Fairer Scotland
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Celebrating older people: Silver Sunday
4th October 2020 by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Today is Silver Sunday, a day to celebrate older people and reflect on the valuable role they play in our communities. This year, that message is even more important. All of us love and care for our older relatives, just as they do us, and we benefit from their stories, wisdom and experiences. I know the last six months...
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Older People and Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie’s letter to older people on the UN’s International Day of Older Persons
1st October 2020 by Christina McKelvie
This message is coming to you on the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 30th Anniversary of the UN’s International Day of Older Persons – a day where we celebrate and recognise the importance of older people the world over! As your Minister for Older People and Equalities celebrating Scotland’s older people is...
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Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell’s letter to Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp
27th September 2020 by Aileen Campbell
Thank you for your letter of 15 September about asylum support cessations. Your decision to restart the move on process for people with positive asylum decisions, who are permitted to work and to access other housing provision, is to be welcomed, as this will enable them to get on with establishing their lives here with...
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Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell’s letter to the Local Government and Communities Committee
24th September 2020 by Aileen Campbell
Dear James, I am writing to you to provide an update on our investment to support the people of Scotland during the Covid-19 pandemic, backed by an initial £350 million I announced through the Communities funding package on 18 March. As the Committee will be aware, councils, charities and community groups, have been supported by...
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Green infrastructure and sustainable development
18th September 2020 by Kevin Stewart MSP
The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has made many of us reflect on the importance and value of the homes we live in and the places where we live, work, shop and socialise. As we come out of this pandemic, instead of just getting back to the way things were before, we have a fresh...
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Cash to help young people into work
17th August 2020 by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Young unemployed people, from Monday 17th August, can apply to get £250 to help with the costs of starting a new job. I’ve heard from young people about the challenges of finding work – a job offer is one of many hurdles but not the last. Some are then faced with preparation costs they simply can’t...
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Are you eligible for more support?
29th July 2020 by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Opinion piece by Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Shirley-Anne Somerville. From this week, thousands of families across Scotland will start to get letters telling them they are entitled to new Scottish benefits. This is a first in Scotland and shows that when it comes to social security – we’re doing things differently. We’re taking information...
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Renewed commitment to ending homelessness
15th July 2020 by Kevin Stewart MSP
The coronavirus outbreak has had significant implications for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those who were rough sleeping. We acted quickly to move people off the streets and into a place of safety but our work is not over. The pandemic has shown us how important it is to have a home that is warm, safe...
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TV licences for over 75s
15th July 2020 by Christina McKelvie
Minister for Older People Christina McKelvie has written to the Culture Secretary, strongly urging the UK Government to take responsibility and fund free TV licences for the over 75s. The full text of the letter is below. Dear Oliver, I write to you to express my deep concern regarding the announcement by the BBC on...
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Communities Secretary thanks lockdown community food heroes
9th July 2020 by admin
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell has thanked charities and local authorities for their “incredible” work to help people across Scotland access food and other support during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Speaking following meetings with charities including Cash for Kids and The Food Train to hear about their achievements over the lockdown period and the specific...