Shetland Times Column 20th December 2024
The season of goodwill and peace to all is upon us again.
The UK Government announced they will not adhere to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s ruling that 1950s women should be compensated for the poor communication of state pension age changes between 1995 and 2007.
While Labour have accepted the PHSO’s findings of maladministration they have chosen to ignore the compensation recommendations.
It will leave the women affected feeling there is not much joy this Christmas week.
Edinburgh city centre is in full Christmas mode. Restaurants, pubs and clubs are busy with office Christmas parties, and there’s funfair rides and markets along Princes Street.
Despite what the adverts would have you believe this time of year is not all about happy families in matching pyjamas gathering around Christmas trees opening lots of presents. Not everyone has a jolly time.
For many there is loneliness, health challenges, or the loss of a loved one which can make Christmas especially difficult.
Children living in households with domestic abuse can feel isolated at Christmas as it means more time at home with someone they are scared of, away from the usual support and respite that school can offer.
Women in abusive relationships and in financial hardship can feel trapped and scared too. The realities of financial and economic abuse are wide-ranging. It is about control to ensure the woman cannot leave the relationship.
Though social isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, Age Scotland’s helpline sees a significant increase in calls at Christmas time from older people. It is estimated that one person in 10 over the age of 65 will eat alone on Christmas Day. This year in Shetland once again volunteers are cooking and delivering hot Christmas dinners for people who need them. Last year saw 115 people enjoying the festive food prepared by volunteers from Sound school catering staff.
In the Scottish Government’s delivery plan for the social isolation and loneliness strategy, it commits to tackling the digital divide. For rural and island areas good communications infrastructure is vital in today’s world, and I have often said broadband should be considered as necessary a utility as water and electricity.
Telecom companies are planning to end the use of traditional copper network landlines and move to broadband-based phones. That’s fine if you have good broadband but as we know in Shetland there are still considerable gap. Governments and telecom companies must address those issues.
It is not clear what work the Scottish Government is undertaking to ensure that areas with not-spots, and poor broadband connectivity are smoothly transitioned, especially for those who do not have a mobile phone.
I thank all those working in emergency services to keep us safe 24/7, working shifts in vital sectors, and crofters and farmers tending their flocks over the festive period. Whether you celebrate or not, I wish you a peaceful Christmastime.