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 – Housing

Do you have a housing enquiry and need advice regarding your current housing situation?  Our HomeOptions toolkit can provide you with information about accessing or maintaining different types of accommodation. This includes renting a property from the council, a private residential tenancy, or owning your own home.

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/directory/182/money_is_not_the_only_problem/category/521

Have your say: Consultation on new rights to breaks for unpaid carers

The Scottish Government has launched a national consultation on the implementation of a new legal right to breaks for unpaid carers, marking a significant step forward in supporting the wellbeing of Scotland’s caring population. Current estimates show that Scotland is home to 700,000–800,000 adult unpaid carers and around 27,000 young carers, all of whom play a crucial role in supporting family members, friends, and neighbours. Ensuring carers can sustain their own health and wellbeing while continuing in their caring roles is a fundamental aim of national social care reform.

The consultation is open until Friday 22 May 2026, and individuals, carers, organisations, and sector professionals are invited to respond. Feedback gathered will guide the development of regulations and national guidance to ensure the right to breaks is delivered fairly and effectively across Scotland.
 
Please follow this link to take part in the consultation: https://consult.gov.scot/dementia-and-unpaid-carers-unit/unpaid-carers-right-to-breaks-implementation/

Community Asset Transfer(CAT) approved at former care home

A children’s charity has been granted a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) at a former care home.

https://www.southlanarkshireview.scot/news/article/2924/CAT_approved_at_former_care_home

Scottish Parliamentary Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

Reminder - there’s just a week to go until the deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes. Deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.

More details on the website:  https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/scottish-parliamentary-election