The daily flagship programme Good Morning Scotland, which sets the news agenda of the day, will see long standing anchor Gary Robertson joined by a voice already familiar to Radio Scotland listeners, Laura Maxwell. Continue reading Refresh for Radio Scotland’s news programmes
Fridays 11am – 12 noon
A group of Edinburgh and Lothian residents were congratulated by Lord Provost Frank Ross, Fort Kinnaird centre director Liam Smith and Recruitment and Skills Centre Business Development Manager John Gibson, after completing a five-week training course to help build a career in retail. Continue reading Bright Lights at Fort Kinnaird
Low-income Scottish families will benefit from improved access to learning, advice and employment support with a multi-million pound package of measures.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell has set out the next steps of an ambitious plan to help lift parents and families out of poverty, backed by the £50 million Tackling Child Poverty Fund. Continue reading New funding for childcare and employability to cut child poverty
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will sprinkle a generous dusting of Christmas cheer and wonder once again this year as one of Edinburgh’s most popular festive season events, ‘Christmas at The Botanics’, returns for its third consecutive year running for 30 nights from 22 November to 29 December. Continue reading Christmas at the Botanics: Festive light spectacular returns bigger and brighter
I would like to invite you to consider submitting your work to the next Art in Granton exhibition which will take place over the weekend of 25, 26 and 27 October 2019.
The 2019 Art in Granton exhibition is an open call to all Artists and Makers: painters, printmakers, photographers, textile artists, ceramicists, jewellers, composers, new media artists, etc.
Works must relate to the Granton area and we particularly welcome artworks that take inspiration from the Granton Curious Edinburgh heritage walking tour which is free. Visit their website and download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
granton:hub offers free submission and exhibition, with 20% charged on each sale made.
Up to 3 works may be submitted via e-mail to artingranton@grantonhub.org
The deadline for submission is Monday 30 September 2019
Key dates:
• Monday 30 September 2019: Submission deadline 6pm
• Tuesday 8 October: selection of artists and works confirmed by e-mail
• Monday 14 October: Exhibition Programme announced via the website
• Handing-in times for works selected: Friday 18 October (6-7pm); Saturday 19 October (10-12 noon), Sunday 20 October (2-4pm)
• Exhibition opening times: Friday 25 October (5-8pm); Saturday 26 October (11- 6pm); and Sunday 27 October (11-5pm)
• Picking-up times: Sunday 27 October (5-6pm); Monday 28 October (10-1pm); and Tuesday 29 October (6-8pm)
All entries must be submitted by e-mail to artingranton@grantonhub.org
John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, was at St Augustine’s High School yesterday to be given a tour of a ground-breaking new project launched recently by Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland. Continue reading John Swinney takes tour of Poppyscotland’s ‘Bud’ truck
Scotland’s fastest growing retailer is gearing up to fuel over 5,000 walkers at the biggest ever Edinburgh Kiltwalk event, taking place this Sunday (15th September). Continue reading Aldi gearing up to fuel 5000 Kiltwalkers at biggest Edinburgh charity event
This summer, Starbucks stores in Edinburgh and Livingston have chosen local charities to receive a donation of £1,000 each, as part of Starbucks Summer of Giving campaign. Continue reading Starbucks stores in Edinburgh donate total of £2000 to local charities
An inquiry has been launched by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee as estimates suggest a huge number of benefits remain unclaimed by those eligible for them. The inquiry aims to explore the extent of the issue and what can be done to tackle it.
Statistics from HMRC and DWP estimated that in 2016/17 only 31% of families without children eligible for Working Tax Credit claimed, while only 60% of those eligible for Pension Credit claimed.
However, the full extent of benefit non-take-up in the UK is unknown because of difficulties in estimating eligibility.
The Committee is now looking for information on issues related to benefit uptake including why estimates of take-up are available for some benefits but not for others, and the impact of awareness raising campaigns in improving benefit uptake.
The Committee is also investigating how technology could help automate some benefits to improve take-up and how take-up rates for the new Scottish social security benefits will be impacted by their link to the take-up rates for UK benefits.
Bob Doris MSP, Convener of the Social Security Committee, (above) , said: “There can be any number of reasons for low benefit uptake rates, but it is absolutely essential that we learn the scale of this challenge and take every possible action to improve uptake.
“There is no doubt the stigma of claiming benefits hinders uptake while too often people are simply not aware of the benefits they are entitled to. Administration processes are also often too complex, and our inquiry is determined to identify any barriers to benefit uptake and how we can remove these.
“The Committee will consider the Scottish Government strategy on benefit uptake which will be published in October, but what is clear is that everything possible must be done to ensure those in need receive the full benefits they are entitled to.”
Other issues the Committee is keen to explore include if different approaches are required for different benefits, and the impact of various eligibility criteria upon take-up rates.
The call for views is open until Monday 21 October.
You can let the Committee know your views here:
