Teachers edge towards industrial action over COVID-19 safety

Teachers’ union the EIS has announced that an increasing number of its local associations are now moving towards balloting members on disputes with local authorities over school COVID-19 safety.

At present, six EIS local associations are moving to ballot members with at least four others currently considering whether to take this step towards a formal dispute with employers.

The EIS had called for a move to teaching and learning via remote online platforms for the pre and post-Christmas period, in the interests of minimising infection risk and protecting the health and wellbeing of students, teachers and their families over the festive season.

Despite broad support from many parents, teachers and others this call was flatly rejected by the Scottish Government, which has pledged to keep school buildings open at all costs right up to Christmas.

Following this rejection by the Scottish Government, EIS local associations called on local authorities to utilise their devolved powers to move to remote learning platforms around the festive season.

Subsequently, these pleas have been rejected by local authorities, with many councils citing a recent letter from the Scottish Government which urged them not to utilise their devolved authority to move schools to remote learning.

Yesterday, the EIS also released its latest themed briefing, based on teacher comments in a recent national survey. The briefing highlights teachers’ views on the importance of moving to remote learning around the festive period, as a means to protect staff, students and their families.

The key issues highlighted include:

  • Teachers believe that moving to blended or remote learning would help reduce infection spread in the new year
  • Teachers are concerned about being able to safely mix with family during the holidays, without having the ability to isolate for 5 days beforehand
  • There are concerns that with schools remaining open full time, right up until the 23rd December in some areas, many school staff will have to work over the Christmas period to ensure the track and trace policies are enacted – a fact that was confirmed by the National Clinical Director earlier this week.
  • A small adjustment in the final few days of term would make an immeasurable difference to staff and pupil wellbeing.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The Scottish Government and local authorities seem determined to keep schools physically open, at all costs, right up to Christmas.

“Scotland’s teachers are clear that this will present a very real risk to their health, their pupils’ health and the health of their families by increasing the risk of COVID-19 spreading through family festive gatherings. Making a very slight change to arrangements around the holiday period, by allowing teachers and students to work remotely from home for a few days, would significantly reduce the risk of pupils or staff taking the virus into their family groups in the festive period.”

Mr Flanagan continued: “It was extremely disappointing when the Scottish Government rejected calls from teachers, and many parents, for schools to move to remote learning to protect families over the festive season. It is quite incredible that the Scottish Government has then placed pressure on local authorities not to use their devolved authority over education to move schools to remote learning in the run up to Christmas.”

Mr Flanagan added: “The number of EIS local associations moving to consultative ballots, together with the number still considering this action, is a clear indicator of the strength of feeling amongst teachers.

“Scotland’s teachers see governments in other countries increasingly taking steps to close school buildings early and move to remote learning in order to protect families over Christmas – this raises the question of why the Scottish Government apparently values its teachers less than governments in England, or Wales, or Sweden or Germany value theirs.”

The briefing paper, published on Sunday, focuses on teacher comments on the value of moving to blended or remote learning.

One teacher said, “It was with disappointment that I heard that the Scottish Government chose not to allow schools to move to a blended model for the 21st and 22nd December and while I welcomed the relaxing of lockdown tiers over the Christmas period, in reality, for me this won’t change the fact that I shouldn’t visit with my 80 year-old mum and other family members who are in the vulnerable category for fear of taking the contacts of the many pupils I work with on a daily basis to them.”

Another teacher said: “I am physically and mentally exhausted at the moment and am looking forward to Christmas as a time to relax a little and recover from the stress. I am now faced with the choice, however, of seeing my family at Christmas and risking the possibility of carrying infection to them or of isolating and not seeing them. Every day I am sitting in a room with 31 upper school children and whilst measures are in place, they are at times impossible to maintain. Should I carry the virus to anyone let alone my elderly in-laws I would never be able to live with myself.”

Another teacher added: “Going to blended learning on the 18th would not have a massive impact on the education of the children … but it would have a huge impact on the mental wellbeing of staff who would be able to isolate, and then confidently visit with their bubble at some point over the holiday period.

It would also be considered a gesture of goodwill in a season where it is supposed to be at its most prominent.

The EIS is continuing to urge its members to share their experiences of working in schools during the pandemic and their views on keeping school buildings open around the festive period using the hashtag #NotAtAllCosts, tagging the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in their posts.

Recently, the EIS also wrote to all Directors of Education and the Deputy First Minister, calling for an urgent rethink on their refusal to move to remote learning around the Christmas holiday period.

The letters highlight the health & safety implications of the decision and note that governments in other countries are increasingly taking the decision to close their school buildings early ahead of Christmas to protect students, staff and their families.

For further information on the EIS #NotAtAllCosts campaign, visit https://www.eis.org.uk/Coronavirus/NotAtAllCosts

Four charged following march in central Edinburgh

Four men have been arrested and charged following an illegal march in Edinburgh from outside the Scottish Parliament to Charlotte Square yesterday (Saturday, 12 December, 2020).

The men, aged 37, 31, 53 and 31, are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Chief Inspector Murray Starkey said: “Today people marched in contravention of legislation. We would urge people to find alternative ways to protest, such as online and on social media.

“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, only using enforcement as a last resort.

“Our response today has been measured and appropriate.”

Edinburgh residents urged to Go Green This Christmas

A multi media campaign encouraging residents to recycle this Christmas is being launched tomorrow.

This follows last year’s tremendous effort when residents helped the city council recycle 5431 tonnes of waste – that’s about the same weight as 46,000 Santas – over the festive season!

A key message this Christmas is a reminder to residents to recycle as much of their Christmas waste as possible and, due to the huge increase in online shopping from March, the council is encouraging people to fold up their cardboard neatly before putting it in the correct recycling bin to make sure they leave enough room for all the additional waste likely to be generated over the festive season.

If there is no room left, they encourage you to make an appointment at your nearest recycling centre and take any extra waste there. If that is not possible, fold it up neatly and place it next to your bin on your collection day. Stickers are also being put on communal bins as well with instructions on how to recycle your cardboard.

Around 50,000 letters have also gone to residents to advise them that there are no collections on Christmas Day (Friday 25 Dec) or New Year’s day (Friday 1 January).

People who use our kerbside wheelie bin recycling service who are due a collection on these dates should instead put their bins out for collection on the following Mondays (28 Dec and 4 January). People in the city centre who use our red and blue box recycling service should put them out for collection on the Saturdays (26 Dec and 2 Jan).

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener, said: “Going green this Christmas is so important as we all need to change our behaviour to live more sustainably to look after our beautiful city and precious planet.

“To give it some context – did you know that the amount of Christmas wrapping paper thrown away in the UK each year could stretch from Edinburgh to the North Pole 100 times – I know when I think about that, I’ll make sure I recycle mine.

“Many more people are shopping online due to the current health pandemic and the amount of cardboard being used has already shot up. When clearing up this Christmas, please remember to fold cardboard up neatly and recycle it responsibly and I think it is also important to point out that when shopping remember that while foil and metallic wrapping paper and cards may add sparkle to your Christmas, they can’t be recycled.”

Cllr Karen Doran, Vice-Convener of the Environment Committee, said: “There are many ways you can help us to recycle the waste you generate when celebrating this Christmas.

“We turn all your food recycling into energy and fertiliser and recycling one kitchen caddy of food waste can create enough energy to power a TV for five hours. Other fun facts we’re sharing to encourage people to recycle are six clean mince pie foil cases saves enough energy to watch up to an hour of TV and one glass bottle saves enough energy to make 14 slices of toast!

“When the fun is over and you’re taking down your tree, if you are recycling it, check which day we’re collecting trees in your street on our website, remove its base, decorations and cut it in half if it’s over 6ft before popping it neatly on the kerbside on its collection day.”

Festive recycling tips

  • Save money and avoid food waste by turning your leftovers into delicious meals. Check out www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for tasty recipes. Any scraps that are leftover can be popped in your food waste bin.
  • If you have any extra cardboard you can’t fit in your recycling bin, make sure it’s bundled up and place it neatly beside it and we’ll recycle it for you.
  • You can use any bag to collect your food waste (biodegradable, paper or plastic bags including bread bags, cereal packets or old shopping bags).
  • Use your leftover wrapping paper to cover school books or to make festive bunting to decorate your house.
  • We can recycle your Christmas cards and the envelopes they come in – except glittery, foil or metallic ones!
  • Give your plastics and cans a rinse before they go in the bin. They don’t need to be sparkling clean but doing this helps make sure the recycling is high quality and can be properly recycled.
  • If you’re recycling your Christmas tree remember to remove its base, decorations and cut it in half if it’s over 6ft before popping it neatly on the kerbside on its collection day. 

What goes where?

Green lidded recycling bins and red recycling boxes

  • Paper – including wrapping paper, envelopes and Christmas cards (no glittery, foil or metallic ones!)
  • Cardboard and drinks cartons
  • Plastic bottles (with lids), pots, tubs and trays – including empty plastic toiletry/household cleaning bottles
  • Tins/cans
  • Empty aerosols
  • Clean tin foil – including mince pie cases!

Blue boxes and purple lidded communal glass bins

  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Blue boxes only – small electricals (eg hairdryers and toasters) and batteries in a clear plastic bag

Grey lidded food recycling bins

  • All your cooked and uncooked food including meat and bones

Christmas trees

You can check which dates we’re collecting Christmas trees in your street on our website. You can also book an appointment online to take it to one of our recycling centres.

Recycling centres                                                                                         

Please not there are some changes to the opening hours at our recycling centres over the festive period and you must book an appointment at edinburgh.gov.uk/bookrecycling to visit one.

Garden waste collections

There will be no garden waste collections from 14 December to 10 January.

If you don’t use the garden waste service but would like to sign up for it, there will be one more opportunity to register for this service year, which runs until November 2021. Registration opens from 2 February to 16 February and more information about what you you need to do will be availble on our website nearer the time. 

St. Peter’s P4 Elsie wins Miles Briggs Christmas card competition

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has selected the winner of his annual Christmas card competition, which he has been running since his election to the Scottish Parliament in 2016.

This year’s Christmas Card theme was NHS Scotland, to honour frontline workers who have worked incredibly hard throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The competition was open to all primary schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and Elsie Adams age 8, from P4 at St Peter’s Primary School in Morningside, was chosen as the winner.

Elsie won £50 Amazon voucher (sponsored by Morrison Construction), afternoon tea at the Caledonian (sponsored by Waldorf Astoria) and a family day out at Conifox Adventure Park (sponsored by Conifox).

Miles was unable to present Elsie with her prize in person due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “There were some very creative Christmas cards this year and pupils in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s once again showed their artistic talent.

“The competition was very close with hundreds of Christmas card entries from primary schools across the region, with inventive designs from hand sanitiser to the distinctive NHS rainbow.

“What was clear from the entries was that primary school pupils are aware of the tremendous effort that NHS staff have made throughout this year.

“Congratulations to the winner Elsie, whose bright card and fun design stood out as the winner of my 2020 Christmas card competition.”

Hate Crime Bill must be amended, says Holyrood committee

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee has indicated it will support the general principles of the Hate Crime Bill on condition it is amended in line with recommendations the Committee is unanimously making. The committee’s recommendations build on, but go further than, the commitments already made by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to make changes to the Bill.

The Justice Committee has concluded that further changes should be made to the Bill to ensure that those making comments which others find offensive are not criminalised, while still robustly tackling those perpetrating hate crimes. 

The Committee has unanimously concluded as follows:

  • For behaviour to be considered “abusive” under the Bill, prosecutors must be required to show that a ‘reasonable person’ would consider the behaviour to be abusive, setting a higher bar for prosecution;
  • The Bill’s provisions safeguarding free speech must be deepened and strengthened; 
  • The ‘reasonableness’ defence available to a person charged with a stirring-up offence must be clarified. 

The Committee also agreed that while there should not be an absolute defence against prosecution for acts in private homes, people should be allowed to express their own, perhaps offensive, views within their own home or other private space without fear of investigation or prosecution.

It has therefore called on the Scottish Government to find a way to amend the Bill that better reflects its view around ‘stirring up’ offences having a public element to them.

The Committee welcomed the appointment of Baroness Helena Kennedy QC to chair a working group on misogynistic harassment, and has called on the working group to report within a year to avoid further significant delay. However, any legislative change that is recommended by this group should be subject to the fullest possible parliamentary scrutiny.

Speaking as the report was published, Committee Convener, Adam Tomkins MSP, said: “Balancing freedom of expression and legislating to ensure hateful actions can be prosecuted is a difficult task.

“The Committee is grateful for the wealth and variety of evidence we heard, and hope we have reflected, in our report. We also welcome the Cabinet Secretary taking the unusual step of accepting that his Bill required amendment before we began our scrutiny.

“We believe that, if amended in line with our unanimous recommendations, this Bill should be fit to protect the communities it affords extra protections to, without encroaching on the ability of citizens to have robust debates, hold views others find unpalatable, and express themselves freely.

“It is a testament to the open-mindedness of all Members to have found such consensus on what has undoubtedly been a contentious piece of legislation.”

The Committee’s call for views received an unprecedented response, with almost 2,000 submissions. A release about this and the Bill timetable is set out in this release.

The Committee heard oral evidence from almost 40 stakeholder organisations.

A copy of the report is attached.

Lothian Modified launch VOCAL’s Carers Are Stars! campaign

A group of like-minded car enthusiasts are supporting the launch of VOCAL’s Carers Are Stars! campaign with the unveiling of their special modified car.

The members of Lothian Modified unveiled the ‘dressed’ cars at VOCAL’s carers’ hub in Dalkeith to launch a campaign and appeal in support of the vital role played by unpaid carers across Edinburgh and Midlothian communities.

“As a family-friendly group we include carers and people living with disabilities and conditions who need extra support.  So we wanted to help carers in whatever way we can” said Linda Lawton, group moderator/administrator and instigator of Lothian Modified’s support for VOCAL. “We want to make sure that our community recognises the role of unpaid carers and let them know that they are stars.

“As a carer for a child with additional needs and as a person with a disability, I know the work that goes into being a carer.  VOCAL has been so helpful to me and my family and it is so important that others know they are not alone” added Linda.

 “VOCAL has continued to support carers across Edinburgh and Midlothian through the COVID pandemic when many more people have taken on caring roles and caring duties have increased in hours as well as intensity. 

“This Christmas, we want to let the carers in our community know that they are stars. They bring light and hope to cared-for people and deserve all the support that VOCAL can provide” said Julie Forster of VOCAL. 

VOCAL’s Carer are Stars! appeal asks supporters to make a donation and put another star on the VOCAL’s Christmas tree. 

Julie added: “We have been doing so much virtually this year that we wanted to make our tree real.  We will be genuinely hanging one of our special stars on our tree when you make a donation.”

To donate go to vocal.org.uk/carersarestars  or to VOCAL’s JustGiving Carers are Stars campaign page.

To find out more about the festive programme of workshops and short breaks for carers please call VOCAL or go to vocal.org.uk/news/stars-midlothian-2020/ or vocal.org.uk/news/stars-edinburgh-2020/ .

Heart Research UK: Health Tips

Switch to Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes make a tasty alternative to white potatoes and they are very versatile. Unlike white potatoes, sweet potatoes count towards your 5 a day and they are packed with vitamins and fibre to keep you healthy.

Sweet potatoes can be mashed, baked, roasted and boiled in the same way as white potatoes.

We provide some tips to help you include sweet potatoes in your meals:

  • For a healthy lunch, why not swap your regular baked potato for a baked sweet potato (without butter). Choose a healthy filling, such as vegetarian chilli, tuna, baked beans or cottage cheese and serve with a healthy salad.
  • Try switching from regular mashed potato to mashed sweet potato. Alternatively, you could make your mash with 50% white potatoes and 50% sweet potatoes. Instead of adding cream, butter or salt, try adding a splash of milk or low-fat crème fraiche and a pinch of nutmeg before mashing. Mashed sweet potato makes a great topping for shepherd’s pie or fish pie, or you can serve it alongside a roast dinner.
  • Ditch your deep-fat fryer and switch from chips to sweet potato wedges, baked in the oven. Cut your sweet potatoes into wedges (keep the skins on for extra fibre), toss them in a small amount of oil and add some dried herbs and/or spices, such as Cajun spice mix, cumin or paprika. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Serve with a dollop of reduced calorie crème fraiche.

Edinburgh gets perfect Aldi Christmas roast dinners directly to the door with Deliveroo

  • WHAT: The perfect Christmas roast dinner delivered to your door by Deliveroo, from Aldi and top chef Neil Rankin
  • WHEN: Available to order via Deliveroo on 12th December, for delivery on 13th December
  • PRICE: £5 donation to food charity Neighbourly

Aldi has announced ‘Christmas on a Plate’, the perfect roast dinner delivered to your door by Deliveroo, in collaboration with top chef Neil Rankin. 

The launch comes as the supermarket’s research reveals 36% of Edinburghians are planning more than one Christmas dinner this year, despite nearly one in ten Edinburgh residents saying cooking a roast dinner is too stressful. Aldi’s ‘Christmas on a Plate’ is a delicious alterative, helping to take the pressure off cooks this festive season.  

The partnership with Great British Menu star Rankin and Deliveroo sees a Christmas dinner delivery roll out across Edinburgh on Sunday 13th December, giving customers the chance to order a perfectly cooked roast in return for a £5 donation to food charity Neighbourly. 

With the option to order either traditional turkey or a vegan meal, the roasts have been expertly curated by Rankin and will include tasty side dishes and ingredients from Aldi’s Specially Selected range. 

The menus will include:

  • Traditional Turkey
  • Portion of Roast Turkey
  • Truffle Pigs in Blankets
  • ‘Aldi Amazing’ Roast Potatoes
  • Cumin Roasted Carrots 
  • Yorkshire Pudding made from scratch 
  • Spiced Cider Stuffing, Roast Squash & Cranberry Onion Pithivier
  • Fried Sprouts with, Cranberries, Rainbow Peppercorns, Ginger & Garlic 
  • Vegan
  • Vegan Christmas Pastry Wreath
  • ‘Aldi Amazing’ Roast Potatoes
  • Cumin Roasted Carrots 
  • Vegan Yorkshire Pudding made from scratch 
  • Spiced Cider Stuffing, Roast Squash & Cranberry Onion Pithivier
  • Fried Sprouts with, Cranberries, Rainbow Peppercorns, Ginger & Garlic 

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director for Buying at Aldi, comments: “After a year unlike any other, we want to give our customers a treat by taking the stress out of cooking at home, which is why we’ve partnered with Neil Rankin and Deliveroo to create Christmas on a Plate.

“Our research has shown that people will be celebrating in many different ways this year, but one thing is for certain – the nation is still gearing up to enjoy an amazing Christmas dinner and that’s where we’re best placed to help, with beautiful food at great value. 

“We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy quality food not just at Christmas, but every day of the year, and that’s why all proceeds of our initiative will go to Neighbourly, supporting local charities and communities.”

Aldi’s ‘Christmas on a Plate’ roasts will be available for the cost of a £5 charitable donation per meal from Deliveroo’s app.

Customers will have the option to also donate more money to the Neighbourly charity on the page if they do not wish to order an additional meal.

Customers will need to keep their eyes peeled for the order page, which will launch at 12PM on Saturday 12th December for pre-order the following day.

Shoppers will need to be quick, as always with Aldi’s limited-edition products, once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Citizens Assembly to hold final meeting today

The Citizens Assembly will meet for Weekend 8 today – Saturday 5 December. Convener Kate Wimpress has written a blog where she provides an overview of the weekend (see below). 

We will be livestreaming the plenary sessions on our website, 

www.citizensassembly.scot 

and materials for the Assembly that members will use, are also available to view online.

Convener Kate Wimpress (above) said: “I am very much looking forward to the last meeting of the Citizens’ Assembly.

“Members will be meeting online on Saturday, 5th December, to discuss support for the final recommendations to advance their vision for Scotland. This is the culmination of the remarkable journey we have taken, together, as Scotland’s first  Assembly. As usual, we will be livestreaming the plenary sessions on our website: www.citizensassembly.scot

“Members will be reading out their recommendations, and it will be a privilege to hear the recommendations, formed through careful deliberation, shared in their own voice. They will also be voting on the levels of support for each recommendations agreed during weekend 7. 

The recommendations are varied and speak to a number of broad themes: 

How decisions are taken 

  • Recommendations about improving citizen participation, the provision of information, and accountability in our political institutions.

Constitutional issues 

  • Some recommendations explicitly call for further powers, for example, around taxation and negotiating  trade agreements. Others call for changes in areas that are currently reserved, including aspects of employment law, incomes and regulation of utilities to support environmental objectives. 

Building a sustainable country  

  • A range of recommendations about environmental sustainability.

Tax and economy  

  • Recommendations on changes to, and improving the understanding of, the tax system

Income and poverty

  • Recommendations covering a range of action to address poverty including to improve information on poverty and relating to income and employment.

Helping people to realise their potential 

  • A broad range of recommendations, including around education and training for young people, and action around health and wellbeing, the NHS, and wider health services 

“There is a great deal of detail within each of the  themes and members will be finalising their recommendations during Weekend 8.

“The final report will incorporate the Assembly vision and the recommendations, alongside a description of how the process worked, and reflections from Members on their journey. It is to be published early next month, presented to the Scottish Government and Parliament, and debated in the Scottish Parliament.  

“We are making plans for communicating the final reports and our subscribers will be kept up to date with all the latest developments.

“In the meantime, we will continue to promote the Assembly across our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media channels.”

West Approach Road hit and run: man charged

Police in Edinburgh have confirmed that a 44-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a hit and run on the West Approach Road.

The incident happened around 4.40pm on Friday, 6th November, 2020, when a car struck a six-year-old pedestrian. The boy was taken to hospital for treatment of facial injuries.

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.