Letters: Do you still notice how much plastic you use?

Dear Editor,

Do you still notice how much plastic you use? Join me for

thebigplasticcount.com/join-in 

Between 16th – 22nd May, Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic are running the Big Plastic Count, and the Greenpeace Edinburgh Group is taking part.

This will be the UK’s biggest ever investigation into household plastic waste, and what really happens to our recycling.

The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country, only the USA is worse.

We need to take much faster action to clean up this plastic mess, which spoils Edinburgh’s neighbourhoods, and harms our climate, nature and health.

This year, the government is starting to decide on legal targets to reduce plastic waste. Greenpeace Edinburgh volunteers want them to set a target to reduce single-use plastic by 50% by 2025 and ban dumping our waste onto other countries.

I still can’t believe how much plastic I end up with every time I do a supermarket shop. It has gotten to the point that I hardly even notice all the wrapping I bring home because it has felt impossible to find plastic-free versions of my favourite products.

But every time my bin hits its spilling point, my single-use plastic shame stares me in the face. Do we really need bananas wrapped in plastic? Or little crisp bags wrapped in a bigger bag just for convenience?

It would be best to stop producing so much plastic in the first place but if we could at least find ways to make recycling easy and rewarding. For instance, if we could take our plastic bottles back to the shop and receive a small refund then Leith Links would be squeaky clean.

Greenpeace volunteers have been taking action on plastic pollution for years. For example, in September 2021 we did a beach clean, where the majority of rubbish was plastic that should have been recycled, or even better, not produced in the first place. 

We, like lots of other Edinburgh residents are trying to do their bit, and Government, supermarkets and brands need to do theirs to cut plastic too.

Schools, community groups, businesses, local residents – sign-up now to join us at thebigplasticcount.com/join-in !

Marlena

Leith, Edinburgh

Don’t miss Professor John Curtice’s Scottish election talk on Tuesday

Make sure you don’t miss the next of our series of #ERSLive talks, which will be held this Tuesday 26 April, at 7pm via Zoom.

What can we expect from the Scottish Local Elections? with Professor Sir John Curtice

What can we expect from next month’s Scottish local elections?

Which parties will be on the up and which losing out? Join us for an evening of insight and analysis with elections expert Professor Sir John Curtice for an in depth look at Scotland’s local democracy.

Register for free today →

As well as a look at what we can expect from the upcoming polls, Prof Curtice will launch his upcoming ERS report – The Power of Preferences: STV in Scottish Elections – taking an in-depth look at the results from 2017 and how voters make use of the Single Transferable Vote system.

Register your attendance today to make sure you don’t miss out on this exciting event!

Best wishes,

Darren Hughes,

Chief Executive, Electoral Reform Society

Other countries are helping families with energy costs: why can’t we?

Governments across the world are raising wages, cutting tax and announcing hefty financial aid packages for people and workplaces affected by the energy crisis (writes TUC’s NINA REECE):

Last month, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a package of support that he claimed would help UK workers and businesses survive crippling energy costs. But it failed to boost pay, raise benefits or help low-income households.

War in Ukraine is exposing the cracks in a global energy system that privileges profit over people and the climate and is too reliant on international trade in fossil fuels. The result is a massive increase in energy costs that is hurling people into poverty while energy companies announce another year of eye-watering profit.

But the Conservative government’s decision not to help the people or sectors most affected by the energy crisis is the exception, not the rule. Here is how other governments across Europe are providing support.

Germany

In Germany, €16billion (£13.4billion) has been made available to ease the burden of rising costs. The support package includes a €9 pass for commuters, giving them a month’s unlimited use of public transport. Making public transport more accessible in the UK is key to reaching our emissions targets. 

There is a one-off €300 tax cut for individuals, extra discounts for low-income families and fuel taxes will be cut for three months, with the price per litre cut by €0.30 for petrol and €0.14 for diesel. 

Importantly, this package includes a commitment to reducing German reliance on gas, oil and fossil fuels long term. 

Germany is also set to raise the national minimum wage by 15 per cent, benefitting nearly 6.2 million low-paid workers – two thirds of them women – giving Germany the second-highest minimum wage in Europe. The rise, agreed as part of the coalition deal, will also cover self-employed and flexible workers.

Nordic countries

A six million Swedish kronor (£473m) pot was set aside by the Swedish government to soften the impact of soaring bills. This may not sound like a lot, but with population that is fraction of that of the UK – it is significant. The government has also issued winter bill subsidies of up to 6000 kronor (£488) for 1.8m households from winter into 2022.

The Norwegian government’s package of measures to help households totals more than eight billion kronor (£664m). In January, Norway even committed to covering 80 per cent of electricity costs for a short period whenever the rate for electricity is above 70 Norwegian øre (6p) per kilowatt-hour.

France

President Macron is targeting energy companies.

EDF, the state energy provider, will charge electricity at below market rate and will take an €8.4bn financial hit. It has also been ordered to sell nuclear power to rivals at below current market rate as its reactors generate 70% of the country’s electricity.

This month, the CEO of Total Energie has also announced a freeze on dividends. In the UK, despite massive profits, no caps or restrictions have been placed on the Big Six energy providers.

The French government has also cut electricity taxes in a bid to slow the increase to bills. While here in the UK, gaps in the Chancellor’s support package means the energy crisis will hit the poorest families the hardest, in France 5.8million low-income households were given a €100 payment for energy bills in January this year.

Spain

The Spanish government’s €16billion response to the energy crisis is the most comprehensive. The focus is on curbing profits and protecting jobs.

Some €2billion will be raised from a windfall tax on energy providers. €500million in subsidies will be provided for electricity-intensive industries and companies that receive this aid won’t be able to dismiss staff to balance out their rising energy costs.

€10billion of state loans will also be given to companies in other industries who are forced to spend more on energy. There is protection for truckers and professional drivers with €450million in direct aid for transport professionals.

And for families and individuals, a fuel sales subsidy of €1.4billion will reduce prices by €0.20 a litre, making a full tank about €9 cheaper, far better than Rishi Sunak’s 5p cut to fuel duty which would take just £2.25 off the cost of a full tank.

These responses from other countries show that our government can do more to help families and industries survive what the Governor of the Bank of England calls a ‘historic shock’ to our living standards. Households currently face an annual energy bill of £2000 and prices are to rise again in October.

That’s why the TUC is calling for an Emergency Budget: Rishi Sunak must come back and provide a proper package of support for families.

Sign petition to demand action from Rishi SunakRishi Sunak must come back to parliament and present an Emergency Budget. We need a proper package of economic support for families.

Sign petition

Hidden Door: Volunteers wanted

Applications now open to be part of Hidden Door 2022

Our festivals showcase theatre, spoken word, visual art, dance and music by local and international artists, and aims to create a platform to bring the arts to a wider audience.

Hidden Door is a volunteer-run charity, with our work funded through ticket sales, sponsorship and fundraising. All money goes straight back into the festival and paying our creative contributors and artists.

This year we’re bringing the old Royal High School on Calton Hill to life for a ten day festival of live music, visual art, dance, theatre and spoken word. The festival will completely transform the entire complex from 9 – 18 June 2022.

We’re looking for friendly faces to help us with a range of duties before, during and after the festival and to help make this the most exciting Hidden Door Festival yet.

We’re looking for self-motivated team members for a range of duties before, during and after the festival such as:

  • Clearing and preparing the site before the festival
  • Venue building and set up
  • Event stewarding, greeting visitors and crowd control
  • Invigilating artwork installations across the sites
  • Box office support
  • Stage management and artist support
  • Checking wristbands and tickets
  • Queue management and monitoring noise levels
  • Cleaning up after the festival
  • Supervising gates and access points to the festival

Why volunteer?

  • FREE access to the festival (dependent upon hours volunteered)
  • The chance to work with an experienced team and learn new skills
  • An opportunity to get involved in the local arts scene and work with a great line-up of artists and contributors
  • Be a part of the festival team, make friends and meet new people
  • Food and soft drinks on shift

How to apply

Fill out this online form to tell us a bit about yourself and your availability.

If you aren’t sure if volunteering is for you, or would like to understand a bit more about what’s involved, please email hello@hiddendoorarts.org and we’ll be happy to help.

Sign up now

Dawn service of remembrance as Edinburgh marks ANZAC Day

Veterans and their families will take part in an international remembrance service at dawn on Monday (25th April) to mark the 107th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War.

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland will join members of the Australian and New Zealand community for the service and wreath-laying ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery at 5.30am. Led by Rev Dr Karen Campbell, it will feature Scots Guards piper Lance Sergeant Mark Macrae and bugler Iona McFarlane.

Later that morning, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross and Government representatives from Scotland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Turkey will take part in Legion Scotland’s annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle at 11am.

ANZAC Day marks the service and sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces, as well as those from Scotland and the rest of the world who served alongside them. It is the national day of remembrance in the two countries.

Both services are open to the public, with a limited number of tickets for the memorial available from 9:30-10:15am in front of the Castle on the Esplanade.

At dawn on April 25th, 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), together with British, French, and Russian forces landed on the Dardanelles Peninsula (now part of Turkey) at the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

This ended in a stalemate, with troops withdrawing in January 1916. A total of more than 100,000 soldiers were killed.

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “This is an opportunity to come together to remember the service and sacrifices of ANZAC servicemen and women through the years, as well as our own soldiers who fell during the Gallipoli campaign.

“It is a chance to reflect on the extraordinary courage of our Armed Forces community, both past and present, as well as the enduring friendship between our countries.”

Care Inspectorate launches Unpaid Carers survey

The Care Inspectorate has launched a survey to understand unpaid carers experience of adult social work and social care services.

Please take part and share.

You can find the survey at: https://bit.ly/3KIjp3O

Why are we doing this survey? 

We are undertaking this survey because we want to understand carer’s experiences of adult social work and social care services and how they are supported in the following areas:

  1. Knowing and understanding their rights;
  2. Maintaining or improving their health and wellbeing and quality of life; and 
  3. Being supported to continue in their caring role, or to move on from their caring role where this is the best option.  

From this we aim to learn how the future support of carers can be developed and improved. The findings from this inquiry will be a key resource for organisations both locally and nationally in doing this work. 

We would like to hear from you if you are an adult currently caring for a spouse/partner, relative over the age of 18 years, a neighbour, friend, or someone else. We would be grateful if you could take some time to tell us about your experience by completing this survey. This survey closes on 3rd June 2022.

It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. 

You will be able to save it and go back to it at a later time, so you do not have to complete it in one go. 

Tickets released for 2022 Forth Awards

Tickets for the 2022 Forth Awards have been released for sale, giving Radio Forth listeners the chance to join in the annual celebration of community champions across Edinburgh and the east.

A renowned and hugely popular event in the city’s social calendar, Radio Forth will hold its 16th annual awards ceremony at the Usher Hall on Thursday, 14 November and has today announced the release of the highly sought-after VIP balcony tickets for public sale.

Saint James Quarter is this year’s main sponsor, following the move of Forth 1 into the shopping centre where it will broadcast from 7 days a week.

The return of the awards, following a three year absence due to the pandemic, aims to celebrate those people across Lothian and the East who have went above and beyond for their community.

Radio Forth Awards recognise those who go above and beyond in their community, whether it be in education, volunteering or entertainment. There are ten categories which include Best Teacher, Best Artist, the Community Venture Award and the much-loved Local Hero Award.

This years categories celebrate the best of Scotland with Best Teacher, Community Venture Award, Local Hero as well as Best Artist, Contribution to Music Award and Forth Fringe Award, all up for grabs this year.

Richie Jeffrey, Events and Marketing Manager at Radio Forth said: “The Radio Forth Awards are something that we have been passionate about since they first launched back in 2003. They offer an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate the outstanding efforts of some truly remarkable people from our small corner of the world.

“The awards have quickly become a favourite on the event calendar and we are delighted to be able to offer our listeners the chance to attend the event. With some of the best names in music and entertainment appearing at the ceremony in previous years, I’d recommend listeners get their tickets fast!

“The Usher Hall is one of Edinburgh’s great venues, and the fact we have already sold out of the grand circle seats shows just how much the city has been deseperate for the event to return.”

The Forth Awards also celebrate some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, with Scotland’s very own Lewis Capaldi being amongst those who have been recognised at the awards in previous years.

As usual, this year’s live acts is a closely guarded secret until the day itself and the countdown is on to find out who will follow in the footsteps of previous performers including Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Olly Murs.

Get your tickets here: www.forth1.com/forthawards

Plea to road users as police focus on motorcycle safety

Two motorcyclists have died this month and five seriously injured in collisions over the Easter weekend. The latest figures are being highlighted as a reminder to all road users to keep themselves and others safe while travelling on Scotland’s roads.

Road policing officers are focusing on their annual motorcycle campaign over the spring and summer months when riders tend to make use of the better weather.

Fellow biker and deputy head of road policing, Superintendent Stewart Mackie, said: “We speak to bikers and other road users all year round but as the better weather arrives, there is a real focus on motorbike safety and educating all drivers.

“Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users. My plea to other riders is a straightforward one – get home safe.

“I have bitter experience of attending fatal collisions over the years and we must all be cautious on bends, especially left hand bends and think twice before every single overtake.

“I understand the pleasure of being on a bike and exploring Scotland but there’s nothing more important than returning home to your loved ones safe and well.

“Every road user needs to play their part.”

More than 85 per cent of all motorcycle collisions happen in rural areas, during the daytime and in good weather. Over 500 motorcyclists are seriously injured or killed across the country each year.

PCHP to launch new directory at Community Festival

We are looking forward to @northedinfest!

see you there as we launch our updated Wild Places & Open Spaces directory of fantastic outdoor spaces #NorthEdinburgh and the local Hidden Gems walking maps for everyone to enjoy our neighbourhood!

#TakingStepsToBetterHealth

#wellbeing