Edinburgh’s brightest minds needed for Active Ageing Challenge

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Entrepreneurs and start-ups across Edinburgh are being given the opportunity to win a slice of a £100,000 prize fund, designed to support the development of technology that will help people to thrive in older age.  Continue reading Edinburgh’s brightest minds needed for Active Ageing Challenge

Mixed response to draft Budget

Responses to Scotland’s draft Budget have been mixed. Will the proposals take Scotland forward? As ever, opinion is sharply divided …

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA):

Local Government has faced really difficult times over the last few years and these will remain into the future despite a more measured approach by the Scottish Government in delivering the local government settlement for next year.
However, this is not a flat cash settlement.

Councillor Gail Macgregor, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson said: “I would like to start by putting on record the engagement the Cabinet Secretary has had with us to meet the pressures that we have presented, particularly in relation to our shared priorities.

“That said, the reality is that this is not a flat cash revenue settlement for local government.  It is a cut of £153m for essential local government services. In addition to this, while COSLA is fully supportive of wider capital investment we are disappointed that there is a cut of £60m to local capital funding.

“There are serious financial challenges that lie ahead in several areas and there is no doubt that these will have an impact on the essential services that councils deliver.  A particular issue is public sector pay if this is not fully funded. 

“Whilst councils have the ability to raise council tax in their local area that is a decision they will take based on local needs and circumstances and is subject to a 3 per cent cap which has been imposed on councils by the Scottish Government.

“The current Spending Review process makes it extremely difficult for councils to set medium and long term financial plans due to short term funding and annual settlements.” 

Councillor Macgregor concluded: “The discussions in relation to this year’s settlement between COSLA and Scottish Government have been both positive and constructive.”

COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison added: “COSLA has been engaging with all political parties across the Parliament throughout this process and, as this is a draft budget, we will continue to defend essential services over the coming weeks.”

Employers organisation CBI Scotland: 

Hugh Aitken, CBI Scotland Director, said:  “The Finance Secretary promised that today’s draft Scottish Budget would be a boost for business and he delivered on a number of fronts. 

“On business rates, we’re delighted to see that our call for full implementation of the Barclay Review recommendations and the linking of rate increases to CPI instead of RPI will largely be taken forward. We look forward to seeing further clarity on how this will be achieved in the implementation plan published today.

“Companies across Scotland will also benefit from additional investments in business R&D, transport, digital connectivity, education and city deals. Support for the Scottish National Investment Bank and the introduction of the new Building Scotland Fund should also be applauded.

“By putting productivity at the heart of the Budget it’s clear that Derek Mackay has listened to organisations like the CBI that have said consistently that boosting productivity is the only sure-fire way to grow our economy, generate the revenues we need for quality, sustainable public services and raise living standards. This is a step in the right direction and evidence of the value of business and government working together. 

“But things aren’t all rosy – the prospect of income tax rises and added complexity in Scotland’s tax code will be a bitter pill to swallow. At a time when our economy is stuck in a cycle of weak growth and we face unprecedented levels of uncertainty, the last thing we need is to make it harder for companies to attract talent or make Scotland appear a less attractive place to do business.”

Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO):

John Downie, Director of Public Affairs for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) said: “Today’s Scottish Government Budget was a landmark one, with the Scottish Government quite radically overhauling the tax system. We welcome the introduction of a more progressive system and the raising of additional revenue – although there is room to go further in the future. However, we must be careful that this divergence from the UK wide system does not have negative implications for Gift Aid, which is a valuable source of income for so many charities across the country.

“We welcome the decision to remove the public sector pay cap, which will help people whose living standards have been squeezed over the past decade. However the budget fails to recognise the many third sector workers delivering public services who are not even being paid the living wage. We hope between now and passing the budget, the Cabinet Secretary will ensure third sector workers will also benefit from a similar commitment.

“The Government’s flagship commitment to delivering 100% superfast broadband coverage is highly ambitious, but the full benefits of this will not be realised unless broadband packages are made more affordable and the most marginalised in our society have the skills to realise the benefits it can bring, in terms of reducing poverty, improving health and social exclusion.”

Federation of Small Businesses Scotland (FSB):

Andy Willox, FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “We wanted to see a Scottish Government budget which offered firms a little ballast in choppy market and political conditions. Instead the Scottish Government has chosen to steer us into uncharted economic waters. 

“A majority of those in business in Scotland were against changes to the income tax regime. However, the Cabinet Secretary underlined that his tax changes were designed to cause minimum economic disruption. Only time will tell what the wider impact will be, but our members have a real concern about the effect of these changes on household spending power. 

“On rates, we’re pleased to see Ministers seize upon the most sensible recommendations of the Barclay review. Moving to a different inflation measure will mean a smaller increase to many firms’ bills. Further, the introduction of a new business accelerator relief is a clever move that deserves plaudits. By far the most valuable commitment in the budget for Scottish smaller firms is the retention of the Small Business Bonus rate relief. 

“It is great to see the Scottish Government allocate funding to fulfil their manifesto commitment to address Scotland’s patchy digital infrastructure. We need to see governments in Edinburgh and London work together to address broadband and mobile issues north of the border.  

“Other initiatives – like cash for the Scottish National Investment Bank and support for the enterprise and skills agencies – won’t mean a lot to many ordinary businesses. Ministers have to ensure that these bodies and initiatives deliver for local economies and the wider business community.”

UNISON Trade Union:

Dave Watson, UNISON Scottish organiser said: “Any relief from Tory austerity is welcome, but the very modest use of tax powers, particularly for the highest earners, means that public services will be under considerable pressure next year. Yet again it is councils who will bear the brunt of austerity with another real term cut in revenue allocations.

“A real terms increase for workers below £30k in the pay policy is a move in the right direction, but for many others a 2% increase is another real terms cut in pay. However, an unfunded pay policy is of no value for council workers.”

David Watt, Chief Executive of Arts & Business Scotland:

“On behalf of all of our stakeholders and members at Arts & Business Scotland, we strongly welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment of an additional £6.6 million to Creative Scotland’s regular funding programme next year. It’s a real lifeline for Scotland’s cultural sector, helping to offset the recent downturn in Lottery funding and an important recognition of the crucial contribution culture makes to the wider economy in Scotland.”

Hew Edgar, RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyers) Policy Manager:

Following in the footsteps of Philip Hammond and scrapping LBTT for first time buyers to the value of £175,000 is not the answer to stimulate activity in the Scottish housing market, making today’s announcement disappointing .

Whilst this change has potential to stimulate activity in the short term, it comes at a time when the market is subdued, and does not tackle the overarching problem of housing shortage supply across all tenures.

This Government must realise that prioritising demand side measures is not conducive to market fluidity and will do little to solve the chronic shortage of suitable accommodation across Scotland’s housing options.

Once again, we call on Scottish Government to review the current LBTT as a priority going forward as this current framework is not only limiting market activity, but could ultimately bring the market to a standstill.   That said, we hope that the “Building Scotland” fund will provide the required support for alternative models of housing delivery.

On a more positive note, the £600m investment in providing superfast broadband – ensuring the last 5% of Scotland’s ‘non-spot’ dwellings – will be connected to the fourth utility by 2021, will be greatly received.

As part of £4bn investment in this budget – £1.2bn of which will be directed towards transport – tackling the infrastructure deficit is always welcome. But Mackay held back and gave little away as to where the funding will be directed. He also missed an opportunity to attract and retain top talent to Scotland by not building on Scotland’s infrastructure success of the Queensferry Crossing, with no addition of noteworthy projects to the infrastructure pipeline.

Fire service urges families to stay safe this festive season

Firefighters responded to more than 500 accidental house fires across Scotland during last year’s festive season.

Latest figures reveal that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a total of 517 such incidents between December 7 and January 11.

This is a stark increase from the 230 accidental house fires over the same period the previous year.

Accidental house fires can be caused by an increased use of heating and electrical appliances – as well as higher alcohol consumption during the holiday season.

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown is the SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection. He spoke out ahead of this Winter’s awareness campaign to urge families to stay safe over this festive period.

ACO McGown said: “This winter SFRS will work closely with local communities and partner agencies to keep Scotland safe from fire and other emergencies – but as always, we need the public’s help to reduce the amount of preventable fires we might see in the coming months.

“I would directly appeal to people to check if their elderly relatives, neighbours or friends are in need of our support and to contact us directly.

“Home fire safety visits are a key pillar of our prevention work that help safeguard the public – especially vulnerable residents but also families and the wider community. These are free pre-arranged visits where SFRS staff identify signs to protect people and their homes.

“SFRS staff can also identify hazards in the home, help plan escape routes and supply and install smoke detectors for free – a vital tool for every home.”

The senior officer also appealed to people to take care on the roads as the colder weather can also see firefighters attend more traffic collisions due to treacherous driving conditions during ice and flooding.

He said: “Every year across Scotland, there is a rise in emergency calls to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service due to winter weather.

“We urge the public to take action now and be prepared for whatever hazards might come in the next few months.

“Winter weather also brings unexpected and dangerous conditions to our roads. It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is serviced, well maintained and that drivers take the necessary precautions when driving in bad weather.’’

If you or someone you know is vulnerable or may be at risk from fire please get in touch and arrange a FREE home fire safety visit with local firefighters by calling 0800 0731 999.

For more advice on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire during winter visit: www.firescotland.gov.uk/winter

A real green deal for Leith Primary

Nova Innovation to sponsor school football teams

Nova Innovation, the global leading tidal energy firm based in Leith, have announced a deal to sponsor the local Leith Primary School football teams.  The deal, which will last for a period of up to 5 years, will also see ‘Socks for the Streets’, the homeless charity set up by Leith Primary School pupil Joseph Cox, benefit from a donation. Continue reading A real green deal for Leith Primary

Green MSP calls for extension to Picardy Place consultation

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian, has called for an extension to the public consultation on City of Edinburgh Council’s plans to redesign the Picardy Place junction, with one of the City’s key gateways set to be transformed into a large, car-dominated gyratory. Continue reading Green MSP calls for extension to Picardy Place consultation

First steps to ‘transformation’: Police Scotland unveil three year plan

Police Scotland has announced plans to invest in new cyber hubs and purchase new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as it unveiled a three-year implementation plan for the Policing 2026: Serving a Changing Scotland strategy. Continue reading First steps to ‘transformation’: Police Scotland unveil three year plan

Ben Macpherson: Budget protects public services

Pay rise for public sector workers, lower taxes for many and cash for culture, too

The Scottish Government’s budget protects low and middle income earners and delivers for public services and public sector workers, says SNP MSP Ben Macpherson for Edinburgh Northern and Leith – after Finance Secretary Derek Mackay laid his budget plans before the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Ben Macpherson: Budget protects public services

One in five employers less likely to employ a disabled person

More than a fifth of employers say they would be less likely to employ someone if they have a disability, research commissioned by the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity has found. The shocking findings of a nationally representative survey of UK employers starkly reveal the serious discrimination and stereotypical views faced by disabled people when they try to get and stay in jobs. Continue reading One in five employers less likely to employ a disabled person