INVESTIGATION: DISABLED PEOPLE NEGLECTED

Poverty has risen dramatically over the decade. Almost one in five people in Scotland now live in poverty, and for children the situation is worse, with one in four in poverty. The use of food banks doubles when Universal Credit is rolled out, homelessness increased, crime rates are up, as well as hospital waiting lists. The UK government says austerity is now over. It expects to lift the freeze on working age benefits in April 2020 in line with inflation and says public spending increased this year by 4.1 per cent.

A DOG IS A HOMELESS PERSON’S BEST FRIEND

Having a pet can be vital for a homeless person’s mental as well as physical health, and the guidance includes ‘pet friendly policies across housing and support services that dog owners sign and agree to in order to access accommodation, how to provide ‘dog friendly’ communal rooms in temporary shelters and risk assessments to ensure there are no issues with staff members being allergic to, or afraid of, pets.

MARY’S MEALS: PERSONALISE YOUR PLATE

For just £13.90 you can set a place at our virtual Christmas dinner table and feed a hungry child for a whole school year.  You’ll receive a beautiful digital placemat, featuring the name of your friend or loved one, to email or print out and pass on.  You can give hungry children the gift of hope this Christmas with Mary’s Meals.

MORE CUTS LOOMING AT NEWSQUEST PAPERS

To add insult to injury, it was reported that Newsquest has made a substantial bid for JPIMedia’s portfolio of regional newspapers, while at the same time making cuts of up to £500,000 (at Newsquest Scotland). This news was met with incredulity by the beleaguered staff. ‘These papers and brands have been mainstays of Scottish journalism for more than a century, and staff are no longer willing to tolerate these constant and destructive cuts. As always, we remain willing to talk to Newsquest management.’

EVERYONE’S A HYPOCRITE, BABY, SO THAT’S ALRIGHT

Lord Pentland, left,  said a statement on the leaflet was false in substance, materially inaccurate and defamatory. He said: “I don’t consider it would be right for an official election leaflet which contains a prima facie defamatory statement to be distributed by the Royal Mail.” Ruling in favour of Ms Swinson, Lord Pentland ordered the SNP and its candidate Amy Callaghan to pay Ms Swinson’s costs. The SNP’s legal team is considering an appeal.

1 1,824 1,825 1,826 1,827 1,828 1,841