Changes to PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance benefits developed to encourage more claims for support

Scottish Tory leader said the SNP “mask is slipping” as he criticised Nicola Sturgeon’s claim independence is “essential” to help with the task of rebuilding Scotland after coronavirus. Ross also said the SNP Government wants to “use every opportunity to further their aims” for making Scotland an independent country, adding “their priority is separation at all costs”.

State Pension payment will rise by just £4.40 per week from next year should be reason enough for every elderly Scot to check if they are eligible to claim Attendance Allowance to boost their monthly income.The projected increase is the smallest rise allowed by legislation under the triple lock guarantee and means an annual increase of £228.80 for those on the full, ‘new’ State Pension, which will rise from £175.20 to £179.60 each week.While the ‘old’ basic-rate State Pension will rise by £3.40

confirmed payment date changes for some people over the festive period. The changes will affect Scottish claimants due to receive Universal Credit, State Pension, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other DWP-delivered benefits on December 25th and 28th and January 1st and 4th.

top politicians are really thinking. And thanks to Scots comic Janey Godley, we got a bit of an inkling into the inner workings of Nicola Sturgeon this morning - and they're a bit raunchier than you might imagine.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.A MUM-of-four caught pocketing £20,000 in benefits after failing to reveal she was living with a partner has been hit with a six-month curfew order.Kirsty Benn didn’t tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) she was living with Mark Campbell at her home in Wallyford, East Lothian.The 35-year-old benefits cheat appeared for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday after admitting the charge at

www.onescotland.org/st-andrews-dayCabinet Secretary for Culture, Fiona Hyslop, explained that our national day is the perfect opportunity to recognise the resilience and shared kindness we have experienced this year and which has helped us get through these difficult times.She said: “We may not be able to get together physically to celebrate St Andrew’s Day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to look out for each other and lift spirits by sharing words of kindness."We hope that by 30th

reports.

Covid-19 crisis. Figures published in September by the Office of National Statistics showed that unemployment across Scotland remained steady at 4.5% (126,000) between July and September.

Child Disability Payment is set to replace Disability Living Allowance (Child) and will be the next new benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government.In an update to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said Social Security Scotland will start taking applications from summer 2021 as part of a pilot scheme, ahead of a full roll-out across the country from autumn 2021.This will be followed by the introduction of Adult Disability

Social Security Scotland that is replacing Disability Allowance Child (DLA Child). The new benefit will provide additional financial support to children and young people with disabilities, as well as their families, to help with the additional costs they incur as a result of having a disability or long-term health condition.

© @Copyright HELLO! Hello! Magazine Wimbledon champion and Olympic gold medallist filmed a rare Instagram video on Thursday, sharing a never-before-seen part of his .Tennis star Andy took to Instagram Stories to film himself watching his national team Scotland play Serbia in a football match. As well as his huge flat-screen TV, we were treated to a look inside his stylish living room.Underneath the television is a shelf, which Kim and Andy have decorated with cute potted plants.

Scottish Government will today reveal details on how students will be able to safely return home at Christmas. Higher education minister Richard Lochhead is expected to announce a mass testing regime for undergraduates to allow them to leave halls of residence without spreading Covid in the wider community.It could see students tested for coronavirus twice, five days apart, with two negative results required before they are allowed to head home.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.The owner of a soft play centre says a government grant boost will allow her to “tread water” but warned more support is needed to keep the industry afloat.Julie Thomas was forced to close The Wee Play Place in Alexandria when the lockdown hit in March and has no idea when she’ll be able to reopen.She has joined an alliance of soft play business owners across Scotland lobbying the Scottish Government for

care home has called for families of people in care homes to be given key worker status. Former Coronation Street actress Leandra Ashton, who filmed the shocking scenes after her mum Ylenia Angeli was placed in handcuffs, has backed her campaign.

Loch Ness will become a black magic hub.Boleskine House was once owned by infamous 'ceremonial magician’ Aleister Crowley - who called himself the 'wickedest man in the world'.Crowley - who died in 1947 - drank blood and staged huge orgies there fuelled by heroin and cocaine.This week protesters demanded council bosses throw out plans to turn the estate - that also used to be the Highland home of Led Zeppelin’ guitarist, Jimmy Page - into ten holiday lodges.Opponents claim the sprawling property

hospitality premises will be able open across the central belt during the day under changes announced by Nicola Sturgeon.The controversial definition of a cafe is being removed by the Scottish Government, after a backlash, meaning all premises can operate in the day up to 6pm without selling alcohol.At level 2, which currently covers the rest of Scotland, hospitality premises can sell alcohol indoors with a main meal up to 8pm instead of 6pm, allowing scope for evening meals.Hotels and other