#Scottish Government

[toadundercoldstone]

Despite living in England, I have been incredibly invested in the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill for the past few months because to me, it represented UK politics moving forward from the time of medical diagnosis of dysphoria, 10 year waiting lists and the like.

I thought that considering that the bill passed in Scotland with a solid majority, and they had taken steps to make it as difficult as possible for the uk to intervene without causing issues, that we were smooth sailing and we were finally seeing some progress on terf island.

I even foolishly allowed myself to believe that the rest if the UK would follow along eventually, and that it marked the beginning of self-reporting your gender without medical intervention - as it is in many other countries.

Section 35 (follow the link below for a better explanation) is part of the Scotland Act 1998 that allows the scottish secretary by power of the UK government to veto any bill within four weeks of its passing if there are reasonable grounds to believe either:

The bill is incompatible with the UK’s international obligations or jeopardises national defence.

The bill has adverse effects on policy areas that are the responsibility of the UK government.

IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED UNTIL TODAY

Parliament is claiming that the scottish bill has “passed the adverse effects test” and has used section 35 to stop it from coming into effect, continuing to place the lives of trans people in danger and furthering tensions surrounding Scottish independence, making claims about “same sex schools” and “sex equality”.

FM Nicola Sturgeon has called it a blatant attack on scottish independence and has promised to fight against this situation. She has also accused the UK government of using trans people as a weapon in the debate of scottish independence, and I am inclined to agree with her.

As angry and disappointed as I am, I wish I could say I was surprised. terf island continues to terf and trans people continue to die as sufferers of violent crime, economic disparity and suicide. Spread love, check in with your friends, fight your battles until we don’t have to anymore.

I love all you trans people in scotland and the uk and the world and I wish you the best <3

#trans rights uk #trans rights scotland #gender recognition reform act #section 35 #scottish independence #terf island #transgender #scotland #scots #TransScots #Transgender Scottish #Transgender Scotland #TransBrit #Transgender Brittish #uk government #scottish government #lgbtq+ #London government #London government not uk government #this is not democracy noone voted for this #suicide tw #stoneturnedover

[timetravelphotography]

Governor's House and Scottish Government | Edinburgh, UK

August 2007

June 2009

August 2018

#edinburgh #scottish government #photography #photographers on tumblr #time travel photography #same place #same shot #(kinda)

[ssoheartbreak]

Nicola Sturgeon, one of, if not the best, leader of Scotlands government has unexpectantly resigned. Seemingly a strong proponent of trans rights and progressive policies. Our best chance against the tories. And the spearhead for Scotlands independence.

Just gonna go. Part of me understands, facing a typhoon of vitriolic hate and slurs and bigotry every single day and especially if you say anything at all must be exhausting.

But now part of me is worried like, who takes over? Someone who’s more traditional and woops there goes our chance of improving trans lives ? Someone not as passionate about scottish independence? Worse someone actively against any progressive policies and we start rolling things back?

Unless this new leader is someone to genuinely be excited about I think I’ve just lost any hope I had for scottish/british politics

#pie being stupid #my people #Scottish Politics #Scotland #Holyrood #Scottish Government #Nicola Sturgeon

[gwydionmisha]

#Scottish Government #Scotland #Conversion Therapy Ban #Rumor Control #News

[scotianostra]

If you're out of work, Scotrail are offering two free return tickets per month to help you get to job interviews. Once you get a job, They'll help you on your way with a free season ticket for a month as well. Speak with your Job Centre contact to claim.

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/assets/download_ct/20220404/tQiRacE-X18ClcL_zEv7XgQ5vnZpGj-YpThQLosBDig/scotrail_sustainability_report_2021_brochure_web.pdf#page=42

#Scotland #scottish #government owned #scottish government #scotrail #free travel #jobless

[corepaedianews]

Humza Yousaf: Scotland gets a Muslim leader in a moment of extraordinary change for British politics

Parveen Akhtar, Aston University and Timothy Peace, University of Glasgow Humza Yousaf’s appointment as first minister of Scotland is a historic moment for the UK. It means that, for the first time in history, the country has a Hindu prime minister in Westminster (Rishi Sunak) and a Muslim first minister in Scotland. In his victory speech, Yousaf said: We should all take pride in the fact that…

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#First muslim leader in the UK #Indian diaspora #Muslim leader #Scotland #Scottish Government #Scottish National Party #Scottish parliament #Scottish politics #SNP #UK ethnic minorities #UK politics

[28whitepeonies]

I just left an organising meeting and I’m so full of rage about the backtracking on the rent freeze in Scotland and the way the Scottish Government have just totally fucked over renters. Last September we managed a hard won 0% rent cap guaranteed for 6 months that meant most rent could not be increased at all, but because of the way so many rentals work and especially social housing, this wouldn’t really have an impact on a lot of folk until 1 April 2023 when annual rent increases occur.

Since then landlords have piled on the pressure and the fucking Scottish Government have caved. Private rent increases are being capped at 3% but this is especially bad for those renters living in social housing where they’ve agreed a voluntary scheme that’ll see average rent increases of 6% - 6.5% but there’s no fucking cap on it so some social landlords will be increasing rent by more than that up to the inflation rate of 11%, as if 6% wasn’t bad enough.

While most councils will probably stick around the 6% mark, so many social landlords are private housing authority companies who don’t give a flying fuck about anyone. Folk living in social housing aren’t getting a 6% increase in income of any sort, nevermind 11% inflation rate.

I don’t have anything to actually say here other than to vent about my rage and to say if you live in Scotland this is a great time to get involved in fighting for fairer housing.

#I want to be absolutely clear that 1% increase for social housing would be unacceptable nevermind 6% or higher #shit that’s not fandom related #Bea rants on tumblr dot com #because it’s nicer than anywhere else #Scottish government #Scottish politics

[alanaisalive]

When I applied for ADP: "It'll take 6 to 8 weeks"

18 weeks later: "Sorry. It's been taking about 20 weeks"

After 20 weeks: "Expect it to take up to 6 months."

So I'm pretty sure this benefit doesn't exist and they will just keep moving the fucking goalposts until I run out of money and kill myself.

#adult disability payments #scottish government #I've got about £1000 of savings left and when it's gone so am I #i can't keep doing this shit

[elicatkin]

#scots #gàidhlig #gaelic #scots leid #scottish languages #scottish politics #scottish government #scotland

[ashenbun]

I wonder wtf the protocol is when the government officer mesnt to settle a dispute is clearly fucking biased. Involve higher official? Scream to have case transferred?

Idk man but I am NOT having a third year of abuse by a shitty neighbour because one auld bat feels sorry for a manipulative teenager :T

#ooc things #rant #so goddamn TIRED OF THIS SHIT #no the first time shes tried to twist my words to get out of doin her job either #lazy fuck i stg #'we care about our disabled occupants' do you fuck #scottish council #scottish government

[realpeterabell]

Killer question

I often wonder if those lauding Ash Regan's proposal have even read the document. Or read it with an open mind. Read it without have already decided what it all means and therefore taking from it exactly that meaning regardless of what is actually written

I have been irked again! Nothing new or unusual about that, I hear you say. And it is certainly true that I seem to be irked rather a lot. Two possible explanations come to mind. It could be that I am uncommonly easily irked. Or it could just be that there is so much ‘out there’ to be irked about. Or it could be some combination of the two. Suppose we go with the first explanation. Do we just…

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#Ash Regan #Scottish Government #Scottish Parliament #Scottish Parliament Powers Referendum Bill #Section 30 #SNP

[nando161mando]

Scottish Government responds to Empire, Slavery and Scotland’s Museums Recommendations! #critcat #archives #libraries #museums #scotland #heritage

@ayeforscotland

#scotland #scottish #scottish government #empire #slavery #museum #critcat #archives #books & libraries #public libraries #support libraries #libraries #heritage #essm #chattel slavery #imperialism #colonialism #colonial violence #colonial america #colonial history #colonialization #class war #capitalism #anti capitalist #capitalist hell #capitalist dystopia #capitalist bullshit #ausgov #politas #auspol

[scotianostra]

Fracking will never take place in Scotland, pledges SNP energy minister

#fracking #Scotland #scottish #SNP #scottish government

[peterabell]

POWER IS NEVER GIVEN! POWER IS ONLY TAKEN!

I've had a lot of time to think about this. And the biggest possible incentive to think well. I have been through every phase of the fight to restore Scotland's independence since 1960, or thereabouts. I've seen all the campaigns. I've read all the propos

Originally posted as a reply to a BTL comment on a report in The National. I thought it worth pushing. The way to address the constitutional issue is clear. It all hinges on legislative competence. protesting policies and demanding powers at best comes at the matter piecemeal, and is therefore ineffective. We KNOW it is ineffective because we have more than nine years of evidence proving that it…

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#Scottish Government #Scottish Parliament #Section 30

[uniofaberdeen]

Failing government policy behind the looming crisis in Scotland's senior housing sector

Urgent public and private intervention is essential if Scotland is to avoid an elderly housing crisis, according to new research.

The report, published today in the journal Property Management, finds the neoliberalist approach adopted by successive UK and Scottish governments has led to a significant shortfall in housing stock suitable for the country’s aging population.

The research, conducted by Sovereign Property Partnership, the University of Aberdeen and Lincoln University, New Zealand, focused on the issues surrounding the supply of housing-with-care, independent living accommodation that sits between traditional retirement houses and care homes.

It found there are only 3,782 dwellings of this type across Scotland, 10% of which is private sector housing stock. Retirement villages are also extremely rare, with only three of note currently open.

In Scotland, by mid-2043, it is projected that 22.9% of the population will be of pensionable age, compared to 19.0% in mid-2018 and the report argues that action is needed now across the planning system, property law and social care integration to prevent a crisis.

“The adequate supply of housing is one of the main pillars of the welfare state, but over time successive government’s enthusiasm to intervene in the housing market has shifted, resulting in the majority of new housing being supplied by the private sector and housing policy predominantly relying on the market to respond to demand,” said Andrew Fyfe of Sovereign Property Partnership.

“As there is an overall shortage of housing in Scotland, developers often see better profit margins in mainstream family housing and first-time buyer flats, discouraging senior housing opportunities which require a different set of skills and expertise.

“Demand levels for senior housing are well established and understood, but there is a severe shortfall in the type of housing which offers older people a chance to live independently until such time as they need additional care. Without increased supply of the right type of housing, welfare deficits will occur.”

Housing-with-care is recognised as being a key contributor in helping older people stay independent for longer and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions. The model is considered a success in other developed nations such as New Zealand, Australia and the US where supply levels are significantly higher.

The Scottish Government has a longstanding policy of ‘aging in place’, supporting people to remain at home independently for as long as possible. Yet since 1999 housing policy has focused on building more affordable homes, with much less emphasis on senior housing. It also recognised that only a small proportion of older people will likely live in new build housing.

“Given the projections about the aging population, combined with the considerable cost and time required to make necessary adaptations to the current housing stock, housing-with-care is the obvious solution to plug the gap,” added Professor Norman Hutchison, Chair at the University of Aberdeen Business School.

“For good reason the Scottish government is focused on housing affordability, but there needs to be a twin track approach with focus on both affordability and the correct mix of housing type.   

“The state needs to intervene across planning, property law and social care integration and embed housing-with-care into local and national policy to address this problem and do so with some degree of urgency.”

“A bigger proportion of any new housing must focus on senior housing to make up for years of deficits. The housing-with-care offering should also be available to all sectors of society, regardless of income, and must not be seen exclusively as a private sector solution only available to existing homeowners or the wealthy.”

The study concludes there may be an increasing role for housing associations in this regard, with targeted funding from the state. Owner occupier and rental options should also be available with developments funded by the private and public sectors, as well as possible joint ventures between the two. A partnership approach might for example see local authorities identifying suitable sites for senior housing from their existing land holding, which when combined with the development expertise and capital raising ability of the private sector would  expedite completion of schemes.

“Only through the public and private sector working closely in partnership will sufficient housing be built to meet the needs of seniors and allow them to live with appropriate levels of care and dignity in the decades to come,” added Professor Hutchison.

The report authors are Professor Norman Hutchison from the University of Aberdeen; Andrew Fyfe from Sovereign Property Partnership and BNP Paribas Real Estate, Scotland; and Professor Graham Squires from Lincoln University, New Zealand.

#housing #elderly #care #scottish government #housing crisis