HOLYROOD has debated the Scottish Government’s 2023-24 budget, which features three priorities: delivering sustainable public services; transforming the economy to deliver a just transition to net zero; and eradicating child poverty.
Twenty million pounds for the Fuel Insecurity Fund will also help households at risk due to the high cost of energy.
New scandals are unfolding, with energy company agents forcing pre-payment meters on the vulnerable using legislative powers reserved to Westminster. These relate to the Right of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954, dating from the time when utilities were state owned.
The huge rise in warrants and forced entry to the homes of the vulnerable and families with children to install pre-payment meters suggests Margaret Thatcher’s prized energy privatisation policy is again abjectly failing the most vulnerable.
My primary concern is the health and wellbeing of East Lothian’s residents and World Cancer Day was a reminder of the impact across Scotland of a disease addressed by Scotland’s national cancer plan.
Linda Bauld, professor of public health at Edinburgh University and remembered for her Covid-19 advice and guidance, has a background in cancer prevention.
She recently emphasised that 40 per cent of cancers are preventable, with better outcomes resulting from different lifestyle choices. This doesn’t necessarily involve any costs (such as joining a gym), but it does involve changing behaviours.
Professor Bauld’s key risk factors include smoking, food choices leading to obesity, and overconsumption of alcohol.
A further risk is lack of sun protection or using sunbeds.
Changing behaviours can be hard, but support is available: a first step, which costs nothing, is asking your GP or local health centre for help to stop smoking, or to reduce weight or alcohol use.
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