SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLANS TO RAISE TOBACCO AGE OF SALE AND BAN DISPOSABLE VAPES

Plans to ban single use vapes and raise the tobacco age of sale so that no one born on or after 1 January 2009 can ever legally be sold tobacco in Scotland have been unveiled.

Scottish Government Ministers have agreed to take forward the recommendations following a consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’ which ran across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland last year.

The report also recommends that powers are taken to restrict vape flavours, how vapes are displayed in stores, their packaging and product presentation, along with powers to regulate other nicotine products. In addition, it suggests measures which are already underway or in place in Scotland, including restrictions on non-nicotine vapes and powers for local authorities to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches of age of sale legislation for tobacco products and vapes.

Legislating to ban single-use vapes fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping and take action to tackle their environmental impact of single-use vapes.

Raising age of sale for Tobacco

The Scottish Government wants to do more to achieve the goal of being tobacco-free in Scotland by 2034

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

“I welcome this announcement from the Scottish Government that they are looking to ban disposable vapes, as well as increase the minimum age to buy tobacco.

“Smoking damages lives and kills more than 8,000 people a year in Scotland and is burden on our NHS and social care services. Research also suggests that almost one in five adolescents have tried vapes.

“In Scotland, 82.3% supported restrictions on single-use vapes (79.3% UK-wide), and 73.4% favoured an outright ban (68.1% UK-wide).

“The Scottish Government wants to do more to achieve the goal of being tobacco-free in Scotland by 2034 and after collaborating on the UK-wide consultation, they have worked closely across the four UK nations on next steps and now intend to act on taking forward its recommendations, either on a UK-wide basis or through legislation in the Scottish Parliament.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work with the UK Government and other nations in relation to the ban on disposable vapes, including addressing the need for any exclusion from the UK Internal Market Act through the Resources and Waste Common Framework.”

SCOTLAND LEADS THE WAY IN AFFORDABLE HOMES

Under the SNP, Scotland had the highest number of affordable homes per head of the population than anywhere else in the UK, most recent figures reveal.

In 2021/22, Scotland had 13.9 homes per 10,000 of the population, compared to 9.7 in Tory run-England and 8.0 in Labour-run Wales.

124,000 social and affordable homes have been delivered by the SNP in government.

The SNP Scottish Government has also committed to delivering a further 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 70% for social rent and 10% in Scotland’s rural and island communities.

In contrast, Scottish Labour built only 6 council houses over four years during their last government- failing to capitalise on the opportunities devolution brought for investment in social housing.

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

“Scotland is leading the way in building affordable homes, and I welcome the fact that, since the SNP took office, over 124,000 social and affordable homes have been delivered across the country.

“In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde alone, more than 5,000 high-quality affordable homes have been built in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde since 2007, with 845 completed in 2022/23.

“The SNP has also gone further than any other government to safeguard affordable council homes by scrapping the Right to Buy in 2016; protecting over 15,000 council homes from sale over a 10-year period.

“This SNP Government has also committed to delivering a further 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 70% for social rent and 10% in Scotland’s rural and island communities.

“Everyone deserves a warm, safe and affordable place to live, especially with the additional pressures of the cost of living crisis, and the SNP’s record of delivery here underline the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle homelessness.

“Whilst the decisions of the Tory UK Government continue to put pressure on Scottish households, and Labour offer nothing but regressive U-turns, the SNP is showing what progressive government looks like, getting on with the day job and building a new Scotland.”

NATALIE DON MSP WELCOMES FUNDING TO BOLSTER LOCAL FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY IN RENFREWSHIRE

The SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West has welcomed £100,000 of funding from the Scottish Government to help local projects promote food products from their region and establish new markets.

Natalie Don MSP has said that the latest round of the Scottish Government’s Regional Food Fund will help to bolster businesses across Renfrewshire and showcase produce from Renfrewshire Food; First Step Forward, ran by Tenement Kitchen, across Scotland and beyond.

The local project is among 22 local and collaborative initiatives throughout Scotland, including food festivals, food and drink trails, markets and online shops, who will benefit from the Regional Foods Fund with grants of up to £5,000 – continuing to support local food and drink businesses through the Tory cost of living crisis.

Initiatives like the Regional Food Fund is just one way in which the SNP Scottish Government is delivering for Scotland’s food and drink industry, as the sector continues to struggle in the aftermath of the Tory UK government’s botched Brexit deal.

Managed by Scotland Food & Drink, the fund from the SNP Government will help to support and grow local and regional economies by encouraging projects like Renfrewshire Food to market and sell their local products.

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

“I welcome this latest round of Regional Food funding from the Scottish Government, which underlines the SNP’s commitment to empowering local businesses and economies to grow and flourish.

“Scotland’s celebrated food and drink sector is a pillar of Scotland’s economy and global image- from its world-famous whisky and seafood industries, to Renfrewshire Food in the constituency. It is right that every level of this sector receives the support it needs.

“While the Tory UK government have abandoned food and drink businesses in Renfrewshire and Scotland, the SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to ensure local businesses like Renfrewshire Food can continue to trade and prosper.

“I look forward to seeing the amazing products from Renfrewshire Food promoted throughout Scotland and given the recognition they deserve.”

THE SNP’S FREE SCHOOL MEALS EXPANSION FEEDS 231,957 DURING COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

RECORD NUMBER OF CHILDREN RECEIVE FREE SCHOOL MEALS IN 2023

The SNP’s expansion of free school meals has helped to feed 231,957 children during the Tory cost of living crisis this year, as figures reveal a record number of children received free school meals in 2023.

This year saw the SNP Scottish Government expand free school meal entitlement to all children in Primary 1 to Primary 5, and the 2024/25 Budget confirmed the extension of Free School Meals for Primary 6 and Primary 7 children in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, as part of the wider expansion plans.

The figures also show increased uptake of free school meals across primary, secondary and special schools from 49.9% in 2022 to 53.4% in 2023.

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

“I am proud that Scotland has the most comprehensive offer of free school meals of any nation in the UK, ensuring that more children in Renfrewshire have access to healthy, nutritious meals.

“We know the impact this Tory cost of living crisis has had on children, who are the most vulnerable to the consequences of Tory austerity and reckless welfare cuts. The expansion of free school meals under the SNP now means that more parents now have one less thing to worry about when trying to make ends meet.  

“Where it can, the SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to mitigate the worst of Westminster’s backwards policies and cost crisis, but without the full powers of independence, there is only so far it can go. We need independence, so that the Scottish Government can have the full powers at its disposal to tackle the root causes of poverty, and ensure no child goes hungry again.”

More needs to be done to promote Social Tariffs, says Natalie Don MSP

“Recent research from Ofgem and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has highlighted a low uptake of social tariffs for broadband and mobile phone packages,” said Natalie Don MSP. 

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages that are designed to be affordable, supporting specific groups on low incomes.  Social tariffs are available for people claiming benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance as well as Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit. However, it is important you check the details with each supplier, not all benefits will be covered with every supplier. 

The telecoms regulator Ofcom estimates that 8.3% of people eligible for these deals take them up across the UK.  If that figure was mirrored in Scotland, it would mean that nearly 400,000 people on Universal Credit in Scotland could be missing out on cheaper deals. 

There is a concern that telecoms providers are not doing enough to ensure that those who would benefit from such tariffs are aware of them. Research from CAS shows that of the 24% of consumers who are aware of social tariffs, only 7% are aware because their provider had publicised it or recommended it. 

On average someone switching to a social tariff could save around £200 per year. 

More people should look at Social Tariffs

Social Tariffs put money back into people’s pockets.

Natalie Don MSP added: 

“If you are on benefits, it’s worth checking out if you can qualify for a social tariff for either your broadband, mobile phone or both. Online access – whether for shopping, communicating with friends and family or dealing with benefit offices and government at all levels – is becoming an essential utility and social tariffs could be a way of ensuring those with fixed or low incomes don’t miss out on the benefits of being online. 

“With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it’s important to be aware of any deals which could help those struggling to get by.  Moving to a social tariff still means you can get a decent broadband connection and, in most cases, switching to such a tariff is free, with no set up fee. 

“Social Tariffs put money back into people’s pockets and could potentially save up to £200 per year.  This is support that goes unclaimed simply because not enough people know about them.” 

Notes: 

Up to date information on Social Tariffs can be found on Ofgem’s website: https://bit.ly/SocialTariffs2024 

Natalie Don MSP welcomes Scottish Government Support for Victims of Crime

Natalie Don SNP MSP has welcomed the latest round of Scottish Government support for those impacted by crime, after the latest round of funding saw a total of £405,451 awarded to eight organisations which provide support to victims.

This is the fourth round of payments made from the Victim Surcharge Fund – financed by penalties imposed on offenders – bringing the total paid out since 2019 to £1,322,437.

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

“I warmly welcome this Scottish Government funding which will facilitate the provision of vital resources and support to victims of crime in Renfrewshire North & West.

“Organisations like Victims Support Scotland are there for victims at times of immense trauma and isolation, and help individuals and families deal with the consequences of crime.

“That is why the SNP Government is supporting the expansion of these services and ensuring that those convicted of a crime are paying back into the Renfrewshire North & West community, with financial penalties directly going towards addressing the harm done to victims.

“The reverberations of crime can be felt for years to come, and I am pleased to see the Scottish Government taking meaningful action to support victims in Renfrewshire North & West.

Notes

The following organisations are set to benefit from the Victim Surcharge Fund in this round:

Victim Support Scotland (VSS)                                                           £300,000

Dumbarton District Women’s Aid                                                          £11,750

Migrant Help                                                                                         £28,540

The Moira Fund                                                                                    £14,500

The Manda Centre                                                                                £10,000

Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTIS)                         £20,661

Action Against Stalking                                                                         £15,000

Dundee Women’s Aid                                                                           £5,000

Natalie Don MSP reminds people with jobs that they can qualify for Scottish benefits

As many people return to their jobs following the festive break, those in part-time and full-time work have been reminded that they can qualify for Scottish Government benefits.

People in work can receive many of the payments administered by Social Security Scotland, including those designed to help low-income families.

The Scottish Government also delivers Job Start Payment – a one-off payment to help young people who haven’t been working meet the costs of starting a new job.

In Scotland, around one in three people getting Universal Credit are in work, and Universal Credit is a qualifying benefit for several other payments.

Thousands of working people get Scottish Child Payment and the other benefits which make up Social Security Scotland’s five family payments.

These consist of three Best Start Grants – Pregnancy & Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment – and Best Start Foods.

People with jobs can also qualify for Adult Disability Payment, with qualification not based on employment or income, and one-off payments including Winter Heating Payment and Funeral Support Payment.

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

“In January, there are lots of people starting new jobs or returning to work for the first time in a while, and I’d urge them to check what benefits they may be eligible for.

“I’d particularly like to highlight the support available to young people in Renfrewshire starting work through the Job Start Payment.

“This one-off payment can make a difference with the costs of getting up and running in a new job and its important that it reaches as many eligible people as possible.

“The Scottish Government are helping people across Scotland through the cost-of-living crisis by committing £6.1 billion in social security benefits and payments. That’s £1.1 billion more than the Block Grant Adjustment received due to spend on comparable benefits by the UK Government.

"This is the action we're taking whilst one hand is tied behind our backs. Imagine what more we could do with the full powers of independence."

New Figures show Scotland closing the Gender Pay Gap faster than the rest of the UK

Scotland continues to lead the way in equal pay.

Scotland is expected to close the gender pay gap at twice the rate of the rest of the UK, as figures reveal that the gender pay gap between men and women is lower in Scotland is almost half that of the rest of the UK.

According to figures from the SPICe, between April 2022 and April 2023, the gender pay gap for median gross hourly earnings (excluding overtime and the self-employed) was 8.7% in Scotland and 14.3% across the UK.

SPICe also calculated, using the three-year rolling average over the last five years, that it will take 10.8 years to close Scotland’s gender pay gap. In the UK, this is expected to take 20.9 years, with the gap widening in the last year.

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

“It is extremely encouraging to see that Scotland is leading the way in equal pay in the UK.

“In this day and age, it is beyond disappointing that many employers still fall short of equal pay, and that women are undervalued and underpaid compared with men in exactly the same roles.

“I welcome the Scottish Government’s action to address the structural inequalities that contribute to sustaining the gender pay gap, such as expanding free early years provision and its Women Returners’ scheme.

“There is still much work to be done before we see a true zero gender pay gap in Scotland. I would encourage all employers in Renfrewshire, and across Scotland, to ensure their employees are paid fairly and equally, and to look at how they can provide the conditions women workers need to excel.”

£1.4 Billion of Support paid by Social Security Scotland: Figures reveal almost four-fold increase in spend on last year

The SNP has revealed that Social Security Scotland has paid out £1.4 billion directly to those who need support since it was established in 2018, with a record £641 million directly administered in the last year alone.

Since its foundation, Scotland’s social security agency has paid out £381.7 million in Scottish Child Payments; £8.9 million in Best Start Grants and £29.5 million in Best Start Foods Payments. It has also issued £311.7 million in Child Disability Payments and £255.6 million in Carers’ Allowance Supplement.

In the last year alone, parents have been supported by £33.4 million in Best Start Grants and Best Start Food payments, receiving £213.2m in Scottish Child Payments while Carers across Scotland have benefitted from £33.9m of support from the Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

Social Security Scotland has paid out £1.4 billion directly to those who need support

Countries of a similar size to Scotland are fairer and wealthier than the UK, which begs the question – why not Scotland?

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

“I am proud that the SNP Scottish Government has built a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect, and continues to expand provision from Social Security Scotland to support all those who need it.

“Here in Renfrewshire alone, £17,734,595 of support was paid out between April 2022 and March 2023 to the most vulnerable households at a time when many are feeling the full effects of the exorbitant cost of living.

“Scotland’s fundamentally different approach to Westminster ensures that support is readily available to those in need, including fourteen social security payments – seven of which are unique to Scotland such as the ‘game-changing’ Scottish Child Payment.

“These payments have seen Scotland take huge strides towards tackling poverty; however the Scottish Government is acting with one hand tied behind its back while Westminster inflicts further benefit cuts on those who are struggling.

“It is imperative that we build on the progress we have made and build a country rooted in fairness and equality, and the only way we can do that is with the full powers of an independent country.

“Countries of a similar size to Scotland are fairer and wealthier than the UK, which begs the question – why not Scotland?”

Independence Living Fund Re-Opens for new Applicants

The Independent Living Fund, which supports disabled people in Scotland, is to reopen to new applicants after receiving £9 million investment as part of the 2024-25 Scottish Budget.

The funding forms part of the £19.5 billion budget for NHS recovery, health and social care and will support around 1,000 new applicants.

The initiative was closed to new applicants by the UK Government in 2010, with payments to the 3,000 existing recipients taken over by the Scottish Government in 2015. Scottish Ministers committed to reopening the fund in September as part of the Programme for Government.

The health and social care budget also includes £13.2 billion for frontline NHS Boards – a real terms uplift, with additional investment of more than half a billion pounds. Funding for social care next year will be over £1 billion higher than in 2021-22. The health increase is more than the total block grant consequentials announced in the autumn statement which means that resource funding for health and social care has more than doubled since 2006-07.

Independence Living Fund Re-Opens for New Applicants

This will help more disabled people in Scotland to lead full and independent lives

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

“I very much welcome this move from the Scottish Government which will be able to help more disabled people in Scotland to lead full and independent lives as part of our continued support for social care services.

“We are investing in the development of the National Care Service so that everyone in Renfrewshire has access to consistently high-quality social care, whenever they need it. This will help to remove barriers, tackle inequalities and allow people choice – as well as easing the pressure on Scotland’s NHS and continuing the integration of community health and social care support.

“This also builds on our other commitments in this sector including an £840 million increase in funding for social care over the life of the Parliament and an additional £230 million to support a pay uplift for social care workers to a minimum of £12 an hour. 

“The Budget provides funding of more than £19.5 billion – protecting health and social care delivery in the face of unprecedented fiscal pressure. However, despite this investment, hard choices along with greater efficiencies and savings will need to be made. This is because the Scotland’s healthcare system is under extreme pressure from the ongoing impacts of Covid, Brexit, inflation and UK Government spending decisions.”

NATALIE DON MSP WELCOMES APPROVAL OF PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NEW HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE FACILITY AT DARGAVEL

Plans for a new health and social care facility in the Dargavel area took a further step forward this week as the planning application was approved by Renfrewshire Council. Once operational, the new facility will provide additional capacity for the existing GP Practice and Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to address the needs of local communities over coming years.

The new facility has been designed to accommodate projections of future population growth for the area. This has been tested against the most recent, independent projection of local population growth, which includes changes to the original planned house numbers in the area. Together with the existing Health Centre in Bishopton, which was refurbished in 2022 to add to its capacity, these two facilities will make best use of the primary care estate within the local area.

This is a significant milestone for the project, which will now enter the next phase of its development. A more comprehensive timeline is being developed, which will be refined once technical details and building warrants have been agreed - but it is currently projected that construction of the new facility will begin in Spring 2024. 

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

“I very much welcome this positive development towards an exciting new Health and Social Care Facility in Dargavel.

“The centre has been designed to accommodate the current projected population increase in the area, with flexibility built in so that it can be further extended if required.

“Residents can keep up with updates on the progress on the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership website: https://www.renfrewshire.hscp.scot/article/12956/Bishopton-and-Dargavel---Public-Information-Hub”.

AROUND 850,000 SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLDS IN FUEL POVERTY DESPITE ENERGY RESOURCES – SCOTLAND HAS THE ENERGY, WE JUST NEED THE POWERS

On Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, the SNP has demanded the Westminster government devolve energy powers to Holyrood, after repeated failures to act have left an estimated 850,000 Scottish households in fuel poverty.

Figures from National Energy Action (NEA) show that 34% (around 850,000) of households in Scotland are currently living in fuel poverty, and 23% (over half a million) are living in extreme fuel poverty - despite being an energy rich country.

These figures come almost exactly a month after it was revealed that the three constituencies facing the highest average increase in energy bills are in Scotland.

Polling by the NEA also revealed that:

·       Of the 49% UK adults that had turned their heating off even though it was cold outside over the last three months, Scots were more likely to say they had done so.

·       Of the 41% UK prepayment customers who were self disconnected over the last three months, Scottish households with prepayment meters were more likely to say they had done so.

·       Of the 43% of UK adults who had gone to bed to stay warm over the last three months, Scots were more likely to say they had done so.

Scotland produces six times more gas than it consumes and two thirds of its electricity comes from renewable sources in Scotland.

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

“It is frightening that 850,000 households in Scotland are sadly living in fuel poverty in 2023. Scotland is an energy rich country with natural resources in abundance, so this should not be the case.

“These statistics are the consequence of decades of failed energy policy from Westminster governments we haven’t voted for. For too long the UK Treasury has raked in the profits that Scotland's natural resources have generated, while seeing nothing in return.

“We saw it again with the recent autumn statement – the Westminster government failed to use the profits to give families in Renfrewshire, and the rest of Scotland, a £400 energy rebate. If Westminster won’t act, it must devolve energy and welfare powers to Scotland so we can.

“Only with the full powers of independence can Scotland chart its own course to green growth in the wider European market. Scotland has the energy, we just need the powers.”