The Deputy First Minister John Swinney visited our Dundee Head Office today to meet with colleagues from both the Local Delivery team and Adult Disability Payment team to reiterate the importance of their work and hear how we are doing things differently in Scotland.
Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments will now be made automatically to clients who receive Scottish Child Payment, without the need to apply separately, when children are of the correct age.
Find out more at http://bit.ly/BestStartAutomation
#DoingThingsDifferently
🎥 A few weeks ago, Deidre Brock MP and I hosted a #costofliving support event to raise awareness of what assistance is available in #North Edinburgh and #leith.
☎️ Please do get in touch with either myself, Deidre or any of these organisations, if you think we may be able to assist you or someone you know.
☺️ #heretohelp
Social Security Scotland
Home Energy Scotland
One Parent Families Scotland
Age Scotland
Citizens Advice Edinburgh
Advice Direct Scotland
VOCAL Edinburgh
👶 Scotland’s Baby Box has been refreshed in time for its fifth anniversary, by The Scottish Government.
The new look box, which I had the chance to see recently at The Scottish Parliament, has updated clothing designs and now includes a baby toothbrush to support early oral health.
Every newborn in Scotland is entitled to a Baby Box, with around 222,450 delivered to families since the scheme began in August 2017.
It is reassuring to know that all families in #Scotland, regardless of their circumstances, have access to essential items needed for the first six months of their newborn’s life.
Uptake for the Baby Box has grown to about 98% since it was introduced in 2017. As we head towards the fifth anniversary, I am proud that the Baby Box continues to support newborns and their families.
The Baby Box provides families with a range of essential items for the first six months of their baby’s life, delivered in a sturdy cardboard box which can be used as a safe sleeping space during the early months. The contents of the box are designed to inform and support positive parenting behaviours.
In an independent evaluation, 97% of parents who took part in research rated the box and its contents as good.
More information can be found here: www.mygov.scot/baby-box
My English friends can’t believe we get this for free. I keep telling them to move to Scotland, free baby boxes, education, prescriptions, school meals for primary school kids etc. How lucky are we to have the power to make these decisions that helps millions.
Wonderful welcome gift for a new born ❤️🏴❤️
I think these are wonderful. I wish they’d been about when my boys were born.
Edele Anderson💙
It's great but please pre soak this yellow sponge. The die comes out and makes the water bright yellow. Would prefer a softer material too
GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS
We're really excited to be hosting this as a joint event with Port of Leith Housing Association.
It will be a family friendly afternoon, with lots to do, live entertainment, a chance to find out some useful stuff and hopefully meet friends old and new.
More, O much more to follow 🙂
Leith Connected. Local organisations working togetther
A big thanks to Asda Leith for hosting my pop-up “Help and Advice Surgery” at their store yesterday.
It was great to meet with Sharon, the Community Champion, to hear all about the good work that Asda are doing to support the local community, including Victoria Primary School and Ukrainian Refugee children.
The Asda Foundation have also recently launched a new ‘Cost of Living’ grant which could be really useful for local organisations who are facing increased rent, fuel or food bills. More information can be found here: www.asdafoundation.org/foundation-grants.
#HereToHelp
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Today, I will be having a pop-up “Help and Advice Surgery” from 4pm till 5pm at Asda Leith, 2 Sandpiper Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6NX. Please pop along if there are any issues you would like to discuss with me. #HereToHelp
📢 Reminder that the Cost of Living Help and Advice Event with myself and Deidre Brock MP is today.
Citizens Advice Edinburgh is proudly taking part in event ‘Cost of Living Help & Advice Event’ organised by Ben Macpherson MSP and Deidre Brock MP.
This Friday 18 November 2022 with other local organisations we will be providing help and advice to all citizens facing cost of living crisis.
This Friday 18 November 2022:
Morning: 10:00- 12:00
Leith Community Centre
12A Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AD
Afternoon: 14:30 - 16:30
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh, EH5 1NF
#benmacpherson #deidrebrock #citizensadvicescotland #CostOfLivingCrisis
The Scottish Government's Scottish Child Payment has been increased to £25 per week per eligible child (from 14 November 2022, immediately benefiting over 100,000 children) and extended to eligible children under 16 (increasing eligibility to another estimated 300,000 children). You can find out here if you're eligible and apply online: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment.
There's more information on Social Security Scotland's website too: www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/.
Please spread the word with people you know who might benefit from this additional assistance.
It was good to be able to talk about all of this with BBC Scotland yesterday on The Nine.
Increased
The Scottish Child Payment has been increased to £25 per week per eligible child, and extended to eligible children under 16.
You can apply online here: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/how-to-apply.
More information is on Social Security Scotland’s website too: www.socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Many thousands more children become eligible today and we encourage people to apply.
You can apply for Scottish Child Payment if you are receiving or have applied for any of these benefits or payments - Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Please spread the word as we want people to receive support that they are entitled to. Social security is a shared investment in people - to help make Scotland a fairer and better place, together.
We are committed to treating everyone who applies for Scottish benefits with dignity, fairness and respect.
Well let's hope the parents actually spend it on their kids & not themselves.
Rebecca Campbell x
Cover the cost of their phone upgrade!
Please share with those you know who might be eligible.
This is great! It says to apply online if possible but what is the website? Clare
We have doubled the December bridging payment to £260 to help families during the cost of living crisis.
Payments will be made automatically for children receiving free school meals due to low income.
If you have not applied for free school meals but think you may be eligible, then apply now.
Find out more information and how to apply ➡️ bit.ly/BridgingPayment
A big thanks to the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Thrive Edinburgh and Hibernian Community Foundation for hosting my office at their ‘Nights are Fair Drawin in’ event yesterday.
A reminder that my office and Deidre Brock MP’s office and are also hosting two ‘Cost of Living Help & Advice Events’ next week on Friday 18 November.
One in Leith: www.facebook.com/events/816090819600293/?ref=newsfeed
One in North Edinburgh: www.facebook.com/events/1610856329329851?ref=newsfeed
#HereToHelp
The Annual Report and Accounts for Social Security Scotland have been published this week.
They delivered £163.6 million in direct payments across 11 Scottish benefits from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
The results of Social Security Scotland’s annual Client Survey have also been published.
The survey found:
🔵 94% of people who had been in contact with staff felt that they were treated with kindness
🔵 93% of people who responded said their experience was 'good' or 'very good'
🔵 92% of respondents felt that they had been listened to
Find out more: bit.ly/Social-Security-Scotland
My office, along with Deidre Brock MP's office, are hosting a ‘Cost of Living Help & Advice Event’ which will take place on Friday 18 November.
We are hosting this event in our capacity as representatives of Edinburgh North/Northern and Leith. There will be two drop-in sessions:
• 10.00am-12.00noon at Leith Community Centre, 12A Newkirkgate, EH6 6AD.
• 2.30pm-4.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, EH5 1NF.
Both Deidre and I will be there to provide help and advice to constituents along with national organisations like Age Scotland, Social Security Scotland, Home Energy Scotland, VOCAL Edinburgh, The Advice Shop by The City of Edinburgh Council and others.
No appointment necessary. Links for events here:
www.facebook.com/events/816090819600293/?ref=newsfeed for the Leith session and www.facebook.com/events/1610856329329851?ref=newsfeed for the Royston Wardieburn session.
Trinity Community Council
Leith Links Community Council
Leith Central Community Council
Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council
Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council
Granton and District Community Council
New Town & Broughton Community Council
Will be there
I am proud to support Show Racism the Red Card Scotland’s Month of Action, though of course challenging racism is important everyday.
Racism has no place in our society, but sadly it is still an ongoing problem in modern Scotland.
Together we need to change that - call it out, challenge it, be anti-racist!
#NoPlaceForHate #ShowRacismTheRedCard
Today I updated The Scottish Parliament on the progress of automation and take-up of #SocialSecurity devolved benefits, delivered by The Scottish Government.
Social Security Scotland are working pro-actively delivering 12 benefits, 7 of which are only available in Scotland.
Please see if you are eligible for any support and apply for the assistance you are entitled to - and encourage others you know to do the same: www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits.
The Scottish Social Security system is something we should be proud of - with ‘Dignity, Fairness and Respect’ at the heart of everything we do.💙
Today Deputy First Minister John Swinney published the Emergency Budget Review.
More money has been allocated to help with the cost of living crisis, while a total £1.175 billion savings are needed to support balancing Scotland’s Budget.
Find out more at bit.ly/EmergencyBudgetReview and read more about the support being provided ⬇️
🔵 We’re prioritising higher pay for around 450,000 devolved public sector workers, allocating over £700 million extra for improved pay offers.
🔵 We’ll fund activities to help the most vulnerable in society including an Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund of £1.4 million to help island households manage energy costs.
🔵 We’ll double the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £20 million helping households at risk of severely rationing energy use or self-disconnecting.
🔵 We’ll double the December Scottish Child Bridging Payment to £260 per eligible child, benefiting around 145,000 schoolchildren who receive free meals.
🔵 To improve energy advice to businesses, we will invest £300,000 to expand the services of Business Energy Scotland and double the SME Loan cashback for energy efficiency to £20,000.
This Friday, 4 November, I will be holding my regular ‘Drop-in Help & Advice Surgeries’ in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Do not attend if you are unwell. Please find the details below. #HereToHelp
9:30am – 10:30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh, EH5 1NF).
11:00am – 12:00noon at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh, EH4 4BY).
3:30pm – 4:30pm at Leith Community Centre (12A Newkirkgate, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AD).
If you can’t come this Friday, and you need assistance from me as your local MSP, you can also contact my office via phone on 0131 600 0134 or email me at ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.
As Bonfire Night draws nearer we are reminding residents to stay safe and keep up to date with the latest advice from @fire_scot
More information on bonfires and fireworks www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/outdoors/fireworks-and-bonfire-safety/
#BonfireNightSafety
It's about time the Scottish Government banned the sale of fireworks to the public just like they do in other Countries around the World!
💛 From all of us at the SNP, we wish a happy and peaceful Diwali to all those celebrating in Scotland and across the world.
📢 Message from the Office of Ben Macpherson MSP 📢
Did you know that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) provide a flood warning service?
They will regularly publish three day flood forecasts and information which can help understand flood risks and how we can prepare for floods in the future.
Follow their page below for more information:
Paper 3: A stronger economy with independence
In recent weeks I chaired our latest meeting of the Seafield Wastewater Treatment Works Stakeholder Group. I was glad to receive this update that the ~£10M improvement works (to reduce odour risk and upgrade the facility) are progressing well.
Find out more: www.scottishwater.co.uk/In-Your-Area/Investments-in-Your-Area/Seafield.
Leith Links Community Council
Scottish Water
Ash Regan MSP for Edinburgh Eastern
Tommy Sheppard MP
Deidre Brock MP
The issues are far more than just odour. The facility is due to be underwater with climate change predictions if Tories continue at their present level of incompetence and greed.
25 years plus to sort this problem out. Well I'm still holding my breath.
I was at #SNP22 Conference this weekend in Aberdeen.
Significant announcements from the First Minister, including that The Scottish Government will pay a double bridging payment of £260, which means low-income families will receive this boost in the run up to Christmas, as well as increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £25, and extending it to eligible children under 16, from 14 November.
These are good examples of The Scottish National Party (SNP) Scottish Government using the powers and resources we have to help where we can.
It also was uplifting to meet so many people and organisations throughout the weekend who are helping people across the country, and I was grateful to be invited to speak at the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) event yesterday.
The period ahead will be challenging but my colleagues and I are strongly committed to supporting those who need it most as much as we can - in my constituency, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and across Scotland. #heretohelp 💛🏴
You will be prime minister of an independent Scotland one day.
The optics of Holyrood re-distribution are starting to look bad Ben........this is exactly the problem Whitehall hopes will stymie the Scottish Government....
Amazing 👏
📢 BREAKING: The Scottish Parliament has passed legislation freezing rents and banning evictions until at least March 2023.
🤝 While the UK Tories crash the economy, we’re delivering real action on the cost-of-living crisis.
A reminder that I have my monthly 'Drop-in Help & Advice Surgeries' tomorrow. From 9.30am-10.30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, then 11am-12pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre and then 3.30pm-4.30pm at Leith Community Centre. Please do not attend if you are unwell. #HereToHelpThis Friday, 7 October, I will be holding my regular ‘Drop-in Help & Advice Surgeries’ in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Do not attend if you are unwell. Please find the details below. #HereToHelp
9:30am – 10:30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh, EH5 1NF).
11:00am – 12:00noon at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh, EH4 4BY).
3:30pm – 4:30pm at Leith Community Centre (12A Newkirkgate, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AD).
If you can’t come this Friday, and you need assistance from me as your local MSP, you can also contact my office via phone on 0131 600 0134 or email me at ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot.
Today I visited Community Renewal Trust and Citizens Advice Edinburgh on Pennywell Road, and caught up with them about the important work they do to provide support in North Edinburgh.
Together, we discussed how we can encourage people to see if they're entitled to social security benefits. You can find out if you are eligible at: costofliving.campaign.gov.scot/.
As Minister for Social Security, I am urging people to spread the word, speak to others about benefits and to raise awareness about what support is available at this challenging time. www.gov.scot/news/families-urged-to-talk-about-social-security-payments/.
You can contact Citizens Advice Scotland's dedicated 'Money Talk Team' on 0800 028 1456, more information is available here: moneytalkteam.org.uk/.
You can also call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222, more information is available here: www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/.
#ChallengePoverty #turnthetide
This Friday, 7 October, I will be holding my regular ‘Drop-in Help & Advice Surgeries’ in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Do not attend if you are unwell. Please find the details below. #HereToHelp
9:30am – 10:30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh, EH5 1NF).
11:00am – 12:00noon at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh, EH4 4BY).
3:30pm – 4:30pm at Leith Community Centre (12A Newkirkgate, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AD).
If you can’t come this Friday, and you need assistance from me as your local MSP, you can also contact my office via phone on 0131 600 0134 or email me at ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot.
We’re bringing in emergency legislation to support tenants during the cost of living crisis.
It aims to give tenants:
🔵 Stability in their homes
🔵 Confidence about their housing costs
If approved, the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill will:
🔵 Protect tenants from rent increases
🔵 Stop evictions being carried out in most cases
🔵 Increase damages for unlawful evictions to a maximum of 36 months’ worth of rent
Learn more at bit.ly/emergency-legislation-overview
Such sad news that Mary Moriarty has passed away - a sparkling, wonderful, caring & wise force for good in our community, rightly known as the ‘Queen of Leith’. A genuine legend who will be much missed by many in Leith & beyond. My condolences to all those closest to her. RIP.❤️
Very sorry to hear this. A wonderful lady. Had the good fortune to meet her a few times.
What a wonderful lady ,once spent a week in Majorca with her and other publicans ( courtesy of the brewery) .she was a star ⭐️
Will miss her a lot. Loved bumping into her around Leith.
Absolute legend. The end of an era.
Healing comfort and strength sent with much love to all who loved her.x
She owned The Port of Leith for years
Please check if you’re eligible for any of Social Security Scotland’s benefits, raise awareness through your networks about what support is available, and apply for assistance that you’re entitled to.
📢 Update from the Office of Ben Macpherson MSP 📢
The Scottish Government has launched a ‘one-stop shop’ to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis. The new website provides details on a wide range of advice and financial support, including help to meet energy, housing and childcare costs, as well as social security payments that are not available anywhere else in the UK.
You can find out what support you may be entitled to at costofliving.campaign.gov.scotWe’ve launched a new website to help with the cost of living crisis.
The website has a range of information on support available for households facing rising energy, housing and other costs.
Find information on support available at gov.scot/costoflivingsupport
Congratulations 🎉 - there are many brilliant hospitality businesses in Edinburgh Northern and Leith and it’s great to see Pierino's getting this recognition! #SaltAndSauceEverytime
Well-loved Edinburgh chippy win best fish and chip shop in Scotland
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
The long time Leith favourite has brought home two huge awards for their family run fish and chip shop that has been pleasing locals for decades.Do you do Gluten Free fish and chips too
Good to catch up with Evie, CEO of Earth in Common, earlier this month. Leith Community Croft has many initiatives running already and it was great to see how the building renovations are progressing, funded by The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. When complete it will provide a community café, two meeting rooms for community members, a workshop space, an office and an outbuilding 🍃🌻
Well done evie x
Looking good!
Joanna Hartga
Last week, I was grateful to attend the Spartan’s charity fundraiser. It is really inspiring to work with The Spartans Community Football Academy, & I’m uplifted so often by all that the whole team do to help. #HereForGood 💙
Thank you to everyone who has supported their work in recent years, & for the extraordinary generosity of donations on Thursday - making a real difference! ❤️
Take a look at their video below, which shows some of the work they do to help in North Edinburgh. 👇
📣 Today the First Minister set out The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2022/2023. Here are some of the key measures and announcements:
🏴❤️ From 14 November the Scottish Child Payment will rise to £25 per week, per eligible child and be extended to children under 16. This is the most significant anti-poverty measure in the UK.
🏡 Immediate action to protect tenants in private and social rented sectors, which includes measures delivering a rent freeze.
🚝 Freezing Scotrail fares until at least March 2023.
🧳 Introduction of a Local Visitor Levy Bill which will give local authorities, such as City of Edinburgh Council, additional flexibility to introduce a Tourist Tax.
The Scottish Government will continue to do all it can, with its limited powers and resources, to help families and households through the cost of living crisis. We need the UK government to do much more using their significant fiscal powers and controls over the energy markets.
Further information about the Programme for Government 2022/2023 can be found here: www.gov.scot/programme-for-government/.
Excellent and well done
Adult Disability Payment is now open for new applications from across Scotland: www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits/adult-disability-payment.
People already receiving DWP’s PIP and DLA do not need to apply. These existing awards will transfer automatically.
Please read more: www.gov.scot/news/adult-disability-payment-opens-for-applications-nationwide/.
Follow Social Security Scotland.
Welcome the next Derek Mackay how many of these are in this vile party
We have engaged significantly with people with lived experience throughout creating our new, better Scottish social security system.
We want people to get benefits they are entitled to!
We will always start from a position of trust.
Dignity | Fairness | Respect
Adult Disability Payment available for new applications nationwide from 29 August.
People can apply online & get support locally to complete forms. Also, independent advocacy is available from VoiceAbility (funded by The Scottish Government).
People on PIP & DLA will have their awards transferred automatically to Social Security Scotland.
Find out more: www.mygov.scot/browse/benefits.
Thank you BBC Scotland News for reporting on the changes.
I suffer from severe COPD and despite having all the necessary proof ie, x rays and full medical reports ect,the DWP refused my application twice it was on my third application l was awarded pip at the Basic rate this is how the Tory government looks after you.
Thank you for introducing what promises to be a more compassionate and fairer system. What will happen to those already in receipt of PIP who are going through the process of a PIP renewal if that renewal process is incomplete by 29th of August? Also, if someone's renewal is turned down, who will they appeal to? Will it still be the DWP or Social Security Scotland?
Melanie Finch Beth Finch
You are obviously joking! there is virtually no media paper or broadcast that supports the SNP or independence. Fact!!! How on earth can you explain the numerous censuring of the BBC for actively bias reporting against Scottish independence! You Unionist have no sense of proportionality. If it not you view then it is bias. Sorry you need to get out more and wonder why the SNP are so popular in Scotland. They do a good job not perfect at governing Scotland. I can get my head around folk who have no confidence in governing their own country. I find it bizarre. I also find it bizarre that Scotland has virtually no media!!! What other country allows a foreign media to dominate its news.
My intelligence matches most I doubt you could say that!
More bullshit