‘There are forces here at home trying to tear us apart’ 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a statement outside Downing Street on extremism yesterday:

In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality. 

What started as protests on our streets, has descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence.

Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveal their identity.

Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with. 

Now our democracy itself is a target. 

Council meetings and local events have been stormed. 

MPs do not feel safe in their homes. 

Long standing Parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns. 

[Please note political content redacted here.]

I need to speak to you all this evening because this situation has gone on long enough …

…and demands a response not just from government, but from all of us.

Britain is a patriotic, liberal, democratic society with a proud past and a bright future. 

We are a reasonable country and a decent people. 

Our story is one of progress, of great achievements and enduring values. 

Immigrants who have come here have integrated and contributed. 

They have helped write the latest chapter in our island story. 

They have done this without being required to give up their identity. 

You can be a practising Hindu and a proud Briton as I am.

Or a devout Muslim and a patriotic citizen as so many are.

Or a committed Jewish person and the heart of your local community…

…and all underpinned by the tolerance of our established, Christian church.

We are a country where we love our neighbours. 

And we are building Britain together. 

But I fear that our great achievement…

…in building the world’s most successful multi-ethnic, multi faith democracy…

…is being deliberately undermined. 

There are forces here at home trying to tear us apart. 

Since October 7th there have been those trying to take advantage of the very human angst that we all feel…

…about the terrible suffering that war brings to the innocent, to women and children…

…to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda.  

On too many occasions recently, our streets have been hijacked by small groups…

…who are hostile to our values and have no respect for our democratic traditions.

Membership of our society is contingent on some simple things…

…that you abide by the rule of law, and that change can only come through the peaceful, democratic process. 

Threats of violence and intimidation are alien to our way of doing things: they must be resisted at all times.

Nearly everyone in Britain supports these basic values but there are small and vocal hostile groups who do not. 

Islamist extremists and the far right feed off and embolden each other. 

They are equally desperate to pretend that their violence is somehow justified…

…when actually these groups are two sides of the same extremist coin. 

Neither group accept that change in our country can only come through the peaceful democratic process. 

Both loathe the pluralist, modern country we are. 

Both want to set Briton against Briton…

…to weaponise the evils of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred for their own ends. 

The faith of Islam, peacefully practised by millions of our fellow citizens…

…is emphatically not the same thing as the extremist political ideology of Islamism…

…which aims to separate Muslims from the rest of society. 

Islamist extremists and far rights groups are spreading a poison, that poison is extremism. 

It aims to drain us of our confidence in ourselves as a people, and in our shared future. 

They want us to doubt ourselves, to doubt each other, to doubt our country’s history and achievements. 

They want us to accept a moral equivalence between Britain and some of the most despicable regimes in the world. 

They want us to believe that our country, and the West more generally, is solely responsible for the world’s ills…

…and that we, along with our allies, are the problem. 

In short, they want to destroy our confidence and hope. 

We must not allow that to happen.

When these groups claim that Britain is and has been on the wrong side of history, we should reject it, and reject it again. 

No country is perfect, but I am enormously proud of the good that our country has done. 

Our place in history is defined by the sacrifices our people have made, 

…in the service of our own freedom and that of others. 

And when these groups tell children that they cannot – and will not – succeed because of who they are…

When they tell children that the system is rigged against them or that Britain is a racist country…

This is not only a lie, but a cynical attempt to crush young dreams, and turn impressionistic minds against their own society.  

I stand here as our country’s first non-white Prime Minister, leading the most diverse government in our country’s history…

…to tell people of all races, all faiths and all backgrounds…

…it is not the colour of your skin, the God you believe in or where you were born, that will determine your success…

…but just your own hard work and endeavour. 

We must be prepared to stand up for our shared values in all circumstances, no matter how difficult. 

And I respect that the police have a tough job in policing the protests we have seen and that they are operationally independent. 

But we must draw a line. 

Yes, you can march and protest with passion…

You can demand the protection of civilian life…

…but no, you cannot call for violent Jihad. 

There is no “context” in which it can be acceptable to beam antisemitic tropes onto Big Ben in the middle of a vote on Israel/Gaza. 

And there can be no cause you can use to justify the support of a proscribed terrorist group, like Hamas. 

Yes, you can freely criticise the actions of this government, or indeed any government: that is a fundamental democratic right. 

But no, you cannot use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a State – or any kind of hatred or antisemitism. 

This week I have met with senior police officers and made clear it is the public’s expectation…

…that they will not merely manage these protests, but police them. 

And I say this to the police, we will back you when you take action. 

But if we are asking more of the police, we in government must also back up that call with action. 

To that end, this month the government will implement a new robust framework for how it deals with this issue. 

To ensure that we are dealing with the root causes of this problem…

…and that no extremist organisations or individuals are being lent legitimacy…

…by their actions and interactions with central government. 

You cannot be part of our civic life if your agenda is to tear it down. 

We will redouble our support for the Prevent programme to stop young minds being poisoned by extremism. 

We will demand that universities stop extremist activity on campus.  

We will also act to prevent people entering this country whose aim is to undermine its values. 

The Home Secretary has instructed that if those here on visas…

…choose to spew hate on protests or seek to intimidate people…

…we will remove their right to be here. 

And our Britain must not be a country in which we descend into polarised camps…

…with some communities living parallel lives. 

It is not enough to live side-by-side, we must live together…

…united by shared values and a shared commitment to this country.

And I want to speak directly to those who choose to continue to protest: 

Don’t let the extremists hijack your marches. 

You have a chance in the coming weeks to show that you can protest decently, peacefully and with empathy for your fellow citizens.  

Let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree…

…we will never be disunited from our common values of decency and respect.

I love this country. 

My family and I owe it so much. 

The time has now come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division and beat this poison. 

We must face down the extremists who would tear us apart…

…there must be leadership, not pandering or appeasement. 

When they tell their lies, we will tell the truth. 

When they try and sap our confidence, we will redouble our efforts. 

And when they try and make us doubt each other…

…we will dig deeper for that extra ounce of compassion and empathy…

…that they want us to believe doesn’t exist, but that I know does. 

If we can do that, we can build on our great achievement in creating today’s Britain…

…a country of kind, decent, tolerant people. 

We can make this a country in which we all feel a renewed sense of pride. 

This is our home. 

So let us go forward together, confident in our values and confident in our future.

Defence Minister praises Scottish shipbuilding apprentices

The important role apprentices play in driving innovation in British shipbuilding was recognised during a ministerial visit to key defence sites in Scotland this week.

Visiting Govan and Rosyth, Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, met apprentices and workers, witnessing first-hand the construction of several new Royal Navy ships, including HMS Cardiff, HMS Glasgow, HMS Venturer and HMS Active.

The Minister received a full briefing regarding the progress on the build of the Type 26s currently happening in Govan and Scotstoun, and met with Babcock CEO, David Lockwood for a look at the Type 31s being built in Rosyth. Over the course of the build, Babcock will take on more than 500 apprentices.

Through the National Shipbuilding Office, the Government is committed to working closely with British industry to help the shipbuilding sector maximise its potential, creating more skilled jobs and levelling up communities in Scotland.

Touring the sites of BAE Systems and Babcock, the Minister spoke with workers and 180 apprentices and thanked them for their crucial role in building the future fleet of the Royal Navy.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said: “It was great to meet and chat with the skilled workers and apprentices who are working hard to design, manufacture and build the future fleet for our Royal Navy.

“I’m pleased that a career in the defence sector can provide these unique opportunities and skilled technical training for young people, whilst making a huge contribution to the Scottish economy.”

Babcock currently have more than 180 apprentices and 3,500 people employed in Scotland, with these numbers only set to grow in the coming years. In addition to this, Babcock have 1030 apprentices and more than 360 graduates across the UK.

Babcock has invested £35 million in a new digitally enabled build hall at its Rosyth facility, with the Venturer Building capable of housing two Type 31s frigates side by side for parallel build and assembly, supporting increased productivity gains through improved access to the platforms and digital connectivity.

BAE systems in Glasgow currently have 3,750 employees and around 600 apprentices and graduates in Glasgow. In 2024, they are set to recruit almost 2,700 apprentices and graduates across the UK, with 300 based in Glasgow.

In addition, construction has begun on a new £12m Applied Shipbuilding Academy at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard, which will develop the existing workforce and attract new talent to the historic profession of shipbuilding.

Additionally, construction of a modern shipbuilding hall in Govan is underway and, together with a range of additional investments in technologies and equipment, it forms part of an overall £300m investment in the two sites in Glasgow over the next five years.

David Lockwood CEO, Babcock said: “We were delighted to host the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP, at our Rosyth site ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship week.

“Apprenticeships play a really important role in workforces across the UK, ensuring we can sustain the technical skills needed to continue to deliver critical national defence programmes, while offering exciting opportunities with direct benefits to local communities.”

Simon Lister, Managing Director of Naval Ships at BAE Systems said: “We have a proud tradition of equipping our apprentices with the skills and training needed to develop long and rewarding careers.

“They are the next generation of shipbuilders that will design and build ships for the Royal Navy for decades to come.

“Training a world-class workforce requires world-class facilities. That’s why, as well as our new Ship Build Hall, we are building our new Applied Shipbuilding Academy here in Glasgow, working closely with our regional partners to build sector skills.”

Entries open for VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards

Scottish businesses championing sustainability are in the spotlight as entries open for the 2024 VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.

Now in their 25th year, the VIBES awards encourage businesses to show vision and leadership in tackling climate change and other environmental challenges. They also aim to enhance environmental performance and showcase those supporting the wider social and economic benefits of sustainability.

The opening of the competition was marked at the Scottish Parliament last night (Wednesday 28th February 2024), where the outstanding achievements of last year’s winners were applauded by attendees including industry leaders and MSPs. An address was also given by Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero, and Energy. 

Previous winners showcased included ReBlade, a Glasgow and Dumfries based company demonstrating how turbine blades can be dealt with responsibly. Through research and evidence, ReBlade prove that wind energy generation waste can be repurposed, confirming economic viability in decommissioning windfarms sustainably.

Fiona Lindsay, Managing Director at ReBlade said: “Businesses and organisations are increasingly being asked to demonstrate positive environmental impact, and rightly so.

“The way we do business has a huge impact on the world around us, and it makes good business sense to interrogate processes and operations to minimise environmental and climate impacts. For ReBlade taking part in the VIBES awards has been a wholly positive experience and I’d definitely encourage other businesses to consider applying.”

The VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards are a partnership between multiple organisations including the SEPA, the Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, NatureScot, Scottish Water, and Zero Waste Scotland. VIBES is also supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, Scotch Whisky Association, Bright Green Business and Prosper.

Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive of SEPA, added: “As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, we innovate, collaborate and drive collective action to help build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable nation.

“It is truly inspiring to see the achievements of these businesses towards a sustainable future. Their commitment is not only commendable but serves as a beacon for others in the business community to embrace environmentally responsible and innovative practices.

“We know there are many more businesses on the frontline of the net zero transition, continually demonstrating their unwavering commitment. The VIBES awards prove their efforts matter, and I would strongly urge as many of them as possible to enter this year and receive the recognition they deserve.”

Categories open for entries this year include the Vision in Business Scotland Award for companies that clearly set out their strategy, policies, and systems that enable continuous sustainability improvements and contribute to Scotland’s net zero carbon ambition.

Judging will take place over the summer, with a shortlist confirmed in September and the winners revealed at a ceremony in November. 

Boy, 11, dies following collision on Whitehouse Road

VICTIM NAMED

An 11-year-old boy has died following a collision on Whitehouse Loan in Cramond. The Cramond P7 pupil who died after being struck by a bin lorry on Friday (1st March) has been named as Thomas Wong.

His family has asked for privacy. Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances.

The incident happened around 8.20am on Friday, 1 March near to the junction with Braehead Road.

The boy was riding a bicycle when he was involved in a collision with a bin lorry.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin are aware.

The driver of the bin lorry was uninjured.

Inspector Andrew Thomson, of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the boy’s family and friends at this time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and I would urge anyone who may have information which has not yet been passed to Police to get in touch.

“I would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage from the area.

“Specially trained officers are supporting the family at this time.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 0578 of 1 March, 2024.”

Clarity and communication needed to address Scotland’s faulty cladding

A Bill which aims to support those affected by faulty cladding has today been welcomed. However, more clarity is needed on the proposed legislation which aims to address the cladding issues raised following the Grenfell tragedy.

Holyrood’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has been examining the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill. In its stage 1 report on the Bill published today, the Committee has called for a clearer picture of how it will help secure remedial action for affected properties.

Measures within the Bill would give Scottish Ministers powers to assess and remediate buildings with unsafe cladding, including where consent of the owners cannot be provided.

The proposals also include the creation and maintenance of a Cladding Assurance Register to give residents confidence about the assessment and works undertaken once those buildings are remediated.

However, the Committee’s report has called for more detail on how the measures within it will be delivered and the report noting repeated evidence of the skills shortages in the sectors that are essential to deliver the Bill’s ambition.

The report also stresses the importance of improving communication for those people affected both from the Scottish Government and developers. 

Committee Convener Ariane Burgess MSP said: “These proposals are a positive step in the right direction. But what has also been clear from the evidence is there is still more clarity needed to ensure that the remedial action needed will be completed. The progress of which has been concerningly slow.

“People have been deeply affected by these issues, and there must also be an improvement in the communication to those living in affected buildings. This includes clearer timescales for the work to take place and more detail of the remedial action being done. 

“Our Committee also wants to thank the residents affected, many of whom took the time to tell us how these issues have affected every aspect of their lives.”

Hundreds of people are being moved out of their council homes in Aberdeen after the houses were found to contain potentially dangerous concrete panels.

Thousands of council homes in the city were checked for the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). It was found to be in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry, including 364 council properties.

Speeding up cancer diagnoses in Scotland

Report shows impact of Scotland’s first fast-track cancer diagnostic services

More than one in ten patients seen by new cancer diagnostic services have been referred for cancer treatment, helping to speed up treatment and improve outcomes. Patients waited an average of 14 days from referral, to having cancer ruled in or out.

An evaluation report into Scotland’s first Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS), published by the University of Strathclyde and the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), found 11.9% of patients seen over the two year period were diagnosed with cancer. Around 6% were given a pre-cancer diagnosis, meaning they require further monitoring in case a cancer develops, and the remainder were either given the all clear and referred back to primary care or diagnosed with other non-cancer conditions (41.1% and 40.7% respectively).

The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services, currently in place across five Health Board areas, were established to help speed up cancer diagnoses for patients with non-specific symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, persistent nausea or fatigue, where the GP has a concern of a malignancy. Over the two-year evaluation period the services saw 2,489 patients, with more than 96% of them giving the service a positive satisfaction rating of eight out of 10 or more.

The report highlighted that the model delivers a quality service at speed, is cost effective, compared to previous pathways, and highly valued by patients and staff. Positive patient experience is attributed to the speed of referral, reduction in waiting times for diagnostic tests, having a single point of contact and enhanced information and communication throughout the RCDS pathway.

Visiting NHS Lanarkshire’s RCDS at University Hospital Wishaw, Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Improving cancer services is a priority for the Scottish Government, as set out in our 10-year strategy published last year.

“This positive evaluation of Scotland’s Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service provides valuable insight into their role in achieving vital earlier cancer diagnoses and improving patient care.

“RCDSs reflect our commitment to enhancing equitable cancer services across NHS Scotland – this report has shown the pivotal role they can play in early cancer detection while delivering quality patient-centred care. As Scotland’s cancer care continues to evolve, RCDSs stand as an essential component in improving outcomes.”

Professor Robert van der Meer, Co-Lead Author of the RCDS Evaluation, University of Strathclyde: “Scotland’s Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS) are working well. They’re achieving what they set out to do – find cancer – while delivering a high standard of quality care at speed.

“RCDS patients are complex and the specialist input that the RCDS can offer them, and concerned primary care clinicians, marks a gear-change in how we diagnose cancer in Scotland. RCDSs should be used as an exemplar for cancer care with learning embedded across all pathways.”

Mr Martin Downey, NHS Lanarkshire Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service Clinical Lead and Associate Medical Director for Access, said: “The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service offers a timely, often one-stop, environment for clinically complex patients with potentially serious non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss, fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain. 

“These patients typically did not meet the criteria for existing cancer pathways and the service makes a positive difference to these patients, providing rapid patient centred assessment, diagnosis and coordination of ongoing care.”

To see the full report, please follow this link.

Electrical industry celebrates green skills ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Scotland’s leading electrical bodies say the industry is leading the way with skills and training to help power the technology of tomorrow – and are urging others to follow in its footsteps to ensure Scotland makes a successful transition to net zero.

SELECT, the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) have released a new video ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship Week that reinforces the range of renewable training currently being undertaken by apprentices.

The film shows how young electricians are receiving a thorough grounding in a wide range of green skills to enable them to cater for our future heat and power needs, including working with electric vehicles, battery storage, solar panels, air source heat pumps and more.

But the bodies also insist that the government, homeowners and wider construction sector must also embrace the opportunities offered by renewables and work together to ensure that the transition to net zero becomes a reality.

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “This video aims not only to inspire young learners to become electrical apprentices but also to show that the electrical industry is at the heart of the move to the electrification of society.

“However, we also need to persuade those outwith our industry to be equally committed to the adoption and uptake of green technology to ensure that this training is not in vain and that the electricians of tomorrow emerge into a country that is willing to embrace renewables.”

Fiona Harper, Director of Employment and Skills at SELECT and The Secretary of the SJIB, added: “To ensure that there is a sustainable and healthy pipeline of work for this next generation of electricians, we need the government, the Scottish people and the construction industry to use renewable technology and join us on the transition to net zero.

“Such a transition needs to happen now and we all need to face the reality that we must do it sooner rather than later if we are to secure an energy-efficient future for our children and our children’s children.

“More incentives for the adoption and installation of green technology and clearer advice and information on funding and grants would be a big help in encouraging take-up and ensuring the renewables skills currently being taught are successfully utilised by electrical professionals in the years to come.”

Running from March 4 to 8, this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week will again celebrate the value and importance of apprenticeships, with this year’s event focusing on skills generation.

Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, said: “The electrical sector in Scotland is taking the lead in skills generation, with 2,500 young people currently receiving the training necessary to cultivate complex skill sets and lay strong foundations for a long and rewarding career.

“However, the vast depth of knowledge needed to become an electrician can only be obtained by completing the Modern Apprenticeship, and there are no short cuts to equipping electrical professionals with the skills they need to power our country for decades to come.

“If we are to make the transition to net zero safely and securely, it is of the utmost importance that the electricians of tomorrow spend a minimum of four years learning their trade properly and completing a dedicated, tailor-made apprenticeship.”

Social homes vital for Edinburgh’s future Shelter Scotland tells summit

Delivering more social homes is the only way to end Edinburgh’s housing emergency according to a leading housing charity.  

Speaking at a housing summit hosted by the Edinburgh Futures Institute, Shelter Scotland Director Alison Watson said investing in social homes would be vital in fixing the city’s broken housing system.  

The summit comes just a day after new figures revealed that 1,525 children in Edinburgh are living in temporary accommodation, the highest number on record and more than any other local authority in Scotland. 

The same figures also showed an increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation, the number of open homeless applications, and the number of breaches of the unsuitable accommodation order in Edinburgh. 

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “Record numbers of children in Edinburgh have nowhere to call home, rents are out of control, resource starved local services can’t cope and so people’s housing rights are being breached, the law is being broken, with alarming regularity. 

“Undoubtedly the root cause of Edinburgh’s housing emergency is a chronic shortage of social housing. Addressing that shortfall is the only way to fix the capital’s utterly broken housing system.  

“Only yesterday the Scottish Government has pressed ahead with brutal cuts to the housing budget – a choice which is set to make the situation much worse. 

“Our politicians need to understand that you can’t slash funding for social housing then expect those who live in the capital to take you seriously when you say you’re committed to tackling Edinburgh’s housing emergency.”

SEPA: Restoring our rivers is delivering real benefits for Scotland

Work commissioned by Scotland’s environment regulator to restore river habitats has opened up the equivalent of a trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow to Scottish salmon and trout populations in the last year.

The successful removals of Garlogie Dam on the River Dee and Crossmill Weir on the Levern Water, have ensured that 69 kilometres (just under 43 miles) of the rivers are now passable to migratory fish, allowing access to spawning habitats for the first time in more than 100 years.

Both projects were commissioned by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) with funding support from the Water Environment Fund (WEF), which is provided by Scottish Government and administered by SEPA. Funding is targeted on projects which will derive the greatest benefit to Scotland’s rivers and neighbouring communities.

Delivering successful river restoration is crucial to the ecological and environmental well-being of Scotland, a nation famous for our rivers and lochs. As we deal with the challenges of climate adaptation and the impact of our history as an industrial nation on the watery veins and arteries of our country, the significance of successful projects to revitalise essential ecosystems cannot be overstated.

Garlogie Dam and Crossmill Weir, plus the many other river restoration projects that WEF has made possible over the years, have brought together charities, local environment groups, river trusts, local authorities, government bodies and local communities to allow real world improvements to rivers that bring benefits far beyond what people might initially think.

River restoration enhances water quality by reducing pollution and promotes a healthier ecosystem. It also helps mitigate the impact of floods, as restored rivers can better absorb and manage excess water, protecting surrounding areas.

These projects can also contribute to improved recreational opportunities, regenerating important green spaces that allow people to recharge and improve their overall well-being – often acting as meeting points for communities to gather for recreational activities, exercise, or simply to enjoy nature.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, SEPA Head of Water and Planning, said: “In the face of the daunting challenges faced by the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed sometimes. But the work carried out through the Water Environment Fund is demonstrating real improvements for our environment, our communities and our country.

“As Scotland embraces the challenges of the 21st century, the importance of river restoration cannot be overstated. Garlogie Dam and Crossmill Weir are just two excellent examples of projects that merge sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of Scotland’s natural heritage – bringing benefits for our fish populations, our communities and our economy.

“At SEPA we’ll continue to work in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other organisations across the country to identify further opportunities for projects just like these. This work is delivering for Scotland through attractive and accessible river corridors that provide real climate adaptation benefits by enhancing our water environment’s ability to manage the effects of climate change – such as reducing peak flows, increasing habitat diversity and reducing temperatures by providing shade.”

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan said: “The many projects carried out through the Water Environment Fund in collaboration with Local Authorities, river trusts, catchment partnerships and other stakeholders are breathing life back into our rivers. This work benefits our environment, our wildlife – like our iconic wild salmon – and our people and communities.

“The Water Environment Fund enables projects to both restore access to rivers for migratory fish and in urban river restoration, delivering benefits for biodiversity, climate change adaptation, green space provision, public access and flood management.”

Craig Macadam, Conservation Director at Buglife and the Convener of LINK’s Freshwater Group has provided the following: “Scotland is renowned for its freshwaters.

“They are home to iconic species such as Atlantic Salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussels, provide drinking water, are used to generate electricity, support game fisheries, and are essential for the production of food and drinks, such as whisky.

Barrier removal is an important step in restoring free-flowing rivers in Scotland. The removal of Garlogie Dam and Crossmill Weir will not only benefit migratory fish such as salmon and sea trout, but will also restore natural flow processes, benefitting a wide range of plant and invertebrate species, and helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change in our rivers.”

The 69-kilometre achievement is highlighted inin SEPA’s quarterly Performance Report, which tracks how the agency is progressing against its corporate targets. 

The latest report summarises progress, with SEPA on track to achieve seven of the nine measures from last year’s Annual Operating Plan.

Spring forward!

Spring forward with a fitness pass offer

With the clocks going forward at the end of the month and spring most definitely on the horizon, take advantage of Edinburgh Leisure’s new Spring Pass to kickstart your fitness regime.

It has never been more important to look after your wellbeing so Edinburgh Leisure, a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives has launched a two-week pass for wherever you’re at this spring, so you can try before you buy.

A short-term alternative to a full-time membership, the two-week pass costs just £20 for 14 days. Available to buy online or in venue from 1st – 31st March, the Spring Pass includes unlimited access to all Edinburgh Leisure’s 17 state-of-the-art gyms, 12 swimming pools, the Turkish Baths at Portobello Swim Centre, all steam rooms and saunas, over 750+ fitness classes per week, and Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho, and represents excellent value for money.

The pass isn’t restricted to one pass per person either – if you wish to buy a second pass after your first pass expires, it’ll mean you’re doubly on the way to reaching those fitness goals.

And everyone who purchases a pass is automatically entered into a prize draw to win a year’s free membership with Edinburgh Leisure.

Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities are second to none and offer choice and great value, across various city locations. Their gyms feature some of the latest fitness equipment and you will be assured a warm welcome, with helpful staff ready to help you reach your fitness goals.

So, embrace the longer days and lighter evenings and gift yourself a wellness present.

For further information about Edinburgh Leisure venues and services and the Spring Pass, visit: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/spring-pass