New benefit for people in Scotland providing unpaid care set to launch in three council areas next week

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scotland have urged the UK Government to restrict the sale of fireworks after chaos on Bonfire Night.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are now being processed - from point of application to award decision letter being sent out - within 15 weeks. Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP also said that “reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority”.

EXCLUSIVE: After running his latest acclaimed solo show, Daniel Sloss: Can’t, off-Broadway and touring it worldwide to rave reviews, Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss has set the spring 2024 U.S. theater dates that will bring it to a close.

Millions of people on disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance will see their payments rise by 6.7 per cent next April after the uprating was confirmed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during the recent Autumn Statement.

More than 30 flood warnings are in force across parts of England as the UK faces heavy rain but a decreasing risk of snow, forecasters have said.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed changes to payment dates for Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance and Tax Credits over the festive fortnight. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland have not announced any changes yet, but as in previous years, is expected to follow the same payment pattern as HMRC.

When Balamory was on CBBC screens from 2002 to 2005, it was a total hit with youngsters. But 18 years later, two of the show's well-known stars have now reunited for an upcoming project.

The veteran British actress Brigit Forsyth has died aged 83, her agent has shared.

Actress Brigit Forsyth, who starred in Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? has died at the age of 83, her agent Mark Pemberton has confirmed.The Scottish actress played battleaxe Thelma Ferris, the long suffering wife of Rodney Bewes’ character Bob, in the cult 70s BBC sitcom. Her agent confirmed she died “peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family” in the early hours of Friday morning.

Virgin Media O2 is helping more people in need across Scotland access free mobile data this Christmas by rolling out the National Databank to 26 Scottish O2-owned stores, alongside increasing the amount of data available to help those who need it to get online and stay connected to loved ones.

Thousands of unpaid carers across Scotland are set to receive a one-off payment for £270.50 next week. The Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be paid on Friday, December 8 and is only available to eligible claimants living in Scotland who were in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), on October 9, 2023.

Social Security Scotland has confirmed that around 400,000 people will start to receive this year’s Winter Heating Payment from the middle of December, with the ‘vast majority’ of eligible households due the money before the end of January 2024. The payment of £55.05 will be made automatically and is designed to help people with higher energy costs during the colder months.

More than 8 million people across Scotland, England and Wales received a £300 cost of living payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between October 31 and November 19, 2023. The second part of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment provided a financial boost for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Tax Credits and other income-related benefits.

A Scots primary school will remain closed for a second day as police probe the murder of a man who was found seriously injured in a street.

December is right around the corner which means many people will be getting their pennies together for Christmas shopping.

The defeated candidate in the SNP leadership contest has defended “silent prayer” outside abortion clinics.

The Scottish Government recently announced a new devolved disability payment designed to provide additional financial support for people of State Pension age will not include a mobility component. However, it has also confirmed the new benefit will not include any face-to-face assessments as part of the application process.

Gareth Southgate would relish locking horns again with Scotland in a Euros rerun.

Scottish Labour will back a ceasefire next week when MSPs debate the spiralling conflict in the Middle East.

Social Security Scotland recently announced that an estimated 400,000 people will start to receive this year’s Winter Heating Payment from the middle of December, with the ‘vast majority’ of eligible households receiving the money by the end of January 2024. The payment of £55.05 will be made automatically to help people with higher energy costs during the colder months.