Investment of almost £1 billion to tackle child poverty in the last financial year has been welcomed by Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison. She has also pledged to bring forward “game changing” policies as she called for society to unite to eradicate child poverty in Scotland. Ms Robison was speaking asRead More →
Bonaly Scout Centre next to the Pentland Hills has been transformed into a huge outdoor adventure arena for thousands of Edinburgh school children as part of a special ‘Epic Day’ out. More than 3,000 Primary 7 pupils are descending on the site and into the Pentland Hills Regional Park forRead More →
More than seven out of ten children in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) are now receiving the full 1,140 funded hours. The number of children has risen by 10,510 since February – an increase from 65% to 72%. The latest data from the Improvement Service shows that at the endRead More →
More than 90,000 primary school pupils will be entitled to new free school meal support in term time. The Scottish Government and local authority partners have reached agreement to introduce universal free school lunches for primary 4 and 5 children and targeted support during school holidays for all eligible primaryRead More →
Key national agencies Education Scotland (ES) and the SQA will be reformed as part of ambitious plans for Scotland’s education recovery. Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the role, remit and purpose of both organisations will be considered, as well as their functions and governance arrangements. Ms Somerville announced the reformsRead More →
Financial support for school costs and healthy foods. Low income parents are being encouraged to apply for the financial support they are eligible for. This year’s Best Start Grant School Age Payment opened yesterday (1 June) to families who get tax credits or certain other benefits and have a childRead More →
The Children’s Commissioners of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have today published a letter they have sent to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions calling for an end to the two-child limit on Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit. In the letter, the Commissioners state that the policy,Read More →
People will be able to hug their loved ones and meet in private homes as most of mainland Scotland moves to Level 2, with eased restrictions on hospitality, entertainment, education and sport. In an acceleration of previous plans, the number of people and households that can meet inside homes inRead More →
A number of key council services in Edinburgh, including libraries, community centres and galleries, will shortly reopen following the move to Level 3 in Scotland earlier this week. Plans have been developed to prioritise the reopening of these venues in line with the Scottish Government’s current guidance and route map outRead More →
Everyone in Scotland can now access rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, even if they have no symptoms. Free lateral flow home test kits are available for pick up without an appointment from many local walk-in or drive-through test sites from 3.30pm each day, or by ordering online or by phone, forRead More →