Day: May 29, 2020

Chief Constable: Do The Right Thing

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM said: “The law is changing as phase 1 of the Scottish Government route map for COVID-19 has been implemented.

“People should still only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, for exercise or recreation, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done from home.

“Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation.

“We are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to protect the NHS and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“We recognise that people have made significant sacrifices until now and while the temptation may be to head straight for one of our beauty spots, we would ask people to use their judgement and avoid going to places which are normally busy during the good weather.

“Complying with the legislation about meeting only one other household outdoors at any one time and following the Scottish Government’s guidance about avoiding travelling long distances will stop our parks, beaches, lochs and hills from becoming over-crowded and help ensure appropriate physical distancing is maintained, reducing the spread of coronavirus.

“We want people to enjoy our outdoor spaces safely and our officers will be robustly tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities.”

Thousands of Scottish volunteers supporting those in need

  • Nearly one-fifth of people in Scotland (16%) say they are volunteering in their communities during the COVID-19 crisis
  • 70% of these volunteers are helping out by doing grocery shopping for others
  • Over half (56%) of people in the region said they plan to buy more goods locally post-lockdown to help their local economy
  • A further 55% also said they plan to make more use of local stores after the lockdown

 

The majority of community volunteers in Scotland are helping other members of their community with essential shopping during the COVID-19 crisis, research from Legal & General and Cebr has revealed.

Seven in 10 (70%) of community volunteers in the region said they were doing grocery shopping for others during the coronavirus outbreak, according the FTSE100 financial services group’s Isolation Economy Report. Nearly one-fifth of people in the country (16%) have been involved in volunteering efforts during the crisis.

Legal & General’s research has also found that people in Scotland also plan to deliver a boost to their local economies, with 56% saying they will buy more goods in local stores and another 55% planning to make more use of local stores after the lockdown.

These new regional figures come as the Isolation Economy research showed that 10 million UK adults are serving as an informal ‘volunteering army’, supporting local communities and helping vulnerable people.

Each week, the work these volunteers are doing has an equivalent economic value of more than £357 million, according to the Isolation Economy research, with each individual contributing on average three hours of their time. 

Nigel Wilson, CEO at Legal & General said: “Being more isolated has made us also more inclusive. Britain’s community spirit has doubled down in lockdown, forging an informal army of volunteers who are now a key part of our national infrastructure in the crisis.”

“Individuals and families have come together and created new ties across communities, cutting across age, income and circumstances.

“We have become a nation of volunteers during the COVID crisis. And – judging by the millions who plan to continue after the lockdown – it is a change that is here to stay.” 

Volunteering in the crisis

According to the Isolation Economy study, one in every five UK adults (19%) has volunteered their time for community-level activities or organisations since the start of the lockdown on March 23rd. This includes nearly a quarter (23%) of furloughed workers.

Royal Voluntary Service has been leading the volunteering efforts in response to the Coronavirus crisis. The charity has been working together with its corporate partner Legal & General, with employees of the FTSE100 company taking part in volunteering efforts including making phone calls to check in on vulnerable individuals.

Sam Ward, Director of Services and Deputy CEO for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “As restrictions ease for some, many older and vulnerable people will remain isolating at home, in desperate need of practical support, mental stimulation and companionship. 

“Royal Voluntary Service has mobilised to respond to Coronavirus through a massive, co-ordinated volunteer effort. The public response has been a beacon of hope during this crisis with legions of people stepping forward to volunteer and help others. Our volunteer army is needed more than ever before to meet the need older people continue to face now, and over the coming months as they try to re-build their lives.”

67% of volunteers are helping with grocery shopping for others and a quarter (26%) have collected and delivered medicines or prescriptions. 16% of those donating their time have volunteered to make calls to people in a bid to combat loneliness. All of this activity is separate to the actions of those people serving in the formal NHS volunteer programme.

Across the generational divide, people are coming together to give up their time and help those in need, according to the Isolation Economy research.

More than a fifth (22%) of those aged between 35 and 54 were volunteering for instance, as are 18% of over-55s. Millennials, while the least likely to volunteer (17%), gave up the most time – an average of 3.5 hours a week on grocery shopping and 4.4 hours if volunteering in other ways.

Almost a third (29%) of UK adults believe that the younger generations have taken on more responsibility during the lockdown to support their parents and grandparents.

This spirit of supporting others is more than a short-term trend. More than three-quarters (78%) of those volunteering plan to continue helping those in need after the lockdown.

Bringing communities together

Community ties have also strengthened under the lockdown. The Isolation Economy research also reveals that two-thirds (64%) of UK adults feel their communities have ‘come together to help each other’ during the crisis.

This renewed community spirit includes extending financial support to local businesses. Families have tried to help those that help them, continuing to pay cleaners, gardeners and other workers for services they knew they would never be able to use under lockdown.

£637 million was spent on unused goods and services between the start of the lockdown on 23rd March and the end of April – a figure that has now risen to more than £1 billion two months into lockdown.

UK adults have spent £170 million on prepaid vouchers and coupons and 60% plan to buy more goods from local stores in a bid to help local economies following the lockdown.

Legal & General is also extending its support for volunteering and charitable work amidst the crisis. The FTSE100 group has substantially raised its cap on matching funding for any activities where its employees are raising funds or donating their time for COVID-19 causes.

The change marks a ten-fold increase in donations from L&G.

Nigel Wilson continued: “Coronavirus has changed our behaviour and our priorities. More of us are giving up our time and savings to support local communities and businesses.

“People are paying for services they knew they would never be able to use due to the lockdown – but which made a difference to people’s lives and finances. These generous, vital gestures make a positive difference to the lives of others in the isolation economy.” 

Legal & General’s Isolation Economy research previously revealed a significant shift in consumer spending habits, giving ‘at-home’ spending a boost equivalent to an £12.9bn annually.

This change is largely a result of UK adults’ increased expenditure on four key “at home” categories during the lockdown: groceries, alcohol, entertainment and hobbies & crafts.

Community council to meet again via Zoom

Hi everyone,
This is to advise that our regular meeting of the West Pilton West Granton Community Council on 2 June at 7 pm will go ahead.
Given the current COVID-19 restrictions, however, and in line with CEC guidance, we will be holding the meeting remotely, via Zoom.
Contact Peter for registration details: – wpwgcommunitycouncil@outlook.com
As Zoom places a 45 minute limit, our meeting will be for essential business.  A draft agenda is below:
1. Welcome – Lana
*2. Proposal to provide funding to community newsletter – Willie
*3. Current position with chequebook – Peter
4. Living with Covid-19
    a. Police Report – Sarah
    b. Community Food Support – Willie/ Peter
5. AOB & DONM – Lana
Regards
Peter Faassen de Heer
Secretary, West Pilton West Granton Community Council

Sustrans: Outside In activities

Videos, games, weekly challenges, themed activities and more

Weekly updates are packed with creative, active and interesting indoor and outdoor activities for all the family.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/outside-in

It’s not too late to join our #SustransOutsideIn feature in the parent newsletter.

It’s packed with activities for children to bring the outside in and enjoy at home 🏠🤸🎨

Designed by our knowledgeable, experienced and fun-loving Schools Officers. The four-week activity pack is full of cycling, walking and scooting themed fun 🚲🛴🚶

For more information and to sign up, visit: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/outside-in/

Schools re-opening blueprint published – but union warns of challenges ahead

The Scottish Government has published detailed guidance on practical measures to allow schools to re-open safely on 11 August – but an EIS survey has warned of challenges that must be overcome for schools to reopen.

Teachers and other school staff will be able to return in June to prepare for a new model of learning from August. The plans are contingent on scientific and medical advice that it is safe to proceed and public health measures being in place.

Key contents of the guidance include:

  • Local plans: education authorities and schools should draw on this national guidance to work in partnership with trades unions, staff, parents and children to develop local plans.
  • Physical distancing: With some limited exceptions, physical distancing of 2 metres for staff and pupils will be implemented. Physical distancing measures will be kept under review as the public health position evolves.
  • School transport: Schools will work with council transport teams to inform their local planning, particularly in respect of options to minimise and, where possible, stagger the use of public transport. Active travel – walking and cycling –  by parents, carers, staff and pupils will be encouraged.
  • Determining capacity: Local authorities and schools are encouraged, where necessary, to take an innovative approach to the use of alternative facilities to bring as many children back on a safe, phased basis as possible (subject to risk assessments), while maintaining a positive learning environment.

Separate guidance for Early Learning and Childcare settings is being developed.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Creating this practical blueprint over the last two months was a team effort and that team spirit will be needed to make this next phase a success.

“The guidance – underpinned by advice from public health experts – has been developed with the Education Recovery Group, which includes representatives from local authorities, teachers’ organisations and trades unions.

“The health and wellbeing of children and young people is our priority, which is why in implementing this guidance, we will adopt a cautious approach and monitor progress to inform decisions on further changes to restrictions.

“It is important to stress that there will be regional variation in the approach to implementation. It is for councils to work with teachers and put in place the best solutions locally. I am certain they will rise to the challenge.”

Read the schools re-opening guidance.

The full results of a major survey, carried out by the EIS, have highlighted the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and warned of challenges that must be overcome for schools to re-open.

Over 26,000 EIS members responded to the online survey – making this the biggest survey of teachers’ opinions to have been carried out in Scotland.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The EIS surveyed its members, to seek teachers’ views on the challenges that have been presented to education during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We received an unprecedented level of response, with almost 60% of teachers responding to the online survey in just one week. This has given us a very clear picture of the challenges that Scottish education, its pupils and teachers, have faced during the lockdown and will continue to face even once schools re-open following the summer.”

Mr Flanagan continued, “There is much to be encouraged about in these findings, including good provision in Hub schools for the children of key workers and a strong commitment to supporting young people and their families in home learning.

“There are, however, also some significant causes for concern such as the real challenge of maintaining social distancing in a school environment and how best to ensure that more vulnerable young people and those experiencing disadvantage associated with poverty can receive appropriate support during this crisis. Our survey findings identify many challenges that education will continue to face for months, if not years, to come.”

Many teachers reported largely positive experiences in the way in which their school had responded to the challenges presented by the move to a blend of hub provision and home learning for different groups of pupils.

Over one-third (35%) of teachers who responded had been involved in Hub provision in their local authority area, on a voluntary basis. These teachers felt particularly positive about how well provision had been delivered for children of key workers (88%), and about health and safety procedures such as regular handwashing (93%) for pupils and staff.

On social distancing, slightly more than half (51%) felt that there had been clear guidance on who should and shouldn’t be entering Hubs, while just 44% felt that social distancing of 2 metres had been maintained at all times – a serious consideration when considering how schools will operate after re-opening following the summer period.

Looking ahead to the potential for schools re-opening, on a partial basis, teachers identified some significant challenges to be addressed.

The vast majority of teachers (93%) believed that the most important issue was a need for clarity over how teaching and learning will be delivered in the next academic year.

77% believed that there was a critical need for adequate time to prepare for the delivery of a more ‘blended’ approach to learning – including both limited time for pupils in a school environment, coupled with significant use of online learning at home. 63% believed that adequate support from their school or local authority would be essential to adjusting to these new methods of delivery.

On the potential models for a return to school, 58% of teachers agreed that certain categories of pupils should be prioritised in a phased return to school, with 23% believing that universal access to provision (on a part-time basis) was the preferable model.

Amongst the groups of pupils that teachers believed should potentially be prioritised were children on the child protection register (75%), children identified by social work as having a challenging home environment (72%), children in transition from primary to secondary (60%), children with Additional Support Needs (58%), children of key workers (58%), and children presenting for external qualifications (53%).

Teachers felt generally positive about the level of expectations from their school and from parents regarding the level and type of support for children’s home learning. There was, however, a notable difference between the primary and secondary sectors – with primary teachers significantly more likely to agree that the expectations being placed on them were achievable.

Click here to view a copy of the full Survey report, including comments from teachers on the key issues.

Click here to view a presentation summarising the key survey findings.

TUC: Many women remain stuck in low-paid, insecure roles

 

Coronavirus has confirmed that working women are still underpaid and undervalued in Britain today, the TUC has said today as the UK marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. 

TUC analysis shows that women are much more likely than men to be key workers and, when they are, are much more likely to be on low pay.

Of an estimated 9.8 million key workers, nearly two-thirds are women. And 2.6 million women key workers earn less than £10 an hour.

TUC General Frances O’Grady said: “50 years after brave women won the legal right to equal pay, coronavirus has confirmed that pay inequality is still rife in Britain today. 

“Working women have led the fight against coronavirus, but millions of them are stuck in low paid and insecure jobs. That is not right.

“As we emerge from this crisis, we need a reckoning on how we value and reward women’s work. Without proper change it will take decades to close the gender pay gap.”

Separate TUC analysis of official data shows that at current rates of progress it will take around 50 years (until 2067) to achieve pay parity between men and women.

– Estimates of key worker earnings are based on the government’s list of key occupations and data from the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q4, 2019).

The TUC’s analysis suggests there are up to 9.8 million key workers, and that 3.7 million are paid below £10 per hour. This is based on linking four-digit occupation codes to government guidance, which is open to interpretation.

Employees Number of employees earning less than £10 per hour % of employees earning less than £10 per hour
All 27,743,698 9,361,640 34
Key workers 9,839,175 3,742,257 38
Non-key workers 17,904,523 5,619,383 31

 

Gender
All employees Number of employees paid below £10 per hour Key workers Number of key workers paid below £10 % of key workers paid below £10 Key workers as % of all employees
Male 13,935,349 3,823,471 3,572,654 1,155,611 32 26
Female 13,808,349 5,538,169 6,266,521 2,586,646 41 45
Total 27,743,698 9,361,640 9,839,175 3,742,257 38 35

For more information about the Equal Pay Act please visit: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-guidance/case-studies/how-fords-striking-women-drove-equal-pay-act

– TUC analysis of the gender pay gap is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/news/gender-pay-gap-means-women-work-free-two-months-year-says-tuc

A cautious return to the new normal: lockdown begins to ease today

Easing of  Scotland’s lockdown restrictions have been confirmed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. While some outdoor activity restrictions will ease as of today, the public are still urged to stay at home as much as possible and maintain strict physical distancing when outdoors.

From today, two households will be allowed to meet in outdoor spaces up to a suggested maximum of eight people. However, it is important that physical distancing and hygiene rules are maintained.

Announcing the measures, the First Minister said: “The only reason the Scottish Government can make these changes today is because of the sacrifices that all of you have made. So thank you, to each and every one of you.

“No change will be risk free – and there are no certainties. While I am confident of that, there is also the chance that even these limited changes will lead to much greater change in reality.

“So please act within the rules. Be respectful of each other’s space, be kind, be prepared for things to be very different and remember that each individual decision you take affects the wellbeing of all of us. How well we follow these practices now determines whether we can go further in the future. We can only take these steps towards a less restricted lifestyle, and then consider taking further steps, if people continue to obey the guidance.

“My advice is to stay home as much as possible – the virus has not gone away. If you have symptoms, get tested; wash your hands and surfaces regularly; and if you do meet family or a friend stay outdoors. Don’t put them or yourself at risk.

“People who are shielding will be well into their third month of isolation, of not being able to leave the house at all. They are uppermost in our thoughts as we think about how to safely come out of lockdown and we’ll provide more information for them in the coming weeks.

“We can only take these steps towards a less restricted lifestyle because people have, overwhelmingly, stuck to the guidance. And we will be able to take more steps more quickly in the future – if we continue to do the right thing, and to stick to the rules.”

Measures that will come into force in Phase 1 include:

  • From today (Friday), one household can now meet up with another outdoors. This can be in one household’s garden, but physical distancing is still required. It is expected households will only meet one other household within the same day and up to a recommended maximum of eight people in the overall group.
  • From today (Friday), public outdoor spaces can now be used for recreational purposes, for example to sit in a park, sunbathe or have a picnic. People should not share food and drink between households and should avoid using shared facilities, such as bathrooms. If eating, each household should bring their own food separately and avoid sharing utensils, dishes or cups and use a hand sanitiser before eating. Physical distancing between households should be maintained at all times.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), you can now travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but should remain in your local area, suggested to be five miles from your house, although we ask people to use their judgement. People are encouraged to walk, wheel or cycle where possible.
  • From Monday (1 June), staff can return to schools subject to risk assessments and appropriate physical distancing and hygiene measures being in place to support this. This is to plan and prepare for the new blended model of learning to be implemented from 11 August.
  • From Wednesday (3 June), child minding services and fully outdoor nursery provision will be available, although capacity will be limited. Both measures will be subject to increased hygiene measures, small group working and physical distancing of adults.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), most outdoor workplaces to resume with physical distancing measures in place once guidance is agreed, including horticulture, landscaping and garden centres, forestry and environmental management. Associated cafes should not reopen at this stage except for take-away and physical distancing measures should be followed.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), the construction sector is expected to be able to implement the first phase in its restart plan. A move to ‘phase 2’ of the construction sector’s plan will follow consultation with government to ensure it is safe to do so in line with public health advice.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), food outlets, restaurants and cafes are able to provide delivery, take-away and drive-through food options in line with guidance and complying and safe physical distancing measures.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), unrestricted outdoor exercise and some non-contact outdoor activities within the local area – such as golf, outdoor tennis and angling – can resume provided physical distancing is followed. It does not mean that taking part will always be safe. You should use judgement and take part only if you can do so safely, maintaining physical distancing and not putting yourself or others at risk.
  • From Monday (1 June) Household Waste Recycling Centres to begin to reopen. Sites must operate safely, ensuring physical distancing is maintained, and should only be visited when absolutely necessary to minimise journeys.

Phase 1 guidance

Route map publication

More funding found for third party grants … but is it enough?

An additional £611,000 is being distributed to support voluntary organisations helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and their families across Edinburgh – but the funding announcement will still bring bad news for some city projects.

The decision was unanimously approved at the Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday.

The groups, which include youth projects, children’s clubs, mental health charities and BAME groups, are being funded by the third party grant programme run by the Communities and Families service of the City of Edinburgh Council.

The extra money means this year’s annual grants will total nearly £4m. Initial funding of £3.37m was proposed at the Education, Children and Families Committee in March 2020 but was put on hold after deputations from community groups.

A short life working group was set up to review the grants process and report back this month. The conclusions it reached included agreeing the previous recommendations and restoring funding to groups in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1 and 2 areas of the Capital and BAME organisations.

Although 80% of the recommended awards were being distributed to organisations tackling poverty, the integrated impact assessment identified an imbalance in funding being delivered for services across SIMD 1 and 2 areas and also significant impacts on organisations providing services for the BAME communities.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic were also taken into account by the working group as there will almost certainly be a rise in unemployment after lockdown which would adversely affect SIMD 1 and 2 areas.

As a result a cross party addendum agreeing funding for an extra £611k was approved at the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday, but for some youth organisations, following years of real-tems cuts, the extra funding won’t be enough.

Education Convener Ian Perry said: “The additional £611k that has been agreed by all political parties means we are meeting our primary objective for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and their families across the whole of Edinburgh especially in SIMD 1 and 2 areas.

“We need to ensure during this Covid-19 crisis that our most disadvantaged communities are well supported and that this support is equitable across the areas that need it most. These communities are likely to be hardest hit during the outbreak and more likely to experience the worst effects of the inevitable crisis.

“We’ve already seen countless examples in the past 10 weeks of communities coming together to support vulnerable families. Now more than ever we need to continue our partnership work with the third sector and voluntary organisations as we help people rebuild their lives again and this funding will help support this aim.”

Education Vice Convener Alison Dickie said: “Our Children’s Services Plan has been the driving force for our grants programme focussing on the outcomes that best support the children, young people and families most impacted by poverty and disadvantage.

“This has resulted in 85% of the awards now being distributed to organisations tackling poverty. We’re also supporting services that deliver for children, young people and families, particularly those with lived experience of the care system, disabilities, young carers, LGBT, and BAME young people.

“The organisations we are supporting are already working hard for people living in SIMD 1 and 2 communities and these grants and decisions will help to ensure there is no gap in provision and also an equity of investment.”

Nineteen organisations will benefit for the first time and the money will be distributed to all groups until 31 August 2023 with the first year’s funding starting on 1 September this year.

In total 186 applications were received from 129 different organisations who submitted bids of £26.4m for the £10.1m three-year fund.

Five priorities were identified to support Council objectives to improve the overall health and wellbeing of young people and their families. They are:

  • Improve learning and developmental outcomes for disadvantaged babies, infants, children, young people and their families including care experienced young people
  • Improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes
  • Support the personal and social development of young people through the delivery of effective universal youth work programmes
  • Improve the level of participation in learning opportunities for all secondary school age young people and continue to increase positive destinations
  • Ensure that children and young people’s health and wellbeing are not damaged by alcohol and drugs through the delivery of effective drugs and alcohol prevention work and substance misuse services

Outcome Report of the Short Life Working Group to Examine Communities and Families Third Party Grant

Supplement Version 3 – Motions and Amendments 28052020 1000 Policy and Sustainability Committee

Edinburgh Gang Show cancelled

EDINBURGH GANG SHOW 2020

We have made the very difficult decision to cancel the Edinburgh Gang Show 2020, due to be performed at the King’s Theatre in November, because of ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.

This will be the first time in 60 years that the Gang Show has not been performed in an Edinburgh theatre, but our priority is the safety of our young people and adult volunteers.

The Gang may not be able to meet in person, but we are planning to present a virtual performance in November which will showcase the talent of our young people from South East Scotland Scouts and Girlguiding Edinburgh and bring the unique Gang Show spirit alive and online.

Please follow our social media channels for more details.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to 2021 when the Gang will once again be back at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh to make more memories.

Edinburgh Gang Show Management Team