An annual cycling event, which has already raised more than £50,000 for Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity, is returning to East Lothian even bigger and better. Continue reading Get on your bike for Poppyscotland!
Month: August 2017
Festival Village provides new stage for local music talent
A pop-up venue with iconic views of the historic Old Town has been praised by local musicians for providing a new platform for live music in the capital. Continue reading Festival Village provides new stage for local music talent
The name game: Ed and Liz are quids in!
- ‘Ed’ is the most valuable male name, with Eds’ average annual earning potential topping £61k, while women named ‘Liz’ earn the most, securing an average of £39k
- The least valuable baby names for boys and girls are Reece and Paige, with earning potentials of £23k and £20k respectively
- The most popular babies names, Oliver and Amelia, are worth £36k and £28k
- The top 186 names for earning potential are all male, further evidence of gender pay gap
- Using a nickname could mean more money, with ‘Bill’s paid £57k on average, ‘Will’s taking home £45k, yet those going by ‘William’ earning just £36k a year
- Royal names are a steady bet, with ‘William’s typically worth £36k, ‘Kate’s £34k, ‘George’s £37k and ‘Charlotte’s £27k a year
Mums and dads contemplating names for their new babies might want to consider how a name can affect their offspring’s future earning potential, with ‘Ed’s and ‘Liz’s earning the most, according to new research by job search-engine Adzuna.
The study, conducted in August 2017, analysed over 155,000 CVs of recent job seekers using Adzuna’s ValueMyCV algorithm, to reveal the average earning potential of workers with different names.
Traditional names top the list, with boys name ‘Ed’ and girls name ‘Liz’ proving the highest value. Workers called Ed can typically earn £61,400 per year, while those going by Liz can take home an average of £38,800. Following close behind the leaders, the next most valuable boys names are ‘Bill’ (£56,700), ‘Geoff’ (£54,000) and ‘Bob’ (£53,000), while female names ‘Jo’ (£38,700), ‘Michele’ (£36,300) and ‘Alexis’ (£36,200) are also top earners.
By comparison, workers named ‘Reece’ and ‘Paige’ are at the bottom of the wage pile with average potential earnings of just £23,000 and £20,200 respectively.
Those baby names currently proving most popular among new parents, ‘Oliver’ and ‘Amelia,’ are worth £35,500 and £27,600.* Meanwhile, names with a royal heritage are a steady bet for mums and dads, with ‘Will’s typically taking home £45,400, ‘Kate’s showing an average earning potential of £33,800, ‘George’s worth £37,300 and ‘Charlotte’s typically paid £26,500.
Overall, male names make up the top 186 highest value names, providing new evidence of the existing gender pay gap in the workforce.
Workers with nicknames earn more
The research also suggests that using a nickname at work could help you get ahead in the salary stakes. While the average earning potential of those named ‘Bill’ is £56,700, those going by ‘William’ are worth just £36,100 a year. Similarly, those named ‘Mike’ typically earn £53,000, topping ‘Michael’s at £38,700. The trend is also evident in female names, with ‘Sue’s earning £35,000 compared to ‘Susan’s’ £28,100.
Doug Monro, co-founder of Adzuna, commented: “’Ed’ and ‘Liz’ top the chart of most valuable names in the UK, meaning workers with these names are worth the most to potential employers. As a rule of thumb, those with traditional names consistently rate as higher earners. New mums and dads may want to bear this in mind when christening their babies.
“It’s interesting that the most successful workers typically use a nickname in their professional lives. This could signal an informality and approachability that has helped them climb the career tree. Or it could reflect the confidence that comes with success. Either way, job seekers may want to try adopting a nickname to help secure the highest pay levels possible.
“Also of note, the top 186 highest earning names are typically seen as ‘male’ names, showing there is still work to do to close the gender pay gap. ‘Blind’ recruitment practices may help to correct this imbalance, at the same time as helping to eliminate discrimination against those with ethnic names. As the workplace becomes both more gender neutral and more diverse, we expect the weighting towards traditional male names to become less pronounced.”
- Ed – £61,400
- Bill – £56,700
- Geoff – £54,000
- Bob – £53,000
- Mike – £53,000
- Phil – £52,900
- Dave – £52,300
- Andy – £51,900
- Ken – £51,200
- Tim – £51,100
- Liz – £38,800
- Jo – £38,700
- Michele – £36,300
- Alexis – £36,200
- Jean – £35,500
- Philippa – £35,000
- Sue – £35,000
- Anne – £34,500
- Carolyn – £34,400
- Kate – £33,800
- Amelia – £27,645
- Olivia – £26,011
- Emily – £27,420
- Isla – £36,318
- Ava – £32,413
- Ella – £28,623
- Jessica – £26,342
- Isabella – £28,935
- Mia – £26,981
- Poppy – £24,677
Earning Potential of Most Popular Baby Boy Names*
- Oliver – £35,536
- Jack – £29,738
- Harry – £31,996
- George – £37,342
- Jacob – £30,233
- Charlie – £33,298
- Noah – £36,496
- William – £36,121
- Thomas – £33,817
- Oscar – £37,786
Private schools and arms-length council companies to lose rates relief?
Private independent schools and so-called ‘arms-length’ council companies like Edinburgh Leisure could lose their charitable status and resultant business rates relief under proposals published yesterday. The independent Barclay review group’s report on non-domestic business rates has made a number of recommendations to improve the current business rates system by stimulating growth, reducing administration and increasing fairness. Continue reading Private schools and arms-length council companies to lose rates relief?
Dementia-friendly event at Botanics next Monday
FM Reading Challenge to be piloted in secondary schools
Earlier this year the First Minister announced that the scheme was being rolled out to all primary school children, following a trial year among P4-P7. More than three quarters of all local authority primary schools in Scotland signed up to the First Minister’s Challenge in the first year of it being introduced when it was offered to older primary school children.
Research shows reading for pleasure drops off as young people reach secondary school and the expansion of the scheme is designed to ensure young adults continue to enjoy reading long after they have left primary school.
Speaking during a visit to one of the pilot schools, St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School yesterday, the First Minister said: “I am incredibly proud of the success the First Minister’s Reading Challenge has had in nurturing a love of reading for pleasure amongScotland’s young people which is why this expansion to secondary schools is so exciting.
“I am determined to ensure we continue to promote reading as one of life’s greatest pleasures – and that young people reap the benefits of the resulting educational attainment that can be achieved.”
Michael Wilkie, Literacy Coordinator from St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge. Reading has been such an important aspect of our plans for raising attainment in the last few years, and this exciting initiative will be the drive to expand reading for pleasure across the entire school community.
“Plans are already in progress to engage parents to help their children be the best readers they can be, to support staff across the curriculum to confidently teach and assess reading, and to give pupils as many opportunities as possible to pick up a book and get reading. With an active and enthusiastic literacy committee and pupils who thrive on reading, we are certainly up for the challenge.’
Marc Lambert, CEO at Scottish Book Trust, which runs the programme, added:”This expansion of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge builds on the huge success of its first year and opens up the joy of reading for pleasure to all primary children. The secondary school pilot will focus on a key age group, among whom reading for pleasure can tail off due to the pressures on time that come with high school.
“The Reading Challenge will focus attention on this, giving pupils more opportunities to share and celebrate what they love reading, delve deeper into writing and discover different ways to enjoy books.”
Staying healthy at Festival time
NHS Lothian has some healthcare advice for the city’s summer visitors – and it’s useful for locals too:
Are you visiting Edinburgh for any of the 12 summer festivals, including the Fringe and the International Book Festival?
The festivals in August are a huge part of Edinburgh’s modern culture and history. Established in 1947, the International Festival has grown significantly year by year, making it one of the most popular events in the world.
Last year, 31,545 people participated in shows on the Fringe Festival, and 2,475,143 show tickets were purchased. The average audience for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each year is 220,000. For the Festival finale on 28 August, an estimated 250,000 spectators will see around 400,000 fireworks burst into the sky above Edinburgh Castle.
Given the numbers attending, it’s no surprise that some fall ill and we need to treat them. If you are one of these visitors or performers and you become unwell, it’s important for you to know who to turn to for medical advice or attention when you’re away from home.
Emergency care is always free at the point of use. For temporary residents from around the world, if you access any of our services we will treat you first and then sort things out later – you won’t be denied urgent care.
Here we summarise the most popular services you might need to access. For more details see our Festival Health website pages.
Common questions or minor ailments
Your local pharmacy will provide you with help and advice on common health problems, minor ailments and questions about medicines.
If you are from the UK and run out of repeat medication, a pharmacy may be able to help you get a prescription from your own GP practice, or an emergency supply.
Less serious injuries
For minor injuries (minor cuts/burns, wound infections, sprains and small bone breaks), go to the Minor Injuries Clinic at the Western General Hospital. If you want to check if your injury is suitable for treatment here, phone ahead on 0131 537 3481.
The clinic treats adults and children over one year old and is staffed by specialist nurse, paramedic and physiotherapy practitioners. It’s open every day from 8am – 9pm. The last patient book-in is at 8.30pm, but no appointment is necessary.
Sexual health problems
The Chalmers Centre provides care and advice on sexual health issues, including emergency contraception. For appointments and advice, call 0131 536 1070. For walk-ins, you can attend the Centre between 8:30am and 10am.
GP services
If you are acutely ill and need contact with a General Practitioner (GP/family doctor) that day, you should first phone a local GP practice.
Alternatively, phone 0131 667 3925, where there are a number of additional appointments available during the festivals, between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, from 4 August to 28 August.
Urgent mental health support
The following are some useful telephone numbers to
Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS) on 0131 537 6000
Breathing Space helpline – 0800 838 587
The Samaritans helpline – 08457 909 090
Edinburgh Crisis Centre – 0808 801 0414
Out of hours
Need urgent medical advice out of hours, and not sure what to do? Call NHS 24 on 111.
Dental health
For information on emergency dental care, see NHS 24’s website.
Emergencies
NHS Lothian has hospital Emergency Departments at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, St John’s Hospital, Livingston and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. These services are for urgent and emergency situations only.
If at any time you think you need an emergency ambulance for a life-threatening condition, call 999.
A big welcome to Lothian’s temporary residents – we hope you all enjoy the summer festivals!
Eilidh Doyle launches Scottish SPCA’s Pound for Paws
Team GB athlete and animal lover Eilidh Doyle got the Scottish SPCA’s first ever ‘Pound for Paws’ event off to a flying start by taking to the track against a four-legged competitor! Continue reading Eilidh Doyle launches Scottish SPCA’s Pound for Paws
Ferry Road hit and run: “Your help could prove vital”
Net closing on motorbike suspects
Police are continuing their enquiries following Saturday’s hit and run incident on Ferry Road in which a ten year old boy was seriously injured. There was a significant police presence across the area yesterday as the search for those for those responsible goes on. Continue reading Ferry Road hit and run: “Your help could prove vital”
Almond Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Wednesday
Almond Neighbourhood Partnership (which now includes Muirhouse) will meet on Wednesday (23rd August) at Rosebery House, South Queensferry High Street at 6.30pm.
All welcome.