Welcome to this week's Financial Inclusion Network news

The Financial Inclusion Network is an informal group of over 250 members taken from the Public and Third Sectors which covers all areas of South Lanarkshire.  This network is to share information from a wide range of themes. We hope to provide a new update each week that can be accessed by all members at any time to see what is going on in the area under the headings below. If you would like an item included within our weekly news, please complete our short online form here: https://forms.office.com/e/Ht5w7iAuFi.  For further information, please email communities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 

Money is not the only problem – Money

Having enough money to get by can be a big issue for people. This section looks at how you may be able to get more money in, either through benefits or fair work, and how you might be able to cut your bills in some ways.

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/519

Energy Redress Fund

New funding round opens with £20m now available for charities and community groups.  The Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme has launched its fifteenth funding round.  Charities and community groups in Scotland can now apply for their share of a new £20million funding round launched this week. 

https://tfn.scot/news/new-funding-round-opens-with-20m-now-available-for-charities-and-community-groups?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20Third%20Force%20News%20-%20funding-and-finance&utm_content=Weekly%20Third%20Force%20News%20-%20funding-and-finance+CID_f8d408d93662e0857c674ffd3808256d&utm_source=tfn&utm_term=New%20funding%20round%20opens%20with%2020m%20now%20available%20for%20charities%20and%20community%20groups

Scottish Apprenticeship Week – Parent and Carer Webinar

How apprenticeships can work for young people to help them develop their careers and highlight where there are opportunities.

Free webinar Tuesday 3 March 6.30pm-7.30pm.  To register for this seminar follow this link -  

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5da83098-8181-4237-9071-e5cc8bfc0b0f@33ca6d47-5e4f-4774-84f1-696cbb508cbe

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – Scottish Government

880,000 pensioners to be provided help with heating bills.  People of State Pension age who are eligible will get a payment between £101.70 and £305.10 depending on their circumstances.  Most people will receive their payment automatically with no further action needed.  Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland and will be delivered by Social Security Scotland.   

https://www.gov.scot/news/heating-support-for-pensioners-begins/

Fair Work First – Scottish Government

From April 2027 all further and higher education institutions will be expected to implement all Fair Work First policies.  Currently post-school education institutions have only committed to the payment of the real Living Wage and have recognition of workers’ voice, but from April 2027 they will also be expected to support investment in continuous workforce development, ensure no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts, have policies in place to address workplace inequalities (including pay and employment gaps for disabled people, racialised minorities, women and workers aged over 50); be able to offer flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of employment; and oppose the use of fire and rehire practice - Supporting fair work practices - gov.scot