Policy Statements and Initiatives
ScotGov: The bus concessionary fare scheme will be maintained and funding for the Bus Services Operators Grant (BSOG) will be increased as a result of a new funding agreement with the bus industry. The package was agreed following discussions between the Scottish Government and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
Funding for the BSOG, which benefits passengers by helping support the bus network & keeping fares affordable, will increase to £66.5m in 2010-11. The scheme will also provide incentives for operators to operate low carbon vehicles, including hybrid buses.
DFT: The Government wants to see access to cycle training for every child - creating a generation of new, safe cyclists. This is one of the aims of the 'Active Travel Strategy' - published last week - which outlines plans to put walking & cycling at the heart of local transport & public health strategies over the next decade. - published last week - which outlines plans to put walking & cycling at the heart of local transport & public health strategies
The other aims of the strategy include:
* Every major public sector employer to be signed up to the Cycle to Work Guarantee
* Cycle parking at or within easy reach of every public building
* Sufficient secure bike parking at every rail station
* LAs introducing 20mph zones into more residential streets to improve safety for pedestrians & cyclists
Also published were results from an evaluation of the Government's Sustainable Travel Towns project, which aims to showcase towns that put walking, cycling & public transport firmly in the spotlight.
Press release ~ Active Travel Strategy ~ DfT Cycling ~ Cycle to Work Guarantee ~ Government's Sustainable Travel Towns project ~ Cycling England: Results from the first 3 years
ScotGov: Thousands of disabled armed forces veterans are among those who will benefit from new support aimed at helping all disabled people who want to work into sustained, paid employment. 48.1% of disabled people in Scotland are in work, compared to around 75% of the general population. There is considerable variation in the employment rates for different health problems or disabilities, with less than 1 in 5 people with severe learning difficulties in paid work.
In addition, an estimated 28,000 armed forces veterans in Scotland (more than half of whom have a long term illness or disability), are unemployed. In 2007-08, 38% of children living in a family with a disabled adult were in poverty compared to 16% in a family without a disabled adult.
Press release ~ A Working Life for All Disabled People: The Supported Employment Framework for Scotland: Main Report ~ A Working Life for All Disabled People: The Supported Employment Framework for Scotland: Summary Report ~ Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) ~ Achieving Our Potential: A Framework to tackle poverty and income inequality in Scotland
DWP: People suffering from mesothelioma will be given more financial help, the Government has claimed. Lump sum payments from the 2008 Mesothelioma Scheme will increase by around 40% from April 2010 to the same level as those paid under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979.
This will mean that individuals who develop the disease from asbestos exposure outside the workplace will receive the same payment as those exposed at work. People can develop the disease if, for example, they lived close to an asbestos factory or by washing their partner’s clothes if their partner was exposed to asbestos.
Sufferers currently receive a minimum payment of £8,197 from the Mesothelioma Scheme. This will rise to £11,678 in April.
DfT: Pioneering motorists will receive up to £5,000 to buy an ultra-low carbon car and the roll-out of supporting infrastructure will begin in selected regions, the Government has announced. The Plug-in Car Grant will be distributed directly to the consumer at the point of purchase and will be available across the UK from January 2011, by which time a range of eligible vehicles is expected to be available.
Also included in the Government’s plans is the roll-out of a £30m fund for a network of electric vehicle hubs – called Plugged-In Places – which will see charging infrastructure appearing in car parks, major supermarkets, leisure and retail centres, as well as on the street. The first Plugged-In Places have been named as London, Milton Keynes & the North East; and between them they will be installing over 11,000 vehicle recharging points during the next 3 years. .
