Pilton Youth & Children’s Project (PYCP) are holding their annual general meeting on Friday 7 November at 2pm in The Greenhouse – and you’re invited! See below for details:
For further information contact debbie@pycp.co.uk
or telephone 332 9815
www.pycp.co.uk
Funding will target lower income families and first time buyers
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has announced changes to Help to Buy (Scotland) which will support more people to get onto or move up the property ladder. As of Wednesday (October 22 2014), the shared equity scheme will apply to homes worth up to £250,000, rather than the current maximum of £400,000.
This change will ensure that more people can benefit from available funding and help to target funding at lower income families and first time buyers.
With 85% of all Help to Buy (Scotland) sales to date already at or below this new threshold – and an estimated 94% of sales having been to first time buyers – most new build houses will not be affected by the changes.
Since Help to Buy (Scotland) was launched in September 2013, more than 3,000 homes have been purchased with an additional 1,500 expected to be completed by the end of this financial year.
Mrs Burgess said: “The Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme has opened up the housing market to thousands of house buyers. By targeting the scheme at properties at or below a value of £250,000, the scheme will support first time buyers and people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to buy a new build home.
“The changes will also see the benefits of Help to Buy extended for as long as possible and build on the widely welcomed arrangements for the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax announced by the Finance Secretary last week.
“We will continue to monitor this successful scheme and will look at ways of making sure everyone in Scotland has access to good quality, affordable homes.”
Demand for the scheme has been high with Ministers allocating £275 million to the scheme to date, which is £55 million more than the industry’s original £220 million request. £100 million of that funding has been allocated to the 2015-16 budget.
Mrs Burgess added: “Housing continues to be a priority for this Government and we are investing over £390 million next year to deliver 6,000 affordable homes, of which 4,000 will be for social rent. Our 2015-16 budget makes clear that by investing in housing we are boosting the economy, improving the energy efficiency of housing stock and reducing fuel poverty.
“By replacing the stamp duty with the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, the tax paid will be more proportionate to the house price, which means that the tax is fairer and will be based more closely on the buyer’s ability to pay.
“This new approach will benefit the majority of Scots, with nobody paying tax on the first £135,000 of a house purchase and 90 per cent of homebuyers either paying less or the same amount as they would under current arrangements. It will be a major boost to first time buyers and improve the affordability of starter homes.”
‘We can and must do better for our children’
Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most prosperous cities – but more than ONE IN FIVE children in the capital (21%) are living in poverty, according to the latest research.
Report_on_child_poverty_map_2014
The Campaign to End Child Poverty (CECP) has today published new figures that provide a child poverty map of the whole of the UK. The figures are broken down by parliamentary constituency, local authority and ward (see report, above). The research was conducted for CECP by the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) at Loughborough University.
The figures reveal the wide disparity in poverty rates across the UK, between regions and striking variations even within regions. London scores badly – containing ten of the top 20 constituencies with the highest child poverty rates in the UK and 14 of the 20 highest-rate local authorities. However there is variation even within regions: in London, Bethnal Green and Bow has a child poverty rate of 49% compared to just 15% in Richmond upon Thames.
In Scotland, Glasgow has the highest rate of child poverty, with the problem affecting a third of all youngsters in the city. Across Scotland some 220,000 children are living in poverty — a fifth of all youngsters — and campaigners are convinced this total will rise.
CECP is demanding urgent political action at all levels and urges the Westminster government to rethink its tax and benefit policies, claiming these could leave as many as 100,000 more children in poverty by 2020.
They also want local and national housing policies to focus on keeping rent bills down in both the social housing sector and the private rental market.
Chair of End Child Poverty David Holmes said: “These figures reveal just how widely and deeply child poverty reaches into our communities, even those areas generally regarded as well off. Far too many children whose parents are struggling to make a living are suffering as a result and missing out on the essentials of a decent childhood that all young people should be entitled to. We can and must do better for our children.
“Poverty ruins childhoods and reduces life chances. Failing to invest properly in children is a false economy: already child poverty costs the country £29bn each year and in the long run taxpayers will foot an even higher bill for correcting the damage.
“We are calling on politicians of all parties to urgently set out a clear roadmap towards ending child poverty which includes the additional actions needed and the measures by which progress will be tracked.”
CECP Scotland spokesman Neil Mathers said: “It’s important we look behind these figures at what is driving this level of poverty in our country.
“Politicians of all parties, at Westminster and Holyrood, need to act to tackle the root causes of poverty, including low pay and soaring housing and childcare costs. There is nothing inevitable about this poverty. We must build on the good work that is happening in Scotland to support families.”
He went on: “We know there is ambition in Scotland to do more. We now need to act so that all our children have a fair start. We can and must do better for our children.”
POVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN EDINBURGH
The city’s strategic community planning body The Edinburgh Partnership has created poverty and inequality profiles of each of the city’s twelve Neighbourhood Partnerships.
To see the profiles for Forth and Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnerships click on the link(s) below:
The latest edition of North Edinburgh News is out now!
Your Autumn paper is now being distributed and copies will soon be available in libraries and community centres across Forth and Inverleith.
If you just can’t wait to see a print copy, click on the link below:
Have you missed your NEN newspaper? Do you like the latest edition? What would you like to see in the NEN? Let us know: post a comment or email northedinnews@gmail.com
Happy reading!
We are delighted to share “Volunteering Changes Lives” – a short film celebrating 30 years’ work by Volunteer Centre Edinbugrh’s (VCE’s) Health & Wellbeing Team.
http://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/Blog_Article_Depository/New_Film
It is an inspiring and powerful account of how volunteering has assisted a number of people to overcome the barriers & discrimination which accompany mental illness and disability. All are volunteers with local charities, supporting the delivery of services – being a helper rather than always being helped.
I am sure that a number of people featured in the film may be familiar to you!
Nick Woodhead, Health and Wellbeing Development Officer
VOLUNTEER CENTRE EDINBURGH
The UK Government will deliver on its pledge to bring significant new powers to the Scottish Parliament as part of further devolution within the UK, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said yesterday.
It coincided with the publication of a UK Government Command Paper, a summary of the proposals set out by the 3 main Westminster political parties that have been put forward for further devolution.
Speaking ahead of giving a statement in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael said: “The referendum result made clear the majority of people in Scotland want to see a strong devolved Parliament as part of the UK.
“We pledged further devolution and we will deliver on that promise. Today’s Command Paper sets out the detail of the political positions from the parties. The Smith Commission must now be left to carry out its work before Heads of Agreement are published at the end of November.
“This is the first time all of Scotland’s main political parties will be involved in a process exploring areas of further devolution. I welcome that as an important recognition we must work together to deliver the new powers people want to see for Scotland”.
The independent Smith Commission is convening cross-party talks to reach agreement on the proposals. Its terms of reference make clear the recommendations will deliver more financial, welfare and taxation powers to strengthen the Scottish Parliament within the UK.
The move comes just days after the Scottish Government’s budget used the powers devolved by the Scotland Act 2012 to set Scottish stamp duty and landfill tax rates, as well as extend government borrowing.
Have your say on further financial devolution
The options for the further devolution of financial powers to Scotland are to be examined by the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee in a new inquiry launched last week – and the public are being asked to give their views.
Following the referendum, and the establishment of the Smith Commission, the Committee’s inquiry will look at what general principles should apply to the devolution of further financial powers and what those powers should be. The inquiry will also consider the impact of any further financial powers on the block grant.
During the course of the inquiry, the Committee will take evidence from a range of witnesses and is also asking people to submit their views on the options for financial devolution in Scotland.
Committee Convener, Kenneth Gibson MSP said: “Following the referendum, there is a debate about the further devolution of powers to Scotland. The Smith Commission is currently considering what further powers should be devolved to Scotland and key amongst these will be financial powers. It is only right that we contribute to this debate.
“Our inquiry will explore what powers should be devolved and the implications for Scotland’s funding. We want to hear a range of views about what this would mean for Scotland.”
The Committee is asking for views on a range of issues including:
• What general principles should apply to the devolution of further financial powers to the Scottish parliament?
• What further financial powers should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and why?
• What further financial powers should not be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and why?
• To what extent could the Scottish Government be constrained in how it uses new tax powers given the interaction with fiscal decisions at a UK level?
• What are the implications of further fiscal devolution for the block grant?
• What are the implications of further financial powers for the role of Revenue Scotland?
The closing date for responses is Friday 14 November 2014.
All responses should be sent electronically to: finance@scottish.parliament.uk
More information on the Committee’s inquiry can be found on the Committee’s webpage:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/29822.aspx
The October school holidays, it’s raining again – but the kids needn’t be bored. The city council is offering some ideas on how to keep the little dears happy during the holidays:
With the October holidays in full swing, families from Edinburgh and further afield will be looking for fun and inexpensive ways to entertain and spook the kids this Halloween.
From ghoulish arts and crafts workshops at Lauriston Castle and Edinburgh’s Libraries, to spooky storytelling on the Royal Mile, there is something to thrill all members of the family.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Falling just 10 weeks before Christmas – and not long after the summer break – the need to keep the kids amused during the October holidays can be hard to budget for. But in Edinburgh, families really are spoilt for choice.
“Whether you are looking for a low cost scare factor this Halloween, or visiting one of the city’s attractions for the first time; make sure you check what’s on at Edinburgh’s public libraries, museums, parks and sports facilities to find something to suit.”
Top five things to do at Edinburgh’s public attractions and parks
1) In the city’s haunting Old Town, take a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh which is housed in beautifully restored 16th Century buildings on the Canongate.
This October, the museum will be home to a host of storytelling events, as the 2014 Storytelling Festival kicks off once more. The museum programme features war tales and songs based on Sir Walter Scott, and older children and young adults will also enjoy hearing about gruesome moments from Auld Reekie’s past from Scotland’s Storyteller, Calum Lykan on Sunday 31 October.
2) For even more tall tales, the City’s community libraries will be open for a number of spooky events including a 1950s classic horror double bill of ‘The Fly’ and ‘Invaders from Mars’ at the Drumbrae Library Hub which will also be hosting a 1950s-themed fancy dress competition.
For younger movie fans, pay a visit to the Museum of Childhood, which will be hosting a drop-in craft event on Wednesday 15 October to tie in with Making Movies, the museum’s new exhibition all around movie making. Children can make their own spinning card animations (thaumatropes), and Scottish Screen Archive curator Emily Munro will be on hand to talk about the history of movie-making.
3) But what if the crisp Autumn weather makes you want to get outdoors? After winning a prestigious Entente Florale Gold Award for beautiful green spaces, where better to enjoy time off than by visiting one of Edinburgh’s 140 parks.
Children who aren’t afraid of creepy crawlies will love helping to build B&Bs for beasties at the Hermitage of Braid Local Nature Reserve as it prepares to home insects for the winter on Sunday 19 October. Or why not join in the Great Saughton Park Bear Hunt on Thursday 16 October in the Winter Gardens, where 30 bears will be hidden in the gardens.
4) Take a visit to East Princes Street Gardens and brave breathtaking views of Edinburgh from atop the tallest tribute to a writer in the world, the Scott Monument.
There’s no better time to conquer the 287 steps to the top than this October, which marks 100 years since Sir Walter’s publication of ‘Waverley’. Equally impressive is the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.
5) The beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s, are also well worth a wander – especially if the family wants to get in the mood for Halloween. The Castle will be offering spooky woodland trails, craft classes to create ghoulish globes and window decorations, which can be booked at the Museums and Galleries website.
If you are looking for something crafty to do in the centre of town, an alternative spot is the City Art Centre‘s new ‘ArtSpace’, which allows children to have fun experimenting with different art materials during normal gallery opening times.
There must be something in that little lot to keep the kids amused? Enjoy the holidays!
An easy date to remember: it’s Snogmanay!
The first same sex marriage ceremonies in Scotland will go ahead in Scotland from Hogmanay.
Also, from 16 December, couples in an existing Scottish Civil Partnership would be able to change their relationship to a marriage. Conversions of this type will be free for the first year of the legislation.
The gap between 16 December and the first possible ceremonies is to allow for the minimum notice period for marriage of 14 clear days.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil said: “It is wonderful that same sex couples can now begin to make plans to have their marriage just as any other couple can.
“This historic legislation had overwhelming support across the Scottish Parliament, demonstrating to the world how importantly Scotland views equality.
“That support means that, from 31 December, same sex couples who want to show their love and commitment to each other could get married in front of family and friends at a ceremony they choose together.
“This will be an important signal that our nation is absolutely committed to the same rights for all our citizens.
“It will be a proud and no doubt emotional day for many, and I, for one, can’t wait.”
The Equality Network, the Scottish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality charity welcomed the announcement.
Tom French, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “We are very pleased that after years of campaigning for equal marriage it is now just weeks away from becoming a reality. Today’s milestone announcement means that same-sex couples across Scotland will be able to set a date and start planning their weddings. With the first ceremonies set to take place on Hogmanay, Scotland can be proud that we will bring in the new year as a fairer and more equal country.
“The 31st December 2014 will be a date that is remembered for many years to come, and a profoundly emotional day for those couples who celebrate their commitment to each other, and for all LGBTI people who grew up in a country where being gay was still criminalised until 1981. Scotland is now a leader on LGBTI equality, with one of the most progressive equal marriage laws in the world.
“There is still more to do to ensure full equality in people’s day-to-day lives, but this year we have taken a huge leap forward towards creating the fair and equal Scotland we all want to see.”
There’s music at the Botanics on Saturday afternoon:
Don’t miss Transplanted, a performance by string duo High Heels & Horse Hair (pictured below) which celebrates the rich diversity of Scotland’s plant life and its music.
In 1755 Scottish Baroque composer James Oswald published ‘Airs for the Seasons’, a remarkable compendium of 96 duos for violin and cello, each depicting a different plant or flower and written on a single side of paper. Inspired by these, and using the same criteria, eight of Scotland’s leading composers have written new miniatures exploring native plants and their many uses in society over the centuries.
Transplanted:
Saturday 18 October 2.30 pm — 4.30 pm
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Lecture Theatre, 20A Inverleith Row.
Price:£10 (£9 conc, £8 members)
Book via eventbrite – Click here to book
