logo
Almond Valley MSP welcomes additional paid family leave for foster and kinship carers

Almond Valley MSP welcomes additional paid family leave for foster and kinship carers

Daily Record13 hours ago
This new policy means employers across Scotland can now offer meaningful support to foster and kinship carers, helping to create workplaces that are inclusive, understanding and responsive to their unique needs.
Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance welcomed the news that the Scottish Government has taken an important step forward by introducing additional paid family leave for foster and kinship carers.
This new policy means employers across Scotland can now offer meaningful support to foster and kinship carers, helping to create workplaces that are inclusive, understanding and responsive to their unique needs.

Speaking about the announcement, Angela said: 'The key role that foster and kinship carers play in providing safe and loving homes for our children and young people cannot be overstated.

'In Almond Valley and right across Scotland, they are central to our shared ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030.
'I am delighted to see the Scottish Government recognising this through additional paid family leave, which will make a real difference to many families.'
This move highlights the Scottish Government's commitment to improving the lives of children and young people in care, and to supporting those who open their homes and hearts to them.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Almost 1.7m children in households caught up in two-child benefit cap
Almost 1.7m children in households caught up in two-child benefit cap

South Wales Guardian

time17 minutes ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Almost 1.7m children in households caught up in two-child benefit cap

The new data will likely ramp up pressure on the Government to ditch the controversial policy, which came into effect eight years ago under the Conservatives. But comments by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson at the weekend have raised concerns Labour might not do away with the policy, amid financial pressures following the recent U-turn on welfare reforms. Ms Phillipson said spending decisions have been made 'harder' after the watering down of reforms within the Universal Credit Bill. There were 1,665,540 children living in households in England, Wales and Scotland affected by the two-child benefit limit in April, figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions on Thursday showed. This was a rise of 37,150 (2%) from April last year. There were a total of 469,780 households on Universal Credit affected by the policy – an increase of 13,520 (3%) from the total number of households affected in April 2024. More than half (59%) of households affected by the policy are in work, the data showed. A total of 275,820 households affected are in work while 193,960 households are out of work, the department said. The Government is expected to publish a child poverty strategy in autumn, and a multitude of campaign groups have said it must contain a commitment to do away with the two-child benefit limit. The limit restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. Organisations working in the sector argue that 109 children across the UK are pulled into poverty by the policy every day and that an estimated 350,000 children would be lifted out of poverty immediately if it was scrapped. Ms Phillipson has previously said ministers are 'looking at every lever and we'll continue to look at every lever to lift children out of poverty', but the End Child Poverty Coalition insisted 'this is the lever that needs pulling first'. Its chairman Joseph Howes said the Government's ''moral mission' to end child poverty will fail if this policy remains', arguing that 'no child poverty strategy will succeed in lifting kids out of poverty, if this policy remains'. He added: 'We have heard the Government say that they are looking at all 'the available levers' to reduce child poverty. We all know that this is the lever that needs pulling first – backed up by the Government's own data released today. It's time for the Government to act.' The latest data comes days after a report from the Children's Commissioner told of some young people in England living in an 'almost-Dickensian level of poverty'. Lord John Bird, Big Issue founder and crossbench peer, said: 'When we hear warnings of children in the 21st century living in Dickensian levels of poverty, we must call this what it is: a poverty crisis. And Government policy that creates this crisis cannot be tolerated.' He said any savings the policy makes now will 'create far more expense for our society now and down the line' with consequences likely to be felt in schools, the NHS, prisons 'and one day, in the same social security system that fails these children'. Lord Bird added: 'It is both a moral and a political necessity that this Government ends the two-child benefit cap at the autumn budget. The public will not stomach any more inaction from Labour. They came to power promising an enduring reduction in child poverty and we must have legal targets to hold them to account.' Barnardo's said while recent Government announcements on the expansion of free school meals and the rollout of family hubs are welcome, 'without immediate action, child poverty will simply continue to rise'. The children's charity described the upcoming child poverty strategy as 'a huge opportunity for the Government to change the futures of millions of children, so they have the chance to thrive'.

Thrifty Scot who built authentic garage pub crowned country's biggest beer lover
Thrifty Scot who built authentic garage pub crowned country's biggest beer lover

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

Thrifty Scot who built authentic garage pub crowned country's biggest beer lover

Built single-handedly over four months, almost everything inside the pub – named Stoaters – was sourced for free or under £10 thanks to Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle and local skips. A crafty East Kilbride local who built a pub in his backyard is raising a glass after being crowned the country's biggest beer lover. Living miles from the nearest watering hole, self-confessed beer lover Iain Mason, 55, decided to convert part of his garage into a cosy bar in 2023. ‌ And it was to become a "real labour of love". ‌ Built single-handedly over four months, almost everything inside the pub – named Stoaters – was sourced for free or under £10 thanks to Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle and local skips. Aldi Scotland launched a competition this year to find the nation's biggest beer lover to celebrate one of its busiest sales periods for craft beers, with the retailer featuring a range of Scottish microbreweries, including Williams Bros, Fierce Beer and Loch Lomond Brewery. Stoaters, which spans 13m², impressed the judges with its authentic pub façade, rich interior detailing and thoughtful craftsmanship, which echoes the charm of a traditional Scottish pub. Iain's use of recycled materials was also highly praised. ‌ Commenting on the accolade, Iain said: 'I'm not a handyman by any means, so there was plenty of trial and error when building Stoaters, but I got there eventually. Low lighting and dark varnish hides a lot!' Opened in secret on Christmas Day 2023 to an astonished crowd of ten (not even his wife had seen it) - Stoaters has since become a hub for Iain's friends and family, hosting karaoke nights, sporting events and even Hogmanay celebrations. ‌ Guests must follow two house rules: bring a foreign banknote or business card to pin to the ceiling and take a turn behind the bar. Stoaters now stocks a wide range of beers, with lots of guest ales regularly on draught, including Iain's favourites from Fierce Beer and Loch Lomond, both stocked at Aldi. And, in recognition of his love and enthusiasm for beer, Iain has won a 12-month supply of Aldi Scotland's craft beer range, adding to his already impressive collection. ‌ Iain will be choosing from a range of crisp lagers, pilsners and fruity IPAs, including Innis & Gunn's Tequila Cask (£2.49, 660ml, 5.1% ABV), Loch Lomond Brewery's Bonnie & Clyde (£1.89, 440ml, 4.5% ABV) and Fierce Beer's Cerveza (£4.99, 4 x 330ml, 4% ABV) which are all available at Aldi's 109 Scottish stores. Iain continued: 'I'm chuffed to have been named Scotland's biggest beer lover and to win such a generous prize from Aldi. I built Stoaters to enjoy a pint with friends and family without the long trek to the nearest pub. It's been a real labour of love and I'm very happy that the judges saw the efforts that went into every detail.' Graham Nicolson, group buying director at Aldi Scotland, said: 'We'd like to raise a glass to Iain on being crowned the nation's biggest beer lover – a well-deserved title for someone so clearly passionate about great brews. ‌ 'We share that same passion at Aldi Scotland and are proud to support so many of Scotland's microbreweries by bringing their craft creations to shelves across the country. From bold new IPAs to time-honoured traditional ales, we're committed to showcasing the very best of Scotland's brewing talent for enthusiasts like Iain and for beer lovers everywhere.'

Great Blackenham recycling facility refit could cost £12m
Great Blackenham recycling facility refit could cost £12m

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Great Blackenham recycling facility refit could cost £12m

Upgrades to a recycling sorting facility could cost up to £12m, according to a county council. Suffolk County Council said the materials recycling facility (MRF) in Great Blakenham needed refitting due to upcoming recycling collection changes. The previous government told local councils they had to start collecting more types of recyclable items at the kerbside from 2026, along with weekly food waste county council said it was planning to invest £5.9m from current budgets with further funding to come. The council said paying the £5.9m up front could lead to savings in the future as the contracted firm that runs the site would have charged a fee if it had to initially spend the money overall cost of upgrades is estimated to be between £10m and £12m. Around 285 tonnes of material is sorted at the MRF every day. Separating and sorting the recycling involves 100 conveyor belts, and suitable material is packaged up and recycled elsewhere. The council said changes were needed to process materials like glass, some types of cartons and plastic film. The food waste collected is likely to be sent to a different facility, such as an anaerobic digester, which creates energy from the of the facility have been suspended in 2025 due to the upgrades. A Suffolk County Council spokesperson said: "With the government's new Simpler Recycling programme coming into effect across the country next year, the MRF in Suffolk needs a significant upgrade." Pressure on councils The county council will not be collecting the recycling - that role is carried out by the district and borough councils in Suffolk. Concerns about budgetary pressures and obtaining the necessary equipment have been raised by some local councils are planning to cut the frequency of general waste collections.A Defra spokeswoman said: "Our Simpler Recycling reforms will ensure that across England people will be able to recycle the same materials, without checking with their council."The government have said financial help is available for councils to help with collections. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store