The Laird o’ Coocaddens returns for Hogmanay Thingummyjig

Prepare to waggle yer wallies …!

STV will see out its special 60th anniversary year in style with a unique New Year’s Eve show.  To tie in with the channel’s commemorative programming during 2017 it has lined up a modern take on one of its most nostalgic programmes with a Thingummyjig Hogmanay Ceilidh. Continue reading The Laird o’ Coocaddens returns for Hogmanay Thingummyjig

Best behaviour plea in run up to Easter Road clash

Police are asking fans attending the Hibernian vs Rangers match tomorrow to behave responsibly and allow plenty of time for their journey. The teams kick off their Premiership tie at 7:45pm with the match at Easter Road expected to attract a crowd of over 20,000. Continue reading Best behaviour plea in run up to Easter Road clash

Another New Sick Kids opening delay “unacceptable” says Tory MSP

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People has yet again been delayed till Autumn 2018. The project, which was originally meant to open in the winter 2012, was delayed until Autumn 2017, further delayed to Spring 2018 and is now to expected to open in Autumn 2018. Continue reading Another New Sick Kids opening delay “unacceptable” says Tory MSP

Raeburn Place Foundation slams Grange Club “inaccurate and/or misleading statements”

Raeburn Place Foundation has been made aware that Grange Trust/Grange Club (“Grange”) intend to hold an EGM tomorrrow (13 December) for the Grange members to make certain decisions regarding the ongoing court action that the Grange Trust have raised against The City of Edinburgh Council. Continue reading Raeburn Place Foundation slams Grange Club “inaccurate and/or misleading statements”

Destiny Angels: making Christmas possible

Finished hampers

For many, Christmas can be a very isolating and challenging time of year, especially for those facing poverty, struggling with poor mental health and broken family relationships. Working with local partners in the voluntary and public sector, ‘Destiny Angels’ give out hundreds of hampers to people in need across Edinburgh to show that people care and to help make Christmas possible. Continue reading Destiny Angels: making Christmas possible

Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens

nurses

A survey of nurses, showing that three quarters of those questioned say they feel financially worse off than they did five years ago, puts pressure on the finance secretary to announce an above inflation pay rise on Thursday says a Green MSP.

The survey by RCN Scotland also reveals that more than a third of nursing staff say they are looking for a new job, a situation Alison Johnstone MSP says will only get worse if Derek Mackay does not announce a “fair pay settlement” as part of the draft Scottish Budget this week.

Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, said: “Public sector workers play a vital role in our communities, from nursing and social care staff to teachers and police officers and the real-terms pay cuts they’ve endured must end. The findings of this report should confirm what ministers should already know, that problems like recruitment, retention and staff morale will become even worse if we don’t ensure a fair pay settlement, above inflation, to nurses and other dedicated professionals working in the NHS.

“These real-terms pay cuts in recent years are clearly having a negative impact. The finance secretary must listen to groups representing frontline workers such as RCN Scotland and back the basic principle that a pay rise for our public services is due and can be funded, not from cuts elsewhere, but from fairer taxation that protects low earners.” Continue reading Budget: Nursing survey shows need for pay rise, say Greens

A make or break Budget for local services

service cuts

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said his priority is to build Scotland’s future as he prepares to present his second Draft Budget to Parliament on Thursday. Councils across the country are braced for further cuts and it’s a ‘make or break’ Budget for local services. Continue reading A make or break Budget for local services