New research highlighting gambling participation and problem gambling rates in Scotland has been published. More than 4,000 people were interviewed for the Gambling Commission’s Participation and rates of Problem Gambling in Scotland Survey 2016. Continue reading Gambling Commission survey of participation and problem gambling released
Organisers of a major cycle event in Edinburgh say next year’s race is on track to be their biggest yet. More than 800 cyclists took part in 2017’s Tour de Forth, raising £54,000 for the charities Mercy Corps & Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids – £12,000 more than in 2016. Continue reading Plans unveiled for ‘biggest-ever’ Tour de Forth cycle event
Scotland’s employment rate grew over the year to 75.2% (July to September 2017). There are now 2,652,000 people aged 16 years and above in employment. Continue reading Encouraging trend in employment figures
… and Lottery success for Granton Community Gardeners
A mother who lost her son in the most tragic of circumstances has today welcomed a National Lottery cash boost that will allow the Scottish Cot Death Trust to support many more bereaved parents to come together to share their experiences. Local project Granton Community Gardeners also received some welcome news this morning – the project is to receive over £78,000 to support and expand it’s programme of activities. Continue reading Bereaved families to benefit from National Lottery investment
A stuffed bison, a live hand grenade and hundreds of pairs of women’s tights are amongst the weird and wacky objects donated to British charity shops, a Charities Aid Foundation survey has revealed. Continue reading Survey reveals the weirdest and wackiest items donated to British charity shops
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has agreed to become a Hepatitis C Parliamentary Champion. Continue reading Miles Briggs Becomes Hepatitis C Parliamentary Champion
Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union are planning to take strike action on Monday 4 December and Tuesday 5 December 2017.
You can either:
Not all driving examiners are union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.
The way the car driving test works is changing on Monday 4 December 2017. These changes will still go ahead as planned.
You won’t have to contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to rebook your appointment if you can’t take your test because of strike action.
DVSA will contact you with a new test appointment within 5 to 10 working days.
You can claim out of pocket expenses if your test is cancelled, but you must have turned up for your test to be able to do this. If you don’t turn up, you’ll have to rebook your own test and won’t be able to claim expenses.
Theory tests aren’t affected by the strike action and will be taking place as planned.
The strike action is about a new standard employment contract that DVSA staff signed up to in 2014. In return for changes to their terms and conditions, they received a buy-out and a 3-year pay deal.
This contract was negotiated with the unions and agreed by staff in a ballot. Since then, PCS has opposed some aspects of the contract
PCS is now trying to link the dispute with health and safety risks of changes to the driving test. The new driving test has been designed to make sure drivers are better prepared for a lifetime of safe driving.
The changes have been developed and trialled extensively with input from DVSA staff, learner drivers, their instructors and other road safety professionals.
DVSA carried out risk assessments and commissioned the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to carry out an independent assessment. These show that the new test manoeuvres were low risk.
Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA Chief Executive, said:
The fact PCS is trying to undermine the launch of the new test by calling for strike action shows a shameful disregard for both road safety and learner drivers who have worked so hard to be ready to take their test.
The new driving test has been designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving. It is one step in helping reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Britain’s roads.
During the last 3 years the changes – which are welcomed by most examiners, road safety experts, disability groups and instructors – have been developed and trialled extensively with a wide range of our staff, learners and other organisations. Over 4,000 candidates were involved in the trial.
I met with PCS on 2 November 2017 and they turned down my offer of mediation, although our offer still stands. This means that we cannot move forward together to resolve this dispute, for the sake of our staff and customers.
BoConcept Scotland are proud to host a unique ‘Sit Down for Change’ charity art auction in aid of Social Bite and the Scottish Government’s mission to eradicate homelessness within the next five years. Continue reading Sit Down for Change: charity art auction supports campaign to end homelessness
An app developer has won the prestigious £30,000 Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs, run in conjunction with Leonard Cheshire Disability, after creating a video diary app that supports people managing their mental health. Continue reading Mental Health app wins national Stelios Award
UK Supreme Court ruling hailed as ‘landmark moment’ for public health
The UK Supreme Court has today ruled that minimum unit pricing for alcohol, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Scottish Parliament in 2012, can now proceed. Health Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the decision and confirmed she intends to make a statement to Parliament shortly, setting out the Scottish Government’s next steps.
Following the unequivocal backing of the highest court in Scotland – and a referral to the European Court of Justice – the UK Supreme Court has now dismissed an appeal by the Scotch Whisky Association and others, ruling that the proposed minimum unit pricing policy is appropriately targeted, lawful and proportionate.
Prior to implementing the policy, Ministers will now conduct a consultation on the proposed 50 pence per unit price and refresh the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) that is required by Parliament. The Scottish Government anticipates setting the minimum unit price at 50 pence per unit, subject to the outcome of the consultation and the refreshed BRIA.
Ms Robison said: “This is a historic and far-reaching judgment and a landmark moment in our ambition to turn around Scotland’s troubled relationship with alcohol. In a ruling of global significance, the UK Supreme Court has unanimously backed our pioneering and life-saving alcohol pricing policy.
“This has been a long journey and in the five years since the Act was passed, alcohol related deaths in Scotland have increased. With alcohol available for sale at just 18 pence a unit, that death toll remains unacceptably high.
“Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum pricing is the most effective and efficient way to tackle the cheap, high strength alcohol that causes so much damage to so many families.
“So we will proceed with plans to introduce minimum unit pricing as quickly as possible. I intend to make a statement to Parliament shortly setting out our next steps, including our preferred implementation timetable and how we will engage with retailers and industry to make this a success.
“The Scotch Whisky Association were within their rights to make this case. I am pleased that the case has now been settled decisively by the courts and I know the Scotch Whisky Association will accept the decision.
“The Scottish Government has always supported whisky as a key part of our economy and an icon of Scottish food and drink, and we will continue to work closely with the sector to ensure its economic success. We will also work closely on the promotion of safe and responsible alcohol consumption and the smooth implementation of the policy.”
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson, has welcomed the UK Supreme Court’s ruling. The policy was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2012, but has been delayed due to a long-running legal challenge. Today’s ruling allows it to go ahead, setting a minimum unit price on alcohol of 50 pence.
Minimum unit pricing is backed by academic research, which suggests that the policy will cut alcohol-related deaths and reduce hospital admissions linked to alcohol misuse, which costs Scotland £3.6 billion every year.
Ben Macpherson said: “This is excellent news and the ruling now allows us as a nation to move ahead with the implementation of this policy, that was overwhelmingly backed by the Scottish Parliament five years ago, and take action that is needed to help cut alcohol-related deaths and reduce hospital admissions.
“Alcohol misuse costs Scotland £3.6 billion every year and, while recognising that most people are responsible drinkers, together we need to consider our relationship with alcohol and tackle problematic alcohol consumption.
“Given the clear and proven link between consumption and harm, minimum pricing will be an effective and efficient measure to tackle the sale of cheap, high strength alcohol that can cause so much damage to individuals, families and communities.
“I know that the Scottish Government will continue to support the whisky industry, Scotland’s burgeoning gin production and other distillers, and work alongside them to ensure their economic success, while maintaining the SNP’s commitment to promote safe and responsible alcohol consumption.
“Scotland is the first country in the world to implement a minimum unit pricing policy – and we should be proud to be taking a lead, for the benefit of our society and future generations.”
The Scottish Greens have also welcomed the UK Supreme Court decision. Green health spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP says the alcohol companies behind the failed block should be “ashamed of themselves” and called on ministers to now get on with putting the policy in place.
Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The big drinks firms who have stalled this sensible piece of public health legislation should be ashamed of themselves. They’ve attempted to use the same tactics of the tobacco industry, but thankfully they’ve failed.
“Health charities and doctors have expressed support for minimum pricing as part of Scotland’s effort to reduce the damage that alcohol can cause and now the Scottish Government must get on and implement this urgent public health priority.
“Greens were the only opposition MSPs to support minimum pricing in the 2007-11 parliament and again voted for it when it was passed in 2012.”
The British Liver Trust also welcomed today’s judgement that minimum unit pricing is legal and can be implemented in Scotland.
Judi Rhys, Chief Executive, British Liver Trust commented “The MUP ruling for Scotland is a welcome first step to help stem the rise in deaths from alcohol related liver disease. There has been 400% increase of liver disease over the last 40 years and at the same time alcohol has become less expensive and more easily available. This ruling will impact the most harmful drinkers as MUP affects the cheapest booze and the heaviest drinkers. We look forward to MUP being adopted across the rest of the UK.”
The British Liver Trust believes that this decision has implications far beyond Scotland. England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now clear to progress plans for minium unit pricing.
The British Liver Trust urges everyone to take their online screening test to find out if they are at risk of liver disease: www.
Not everyone is raising a glass to celebrate the decision, however.
Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s Head of Communication said: “While we recognise the Supreme Court decision, CAMRA does not support minimum pricing as we believe that it penalises moderate and responsible drinkers while doing little to support those who have issues with alcohol abuse. We think governments would achieve more by focussing on reducing beer duty and business rates to help pubs survive and continue to provide a vital community service.”
Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: “We accept the Supreme Court’s ruling on minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol in Scotland. Looking ahead, the Scotch Whisky industry will continue to work in partnership with the government and the voluntary sector to promote responsible drinking and to tackle alcohol-related harm.
“We will now look to the Scottish and UK Governments to support the industry against the negative effects of trade barriers being raised in overseas markets that discriminate against Scotch Whisky as a consequence of minimum pricing, and to argue for fair competition on our behalf. This is vital in order that the jobs and investment the industry provides in Scotland are not damaged. At home, we hope to see an objective assessment of the impact of MUP.”
