Shirley-Anne Somerville Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

People on devolved benefits and payments administered and delivered by Social Security Scotland will see payment rates rise from Monday. It was announced in December the Scottish Government would uprate benefits by 6.7 per cent from April 1 for the next financial year - in line with Consumer Price Index inflation rate in September of last year.

The Scottish Government has announced that people on a low income will start receiving a one-off payment for £55.05 this week to help with higher energy bills. Around 400,000 eligible households are due the Winter Heating Payment between now and the end of January, 2024.

Humza Yousaf has said the number of schools identified with dangerous concrete has risen to forty.

Scottish ministers have been aware of the risks of collapse-prone concrete since last summer, Shirley-Anne Somerville said, as she pledged to be "open" with the public on concerns.

Statistics from Social Security Scotland show that almost £20million was paid to nearly 400,000 people on low incomes across the country during February and March to help with higher energy bills. In the first year of the new Winter Heating Payment, a total of £19.7 million was paid to 394,135 households, with the vast majority of eligible Scots receiving their payments of £50 automatically.

The Scottish Government is looking at the possibility of introducing ‘split’ Universal Credit payments for people in Scotland. Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities of Scotland, Shirley-Anne Somerville, explained to Labour MSP Paul O'Kane that “officials expect to submit a formal policy proposal to DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) soon, for them to impact assess”.

Over one thousand Ukrainian refugees who have been living on a ship in Edinburgh have finally been rehomed. MS Victoria has been docked in Leith Harbour for a year to accommodate the Ukrainians who fled their home country after it was invaded by Russia.

Teachers’ strikes specifically targeting Perthshire because it is represented at Holyrood by Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP are set to go ahead next week forcing the closure of dozens of schools.

Two days of strike action affecting Stirling’s teachers will go ahead at the end of the month after a fresh pay offer was rejected by unions.

Scotland’s largest teaching union has announced it will take "targeted" strike action in the Glasgow constituency of Nicola Sturgeon in a row over pay.

Critics of Holyrood’s gender recognition legislation within the SNP should not have to leave the party, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

A senior SNP figure has said rebels should “question” if they want to stay in the party at the next election.

Schools across West Lothian were closed to pupils today as teachers staged a third day of industrial action.

Dumfries and Galloway teachers are taking strike action again on Monday.

West Lothian teachers will be taking part in a fresh round of strikes later this month.

Schools across Scotland will close after last-ditch talks to avoid a teachers' strike ended without agreement.

Teachers have been offered a new pay deal in a bid to avert strike action which is set to take place later this week.

Members of a secondary school teaching union have voted to go on strike to push for an improved pay offer.

The education secretary has hinted a teacher strike could be prevented later this month if "additional funding" is found by the Scottish Government.

Work should be carried out to establish if nursery workers switching employers poses a risk to the Scottish Government ’s flagship childcare, MSPs have said.

Timeless classic Animal Farm is to be published in Scots for the first time.

Scotland’s Education Secretary has confirmed the country’s controversial exams body will be abolished.

Education Secretary has recently met in person with other members of the Scottish Cabinet or MSPs.In her online message Somerville said: “After losing my sense of smell yesterday I went for a Covid test which has come back positive.“I’ll now self isolate and continue to work from home.

iOS - Android Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The free helpline offers young people an excellent source of advice and guidance and I’d appeal to learners who have questions about their next steps to use this valuable resource.“Whether it’s practical advice about options, or reassurance following SQA results, the advisers are ready to help.”Sharon McIntyre from SDS added: “We know receiving results has been a very different experience for young people and their families this

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 last month, 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

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

self-isolation payment exempt from tax.

Click here for more news from the Airdrie and Coatbridge AdvertiserParents and carers who are home schooling or have deferred their child’s start date can still apply for the grant, with applications relating to youngsters in the relevant age group remaining open until the end of February.Social security secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As parents gear up for kids starting school, many will be feeling the financial impact of Covid-19.“I urge them to check if they are eligible for the

Mixed sex couples in Scotland will be allowed to enter into civil partnerships "as soon as possible" after a new law was passed at the Scottish Parliament. Cabinet secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville made the pledge as Holyrood passed legislation making the change.

Carers are being offered a £230 one-off emergency boost to help them through the pandemic.

Carers are being offered a £230 one-off emergency boost to help them through the pandemic.