Day: July 28, 2020

Scottish business confidence remains low

Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for July 2020 shows:

  • Overall confidence of firms in Scotland rose four points in the past month to     -37%
  • Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was unchanged month-on-month at -33%
  • One in ten (9%) businesses experienced an increase in demand, up four points on June

Business confidence in Scotland rose four points during July to -37%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Companies in Scotland reported the same level in confidence in their business prospects month-on-month at -33%.  When taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -37%.

The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

The majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected by coronavirus during July. Almost two thirds (64%) experienced a fall in demand for their products and services, up six points on the month before. However, 9% experienced an increase in demand, up four points on June.

With the Job Retention Scheme beginning to wind down from August, two fifths (41%) of Scottish firms surveyed said they didn’t currently have any furloughed workers.

Of the 55% of businesses reporting disruption to their supply chain during July, 18% expected the situation to improve within three months, while only 2% expected it would take more than 12 months to return to normal levels.

Fraser Sime, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “While marginal, the slight increase in confidence we’ve seen this month is a step in the right direction.

“There’s still a long way to go for confidence to fully recover, but the current transition to Phase 3 of lockdown should hopefully continue to boost many firms’ trading prospects.

“Pessimism is waning in many English regions as the hospitality and leisure sectors open their doors once again. With many firms beginning to restart operations here in Scotland this month, August will be telling as to whether the same confidence-inducing effect will take hold here too.”

National overview

At UK level, confidence increased eight points to -22% during July. The North East was the most confident region at -3% followed by the West Midlands (-7%) and the North West          (-15%). Wales and Scotland were the least confident with -31% and -37% respectively.

In July, the retail sector increased 11 points to -12%, manufacturing increased 14 points to -21% and services rose 10 points to -26%. However, construction fell eight points to -22% after last month’s strong increase of 30 percentage points.

Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “With only one region reporting a fall in sentiment, we are starting to see sentiment lift for the vast majority of regions across the UK. 

“The easing of lockdown restrictions, including the reopening of the economy and the relaxation of social distancing rules, has resulted in most businesses reporting improvements in demand, from a record-low base. This is key for the summer season, which will allow businesses to continue to open their doors and trade in the weeks and months ahead.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While the results suggest the economy is starting to see some improvement, economic confidence still remains in deep negative territory.

“The Government announcement of the slight easing of social distancing measures has now enabled over half of businesses to reach their capacity and resume their usual activities. However, how businesses will continue to respond to the Job Retention Scheme will be key in the coming months.”

World’s Strongest Disabled Man Attempts 100-Mile Hand-Cycle Ride for Charity

Pete Linnett, 3x World’s Strongest Disabled Man, will attempt to hand-cycle 100 miles from Leicester to Skegness this summer in aid of the charity Spinal Research.

The 56-year-old, who was born with spina bifida and uses crutches to walk, will attempt the event on 15 August with 6 close friends.

“I am one of the lucky few who can still walk, and I exercise this by supporting those who can’t,” the man from Glen Parva said. “Spinal Research is a cause close to my heart because I know there are a lot of people worse off than me”.

Pete, who is also a 4x World Bench Press Champion, first wanted to attempt this challenge in 2015 but broke his knee so had to pull out.

He then managed to complete the challenge in 2017 and raised nearly £1000 for Spinal Research in the process.

“I swore I’d never EVER do it again, but I am too easily persuaded!” the former British Paralympian said.

While training, Pete also planned another challenge to take on afterwards, where he will bench press 10 reps at 60kg every 5 minutes for 6 hours, also in aid of Spinal Research.

For more information about Pete Linnett go to his Instagram @petelinnett_poweror to donate, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pete-linnett1

For more information about Spinal Research contact info@spinal-research.org or call on 020 7653 8935

Line-Up Announced For Free Fringe Festival Online

Laughing Horse Comedy has launched its 2020 Edinburgh Free Fringe programme, which will take place online next month. The spirit of the Fringe is alive and well in August with a packed programmme of comedy shows, children’s shows, cabaret and spoken word.

Shows are a performed live, and run from August 7th to 30th – with shows available each day apart from Tuesdays. These are available a streamed content for free with donations given like a free Festival show would be in Edinburgh, or held in a ‘Pay What You Want’ ticketed video conference call, set-up to allowing people to get free tickets, or offer a donation to the performers.

The shows are all from performers who have been seen before at the Free Festival, including Dave TV award winning comic Masai Graham with his 101 Jokes shows, a comedy chat show hosted by leading Scottish comic Vladimir McTavish, regular family-friendly Comedy Sportz Improv shows, the return of Peter Michael Marino’s hit kids show ‘Show Up, Kids’, worldwide Festival hit ‘Joke Thieves’, plus Comedy and Cabaret performed live from the USA, a Science Chat show, a new panel show and solo shows including new shows from comedians Meryl O’Rourke, Charmian Hughes (pictured), Singapore’s Sam See, Sasha Ellen and more.

For Fringe fans in Edinburgh there will also be the opportunity to see some of the shows at our venues – with some of the performances planned to be broadcast live on the big screens at our Three Sisters and Pear Tree venues, two of the usual big hubs of Fringe activity in August.

Laughing Horse Comedy, who run free Festival and it’s director Alex Petty think this is a great opportunity to keep the spirit of the Fringe alive in it’s first ever fallow year, support performers and keep some of the fans of the Fringe entertained both at home and in Edinburgh.

This also helps in the early planning for the 2021 Fringe which is already underway, that of course is very likely to see changes for shows of covid-19 is still with us –  especially for free shows that have until now remained predominately unticketed, something that will need to change to a ticketed or Pay What You Want model in the ‘new normal’.

The full line-up is available now on www.freefestival.co.uk

Building Back for the Better

– a perspective from Carnegie UK Trust –

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every part of our society: our economy; our environment; our social connections; and the relationships we have with our governments.

As we embark on the process of recovery, the Carnegie UK Trust believes that there is a collective responsibility to use what we have learned, not just to repair the damage, but to reconsider the fundamentals of economic, social and democratic structures that are no longer delivering positive outcomes for citizens and communities.

Others have referred to this process of collaborative sense-making as “building back better”. “Building Back for the Better: a perspective from Carnegie UK Trust” is our own contribution to that debate.

We have used what we know from our long history of research and practice development to set out a series of propositions, backed up by recommendations of practical things that could be done to improve wellbeing. The propositions are:

  • National wellbeing can be the goal
  • The relationship between the state and the citizen can be reset
  • The future can be local (as well as global)
  • Our relationship with work can be remodelled
  • We can build a new level of financial resilience
  • Technology can be for all

These will not be the only things that require to be considered for the medium-term recovery, but we hope that by taking a wide perspective we can connect the recovery effort with the transformative change to prevailing systems that so many have identified a need for, both before and during this pandemic.

Over the coming months, we will continue to work with organisations across all our networks to understand the impact of the pandemic on the people they work for. This will include central and local government; third sector and community organisations; credit providers; good work stakeholders, and many others. Where gaps remain in the space for collective sense-making, we will explore new opportunities to stimulate the necessary discussions.

If you would like to contribute to these conversations, please email me (Sarah@CarnegieUK.org) or join the debate online by tagging @CarnegieUKTrust – we would be pleased to hear from you.

Best wishes,

Sarah

Sarah Davidson

Chief Executive, Carnegie UK Trust

More student accommodation planned for Murieston Crescent

Maven Capital Partners, a leading UK property and private equity manager, has purchased a site at Murieston Crescent for the development of a purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) complex.

The site, which was acquired for £2.8 million, is situated in a prime location close to Haymarket in Edinburgh’s West End, and strategically placed for Heriot-Watt, Napier and Edinburgh universities. Situated only 1.1 miles from Princes Street, Murieston Crescent has all amenities within walking distance and benefits from strong transport links.

Maven has taken Murieston Crescent through the full planning process with permission now granted for a 120-bed PBSA development, comprising of 108 studio apartments and 12 ensuite cluster flats over six floors. The development is estimated to cost £15 million with a practical completion targeted for summer 2022.

Maven says there remains an acute shortage of purpose built accommodation for students in Edinburgh. It is estimated that around 60% of Edinburgh’s full-time student population are unable to access either university provided or private purpose built student accommodation.

Maven has extensive experience in the PBSA sector where it has developed, asset managed and operated properties across the UK, including Glasgow, Dundee, Durham, Liverpool and Birmingham. 

It was also the asset manager for Mill Hill, a 257-bed student accommodation complex on Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, which was sold for £25.1 million in 2018. The Murieston Crescent transaction represents Maven’s 14th PBSA development, totalling over 2,000 beds.

Colin Anderson, Partner at Maven, said: “The PBSA sector has a history of low volatility and, despite the wider macro-economic issues which have resulted from the COVID-19 crisis, we are continuing to see strong student sentiment to continue their education with an increase in applications this year to UK universities and colleges according to UCAS data.

“We are confident that any uncertainties around academic start dates will only have a short-term impact while markets normalise and, once global travel restrictions lift, we will once again see the UK, and in particular Edinburgh, as one of the world’s most popular hotspots for overseas students.”

“Our design team is currently reviewing various Covid related augmentations such as contactless entry and filtered ventilation systems to ensure the building is a safe and secure environment for its residents.”

Will Scarlett of Scarlett Land and Development, who acted for the Seller, commented: “SLD are delighted to have completed this transaction on behalf of The Route Finance which has required patience and tenacity by both parties.

“This is one of several PBSA deals brokered by SLD at the current time that demonstrate that the Edinburgh market remains solid for the right site in the right location”.

Heart Research UK Healthy tip – Healthy lunches

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK:

Lunch is an important meal for providing the energy and nutrients required to get you through the afternoon. On busy days, it is easy to grab lunch on the go without thinking too much about whether it is good for you.

The key to a healthy lunch is to get a good variety of foods that will provide you with the nutrients you need to stay healthy. We have some tips for adding some heart healthy lunches to your weekly meal plan.

Plan your lunches in advance

Planning meals in advance will allow you to put a little more thought into what you are eating as well as saving you time and money. Try creating a weekly meal plan before the start of the week and shop for the ingredients you need in advance. If possible, prepare your lunch the night before or in the morning as this can stop you from filling up on less healthy foods when you feel hungry.

Keep it simple

There are some quick and simple ways to prepare a healthy lunch without spending hours in the kitchen. Try cooking large quantities of home-made soup or stews and store single portions in the freezer. Simple meals, such as baked beans on wholemeal toast or wholemeal pita stuffed with hummus and salad are also quick and easy to prepare. On busy days, you could heat up leftovers from the night before to save time. 

Stick with wholegrain

Wholegrain foods provide a good source of fibre, which is good for your heart. Try to regularly include a portion of wholegrain food in your lunches, such as brown bread, wholemeal pita, wholemeal pasta or brown rice.

Include plenty of fruit and veg

Fruit and vegetables are packed with nutrients and fibre to help keep your heart healthy. Find healthy salad or vegetable soup recipes online or in recipe books to include in your lunch plan. Finish off your lunches with a portion of fruit and a low-calorie yoghurt. 

Include lean sources of protein in your lunches

Foods that are high in protein can help you to feel full for longer and this can prevent you from snacking on less healthy foods during the day. Lean sources of protein include grilled skinless chicken or turkey, canned tuna, soybeans, tofu and low-fat dairy products. 

MSPs to investigate impact of Covid-19 on local government finance

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Scottish council finances and whether it will lead to a “new normal” in the way some services are delivered is to be investigated by a Holyrood Committee.

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee has launched a call for views on the impact of Covid-19 on the financial sustainability of local government in Scotland.

MSPs will seek to identify which council services have been most impacted by the public health emergency, as well as exploring which parts of local government have been least affected or most resilient.

A key focus for the Committee will be what steps local government takes, in the short and long term, to manage the financial impact of the crisis. It will also ask what further help councils will need to overcome the ongoing funding pressures.

Looking beyond the crisis, the Committee is also keen to hear views on how soon the sector will return to normal, or whether it is time for a “new normal” in the way councils deliver services and what that future might look like.

Committee Convener, James Dornan MSP, said: “Councils are responsible for delivering a vast range of important services that are a crucial part of our everyday lives; from social care and street cleaning to public libraries and planning. 

“When Covid-19 struck earlier this year, it had a massive impact on local authorities. They suddenly had to change basic working practices and finds ways of delivering emergency services to many vulnerable people. This has had a knock-on effect on their ability to maintain some core services.

“Council staff have risen to the challenge and there are many positive stories to share – for instance on how councils worked with others to help homeless people and rough sleepers during the lockdown.

“However, the impact of Covid-19 will likely be felt for years and the full extent of the financial implications, and the ability of councils to provide these vital public services, remains unclear. We therefore want to hear views on what can be done to help councils weather the financial storm, in the short and long-term.

“We also want to know if the crisis has also provided an opportunity for fresh thinking about how councils deliver local services and local democracy and whether there are already good practises councils can share.

The Committee scrutinises Scottish Government housing policy, as well as local government housing responsibilities, and views on the impact of Covid-19 on housing policy are also welcome.

To help with its scrutiny work, the Committee wants to hear views on these issues:

1. How has Covid-19 impacted the local government sector and, in particular, council finances? Which council responsibilities are most impacted?

2. Which parts of local government have been least affected or most resilient?

3. What help will councils need in future from the Scottish Government or others to overcome the ongoing financial strain?

4. What can local government sector do, in the short and long term, to manage the financial impact of the crisis? What positive examples can councils and others share about the good work done at local government and community level to lessen the crisis?

5. How soon do you think the sector will be back to normal? Or is this time for a “new normal” in the way we deliver some council services or practice local democracy? If so, what will it look like?

The call for views is open until Friday 4 September 2020.

Please send your views to:

LocalGovernmentandCommunities@parliament.scot or https://yourviews.parliament.scot/lgc/local-gov-sustainability-covid

Sign up for garden waste collection

The current garden waste service year ends on 8 November. Registration opens from 10am this Thursday (30th July).

  • Registration opens for garden waste on 30 July and the cost remains at £25 per bin
  • Residents need to sign up by 9 September to continue to use the service
  • We’re extending the current service year until 8 November to make up for collections being temporarily suspended due to coronavirus

To continue to receive collections in the next service year which runs until 7 November 2021, residents need to renew their permit or sign up for one by 2pm on 9 September. 

The current service year for fortnightly brown bin collections was due to end on 4 October but we’re extending current permits to make up for the service being temporarily suspended in springtime due to coronavirus. The current health pandemic also means that we’re encouraging residents to register online and we’ve made this easier by making the MyGov sign in optional. 

Unfortunately, you’re not able to pay in person at locality offices this year as they are being used as community resilience centres for coronavirus, but you can also pay over the phone. Phone lines are likely to be busy so if you’re unable to register online yourself, we’d encourage you to ask a friend or relative to help you.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “I’m sure that like me you’ll be delighted to hear that since last October, garden waste customers have helped us turn nearly 10,000 tonnes of garden waste into compost, which is used on farms, gardens and green spaces, so I’m pleased to see the service up and running with the chance for people to renew their permits and continue this in the future.

“We need to charge for collection though as our costs are increasing, and more people are using our services, whilst our income is reducing. The £25 per year charge was agreed by the Council at a meeting in February 2018 and raised £1.8 million towards the cost of providing the service last year.

“We’ve made a decision to keep our charge at £25 per bin. This is one of the lowest annual fees in Scotland among local authorities operating a similar service and works out at just under 50 pence a week.

If you’d like your garden waste picked up during our next service year – which starts in November – please make sure you sign up or renew your permit by 2pm on 9 September. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to continue collecting your bin every fortnight after November when the next service year starts unless you’re signed up.”

Emails and letters are being sent to all 70,900 current subscribers to the service advising them on how to renew their permits so look out for those dropping into your inbox from 30 July.

About the service

  • Permits cost £25 per brown bin. A one-off payment of £25 will be taken by debit or credit card, unless you’re exempt from paying because you receive Council Tax Reduction.
  • The deadline to register is 2pm on 9 September and the quickest and easiest way to do this is on our website.
  • You can also register and pay over the phone by calling 0131 357 2800. Please note we expect phone lines to be busy and there may be long waiting times. Phonelines are open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3.40pm Friday. Please note we don’t accept cash or cheques.
  • The deadline to register is 2pm on 9 September and the quickest and easiest way to do this is on our website.
  • The next service year will run from 9 November 2020 – 7 November 2021.
  • Brown bins will be emptied once every two weeks, except over the festive period when there will be no collections between 14 December 2020 and 10 January 2021
  • There will be another opportunity to sign up to the new service year, but the payment will remain at £25 and permits will be valid until 7 November 2021.
  • Once we’ve received your payment, we’ll send you a new garden waste calendar and a permit sticker between 23 October and 4 November to put on your brown bin before the new service year starts. We can only empty bins with valid permit stickers.

Exemptions

If you are a low income household and receive Council Tax Reduction (formerly called Council Tax Benefit) or you, or someone who lives with you, has been classed as severely mentally impaired, the service will be free, but you’ll still need to register for the service. Other council tax discounts, such as single occupancy or disabled person discount, don’t qualify for this reduction. Households that pay for garden aid are not exempt from paying for the service.

Further information about the service is available on the city council website, Including details about alternative ways to pay, exemptions, how to pay on behalf of someone else and terms and conditions.

CCTV images released following serious assault in Grassmarket

Serious assault West Port

Police in Edinburgh have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious assault in the Grassmarket.

The incident took place in West Port at around 12.00 am on Friday, 4 October, 2019, when a 24-year-old man sustained a serious injury to his face.

The man in the image may be able to assist officers and anyone who recognises him is asked to contact police.

He is described as white, aged between 25 to 35-years-old, with brown hair. He was wearing a light brown jacket, dark jumper, dark jeans and dark shoes.

Detective Constable Thomas Archer, of Gayfield CID said: “The victim was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary having sustained serious injuries to his face.

“As part of our ongoing enquiries, we’re urging anyone who may recognise this man, or who has any information about this incident, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4699 of 4 October, 2019, or report this anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

MP to lead free online funding workshop for local charities

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deirdre Brock will take part in a virtual funding workshop, with People’s Postcode Lottery, for local charities, volunteer organisations, and community groups throughout the local area.

The session will give good causes in Ms Brock’s constituency advice on how they can apply for funds to make a difference in their community.

The live Zoom event takes place on Tuesday 11 August at 10am.

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £398,687 for smaller good causes and community projects in Edinburgh North and Leith. Wellspring Scotland received £13,950 to deliver mental health and well-being support work to adults, children and young people in Leith.

£17,500 went to Leith Theatre Trust’s LTYardheads project, helping people within the surrounding community access theatre through drama, acting and creativity groups.

MP Deidre Brock said: “Hundreds of thousands of pounds, raised thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery players, has already had a hugely positive impact on the places and people of Edinburgh North and Leith.

“This free virtual funding session will give good causes throughout the area the guidance they need on how to apply for funding. Funding that many good causes need now more than ever before.

“I’d strongly encourage local good causes within the community to sign up and find out more about the funding opportunities available to them.”

Community programmes advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, Katherine Sellar, added: “The money raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery is making a huge difference in communities across the country.

“We want to do all we can to help local charities and good causes successfully apply – particularly at a time when many are losing out on essential funds. Our free virtual workshop is a useful opportunity for smaller, local charities and groups to find out about the funding available, get pointers on applying and ask us any questions.”

More than £500 million has been raised for thousands of charities and good causes, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

To attend contact funding@postcodelottery.co.uk.