Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Scottish government announces funding for rural communities
The Scottish Government has announced that more than 180 projects in rural areas will receive grants up to £100,000 from the Rural & Island Communities Ideas into Action (RICIA) fund.
The fund is used to support not-for-profit community groups with innovative approaches to community-led local development. This could include work towards net zero and just transition goals, tackling rural poverty and supporting rural communities through the cost of living crisis.
Projects set to receive funding include building of mountain bike trails to bring in new visitors and provide sports opportunities to the local community; opening up of a community hall as a ‘warm space’ and providing meals; purchase of educational equipment by a community centre to benefit the mental health of children; and installation of solar thermal panels at a community hub to help manage electricity costs.
Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are working to ensure local communities are empowered to tackle local challenges.
“This investment comes at a critical time for our rural and island communities, who are disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis compared to the rest of the country.
“I wish all the successful community groups well as they now look to take forward these projects and make a positive difference to their local areas.”
The funding will be delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland.
CEO of Inspiring Scotland, Celia Tennant said: “We’re delighted to continue to support the Scottish Government to deliver the Rural and Islands Communities Ideas into Action Fund.
“We know local, grassroots groups are best placed to respond to the needs and opportunities most important to their communities. We look forward to working alongside successful applicants and will support them to make meaningful change in their local area.”
Image by Milada Vigerova from Pixabay
Latest News
03/05/2024 - 11:16
Nottingham city council is the worst local authority in England, while Torridge district council in Devon is the best, according to government performance statistics.
03/05/2024 - 10:20
The Labour Party has taken Blackpool South from the Conservatives in a by-election today.
02/05/2024 - 11:37
John Swinney has announced he will stand for SNP leadership and first minister of Scotland.
02/05/2024 - 09:40
The number of skilled workers arriving in the UK has fallen by a quarter in six months due to the government’s visa crackdown, new research has found.
02/05/2024 - 09:29
Polls have opened in England for the local elections.
Company Focus
Located in Bromley, Japanese Knotweed Eradication Ltd has been providing solutions in the treatment and removal of Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica) for over a decade. During this time we have mastered a repertoire of methods, from herbicidal treatments to landscaping solutions, tailored to address the unique challenges our clients face with this pervasive weed.
Event Diary
UKREiiF has quickly become a must-attend in the industry calendar for Government departments and local authorities.
The multi-award-winning UK Construction Week (UKCW), is the UK’s biggest trade event for the built environment that connects the whole supply chain to be the catalyst for growth and positive change in the industry.
Supplier Profiles
At GeoEnergy Design, we're on a mission to disrupt the traditional way heating and cooling ha
Latest Features
Professor Harith Alani, director of the Knowledge Management Institute at the Open University explains how AI can be used for good and bad.
Alex Lawrence, head of health & social care, techUK sets out techUK’s Five Point Plan for CareTech.
