13 payments that will only be available to people in Scotland next year

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced that 11.6million Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments - support worth a total of £4.6billion - have been made to older people across the UK, including 973,604 living in Scotland.

Next has warned its shoppers that it will be raising its prices this year, despite seeing a boost in its sales over the Christmas period.

The beginning of a new year provides a perfect opportunity to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), your local council and Social Security Scotland.

A company linked to the husband of Scottish businesswoman Michelle Mone ploughed tens of thousands of pounds into the Conservatives.

A think-tank has warned that families are facing a "groundhog year" as further squeezes on living standards look set to continue into 2023. The Resolution Foundation said that while there are signs inflation will ease and interest rates peak lower than feared, family finances face a repeat of 2022's cost of living challenges.

The UK Government recently announced a series of new cost of living payments to help millions of households across the country mitigate soaring inflation and ever-increasing energy bills. The new cost of living support package is worth £26 billion in 2023/24, in addition to benefits uprating, which is worth £11 billion to working age households and people with disabilities.

The Scottish Government is working towards delivering a new benefit that will start to replace Carer’s Allowance by the end of next year, with a full national rollout planned for Spring 2024, according to a new progress report on the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

New analysis suggests that a German-style national drive to reduce UK energy use by turning off lights and lowering heating temperatures could save households £400 and save the Treasury £9 billion. The Social Market Foundation (SMF), a cross-party think-tank, is calling on the UK Government to follow Germany’s lead and launch an information campaign that provides practical tips on reducing household energy demand.

Social Security Scotland is celebrating one year of providing in-person support designed to help people access devolved benefits. The service is now available for free in all 32 local authorities across the country.

The countdown to Hogmanay is on and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have already confirmed changes to benefit payment dates over New Year as a result of the subsequent bank holidays. Social Security Scotland has also announced similar changes for those on devolved benefits.

Social Security Scotland is encouraging young people who are starting a new job to claim a unique cash boost which could help with additional costs. Eligible 16-24 year olds who are already receiving certain other benefits or Tax Credits can apply for Job Start Payment - a one-off payment worth £267.65, or £428.25 if the applicant is the main carer of children.

The UK Government has launched a dedicated website aimed at helping households save money on their energy bills. A new advertising campaign has also started airing on TV screens nationwide as part of the ‘It All Adds Up’ £18 million awareness initiative.

The number of calls to a leading energy advice service has more than quadrupled over the last year as Scots struggle with the cost of living crisis.

New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, which means days at the start of the first week of 2023 are classed as bank holidays. Monday, January 2, is an ‘observed’ bank holiday across the UK while Tuesday, January 3, is classed as a ‘substitute’ bank holiday - but only in Scotland.

Motorists have seen several changes throughout 2022, and will be seeing more as we head into 2023.

Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment are new health benefits replacing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLA for Child) for people living in Scotland. The devolved benefits will provide financial support for young children and those between 16 and State Pension age, who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or have a terminal illness.

Nurses and midwives in Perth and Kinross will join strikes across Scotland next year after members of the Royal College of Nursing “overwhelmingly” rejected the latest pay offer for NHS workers.

The UK Government recently announced a series of new cost of living payments to help millions of households across the country mitigate soaring inflation and ever-increasing energy bills. The new cost of living support package is worth £26 billion in 2023-24, in addition to benefits uprating, which is worth £11 billion to working age households and people with disabilities.

Popular BBC show Line of Duty is to return to our screens next year, according to reports.

New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, which means days at the start of the first week of 2023 are classed as bank holidays. Monday, January 2, is an ‘observed’ bank holiday across the UK while Tuesday, January 3, is classed as a ‘substitute’ bank holiday - but only in Scotland.