13/10/2014 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Poverty: ‘impossible to ignore’

‘children and families in Scotland are suffering’

Families across Scotland are being hit hard by Westminster’s changes to the benefit system, according to a new report by the Scottish Government.

The report highlights the impact of changes to benefit uprating already implemented by Westminster since 2010-11. Over the six years to 2015-16, the changes made by Westminster are expected to reduce welfare expenditure in Scotland by around £6 billion.

This will result in families with two children in receipt of Child Benefit being £1,100 worse off over six years.

Mothers claiming statutory maternity pay will lose out on around £330 in 2015-16 as a result of changes to uprating of statutory maternity payment.

Speaking at the Annual Poverty Alliance Conference at Glasgow’s City Halls this morning, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is clear that the UK Government’s benefit reform programme unfairly impacts on some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“This report also shows there are adverse consequences for women, particularly mothers and their children, who will be hit hardest by Westminster’s welfare cuts.

“Nearly every household in Scotland in receipt of a working age benefit will be affected by plans to introduce a two year benefit freeze. These planned changes will see Scotland’s benefit expenditure reduced by around £300 million in 2017-18.

“These welfare changes do not work for the people of Scotland. Poverty increased in Scotland in 2012-13 for the first time in a decade – an increase that is expected to continue.

“An additional 100,000 Scottish children will be living in poverty by 2020 because of UK welfare reforms and this is before the next round of cuts due in 2017-18.

“This is a direct result of choices made by the UK government – for example, since April 2012, the number of children whose families receive in-work tax credits has decreased by 120,000.

“It is unacceptable that due to the decisions of the UK Government children and families in Scotland are suffering.

“This is why in the Scottish Government submission to the Smith Commission for more powers, I set out the need for Scotland to have full responsibility over welfare powers. Full powers over welfare and social policy will allow us to tackle child poverty and allow Scotland to become a fairer country.

“Full responsibility over tax and national insurance will allow us to create jobs and build a more prosperous Scotland that is necessary to support our ambition for a fairer society.”

The Scottish Poverty Alliance held it’s annual conference ‘No Turning Back: The Future Fight Against Poverty in Scotland’ at the start of Challenge Poverty Week, which runs until 18 October.

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said:“We welcome the Deputy First Minister’s contribution to the discussion at our annual conference today. Poverty is the biggest issue Scotland faces, and with one in five children growing up in poverty it is impossible to ignore.

“Today was our first opportunity after the referendum to take stock and look to the future. We are working with our members, our partners on the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform and groups from across civil society to consider what new powers would mean for Scotland and the fight against poverty.

“We will be using the learning from this event, and our event later in the month on more powers, to consider the implications of further devolution and how any new powers can work alongside existing powers to ensure the eradication of poverty in Scotland once and for all.”

Traditional music sessions cap Year of Homecoming

SCOTLAND comes alive with traditional music and song this Autumn as the Homecoming Scotland 2014 Sessions begin their nationwide programme.

Presented by the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA), with support from Homecoming Scotland 2014 and Creative Scotland, around 250 traditional Scottish music and song sessions will take place throughout the country until the December festive period, rounding off this Year of Homecoming.

Regular sessions are starting up in many corners of Scotland; from Inverness and Elgin in the north, to Dumfries and Newton Stewart in the south. With many more being added regularly, head to www.tmsa.org.uk to find full listings, as well as details of other traditional music and song events taking place throughout Scotland.

Fiona Campbell, TMSA convener said: “Sessions are traditional music in its simplest form – informal and regular meetings of singers and musicians, with an emphasis on inclusion, sharing and fun! At a Homecoming Scotland 2014 Session, we have arranged for a couple of musicians to keep the tunes and songs flowing to help people join in, to create a great social gathering, free to all. We encourage locals and visitors to come along and take part, soak up the atmosphere, and experience great folk on your doorstep.”

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “I welcome this lively and inclusive addition to the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme, that is shining a light on Scotland’s rich and deep cultural heritage. The sessions will celebrate Scottish traditional music, which is a key part of our culture and national identity.

“The programme offers a wonderful opportunity for people to take part in traditional music sessions around Scotland through informal and regular meetings of singers and musicians. Congratulations to the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA) for presenting these sessions with support from Creative Scotland and Homecoming Scotland 2014.”

This year’s session programme is already jam-packed, with events taking place the length and breadth of Scotland as the 2014 homecoming celebrations enter their latter months. Alongside the TMSA’s comprehensive guide of traditional and folk events, Homecoming Scotland 2014’s listings can be found atwww.homecomingscotland.com.

For further information on the sessions, to find one near you, or to host a regular session, contact the TMSA national office, email office@tmsa.org.uk or visit www.tmsa.org.uk for event listings.

Edinburgh confirmed:

The Dalriada, 77 The Promenade, Portobello, Edinburgh, EH15 2EL. Sessions: Wednesday, 9pm – 12pm

No 1 High Street, 1 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR. Sessions: Thursdays, 8.30pm – 11pm

more to follow

Inspired by design

There’s more to fashion than meets the eye, says Broughton High School student Layan Degachi:

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” – Coco Chanel.

I certainly agree with this exceedingly influential artist’s view on fashion and the way she interprets it as more than just as a trivial interest or a superficial obsession. There’s so much more behind it.

People may have different views regarding fashion; they might say it’s an unhealthy obsession or ridiculously shallow, but in reality it’s the complete opposite of that. Why should people who enjoy fashion be automatically labelled as gullible or empty-headed? In fact working in fashion is one of the most demanding fields there is. It requires cleverness, originality, insight and the ability to inspire. It comes with specific skills, a sense of creativeness and commands for long hours of hard work.

“Fashion is so close in revealing a person’s inner feelings and everybody seems to hate to lay claim to vanity so people tend to push it away. It’s really too close to the quick of the soul.” – Stella Blum.

Fashion allows the freedom of self expression and so plays an increasingly important role in an individual’s life. The garments and accessories that man or woman wear, help them to identify with a group of others whether it’s a lifestyle, profession, a religion or an attitude.

“Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It’s movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.” – Blair Waldorf.

Fashion is something everyone can relate to and for me it is fascinating in this sense. For many years now I’ve found myself so easily and intensely drawn into it. I’m fascinated by the detail that goes into fashion items; I admire and find inspiration in everything around me so much that it has become a distinguished part of my identity and I just can’t imagine how life would be without the enchanting effect that fashion spreads.

I find that what you’re wearing can also reflect on how other people see you. For example a specific choice of colour can show your personality or mood. Different styles of clothes are assigned meaning in the same way words are. For example a suit and tie are always associated with formality and a willingness to treat other people with some degree of respect as well as expecting to be treated the same way in return.

Fashion is culture and history. The evolution of fashion dates back to several hundred years and as our attitude and culture change, fashion comes along with it. From Victorian times when dresses were layered and made with heavy fabric to around the 1900s – changing to elegant and extremely long dresses, a time for men and woman wearing fancy hats, influenced by the cultural trends and events of the time.

Fashion continues to change during each new and unique era to match different seasons, keeping in mind people’s demands and needs from all age groups. Therefore even though it may be stereotyped as otherwise; fashion is not only for young people, it’s for everyone.

As an industry it has a hige impact on the economy. In 2010 the UK fashion industry was worth £ 21 billion – that went up to £ 26 billion in 2014. The ‘value of the UK fashion industry’ report commissioned by the British Fashion Council emphasizes the importance of the contribution of fashion towards the economy and events such as London fashion week attracting millions of visitors to the UK every year. It states that 816,000 people are employed in the UK fashion industry across a wide range of all the creative industries and it’s the 15th largest industry (out of 81) in the UK.

There is so much more to fashion. If you may think you’re not involved in it at all I ask; do you get dressed every morning? One breathes and lives fashion without awareness. You might consider that it doesn’t relate to your job or the routine of your daily life but this is not the case: fashion is all around us.

Think from the work uniform you put on in the very morning to the buildings and different architecture you see on your way out to school or work, all the small details, the designs you come across every day in your wardrobe, house, office, culture and environment. Fashion is a captivating, mesmerizing and critical part of life.

When thinking of fashion, the astounding, countless thoughts that sparkle up in my mind are best described by my favourite quote from the extraordinary designer, Oleg Cassini: “Fashion; a mirror of the time in which we live, a translation of the future and should never be static.” This supports and adds to my argument that fashion can go much deeper and beyond mere aesthetics. There’s more to it than meets the eye.

Layan Degachi

Ebola: ‘lifeline of care’ delivered to Sierra Leone

Britain’s latest Ebola aid flight – delivering beds, personal protection suits, tents and vehicles – landed in Sierra Leone capital Freetown yesterday, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has confirmed.

Aid flights from the UK to Sierra Leone have delivered personnel and vital supplies for the construction and operation of the 92 bed treatment facility in Kerry Town – the first of at least five that the UK is building in the country from scratch.

A team of British military personnel – including logisticians, planners and engineers – are currently on the ground to oversee the construction of the treatment centre.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “The UK continues to deliver essential supplies to control and defeat the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.

“This aid will go towards getting the UK’s treatment facility up and running as soon as possible. It will also ensure that heroic health workers working on the front line have the very best protection equipment available to tackle this terrible disease.

“Construction of our treatment centre is now well underway and the first phase will be operational soon. This will provide a lifeline of care to Ebola patients in Sierra Leone.”

Aid supplies delivered so far include: 20 vehicles including ambulances; 75 water tanks; 3 incinerators for disposing of clothing and other materials; 12 generators; personal protection equipment; radio equipment; lighting sets; chlorine for sanitation; latrine slabs; temporary warehouse tents; 14 air conditioning units and isolator equipment.

The vehicles will be used to move blood samples and patients from local communities to the treatment centre. Further aid supplies will be deployed from the Department for International Development’s emergency warehouse in Kemble, Gloucestershire.

The UK has pledged £125 million to support the global effort to contain, control and defeat the disease in Sierra Leone. This includes support for 700 Ebola treatment beds which will provide direct medical care up to 8,800 patients over six months and help to shore up the country’s stretched public health services as they battle to contain the disease. This includes vital supplies such as chlorine and protective clothing for thousands of health workers.

Ride of Respect: bikers support Poppy Appeal

Scotland’s biking community joined forces yesterday to take part in the third annual Ride of Respect, a parade and service of Remembrance organised by Poppyscotland support group, War Torn Troops Remembered (WTTR).

A bike emblazoned with poppies led the convoy of 200 motorbikes, scooters, trikes and quad bikes from Straiton Park & Ride to Princes Street Gardens West in Edinburgh where a service was held at the Scots American War Memorial. Laying the wreath was Sean Wiseman, who serves with The Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS). Sean lost his right leg below the knee as a result of being injured in Afghanistan.

The annual Ride of Respect was introduced in 2012 to enable Scotland’s biking community to commemorate the Fallen and to show support for those affected by the consequences of war today. The event is the brainchild of bikers Karen Holmes and Colour Sergeant Jim Thomson (2 SCOTS) who created WTTR to raise funds for veterans’ charity Poppyscotland. Since January 2013 the group has raised £7,000 for Poppyscotland and an additional collection for the charity was held at yesterday’s event.

Co-founder Karen Holmes said: “We created this event to give bikers in Scotland an opportunity to honour Servicemen and women, past and present, in their own unique way. It was fantastic to see such a big representation today and it clearly demonstrates that support for the Armed Forces is as strong as ever.”

Poppyscotland Community Fundraiser for the East of Scotland Kirstie R-Mitchell said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has taken part in this very special tribute today and to the members of WTTR who have been raising funds for Poppyscotland throughout the year. The support from the biking community really will make a difference to those who have served, those still serving and their families.”