Holyrood appeals for more funding to meet public sector pay deals

Urgent talks sought with the UK Government

The UK Government has been urged to provide additional funding for public sector pay deals or the Scottish Government may be unable to fund equivalent offers without cuts to public services, according to Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, Mr Swinney outlines concerns that last year’s UK Spending Review, which determined the majority of the current Scottish Budget, did not take into account the level of pay increase recently proposed by the independent pay review bodies.

Mr Swinney also warned that the UK Spending Review did not consider the wider effects of rising inflation and that without any further funding, the Scottish Government may only be able to propose similar pay rises by reducing budgets elsewhere which would have a knock-on impact on the public sector’s ability to respond more widely to the cost of living crisis.

The letter states:

“I write to notify you that I have taken on responsibility for the Finance and Economy portfolio whilst the Cabinet Secretary, Kate Forbes, is on maternity leave.

“I look forward to working with you and, while I appreciate there may be some limitations on the business of the UK Government pending conclusion of the Conservative leadership process, I am open to engagement with you through this period.  I also appreciate the value of the on-going dialogue between our respective officials.

“There is one urgent issue I would wish to take the opportunity to raise given its importance to the delivery of public services in Scotland.  Further to the joint letter from devolved administration finance ministers to you on 15 July, and in light of the UK Government’s subsequent announcements regarding public sector pay, I am concerned that no associated funding is being provided to meet these additional costs.

“Last year’s UK Spending Review, which as you know determines the majority of the Scottish Budget, did not take account of the levels of pay uplift now proposed or indeed the wider effects of inflation. 

“The associated reduction in spending power across public-sector budgets is deeply worrying for our public services and our capacity to respond to the cost of living crisis, which will undoubtedly bring renewed challenges through the coming autumn and winter period. 

“Given our fixed budgets, our restricted borrowing powers and the inability to change tax policy in year, the lack of additional funding for public sector pay deals via the Barnett Formula means the Scottish Government could only replicate these pay deals for public workers in Scotland with deep cuts to public services.

“I would urge you to consider appropriate funding for public sector pay, and would welcome early discussions with you on this matter.”

On 15 July, the Finance Ministers for the three devolved governments wrote to the Chancellor outlining economic areas of concern ahead of the forthcoming UK Budget.

Government to name grassroots football facilities in honour of triumphant Lionesses 

  • Government determined to build future legacy on the back of England’s success and increase participation for women and girls
  • Comes as part of Government’s £230 million investment to build or improve 8,000 grassroots football and multi-sport facilities by 2025

Following the Lionesses’ incredible success at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, the Culture Secretary has announced that grassroots facilities will be named after the 23 players in and around each of their respective hometowns or places that shaped their footballing careers in honour of their achievements.

As part of the Government’s £230 million investment to build or improve 8,000 grassroots football and multi-sport facilities by 2025, alongside the stipulation that they must provide access for women’s and girl’s football, the move will cement the team’s legacy for generations to come. This will support the FA’s ambition for the tournament to create half a million extra opportunities for women and girls to play football.

£25 million has already been invested over the last year in grassroots facilities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with more than 170 facilities delivered by the Football Foundation, in partnership with the Premier League and the FA.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The Lionesses have enjoyed amazing success in a record breaking tournament – selling out all of their matches, with over half a million fans at games throughout the competition.

“Millions of women and girls have been inspired by the team’s success and honouring their achievements will mean they leave a lasting impression at grassroots facilities across England.”

The Government continues to support the growth of women’s and girl’s football and driving up participation in the sport.

Working alongside the FA, the Government is determined to achieve their ambition of equal access to football for girls in 90% of schools by 2024, and the £320 million PE and School Sports Premium School Sport and Activity Action Plan will help more girls to take part in sport and physical activity.

During the pandemic £2.9 million in grant funding was provided through the Sport Survival Package to the Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship to cover essential costs and allow the completion of their seasons.

This was part of the unprecedented £1 billion package to ensure the survival of the grassroots, professional sport and leisure sectors during the pandemic. The staging of EURO 2022 has also been supported with £4.6 million.

In addition, the Government listed several high profile women’s tournaments, including the Women’s FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA Women’s EUROs as events of national significance. This means they will now have greater opportunity to be shown on free-to-air television, increasing awareness of the women’s game, providing greater commercial opportunities and inspiring more young girls to take up the sport.

It has also been announced that a review of the domestic women’s game will launch later this summer, to look at how to grow the game at elite and grassroots level. More details will be set out in the coming weeks.

The Government’s grassroots pitches investment was announced in March 2022. The next phase of projects will commence later this year.

Operation Soteria: the story so far

#OperationSoteria, Edinburgh Policing Division’s city wide Operation continues to put the brakes on criminals involved in motorcycle thefts and associated anti-social behaviour.

Over the past week, enquiries have led to the arrest of 5 individuals with significant links to motorcycle crime across Edinburgh. This equates to a weekly total of 42 charges and the recovery of 11 bikes, all as a direct result of our targeted activities.

Since the commencement of #OpSoteria on 20 June 2022, we have made 17 arrests, with a further individual reported for warrant.

This translates to 104 charges all relating to motorcycle theft and antisocial behaviour offences and the recovery of 51 motorcycles, bringing the total value of bikes recovered since June to more than £360,000.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the capital can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Conservative Leadership Contest: A Guide to the Policy Landscape 

From cost of living to the Ukraine conflict, the next Prime Minister will face a series of challenges when they enter 10 Downing Street in September.

As the Conservative leadership contest continues, it is important that the debate be substantive and based on evidence. UK in a Changing Europe and Full Fact have partnered to produce a series of evidence led, research-based assessments of the key issues confronting the country. 

The briefings have been written by experts in their field with contributions from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the London School of Economics, Health Foundation and others. 

We based our choice of issues on the IPSOS Issues Index, topics of most current concern to the UK public, and areas of debate between leadership candidates so far.

The report contains briefings on:

  • Macroeconomics by Stephen Millard (National Institute of Social and Economic Research)
  • Tax and Spend by Ben Zaranko (Institute for Fiscal Studies)
  • Economic Inequality by Robert Joyce (Institute for Fiscal Studies)
  • Education by Carole Willis (National Foundation for Educational Research)
  • Climate, the Environment and Net Zero by Gareth Redmond-King (Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit)
  • Health and Social Care by Anita Charlesworth (Health Foundation)
  • Immigration by Madeleine Sumption and Peter William Walsh (Migration Observatory)
  • Brexit by Anand Menon (UK in a Changing Europe)
  • Housing and Planning by Paul Cheshire (LSE)
  • Security, Defence and Foreign Affairs by Malcolm Chalmers (Royal United Services Institute)
  • The Union by Nicola McEwen (UK in a Changing Europe)
  • Faith and Trust in Politics by Will Jennings and Gerry Stoker (University of Southampton)

Our aim in putting together this collection was not to tell people what to think but to provide information that will help them make up their own minds—as well as equip journalists with the best available evidence as hustings continue 

As the briefings highlight, there are considerable trade-offs both within and between policy areas. With this in mind, we believe that these summaries will provide a useful primer for scrutiny of the candidates’ positions on policy as the contest continues through the Summer.

We hope that the report provides some context for this debate and provides voters with a timely and accessible analysis of the key issues in the leadership contest.

Yours sincerely, 

Anand Menon (UK in a Changing Europe)                                    Will Moy (Full Fact)

UKICE-Full-Fact-Conservative-Leadership-Contest-ReportDownload

Enter Luminate’s Creative Ageing Awards – nominations now open

Nominations are now open for Scotland’s Creative Ageing Awards.  These are run by Luminate, Scotland’s organisation for the development of creative ageing and this year’s awards are part of their 10th anniversary celebrations. 

They will recognise arts, crafts, film and creative media projects and activities which target older audiences and participants, or target cross-generational participants – or projects aimed at a wider audience which have a theme related to ageing.   

The definition of “creative ageing” is very wide. Older people engage with the arts and creativity in many ways, and all of them are important.  Activities can be led by professional artists, teachers, community workers, social care and healthcare staff, and/or community volunteers. 

Some projects will be led by a mix of these groups.  Individual awards will recognise an older person who creates their own artistic work, and someone who plays an inspirational role in the field of creative ageing. 

Details of what they are looking for in each of six categories are outlined separately here. 

To be eligible for consideration for a Luminate Creative Ageing Award, each nomination should relate to projects or programmes that: 

  • Focus on the visual arts, performing arts, crafts, film or creative media  
  • Offer an opportunity for people to get involved in, attend or engage with a creative or cultural activity that 
  • either targets older audiences and participants 
  • or targets intergenerational participants 
  • or is aimed at a wider audience and has a theme related to ageing 

They define intergenerational projects as those that bring younger and older people together in creative activities that are mutually beneficial and enjoyable, promoting greater understanding and respect between the generations. 

The closing date for nominations is Sunday 11 September.  

Full details on how to enter a nomination and a link to the form are available here.

Pilot initiative helping look after Glasgow’s drug injecting population supports more than 800 people

A novel harm reduction initiative to help healthcare staff monitor and treat people who inject drugs has helped support more than 800 vulnerable people since launching.
 
The WAND programme, which incentivises the city’s most hard-to-reach communities to regularly engage with the health service, has helped facilitate more than 5,000 harm reduction interventions across three participating sites, with more than 1,200 WAND assessments taking place since the programme launched in September 2020.
 
Operating from three centres in Glasgow, the programme focusses on providing a holistic approach to addressing drug harms such as overdoses, blood borne viruses, and injecting related complications. It comprises: 

  • W: Wound Care
  • A: Assessment of Injecting Risk
  • N: Naloxone Provision
  • D: Dry Blood Spot Testing

People who inject drugs can be hard to keep engaged with the health service, which is crucial in helping reduce the harms of drugs by providing advice and treatments and access to other services to help them. 
 
WAND works by providing a £20 redeemable voucher to patients and encourages patients to return for follow up assessments every three – four months. The vouchers can then be exchanged for cash or other essentials. It’s one of a number of harm reduction programmes running across NHSGGC to help tackle the drugs crisis.
 
Through the interventions, staff can provide immediate care to the patients, helping avoid trips to A&E or further harm being caused further down the line. It also ensures that if a patient has a Blood Borne Virus such as HIV for example, this can be picked up at an early stage through dry blood spot testing and appropriate information and treatment can be provided to the patient.
 
John Campbell, Injection Equipment Provision Manager for NHSGGC, said: “WAND is by far the most successful harm reduction initiative running in Glasgow today. Individuals we look after come from the hardest to reach communities and WAND provides us with an insight and touch point with them that we would never previously have had.

“This means that through early intervention we can stop problems getting worse, which would cost more to address had they gone undiagnosed or untreated, and we can also encourage those patients to consider moving into recovery or to engage with other means of support to help them.”
 
As part of the 30 minute assessment, patients are also encouraged to carry naloxone with them at all times. Naloxone is a lifesaving injectable which is used to reverse overdoses. In the past year alone more than 3000 naloxone kits have been distributed, and more than 18,000 have been issued in total. Every week there are instances of naloxone being used to reverse overdoses in patients.
 
John Campbell added: “Naloxone is literally a life-saving device for many people. If we can ensure that our patients are trained and carry the kit at all times, it means that we’ll hopefully see far fewer deaths as a result of overdose in the future.”
 
The WAND initiative was recently referenced in the Scottish Drugs Deaths Taskforce report, which made the recommendation that the programme be rolled out on a larger scale due to its success in supporting and monitoring patients in the city.

Knitting has incredible benefits on brain health

Whether players want to improve their brain health and memory after sustaining a head injury or purely want to test their cognitive skills, memory activities are a great way to stimulate mental fitness and improve brain health.

Experts at SolitaireBliss have revealed a top 5 list of brain training and memory improvement activities that offer players a wide range of cognitive benefits.

  1. Jigsaw puzzles

The benefit of puzzles is that they are available for all ages; whether you’re five or fifty-five, there are plenty of puzzles and jigsaw games on the market that will test your brain cells and improve mental speed.

Both physical and online puzzles are mentally stimulating and can also help increase concentration and attention levels whilst working to enhance positive moods.

Puzzles are also an incredible way to eliminate stress and reduce anxiety, so they are a perfect option for those suffering from these problems.

  1. Card games

Card games might seem like an obvious option but are often forgotten about. Card games are the perfect way to work on improving problem-solving and strategy building.

Alongside delaying and preventing memory decline like puzzles, card games are also great for people who may struggle with social anxiety. They keep you socially active as many games require more than one player and help improve basic maths skills.

  1. Knitting

Contrary to popular belief, knitting is not only for the elderly! Knitting is a great way to keep all brain parts active and engaged. The calming act of knitting helps reduce anxiety, has fantastic benefits like eliminating emotional stress, and is a great way to distract from pain.

Not only does knitting allow a great sense of achievement when the project is finished, but it’s also a great way to increase dopamine and serotonin, which promote the body’s happy hormones.

  1. Chess  

Chess is the perfect way to challenge the mind and keep critical thinking at the forefront of the brain. The ancient game helps to develop pattern recognition, analytical thinking, exercise logic and improve memory.

For centuries chess has been an impressive game to master, which is why the beloved game has seen many world champions over the years. Albert Einstein was known to be an expert at the game, just like his best friend Emanuel Lasker, who held the world title for 27 years, the longest reign of any world champion.

  1. Online apps/websites

In this day and age where we are glued to technology and our phones, it is common for our minds to stay inactive and unengaged with all our hours of mindless scrolling, which is why brain training apps are perfect for everyday use by their ease of accessibility.

Many apps and websites are available for Android and Apple users, so finding one that suits you will be easy. Some of the most popular ones for brain training are SolitaireBliss, Lumosity, Elevate, CogniFit and NeuroNation.

A spokesperson for SolitaireBliss commented: “Not only are all these braining training activities beneficial by engaging cognitive skills, but they can help to prevent the early onset and reduce progression rates of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-affecting diseases.

The benefits of taking part in any of these activities will keep your brain happy, healthy and engaged and give you the opportunity to learn a new skill and increase your social skills simultaneously!”

Edinburgh stylist reaches finals of national hairdressing competition

Jason Hall from Jason Hall Hairdressing in Edinburgh has been shortlisted for the prestigious Scottish Hairdresser of the Year title at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2022, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional.

Now in their 38th year, the awards are an annual celebration of hairdressing excellence, recognising the remarkable achievements of stylists from across the United Kingdom.

Regional categories honour the finest hairdressing talent from across Britain with a separate category for International Collection of the Year, while seven specialist categories reward specific areas of hair expertise including Afro, Men’s, Avant Garde and Colour.

New for 2022 is the Session Hairdresser of the Year award which is by nomination only and see the very best stylists from the world of session put forward their favourite images of the last 12 months. The most anticipated award of the evening – British Hairdresser of the Year* – is by nomination only and is widely regarded as the industry’s greatest accolade.

Judged anonymously by over 100 leading hairdressers (including celebrity stylists, session stylists, salon owners, previous winners and Hall of Fame** members), all winners will be announced at a Black-Tie event to be held on Monday 28th November at Grosvenor House, a J W Marriott Hotel on London’s Park Lane.

Jason Hall was named as one of only six finalists in his region after submitting four photographic images demonstrating the breadth of his hairdressing expertise, showcasing evidence of both technical skill and creative ability. He will now submit a further four images for the final round of judging, which takes place in September. Both stages of judging are strictly and independently audited and verified.

‘This is such a proud moment for me’ says Jason. ‘These awards always bring together such exceptional talent and to see my name alongside those shortlisted is mind-blowing.

“I’d love to bring the trophy back to Edinburgh and hope the judges will recognise the love and hard work that has gone into my collection.’

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards said: ‘Every year, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards serve as a reminder of the passion, artistry and expertise that this incredible industry has to offer, and it is a privilege to celebrate the talent and brilliance of creative individuals from across the country.

“In reaching the finals, Jason has demonstrated excellence in all areas of their craft, and an ability to bring together the magical elements that make a photographic collection stand out from the competition.’

Schwarzkopf Professional are the sole sponsor of the event and have been since its launch in 1985.

Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Beauty Care Professional UK & Ireland said: ‘As always, Schwarzkopf Professional is delighted to sponsor this revered event and we thank all participants for their continued support.

“My sincere congratulations to the finalists who once again have raised the bar with the standard of entries – the passion and creativity of this phenomenal industry never fails to impress.’

Fringe 2022: Musclebound

One woman’s quest for tortured beefcake, 80s action and raw sexual power

Pre-pandemic Rosy became the world’s first female time-travelling doctor in her multi-award-winning theatre debut ‘Passionate Machine’. Now this feminist powerhouse is Musclebound to examine our most shameful sexual secrets.

When bodybuilders and 80s action films unite, you can always count on one thing: a good hard flogging! And for a five-year-old Rosy, witnessing live action film characters like He-Man and Conan the Barbarian being stripped, beaten and humiliated by their male antagonists sparked an odyssey of secret obsession that would shape her erotic life forever. 

Now forty, with a string of disappointing relationships behind her and her own grown-up daughter about to leave home, a chance re-watching of He-Man reignites the spark of Rosy’s lust, setting her off on a mission to replenish her sexual power. But can tortured beefcake really be the key to her salvation? Or does a more uncomfortable sexual truth lurk, waiting to be reckoned with? 

Join Rosy in this intelligent, provocative and terrifically funny real-life story, as she goes to any lengths to find out – even if that means asking Dolph Lundgren and Arnold Schwarzenegger themselves …

‘It’s about me getting to grips with my childhood passion for watching these incredible scenes of hyper-muscular men being abused’, says Rosy.

‘About why that dynamic felt so powerful. Musclebound takes a playful, candid and highly singular look at sexual power, female pleasure and the politics and principles of orgasm-faking.’  

Rosy is forced to ask herself: what are the sexual lessons we want to pass on to our daughters – and what do we still need to learn for ourselves? Is it ever OK to objectify people?

Rosy Carrick is a writer, actor and translator. Her critically acclaimed play Passionate Machine won theawards for Best Design and Best New Playat Brighton Fringe in 2018, and The Infallibles Award for Theatrical Excellence at Edinburgh Fringe. She has co-hosted the poetry stages at Glastonbury, Latitude and Port Eliot Festivals for the last decade.

Her debut poetry collection Chokey was published in 2018 and its follow-up, 26 Letters, is due for release in 2023. Rosy has a PhD on the Russian revolutionary poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. She has released two books of his work in translation, and is currently working on a third, which will be published in 2024 by The 87 Press. www.rosycarrick.com

Musclebound is directed by Fringe First winner Katie Bonna. Katie won the Most Promising New Playwright award at the 2018 Off West End Awards (for All The Things I Lied About).

In 2021, her queer comedy The Entertainment was nominated for OFF Fest’s Best Online Theatre production, and her short film IRL was nominated for Best Comedy at the Cannes Shorts Festival.

Part of the prestigious BBC Comedy Writers Room course 2019/2020, Katie is currently under commission from BBC Radio 4 and RADA.

‘Intelligent, articulate, funny’ Scotsman (on Passionate Machine)

Listings information: 

Musclebound

Venue: Assembly Roxy (Venue 139)

Dates:  3-29 Aug (not 10, 16, 23) First review date 3 Aug

Time: 17:50 (60 mins)Tickets: £11.50 – £13.50 (previews 3 & 4 Aug £7.50)

Venue Box Office: 0131 623 3000 

www.assemblyfestival.com

Colinton Road collision: can you help?

Road Policing Officers are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision in Edinburgh.

Around 10.35pm last night (Saturday, 30 July, 2022), officers received a report a 35-year-old man having been struck by a black Mercedes-Benz A Class car in Colinton Road.

Emergency services attended and the male pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Medical staff describe his condition as critical.

The 20-year-old driver of the car was uninjured.

A section of the road was closed for around six hours to allow crash scene investigators to conduct their enquiries.

Sergeant Iain McIntyre said: “We believe the area would have been busy at the time and are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision.

“In particular, we are keen to speak to the driver of a black cab, who was either dropping off, or picking up, passengers in Colinton Road at the time on the incident.

“We would also be keen to speak to those passengers as they may have information which could be vital to our enquiries.

“I would ask anyone with dash cam devices to check their footage as it could hold images, which could prove to be significant in our enquiries.”

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 4406 of Saturday, 30 July, 2022, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.