£50 million boost for childcare

The Scottish Government is providing an extra £50 million to councils in 2014/15 for more free and flexible nursery care.

The Children and Young People Bill, which will be debated in Parliament today, will save parents of three and four year olds and the most vulnerable two year olds up to £700 a year, by providing more free time in nursery.

Councils will also have to ask parents about the nursery care they want for their child and offer a choice – for example two full days instead of a few hours every day – to help parents who want to return to work.

Minister for Children Aileen Campbell said:

“The £50.8 million we are giving councils will pay for more nursery care for local children, including all three and four year olds and the most vulnerable two year olds. We are working hard to help families and this will save parents up to £700 per child per year while the UK Government takes away from families, cutting their benefits by on average £700.

“This saving will help families manage household costs without compromising the quality of care their children receive or forcing parents to make difficult choices about whether they can afford nursery or other necessities.”

“By next year, all councils must ask parents what they want and offer more choice. Together with the extra hours, this could mean two full days of nursery a week instead of a few hours a morning or afternoon – giving Mums, in particular, more choices and supporting more women back into work or training.

“This is the best nursery care ever given to Scottish families. We are doing a great deal with the powers we have, but we want to do more. We want to have a childcare system among the best in Europe. The Bill is a first step towards this, but while the UK Government remains in control of tax and welfare, we will always be fighting the impact of decisions taken elsewhere.

“That is why we have also asked the Council of Economic Advisers to consider how we can use the powers of an independent Scotland to give an even better deal for children, parents and our economic future.”

Local group’s fury over ‘Bedroom Tax’ vote

North Edinburgh Women’s International Group has written to Labour leader Ed Miliband following a vote in the House of Commons last week:

Dear Mr Miliband

I am writing to you on behalf of North Edinburgh Women’s International Group regarding reports in the news that 46 Labour MPs failed to turn up to the House of Commons to vote for a motion which could have led to the scrapping of the bedroom tax.

We are unable to understand how this situation could have come about. We can only assume that the 10 Scottish MP’s who failed to vote were unaware of the 150% increase in people using foodbanks in Scotland during the last year as a result of the current programme of welfare reforms. They must also be unaware of the warning from Shelter that “for many, the safety and security of a home is under threat like never before.”

We understand that Labour’s motion on the scrapping of the bedroom tax was defeated by only 26 votes. We would have thought that the recommendation by the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing calling for the bedroom tax to be suspended immediately would have had an impact on members of the Labour Party. This does not appear to have been the case.

We were under the impression that an important part of an MP’s job involves turning up to their workplace (ie the House of Commons) and voting on issues which affect the people they represent. We believe that 46 of your Party’s MPs have not been doing their job and we find this completely unacceptable.

The inaction of these MP’s demonstrates that the Labour Party does not represent the interests of ordinary people. It also suggests that the Labour Party does not care about the suffering and hardship experienced by many families as a result of the bedroom tax.

We are interested in finding out what the Trade Union Movement’s response is to the inaction of the 46 MP’s who represent the Party which they fund.

We are disgusted, angry and disheartened at what has become of the Labour Party. It is no longer the Party of ordinary people. Your Party has taken working class people’s votes for granted. You have insulted our intelligence by assuming that people would forgive and forget this terrible betrayal. This is a serious error which will cost the Labour Party at election time. The excuse of Labour MPs having been paired will not be accepted.

We look forward to your reply

Your sincerely

Anna Hutchison

On behalf of North Edinburgh Women’s International Group

One week on, the group is still awaiting a response.

Forth Labour Councillor Cammy Day comments:

Responding to letter by the Edinburgh North International Women’s group

I agree with the Edinburgh North International Women’s Group in their letter dated 19th Nov in their deploring of the evil bedroom tax. As the deputy convenor of the Council’s Health, Social Care and Housing Committee I have seen first hand the damage it’s done, but I think your letter unfairly puts the blame of the existence of the bedroom tax on the Labour Party. It was the Labour Party who voted against the introduction of the bedroom tax from the beginning. It was the Labour Party who has campaigned to bring an end to it and promised that a Labour government would scrap it right away. This policy was brought in by the Coalition Government, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. They are the ones who made this unfair and pernicious tax, a law.

At Council level the Labour Party has prevented evictions in cases caused by the bedroom tax, something I was proud to be a part of in Edinburgh. At Holyrood they have voted against it and sought to bring in legislation to prevent it. I feel your letter leads people astray in their thinking, last week’s opposition debate by the Labour Party sought to highlight and reverse the government’s position. You are correct when you say that some Labour MPs did not vote for the motion. This was a result of pairing – where MPs from both opposition and government are paired when they cannot attend (either because they are ill, or because they have constituency or foreign business). This is part of our parliamentary system.

I hope you will reconsider your verdict on the Labour Party’s position on the bedroom tax. Only a Labour government in 2015 has committed to scrapping the bedroom tax and only a Labour government will continue the fight for the ordinary working class people you speak for. That’s why I am a member of the Labour Party and the trade union movement. We must stay together in this battle for a fairer society and show the coalition government of Liberal Democrats and Conservatives for what they damage the have done by legislating for the bedroom tax to exist in the first place and their wider attack of welfare reforms.

Cammy Day

Councillor – Forth Ward

Readers – it’s over to you!

Scotland’s battle with the bottle

One in two Scots harmed as a result of someone else’s drinking

More needs to be done to raise awareness about the negative effects of other peoples’ drinking, according to Alcohol Focus Scotland. The charity has published research which examines for the first time how alcohol impacts on people around the drinker causing stress, distress and disharmony to family members, friends, colleagues and the wider community.

The research found:

1 in 2 people report being harmed as a result of someone else’s drinking
1 in 3 people report having heavy drinkers in their lives
Younger people under 35 are four times more likely to report harm from others in public places, such as on the stress or in the workplace
Those who know heavy drinkers are more likely to report harm from others in private settings such as at home, or with neighbours or friends
Experiencing harm from other people’s drinking is not related to whether the person affected by the harm drinks or not.

Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said:

“Our research shows just how far-reaching alcohol harm is. One in two Scots are affected in some way by other people’s drinking. This can range from feeling uneay at aggressive behaviour on the bus, picking up the slack at work becuase a colleague has called in sick with a hangover, or children living with heavy drinking parents and the strain this inevitably places on family life.

“Many of these problems are not being reported, either because they are simply tolerated or because they are going on behind closed doors. When people began to understand the negative effects of passive smoking, action was taken. It’s time we started to think beyond the individual drinker to consider how we can protect people from the second-hand effects of drinking.

“If we want to reduce the harm that alcohol causes, then we must tackle the widespread availability and promotion of cheap alcohol through measures such as minimum pricing. But we also need to ensure that individuals, families, workplaces and communities who are being negatively affected by other people’s drinking, receive the support they require.”

Sam Anderson, Director at The Junction, a young people’s health and wellbeing project in North Edinburgh which took part in the research said:

“Young people are often identified as one of the groups who are ‘problem drinkers’. However, our work with young people shows us that they are often negatively affected by someone else’s drinking. That could be a parent, a friend, or a stranger in the street. This can cause stress, worry and in more extreme cases, depression, panic attacks and self-harm. This is a big issue and more needs to be done to support young people who are being negatively affected. The Junction has recently launched a new pilot project funded by Edinburgh ADP which will support young people in this situation in the north Edinburgh area.”

Police Officer Geraldine Richardson, who participated in the research, added:

“I often see neighbours being put under stress by someone who has had too much to drink. For example, a drunk person can’t get their key in the lock so they buzz every flat or bang on the doors. This can be particularly distressing for older people. They are just at home minding their own business and they’re being disturbed by someone who has been drinking.

“People can struggle to get up for work as they’ve had to endure music, shouting and partying all through the night. It can lead to poor relationships with neighbours. Police Scotland will do what it can to help people keep safe in their own homes.”

What’s beng Jewish in Scotland got to do with YOU?

Scottish Council of Jewish Communities Interfaith Week Event

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

What’s Being Jewish in Scotland got to do with YOU?!

SCoJeC, the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, is running an event in Edinburgh as part of Interfaith Week. The event will start with a kosher lunch and introductions around the table, followed by a talk about the recent Scottish Government-funded inquiry on ‘Being Jewish in Scotland’.

This qualitative inquiry involved conversations with around 300 Jewish people all over Scotland about the experience of being Jewish in this country; what’s good about it, what’s not so good, what’s changed, whether they felt they had ever been treated differently because of being Jewish, and whether they had any recommendations or requests for the Scottish Government or other authorities which would improve their lives.

The presentation will be followed by an open conversation and discussion about the experiences of being a minority – or a majority – in Scotland. Everyone – Jewish and non-Jewish – is welcome to join in, and a kosher lunch will be served. In the spirit of Interfaith Week, we want to share the questions we asked of Scotland’s Jews with people of different minorities and with different beliefs, to see how these questions resonate with other groups.

The event will take place at

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, Potterow, 52 Bistro Square

on Tuesday 26 November at 1 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.

All are welcome. For more information or to RSVP please contact Fiona Frank

email Fiona@scojec.org, tel 07779 206522.

Scottish Council of Jewish Communities

222 Fenwick Road, Glasgow G46 6UE

tel: 07779 206522

scojec@scojec.org

Tonight’s the night it really Matters

NEYPF’s latest ‘Matters2Us’ newspaper focuses on anti-bullying

The second edition of the North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum Matters2Us (anti-Bullying issue) is being launched tonight in Craigroyston Community Hgh School at 5.30pm.

CLD worker Clare Gibson, who supports the group, said: “North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum have put a lot of work into this research, the publication and the launch itself and would really appreciate it if you could let them know if you intend to be there tonight for the launch of the second edition of their version of The Matter: Matters2Us; this issue will focus on Anti-Bullying.

In July 2013, the Young People’s Forum were successful in their application to the Respectme Anti-Bullying fund to produce a second edition of their newspaper, this time asking the question:

‘How would you like to be supported if you were being bullied or see someone else being bullied?’

The group then consulted with over 100 pupils across two primary schools in North Edinburgh, going into classrooms over two days, spending time with the young people and finding out their thoughts on bullying.

The Young People’s Forum would now like to share what the young people who they met with said and would like to invite you to attend the launch of this second edition tonight at Craigroyston Community High School at 5.30pm.

There will also be an opportunity to hear from a local parents group on how they have made a user friendly guide to their schools Anti-Bullying Policy to support parents, young people and the community to understand it.”

If you plan to attend, or require further information, contact Clare.Gibson@ea.edin.sch.uk

The Scottish Government is to introduce guidance to help give pupils better protection online and in the classrooms, it has been announced.

Schools will get advice on promoting the safe and responsible use of mobile devices to protect pupils and staff from the potentially harmful consequences of misuse.

Speaking at the Respectme conference during National Anti-Bullying Week 2013, Minister for Learning Alasdair Allan unveiled the guidance on responsible use of phones, tablets and other mobile devices and an e-safety website. He said:

“We want everyone in Scotland to grow up free from bullying and to have respect for each other. All bullying behaviour is unacceptable but no one reading the recent horrific accounts of cyber-bullying, blackmail and exploitation can help but be outraged.

“It is unrealistic to expect young people to turn away from technology. We need to look practically at what can be done to change attitudes and stop people using these resources for abuse.

“All schools must have anti-bullying policies that are regularly updated to ensure that pupils are safe and protected from potential harm, both within and outside school.

“That is why I am launching guidance to help schools develop and update policies to promote the safe and responsible use of mobile technology in schools along with an e-safety review tool – an interactive way for schools to review their e-safety provision and to develop an action plan for improvements.

“This guidance and tool will help schools find the right balance between the use of mobile devices in the classroom without them causing disruption or being misused.”

Dr Allan also confirmed that a summit of internet providers and anti-bullying partners such as Respectme would go ahead on December 4.

He added: “Technology moves on leaps and bounds very quickly and teachers and parents need support to help keep up with it. That is why my colleague, Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell, and I are hosting a summit in December to see what more can be done to help everyone feel that they can go online without fear.”

David Wright, Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre at the South West Grid for Learning Trust, said: “It is fantastic that schools across Scotland will have access to a reflective, non-moralising and empowering tool to review and improve their own Internet safety policy and practice.”

National Anti-Bullying Week 2013 takes place from Monday 18 to Friday 22 November.

Advice for parents, young people and schools is available from the national anti-bullying service Respectme www.respectme.org.uk/ and CEOP’s thinkuknow

A Centipede spectacular: Muirhouse to light up on Friday!

I work with a community project called Centipede Project. We work with the community of Muirhouse to organise fun events that they would like to see take place. Our upcoming event is Luminous Muirhouse, please find all the information below.

What: Luminous Muirhouse will take place over one evening on 22 November between 4 – 6pm. It is a Glow in the Dark to scale blueprint of an ideal home spray-painted on the ground of a disused car park in the heart of Muirhouse.

This has been designed by Eileen Hall, Edinburgh-based architect in conjunction with pupils from Craigroyston High School. Glow in the dark flat wood furniture will be added to reflect some of the community’s creativity and desires for their area.

Kenny Bean, Scottish photographer has been taking portraits of locals in hands on workshops which will be projected on the church walls (outside).

A local Baton Twirling group will be performing with glow in the dark batons, group taught by Claire Chalmers.

Local musician, James Campbell, will be playing guitar.

Refreshments will be served.

Where: Opposite Muirhouse St. Andrew’s Parish Church on the brown field site, earmarked for development in 2014 Pennywell and the Church itself. Pennywell Medway as Pennywell Gardens is closed for roadworks.

When: Friday 22nd November 4 – 6pm.

Who: Centipede Project a locally based participative organisation, funded by Go For It fund. Artist Natalie Taylor, Project Co-ordinator Jo McArthur

Why: To bring the community together for fun events and empower local people to be active in their area.

With Thanks to: North Edinburgh Arts, Blacklight, Craigroyston Community High School, Edinburgh City Council, Zoo Arts, Tomorrow’s People, Muirhouse Youth Development Group, Muirhouse Millennium Centre, Don Bosco Club, Borja Prada, Muirhouse Library.

Joanne McArthur, Centipede Project

Tree huggers required for Botanics world record attempt!

THE Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh has issued a call to action for local people to set aside one minute on Sunday 1 December to help set a world record.

Scotland’s Tree Trail has announced it intends to go head to head with the USA for their recentlyclaimed title of the World’s Largest Tree Hug, a record so new that the tree-huggers of Portland, Oregon, are yet to secure formal recognition for it from Guinness World Records.

Scotland’s tree hugging World Record attempt will take place simultaneously across eleven separate sites, on Sunday 1st December 2013 at Midday, marking a culmination of events celebrating National Tree Week in the UK and the Year of Natural Scotland.

The original record for the World’s Largest Tree Hug was set by Forestry Commission England on 11 September 2011, in an event that brought together 702 people hugging trees at the Delamare Forest in Cheshire to celebrate the International Year of the Forests.

The new record for Portland, Oregon USA is currently pending approval by Guinness World Records, who gathered 950 tree huggers together on July 20th 2013.

Tom Christian, project officer for Scotland’s Tree Trail, said: “Scotland’s Tree Trail is a collection of diverse sites which demonstrate Scotland’s unique standing and global importance in forestry, arboriculture and tree conservation. This record attempt is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the Year of Natural Scotland, mark National Tree Week and to have a bit of fun in the process.

“Eleven of the 16 sites in Scotland’s Tree Trail are taking part and we only need 1,000 people to help us take the record from our American counterparts. We believe that Scotland is a nation of tree lovers – let’s help prove that we are also a nation of tree huggers.”

The record attempt will take place at midday, for one minute of tree hugging, across Scotland.

Max Coleman, from the RBGE site, said: “We are really excited to be getting involved with this record attempt and we really need local people of all ages to come along and get involved. It’s free to participate, a great opportunity to be part of the launch of Scotland’s Tree Trail and, you never know, we may even set a World Record in the process.”

Syd House, Forestry Commission Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic way to bring the Year of Natural Scotland to an end – who wouldn’t want to hug a tree and set a new World Record? We really want as many people to get involved as possible so check for your nearest location and pop along on Sunday 1st December and help make history.”

For more information on the sites participating in the world record attempt please visit www.TreeTrailScotland.com

Choose Credit Unions as Christmas closes in

People across Scotland are being urged to consider credit unions as an ethical and affordable alternative to payday loans. The Scottish Government’s ‘12 Days of Debtmas’ campaign is aimed at people who may get into financial trouble in the run-up to Christmas by using high interest, short-term credit.

Over 350,000 people across Scotland are members of credit unions; co-operatives that are owned and managed by the people who use them. Members are encouraged to save monthly, even if it is only small sums. They can borrow at competitively priced rates and in some cases, in a short timescale.

First Minister Alex Salmond recently announced plans to protect consumers pledging payday lenders would be subject to tougher regulation in an independent Scotland.

Speaking at Grampian Credit Union, Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said:

“The Scottish Government is very concerned about the growth of payday lending and the impact that high interest borrowing, especially in the run up to Christmas, has on people in Scotland.

“This campaign raises awareness of credit unions and also promotes their affordable lending solutions to people in the lead up to Christmas, and after the festive period, when bills start to arrive.

“People across Scotland can join credit unions and not just for hard pressed communities – all sorts of people could use credit unions to save and to take out loans at manageable interest rates.

“You can join a credit union and in some cases, borrow money in a short timescale. It costs significantly less to borrow money from a credit union than taking out a payday loan and you receive much more support in managing your finances.

“I welcome the changes that have been made at UK level but I continue to press for firmer action. To protect consumers, payday lenders would be subject to tougher regulation in an independent Scotland.”

Scotland’s main faith groups, consumer groups and debt charities have all welcomed the campaign.

Margaret Lynch, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Scotland said: “Payday Loans are one of the main issues that we see today in the CAB service. Across Scotland our advisers are currently seeing over 100 cases every week of people who are having problems with a payday loan. That’s an increase of a third in such cases since this time last year.

“We back the Government’s statement today, and are keen to spread the message to consumers about the dangers of high-interest loans. To people who might be considering taking out a loan we say: Be very careful about what lender you use. Payday loans might seem convenient today, but they can lead you deep into debt.

“Shop around for a better deal. There are other lenders, like Credit Unions, with loans that are easier to repay. In particular, if you are already in debt to a payday lender, avoid roll-over loans with the same lender.”

Frank McKillop, Policy & Relations Manager (Scotland), Association of British Credit Unions Limited said: “People across Scotland from all walks of life join credit unions to take control of their finances – saving for future expenses, borrowing responsibly at affordable rates, and accessing other financial products from ethical local providers.

“We hope this campaign will attract many more people to join a credit union and take a responsible approach to their finances, rather than being drawn to the sort of short term fix which often makes money problems worse.”

John Deighan, Catholic Parliamentary Officer said: “The effects of high interest loans on the poorest in society is devastating. Usury has been condemned throughout the ages for oppressing the poor through unreasonable and irresponsible lending.

“Yet our society is effectively permitting the practise supported by slick television and media commercials. It is right that political action seeks to highlight alternatives and ensure reasonable access to credit without the crippling interest rates that so many are enduring.”

The ‘12 Days of Debtmas’ radio and online campaign begins today.

You can find your nearest Credit Union by checking the ‘credit union finder’ at the following link: www.12daysofdebtmas.com

Edinburgh College: the right course for you

Edinburgh College Open Days this week:

Independence IFS and buts

Think Tank report warns of spending cuts and tax hikes

An independent Scotland would have to cut spending or increase taxes for its finances to be sustainable in the long-term, a leading think tank has warned. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said Scotland would face a ‘fiscal gap’ of 1.9% of national income, more than double that of the rest of the UK (0.8%).

The report says that significant spending cuts or tax increases would be necessary to balance the books.

Better Together campaigners say the report leaves the economic argument for independence ‘in tatters’ but Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney believes the report actually underlines the case for an independent Scotland.

The 69 page ‘Fiscal sustainability of an independent Scotland’ (attached below) concludes:

‘An independent Scotland would have the freedom to make its own decisions about spending priorities and the appropriate design of the tax system, but it would be constrained by the necessity to deliver a significant cut in spending and/or increase in tax revenues in order to put its public finances in a sustainable long-term position’.‘

Speaking after the publication of the report earlier today, Alistair Darling, leader of the pro-Union Better Together campaign, said: “This sober and impartial analysis by the IFS leaves the SNP’s economic case for independence in tatters. SNP ministers pretend that in an independent Scotland there would be more money to spend, but that notion has been comprehensively demolished by the analysis from this respected institution. Today’s report is clear that an independent Scotland would need big cuts to things like pensions, benefits and the NHS or a big increase in tax.”

Not so, say supporters of independence. Commenting on the IFS report, Mr Swinney said: “This report actually underlines the case for an independent Scotland with full control of its own economy and the ability to take decisions that can secure a stronger and more prosperous future for the country.

“It is no surprise that projections based on the UK’s economic position show a long-term deficit when the OBR state that the UK’s economic strategy is “unsustainable” and that the UK will run a fiscal deficit in each of the next 50 years.

“The IFS themselves admit their projections in this report are ‘inherently uncertain and could evolve differently if Scotland were independent rather than part of the UK; in addition they could be substantially effected by the policies chosen by the government of an independent Scotland’.

“The whole point of independence is to equip Scotland with the competitive powers we need to make the most of our vast natural resources and human talent and to follow a better path from the current Westminster system which stifles growth and which is responsible for the damaging economic decisions which this report – and its projections – are based on.

“Scotland has strong financial and economic foundations, and even without a single penny from oil and gas, both output and tax revenues per head in Scotland are virtually the same as for the UK.

“Next year’s independence referendum will give people in Scotland a choice between staying with a broken Westminster system that has created one of the biggest gaps between rich and poor in the western world, which concentrates far too many jobs in London and the South-East of England, has accumulated vast amounts of debt and which neglects manufacturing and trade – or using the full tools of independence to rebalance the economy, improve equality and support public services.

“Between 1977 and 2007, smaller independent European countries similar to Scotland grew their economies faster than ours, and if we had matched those rates that greater output would now be the equivalent of around £4.5 billion.

“Tomorrow the Scottish Government will publish detailed analysis of the economic security, growth and job opportunities that come with the powers of independence and by taking Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands.”

IFS report