Scottish Water raised ‘deep concern’ about cutting price rise, despite sewage overflows
Scottish Water agreed to keep prices in line with inflation as requested by the Scottish Government. But said this may impact its ability to meet agreed targets.
Distressed prisoners made 13,000 calls to Samaritans in six months
Phone calls made by prisoners to the Samaritans more than doubled in just six months,
Soaring rates of self-harm by asylum seekers linked to ‘institutional’ accommodation
Reports of suicide and self harm by asylum seekers increased by more than 250 per cent in a four month period
Mental health services failing people using alcohol and drugs
People who use drugs and alcohol are being denied proper support to deal with their mental health problems, The Ferret's From the Margins team has found.
From the margins: escaping the cycle of addiction, homelessness and trauma
Michael dials the number for the alcohol and drug crisis centre and holds the phone to his ear. It’s late February, and he’s been going through this ritual for three days.
Drugs minister ‘deeply sorry’ for those ‘let down’ by addiction services
Scotland’s Minister for Drugs Policy has admitted people are still being “let down” by addiction services and said she is "deeply sorry" for those who have not had the right help to address issues with alcohol and drugs.
Scandal of low pay revealed: A third of jobs advertised at under living wage
Almost a third of Scottish jobs are being advertised online at under the real living wage, according to exclusive research by The Ferret, prompting campaigners to condemn the “scandal” of low pay across the country.
Firm mining for gold slammed for lack of transparency on environmental impact
Campaigners claim that exploration licences to drill in a 466-mile area for gold, silver, zinc, copper, and lead were awarded without proper consultation.
‘Severe’ drop in HIV testing during lockdown could ‘reverse progress’, study warns
Researchers claim a dramatic drop in the number of HIV tests being done during the first lockdown – along with a failure to get testing back to pre-pandemic levels since – could endanger progress on tackling Glasgow’s ongoing HIV outbreak.