Queen Margaret University (QMU) will welcome local residents and the wider public to its annual Community Open Day on Saturday 30 May, inviting people to explore the campus, enjoy its facilities and take part in a fun, family-friendly afternoon.
Running from 12 noon to 3pm, the free event will feature a wide range of activities for all ages, including drumming workshops, bug hunting, den building, Therapets, face painting, and creative sessions celebrating books and music. Attractions such as a bouncy castle and the Cycling Without Age group from Musselburgh will add to a lively programme designed to offer something for everyone.
This year, the University is also delighted to host a landscape art competition run by Musselburgh Creates. Artists of all ages are invited to capture the University’s distinctive campus setting.
Taking place across the grounds from 11am – 3pm the competition offers a lovely, creative focal point for the day, with participants encouraged to respond to QMU’s architecture, landscaped gardens and natural surroundings. Anyone who would like to participate in the competition should register at 10am and bring their own materials and equipment (no need to book in advance).
Beyond the activities, the Community Open Day aims to showcase the facilities and services QMU makes available to the local community. While children enjoy the entertainment on offer, adults can explore the University’s range of spaces for hire, including meeting rooms, conference facilities, the Sports and Fitness Centre, and Maggie’s Bar and Café.
In addition to its specialist teaching facilities, QMU offers a wide variety of spaces suitable for community events and meetings. These range from small meeting rooms to an attractive conference suite with break-out spaces overlooking the pond, as well as a large lecture theatre seating up to 250 people. The University is keen for local residents, community groups and organisations to benefit from its flexible learning and social spaces.
Lynn Barclay Commercial Manager at Queen Margaret University, said: “Our gardens, Sports and Fitness Centre and Students’ Union bar are already well used by the community, but we want to ensure more people are aware of the full range of spaces and facilities available to local groups and organisations.
“We can support anything from seminars and conferences to voluntary group meetings, AGMs and corporate dinners. With everything from small classrooms and a piano bar to a conference suite overlooking the pond and large lecture theatres accommodating 150 to 250 people, we have something to suit almost every need.
QMU’s Community Open Day takes place on Saturday 30 May, from 12 noon to 3pm. Booking is not required for this free event.
Organisations involved in delivering activities on the day include: Cycling Without Age Musselburgh; Mansfield School of Music; Therapets East Lothian; Scottish Book Trust; Bouncy Castle Man; Event Buddies Scotland; East Lothian Council Arts Service; Seeds of Disruption SCIO; and Musselburgh Creates.
See more details on the landscape art competition by Musselburgh Creates at landscape event.
35 organisations and individuals in running for national awards
The finalists for this year’s Scottish Charity Awards have been revealed.
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 35 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.
A judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories following a rigorous shortlisting process.
Winners will be announced on 11 June 2026 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Raddison Blu in Glasgow.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “Across Scotland and beyond, voluntary organisations are making an extraordinary difference, and the breadth and depth of their impact never fail to inspire. Our 2026 finalists epitomise this.
“Our voluntary sector is truly essential to Scottish society – we see the positive impact organisation and individuals make in communities across the country every single day.
“Best of luck to all of our finalists, and I look forward to celebrating with them in June as we highlight the phenomenal work each and every one of them contributes to.”
The full shortlist for 2026 is:
Campaign of the Year
Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust – Don’t Neglect The Night
Victim Support Scotland – It’s the final chance of getting to the truth
Who Cares? Scotland – Action on Advocacy
Scottish Environment LINK – Scotland Loves Nature
Volunteer of the Year
Men Matter Scotland – Jim Cassidy
Govan Housing Association – David Wright
Midlothian Community Action – McKenzie Rayner
Fife Pride – Jenny Black
Climate Impact
Crail Community Partnership – Turning Crail into a sustainable community
Letham Climate Challenge
Magpie (Part of Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action)
Social Flock
Employee of the Year
The Killie Community – Scott Montgomery
Reach Lanarkshire Autism – Keith Manson
Mark Williams Foundation – Sarah Peacock
Grey Matters Active Ageing – Alison Gildea
Partnership of the Year
Care4Calais Scotland & Passion4Fusion – Saturday Football
Space at The Broomhouse Hub & the Edinburgh International Festival – Edinburgh International Festival in Space
The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate Youth & 6VT – Time to Talk
ATAP: Aberdeen Task and Activation Partnership
Dogs for Good & Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Community Dog Stroke Support Partnership
Trustee of the Year
Bedrule Church Future – Alan Bailey
Glenurquhart Rural Community Association – Susan Griffin
The King’s Speech – the second under this Labour government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills ‘facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain’. But will it be Starmer’s last?
King’s Speech will strengthen public services, reform the state and reverse decline
Ambitious programme to break with the status quo
New laws reflect big challenges country faces and bolsters UK’s economic, energy and national security
A stronger, fairer country that can weather the storm of global shocks and restore hope will be the focus of the new legislation set out in The King’s Speech today [13 May].
The King’s Speech – the second under this government – is expected to unveil over 35 bills and draft bills facing up to the big challenges our country faces and put the UK on a stronger, fairer path that unlocks hope for people across Britain.
The package of bills is targeted at strengthening the UK’s foundations through measures to bolster economic, energy, national security.
This includes laws to restore order and control to the immigration system, strengthen our public services and reform the state to support a more active government that is on the side of British people.
Under firePrime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The British people expect the Government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better.
“Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world.
“Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past.
“My government will deliver on the promise of change for the British people.”
The government’s first session of Parliament delivered 50 government bills, including the Children and Wellbeing Act, Employment Rights Act, the Great British Energy Act, the Renters’ Rights Act and the Planning and Infrastructure Act.
The legislation passed delivered on core promises made to the British public – making our country safer, stronger and fairer through landmark laws to drive change. That includes help for parents with everyday school costs, stronger rights for victims and survivors, creating the first smoke-free generation to help people live healthier lives, tougher police powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour, and giving communities a say in the decisions that affect them.
This second session will deliver change to our communities.
Economic, energy and national security
The world today is more volatile and dangerous than at any point in recent history. A war on two fronts – in the Middle East and in Ukraine – threatens living standards. The government’s economic plan has put the UK in a better position to weather these storms.
We will rebuild our economy to make us more resilient – and the King’s Speech will drive forward this progress through more protections for small businesses, reforms to regulation to drive growth and innovation, and changes to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.
Delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, new laws will deliver more trade, more opportunity for young people and help to reduce the cost of living.
We need to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster with clean, homegrown power we control and electrification of our wider economy. The King’s Speech is expected to unveil the Energy Independence Bill which will give government more power to tackle the affordability crisis and speed up the delivery of clean energy technologies and vital grid infrastructure.
Building on the progress already made to restore order and control to our borders, legislation will be brought forwards to deliver a firm but fair immigration system that restores control and earns public trust.
Bills will also be introduced to meet the evolving threats facing the UK head on, strengthening our defences and keeping pace with modern technologies from cyber-attacks to new powers to counter state threats so we can better disrupt the sharing of extreme content online.
As the Prime Minister set out earlier this week, the King’s Speech will also set out legislation to protect the UK’s steelmaking capacity by giving government options to nationalise British Steel, so that necessary action can be taken if needed while we continue to rebuild the steel sector.
Ending the opportunity crisis
Ending the opportunity crisis requires an active state that can deliver on the government’s commitment to fight for every child. The King’s Speech is expected to include legislation to deliver government’s landmark reforms to transform the school system so that all children get access to an inclusive, high quality mainstream education, and parents don’t have to battle a system just to get their kids the support they deserve.
Removing barriers to opportunity and helping people get on in life is at the heart of the government’s drive to reverse the decline felt across the country. Laws to deliver the manifesto commitment to put an end to the unfair and outdated leasehold system will give people more control over how they live in their own homes and provide stronger rights for homeowners.
Strengthened public services and reformed state
Landmark public service reforms in the NHS, police and special education needs will also strengthen our country. This government is reversing the decline and neglect of our NHS so that it’s built to support people at every stage of their life, as well as preventing them from getting sick in the first place.
A new Bill is expected to be brought forward to accelerate the reform needed to strip back bureaucracy, improve patient care and support early intervention. Legislation to protect much needed social housing stock and better protect domestic abuse survivors will also be included, making sure families have safe, secure, affordable homes to live in.
The new legislation comes alongside the government’s action to ease the cost of living crisis for working people, remove barriers to growth, create more highly paid jobs and equip people with the skills and routes to get on in life.
That includes rolling out free breakfast clubs and supporting parents with free childcare, freezing rail fares, capping the price of bus journeys, and fixing the broken welfare system by tackling the disincentives that pushed too many people away from work and investing £2.5 billion in a youth employment package that will support almost one million young people and help deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
Meanwhile, following yesterday’s turmoil:
The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
Nesil Caliskan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Natalie Fleet MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office
Catherine Atkinson MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
Preet Kaur Gill MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
Gen Kitchen MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
Deirdre Costigan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
Shaun Davies MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Jess Phillips MP, Alex Davies-Jones MP and Dr Zubir Ahmed MP have left the Government.
AND THIS MORNING, A STATEMENT FROM LABOUR AFFILIATED UNIONS:
Labour’s affiliated unions have been clear that Labour cannot continue on its current path.
Whilst we recognise progress has been made, such as aspects of the Employment Rights Act and the increase in the minimum wage, the results at the election last week were devastating.
Labour is not doing enough to deliver the change that working people voted for at the General Election.
Our focus is on the fundamental change of direction on economic policy and political strategy that unions have been clear is needed, and not on the personalities and unfolding political drama in Westminster.
It’s clear that the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader.
This is a point where the future of the Party we founded will be debated and determined, and we are working closely as unions to shape a shared vision on policy, political strategy and economic policy that will re-orient Labour back to working people, so Labour do what it was elected to do: govern in the interests of workers.
The recent Scottish Parliament election should give all of us cause for reflection. With voter turnout sitting at just over 52 per cent, nearly half of eligible voters chose not to participate in one of the most important democratic exercises in our nation.
The troubling story here is the growing sense of apathy and disengagement among the public, with the election campaign failing to ignite the public’s enthusiasm.
The SNP clearly won the election, but attracted only about one in five potential voters, and the Labour Party one in ten.
When almost one in every two voters stays at home, it raises profound questions about trust in politics, political representation, and whether our institutions are genuinely connecting with the people they serve.
Low turnout should not simply be accepted as the new normal. It should serve as a warning sign that democratic participation in Scotland cannot be taken for granted. The alarming lack of interest is a crisis that should concern all parties, and they should devote themselves to addressing this apathy by engaging the public.
If this trend continues unchecked, the Apathy Party risks further eroding the legitimacy of our institutions and undermining public confidence in government, paving the way for the rise of more extreme parties.
Politics must once again become something people feel part of — not something done to them from a distance.
Contini George Street is proud to announce a meaningful new partnership with Maggie’s Edinburgh, a charity offering expert cancer support and information in Edinburgh.
The newly formed partnership will support the charity’s vital cancer care services throughout the month of May through a series of fundraising initiatives, headlined by a pre-loved designer pop-up shop and a specially curated menu designed to reflect the spirit and colors of Maggie’s.
From May 14th to 17th, the former Jo Malone shop at 93 George Street will be transformed into Maggie’s Boutique, featuring over 1,200 donated lines of high-end designer fashion.
To celebrate the collaboration, anyone visiting the pop-up will receive a voucher for a complimentary Maggie’s Cocktail (available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions).
The voucher can be redeemed at Contini George Street with the purchase of any main course during lunch or dinner service and featured cocktails include:
Brindisi per Maggie: A refreshing Passion Fruit Spritz with prosecco, Aperol, passionfruit, and mint.
Dolce Maggie (Non-alcoholic): A sophisticated blend of Crodino Biondo, soda, and 0% ABV sparkling wine.
These cocktails will also be available for general purchase at £10, with £1 from every drink sold donated directly to the charity.
For the entire month of May, Contini George Street will also feature two dedicated dishes on their à la carte and breakfast menus, with a portion of every sale supporting Maggie’s fundraising goals.
Buongiorno Maggie’s (£9): A breakfast delight of seasonal fruit salad with Graham’s Greek yoghurt, Victor’s honey, and homemade granola.
Maggie’s Giardino (£20): A nutritious take on the classic Italian Caprese, substituting traditional red tomatoes for orange Datterini tomatoes and fresh Italian apricots to match Maggie’s signature branding. This vegetarian and gluten-free dish features Mozzarella di bufala DOP, Contini kitchen garden basil, and Victor’s organic extra virgin olive oil.
Carina Contini, co-owner of Contini Restaurants, said: “We are incredibly proud to collaborate with Maggie’s this May. Our ‘Maggie’s Giardino’ dish is a tribute to their work. We invite all our regulars and new visitors to the George Street pop-up to join us in raising a glass, and more importantly, vital funds for a charity that holds a special place in the hearts of so many Edinburgh residents.”
By combining the reach of Contini’s George Street presence with the high-profile designer pop-up, both organisations hope to drive significant foot traffic and awareness for cancer care support in the capital.
Maggie’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager Samantha Lea said: “We are so grateful to Contini for supporting us this May, particularly with Maggie’s Boutique later this month.
“As a charity we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to support people facing a cancer diagnosis, as well as their family and friends.
“It is 30 years since we opened our centre in Edinburgh, the first of what is now 27 across the UK, and thanks to partnerships like this one with Contini we are able to reach even more people living with cancer from across the whole Lothian region.”
Event Details & Opening Times
Maggie’s Boutique Pop-Up (93 George Street):
Thursday, May 14th: Noon – 9:00 PM
Friday, May 15th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, May 16th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 17th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contini George Street (103 George Street):
Maggie’s Fundraising Menu: Available daily throughout May 2026.
Cocktail Voucher Redemption: Valid for pop-up visitors during event dates.
Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep is back for another year, giving shoppers in Edinburgh & the Lothians the chance to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Inspired by the iconic game show, the high-energy challenge is set to bring a buzz to the aisles, offering one lucky EH postcode holder the chance to race through their local Aldi store in Edinburgh & the Lothians and fill the trolley with their favourite products.
Now in its eleventh year, the initiative has raised over £60,000 for charities across Scotland.
First launched in 2016, the Supermarket Sweep invites participants to take part in a five-minute trolley dash, collecting as many items as possible before the clock runs out. Once time is called, the winner takes home their haul, while Aldi matches the total value as a donation to CHAS.
Each year, CHAS supports more than 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions, along with their families. In 2026, every penny raised through Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep will go directly to the charity, with £10,000 pledged in support.
This April, CHAS launched its £20 million More Than A Hospice appeal, a once in a generation opportunity to transform children’s palliative care across Scotland and redesign how the country cares for children with life‑shortening conditions and their families.
The appeal will fund the crucial rebuilding and refreshing of CHAS’s hospices, alongside the expansion of care in homes, communities and hospitals, giving families real choice over where and how they are supported when they need it most.
Residents in Edinburgh & the Lothians can apply to take part in the Supermarket Sweep from Monday 11 May – Sunday 24 May.
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“We are proud to once again be partnering with CHAS, following the success of last year’s Supermarket Sweep campaign.
“It is always a highlight to bring this initiative to communities across Scotland, and we’re looking forward to giving one lucky Edinburgh & the Lothians resident the chance to enjoy a truly unique supermarket experience.
“CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts, providing vital support to families across the country. As the Supermarket Sweep returns for 2026, we are pleased to once again raise important funds and awareness for the incredible work they do.”
Iain McAndrew, Director of Income Generation and Engagement, CHAS said: “Last year’s partnership with Aldi Scotland was a huge success, with the team going above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness through its Supermarket Sweep and a range of generous initiatives.
“That support has had a real impact on the families we care for and means so much to everyone involved.
“This year, we have really ambitious plans. Our bold £20 million More Than A Hospice appeal comes at a critical time and will allow CHAS to meet rising pressure on children’s palliative care services by transforming how Scotland cares for its most vulnerable children and families.
“Across Scotland, we support babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions, as well as their families, through a range of services including specialist palliative care, respite stays, emotional support and bereavement care.
“Every contribution makes a difference, and we are incredibly grateful to Aldi Scotland and everyone taking part for helping us reach more children and families across the country.”
Entry is free and customers can apply by emailing their name and chosen store to supermarketsweep@aldi.co.uk before Sunday 24 May.
From today (12 May 2026), only learner drivers can book and manage their own driving test – part of a crackdown on exploitation by third-party services
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has introduced new rules for car driving test bookings, putting learners firmly in control of their own booking.
The change means it is now against the law for third parties, including unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services, as well as driving instructors, to make bookings for someone else.
Simon Lightwood, Minister for Roads and Buses, said: This government inherited record waiting times and a huge backlog of learners waiting for tests, with the system seeing too many people paying over the odds to third-party touts.
“But we’re taking action and seeing results, delivering almost 2 million tests over the past year, more than 158,000 extra tests since June 2025, and military driving examiners now on the ground helping boost capacity across the country.
“These new rules put learners back in control by stopping others from snapping up tests and reselling them for profit, helping make the system fairer and ensuring tests go to the people who genuinely need them.”
Beverley Warmington, DVSA Chief Executive, said: “Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties, put them in control of their driving test and make the process fairer by clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices.
“These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others. These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.
“We’re determined to reduce waiting times further, building on the more than 158,000 additional tests delivered between June 2025 and March 2026 – supported by driving examiner numbers at their highest level since 2018 and the recent deployment of military driving examiners who are already carrying out tests.”
New rules are making booking fairer
The new rules aim to make booking driving tests fairer for learner drivers.
Learners should only ever pay the official DVSA fee – £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The changes introduced today build on the reduction in the number of changes that can be made to a test from 6 to 2, which came into force on 31 March 2026.
From 9 June 2026, further restrictions will come into force, limiting learners to moving their test only to one of the 3 nearest driving test centres. This will help to deter bookings at locations where learners do not intend to take their test.
Driving instructors and driving schools can still:
advise learners on when they are ready to take a test and offer support throughout their learning journey
set their available times, preventing learners from booking tests at times that do not work for them
More driving examiners and more driving tests
DVSA is continuing to increase driving examiner capacity to help provide more tests. As of April 2026, there were 1,604 full-time equivalent driving examiners in post – the highest level of examiner capacity since March 2018.
DVSA has doubled its training capacity for new driving examiners, meaning it can recruit more driving examiners and get them testing sooner.
More driving tests taking place
Provisional data shows that the number of driving tests taking place has increased over the last year. 1,998,608 car driving tests taken between April 2025 and March 2026 – an increase of 8.6% from the previous year.
The team at Tesco Extra in Corstorphine donated £200 to Corstorphine Dementia Project for new kitchen equipment.
The equipment will support the charity, who host the Jubilee Club, a lunch and social event for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The charity has launched a crowdfunding page to help renovate their new premises.
The team at Tesco Extra supermarket in Corstorphine has supported a local dementia charity with a donation of £200, which has been used to purchase new kitchen equipment.
The equipment, which includes kettles, toasters and utensils, will help support the team at Corstorphine Dementia Project, which hosts a day service on Monday to Fridays each week for members to enjoy regular lunch events where people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can meet, enjoy lunch and socialise.
This donation comes at a vital time for the group, which, for more than 30 years, has been a well-known, and vital community lifeline, providing essential support for families in North West Edinburgh.
With its current premises planned to be demolished within 12 months, the charity has found a new home that will secure its future for decades to come, allowing its caring and dedicated team to continue providing the care and support that families in North West Edinburgh have come to rely on.
However, the new premises require refurbishment, so the Corstorphine Dementia Project has launched a Crowdfunder page to raise £35,000 which will go towards the work needed on the new site.
Karen Brown, Senior Support Worker at the Corstorphine Dementia Project, said: “We’re hugely grateful for this incredible donation and we’d like to thank the lovely team at Tesco Extra Corstorphine for their support.
“It has made a real difference and is very much appreciated by both our members and the team.
“Our group’s day-care centre, the Jubilee Club, provides a safe, supportive and stimulating environment where people living with dementia and cognitive impairment can enjoy meaningful activities, social interaction and personalised care.
“With this new equipment, we can continue providing them with tasty lunches and hot drinks, while giving them an opportunity to socialise with other members in the community.
“We’re also grateful for any donations to our crowdfunding page, which will allow us to continue our vital work, securing our future in an environment where we can thrive and make an even greater impact. We hope to create a new home that fosters hope, inclusion and growth.”
Deborah Brown, Community Champion at Tesco Corstorphine Extra, said: “The vital work carried out by the Corstorphine Dementia Project at its Jubilee Club is an incredibly important part of our community, so we were really delighted to be able to play our part in supporting them.
“The sessions they host for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia are wonderful and we wish them the best of luck working on securing more funding for their new premises and urge our customers to donate to their crowdfunding page if they can.”
To donate to the Corstorphine Dementia Project crowdfunding page, please visit:
