Latest news with #ProgrammeforGovernment2025
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Calls for delayed West Lothian train station to be funded by Scottish Government
A veteran councillor in West Lothian called on the Scottish Government to 'put its money where its mouth is' on plans for a railway station in Winchburgh. As the council and Winchburgh Developments prepare to meet potential funders of the long delayed station , Labour's Linlithgow councillor Tom Conn called on the SNP government to 'stop ducking and diving.' Designs were revealed on Friday with the news that a planning application would come to West Lothian Council 'imminently.' READ MORE: Two major roads through Bathgate will see upgrades and resurfacing work A report to the Executive described the recently published Scottish Government Programme for Government 2025/26. It said: 'The programme makes specific reference to a railway station at Winchburgh in the section on A Safe Sustainable Transport System for Scotland.' Having committed to that, Councillor Conn called for a commitment to meet costs of the £22.5m development. Welcoming the news that progression had been made in the ten months of cooperation between the council, Winchburgh developments, Transport Scotland Network Rail - councillors echoed concerns that there have been no concrete guarantees of funding. Councillor Conn said: 'There needs to be public money invested directly by Scottish Government in Winchburgh. They cannot continually suggest it's other people, other organisations that need to find the money. 'This is an abdication of responsibility by the Scottish Government. If they don't want to take responsibility for it, they shouldn't put it in Programme for Government 2025/26. 'The Scottish government needs to stop ducking and diving and need to put their money where their mouth is. This is talking about rail investment strategy. If all it is is words, not backed up with cash, stop speaking. It's not helping.' Fellow Linlithgow councillor Sally Pattle said the progress had been like wading through treacle as she sought clarification of when a business plan could come to the council. When told it would be two to three months she responded: 'I would just like to welcome the fact that the Scottish Government reference Winchburgh in their programme for government although I'm slightly unclear as to what that will mean in practical terms to actually getting this project moving forward. 'I do welcome all the work that has been undertaken collaboratively between key stakeholders since last September but I have to say that still feels like we are moving through treacle. I would also very much like it to be recognised by officers and key stakeholders that the longer this drags on the greater the negative impact it is having on my ward of Linlithgow because of all the commuters that come into use the train station and then park anti-socially across the town to do so so it would be good if that could recognised going forward.' The report detailed passenger usage at neighbouring stations, including Linlithgow which sees 1,400 a day using the station. Gordon Brown, Roads and Transportation Manager told the meeting: 'Progress on the Outline Business Case now allows the steering group to progress discussions with the Scottish Government on the case for investment, alignment with the overall rail strategy, public value and contribution to government priorities. 'These matters will be addressed as part of the funding application subject, of course, to the City Region Deal Joint Committee supporting an application via that route.' The City Region Deal is a mechanism for accelerating growth. It is made up of six local authorities, universities and the private sector working with the Scottish and UK government to pull in investment.' Winchburgh councillor Angela Doran-Timson pressed Mr Brown on what other alternative investment options there would be if the City Region Deal did not agree to fund the station. ' Was there a plan B?" she asked. Mr Brown said there was ' no plan B' but to date 'no alternative funding sources had been identified' Councillor Doran-Timson said: 'I'll echo what Tom Conn said. I welcome the report, fingers crossed that the funding does come forward from the Scottish Government." A spokesperson for Transport Scotland responded by issuing a joint statement issued on behalf of West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland, Network Rail and ScotRail which said: 'Further work continues to explore opportunities for innovative construction techniques to support efficient and low-disruption delivery. 'A stakeholder meeting with Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, is scheduled to take place in Winchburgh on 18 June. This will offer the minister the opportunity to see first-hand the progress made by the project partners.' That same statement contained comments from council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick: 'It's extremely encouraging to see this project continuing to move forward at pace. With the planning application submitted and business case prepared, we're entering an important phase, which reflects the positive collaboration between all parties." 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Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Target of delivering 50% increase in procedures ‘must be underpinned by NHS staff know-how'
Innovation driven by NHS staff must be key to unlocking Scottish Government aims of delivering a 50% increase in procedures such as vital hip and knee replacements, says a health service partner. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... First Minister John Swinney recently outlined the target through the publication of the Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 as part of a pledge to achieve a total of 150,000 more NHS appointments and procedures, including surgeries and diagnostic tests, by March next year. Mr Swinney said the Programme is about ensuring 'a renewed and stronger NHS' which 'meets the needs of the public'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Formal NHS Scotland partner InnoScot Health believes that systematic integration of more innovative approaches has to be particularly key to hitting the 50% increase in procedures, allowing health boards to clear backlogs and improve waiting times. Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson Executive Chair of InnoScot Health, Graham Watson said: 'It is laudable indeed that the First Minister has outlined his vision for an 'innovation nation' to produce what he calls a 'modern, high growth country' – that is an essential aspiration right now. 'At the same time, I believe that delivering his pledge of a 50% increase in surgical procedures must involve leveraging the insights and experience of NHS Scotland innovators in order to maximise results as part of that 'innovation nation'. 'There are many ways in which patient outcomes can now be improved, particularly with a growing array of technologies which can be increasingly deployed – from artificial intelligence for improved screening and virtual hospital wards to software which supports more efficient utilisation of existing operating theatres. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is vital though that we continue to link 'innovation nation' ambitions directly to the many NHS entrepreneurs-in-waiting who are keen to point out where and how the work they deliver could be improved with their own breakthrough thinking. 'Those insightful ideas must be valued, harnessed, and accelerated – and plenty are already in evidence.' The First Minister said that NHS Scotland would be placed 'at the heart' of the legislative and policy agenda for the next parliamentary year and that that the full plans amounted to a 'programme for a better Scotland'. He noted that NHS waiting times had been reduced over the last year and that, across the next 12 months, no one would wait more than a year for surgical treatment with the Government planning to set out 'how we will support people to live longer, healthier and fulfilling lives'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Watson continued: 'It is positive to note that the Scottish Government delivered more than 105,500 NHS appointments and procedures through additional investment between April 2024 and March 2025, representing over 40,000 more than was originally pledged. 'Nevertheless, could greater value be extracted by investing further in NHS Scotland's own wellspring of enthusiastic, driven innovators?
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
€140 Child Benefit payment shake-up latest after age rule change as parents due new €160 or €285 cash per child in weeks
THOUSANDS of Irish parents could be due to keep their €140 Child Benefit cash boost after a change to age rules. Parents across the country rely on the key payment - and three additional cash payments also offer relief to families. 2 The payment is issued once a month Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Three other schemes are available for families Credit: Getty Images - Getty Typically, Child Benefit is issued to families with children up to the age of 16 but a change of rules means it can now be paid up until until their 19th birthday if the child is in full time education or has a disability. Minister for "The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability." The scheme is paid out to almost 1.3 million children in Ireland and is expected to cost the state over €2.2 billion in 2025. READ MORE IN MONEY An August double payment of Child Benefit, worth €240, promised by Fine Gael leader last year is this summer. Instead, the Department of Social Protection said the Government is focusing on a "targeted" However, despite double child benefit being off the table, there are three additional Minister for MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN The Child Support Payment is made up of a weekly amount for yourself, with extra given for a It is given on a circumstantial basis with no set amount allocated. QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS To avail of this, your child must be living with you, meet the age requirement of under 18 years of age, be a resident in the state and not be in legal custody. The To avail of this, you must be an employee, have at least one child who either lives primarily with you or who you financially support, and is under 18. If the child is in full time day This is paid based on your average weekly family income, with 60 per cent of the difference between this and the WFP income limit being issued. The payment is also not taken into account in the means test for a medical card. The 'KEY PRIORITY' Speaking on the payments, Calleary said: "These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with children. "Addressing child poverty is a key priority for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government 2025, includes a range of measures to support children and their families. "One such commitment is to explore a targeted Child Benefit Payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment. "My Department is progressing this work, having regard to the available body of evidence, including the work undertaken previously by the ESRI, The National Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare." WHAT IS THE BACK TO SCHOOL ALLOWANCE? The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which is available to thousands of Irish parents, will open for applications in June 2025. The payment is aimed at easing the Children aged four to 11 receive a rate of payment of €160. Those aged 12 to 22 receive a payment of €285. However, there is criteria you must meet in order to avail of the cash. You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. You and each child you claim for must be a resident in Ireland. Your household income must be within the BSCFA income limits and you must be receiving the Increase for a Qualified Child payment along with social welfare payment. WEEKLY INCOME LIMITS FOR THE PAYMENT These are the weekly income limits parents must meet to qualify. 1 child €694 2 children €756 3 children €818 4 children €880 An increase of €62 is applied for each independent child in families with more than four kids. The payment is usually paid out in early July, falling on the week of July 8 in 2024. If you do not automatically get the payment and think you qualify you can apply on MyWelfare through your verified account. If you do not have an account you can call the BSCFA contact centre on 071 919 3318 or 0818 11 11 13, and they will help you to set one up. Applications for the payment usually close in late September. WHAT ARE CHILD BENEFIT RULES? Child Benefit is a tax free payment to parents or guardians of children under 16. But it can also be claimed for children aged 16, 17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves. You must also be living in Ireland and meet the Habitual Residence Condition to claim the payment. CHILD BENEFIT PAYMENT DATES THIS is a full list of all the Child Benefit payment dates for the rest of the year. The €140 payment, which is available regardless of a person's income or PRSI record, is paid out on the first Tuesday of every month. However, the payment can June 3 - may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday July 1 August 5 - may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday September 2 October 7 November 4 December 2 The Department of Social Protection If your child lives between two separate households, the parent who lives with the child most of the time will receive the payment. Someone who cares for a child not living with or being maintained by their parents may also be able to claim Child Benefit.
