The report from Weekend 5 of the Assembly has now been published, and you can see all the outputs including the livestream recordings on our Weekend 5 page.
Convener Kate Wimpress has also published a blog where she reflects on the last weekend.
We look forward to meeting again online on 3 and 4 October, and hope you can join us by watching the livestream on our homepage.
Best wishes,
Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat
New vehicle registrations fell by 67% from April to June 2020, compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Department for Transport.
By contrast, 19,000 ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were registered in Q2, an increase of 30% on Q2 2019.
ULEV registrations shot up as lockdown eased – 145% in June and 250% in July 2020 compared to the same time in 2019 – making up nearly 8% of all new registrations with battery and electric car registrations doubling.
The rise of new registrations of alternative fuel cars was interrupted by the impact of coronavirus, with the first year on year decline in a quarter – down 13% – since 2011. However, with a total of 33,000 vehicles, more new alternative fuel cars were registered than new diesel cars for the first time. Diesel car registrations fell 81%, with petrol cars registration dropping by 72%, compared to the same period last year.
At the end of June there were 38.4 million licensed vehicles on Britain’s roads – a 0.9% drop compared to the end of June 2019. This is only the consecutive decline in the total number of vehicles on the road since the end of the Second World War and the third drop in 75 years. New vehicle registration for April to June totalled 242,000.
UK lockdown hit vehicle dealerships hard with showrooms closing for the lockdown, which removed the main method by which new vehicles are sold. However there was welcome news for the industry in July, when a 12% increase in registrations was recorded compared to the same month last year, which is the first monthly increase since December.
Responding to the government’s newly published data Greg Wilson, founder of car insurance comparison website, Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “Even the worst post-war recessions haven’t inflicted such a devasting impact on the car industry. It’s welcome news that there are positive signs starting to emerge for manufacturers and dealerships.
“It’s interesting to see low emission vehicle sales are beginning to surge with statistics showing they were the only vehicles to show an increase in registrations this quarter – perhaps the dramatic effects of this year are driving a desire for a cleaner, greener lifestyle.
“Even the recent changes in working arrangements may have some contributing factors, with a decrease in long daily commutes to the office, and this has made low emission vehicles a viable option for more households, which only now need a car for shorter journeys.
“Whatever the reason behind this influx, the statistics suggest low emission vehicles are here to stay.”
Quotezone offers insurance quotes for a wide range of these vehicles so you can review the various additional benefits from each provider and choose the most competitive price or appropriate policy to suit your needs.
For more information visit https://www.quotezone.co.uk/car-insurance.
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the support of MSPs across the parties and the Scottish Government for a new law to protect shop workers from abuse, ahead of the stage one debate in the Scottish Parliament next Thursday (24 September).
Usdaw calls on MSPs to back the bill and for the Scottish Government to help it through the remaining stages before next year’s general election.
The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill is promoted by Daniel Johnson MSP (Labour, Edinburgh Southern) and the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee unanimously passed it to the next stage on 30 June.
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer, says: “We welcome MSPs and the Scottish Government recognising that retail workers are subject to unacceptable violence, threats and aggression every working day.
“Also understanding that age-restricted sales is a major flashpoint, where shopworkers are at risk because they enforce the law to help keep our communities safe.
“In particular, we need to recognise the work that Daniel Johnson MSP has done on behalf of our members and retail workers across Scotland by introducing this Bill and driving it forwards.
“Throughout the coronavirus emergency shop workers are ensuring that Scotland remains fed. Retail staff are at an increased risk of contracting Covid-19, yet they have continued to go to work and help respond to the crisis. Despite this, we have seen abuse, threats and violence against shop staff double this year.
“However abuse of shop workers is a problem in more normal times and, in our view, the current legal provisions do not sufficiently protect them. The Scottish Government’s support for the intentions of the Bill is welcome and we hope they will assist in securing a change in the law to better protect shopworkers before next year’s election.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says: “We hope the Scottish Parliament will lead the way on protection of shopworkers by passing this Bill. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that people working to keep food on the shelves are being abused and assaulted. Action is required. Our message is clear: abuse is not part of the job.
“Retail staff are key workers delivering essential services and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law. Shops are the cornerstone of our communities and we continue to work with the employers to improve health and safety for staff. We also call on customers to stay calm and respect shopworkers.”
Scotland’s top alternative night out, Fore Play Crazy Golf, has announced the launch of their new pop-up venue in Edinburgh city centre.
Set to open next month, Scotland’s favourite adult-only crazy golf haven’t let COVID deter their plans, and they’re bringing their love of crazy golf, great nights out and Edinburgh to the city in a complete transformation of the former Steak restaurant, located at Picardy Place.
The bold new move comes after the team had to close their first ever popup at the Biscuit Factory after only two weeks of trading earlier this year in March.
The new Fore Play Crazy Golf venue promises to be bigger and better than before, with thrill-seekers set to enjoy two floors jam-packed with fun, games and Instagrammable features. The new space boasts 9,000 sq ft and can seat up to 126 socially distanced guests throughout the venue.
Taking centre-stage the Edinburgh course features famous Auld Reekie landmarks paying tribute to some of the city centre’s most instagrammable spots including Greyfriars Bobby statue and the Scott Monument.
With a unique blend of crazy golf, mouth watering street food and cocktails made with local suppliers like Pickering’s Gin and Edinburgh Beer Factory, Fore Play Crazy Golf promises an experience which is un-fore-gettable in every way.
New venue features include a bar on each floor, as well as a heated outdoor beer garden which can seat up to 40 people, allowing players to enjoy table service throughout the venue.
Meanwhile Edinburgh’s street food superstars, The Pitt are on hand to feed hungry putters with a new food menu that boasts plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
Craig Neilson, Chief Greenkeeper at Fore Play Crazy Golf said: “COVID might have ruined our plans the first time round, but we’re excited to announce that Fore Play Crazy Golf is here to stay.
“Our new home in Edinburgh city centre is a fantastic location and we’re delighted to be able to provide people in Edinburgh with a different night out to enjoy with friends or on a date. We’ve teamed up with some of the city’s best food and drink suppliers to make sure it’ll be a night to remember.”
Quit wasting time puttering around and sign up for launch updates on Fore Play Crazy Golf! Visit their website https://foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk/edinburgh/comingSoon/
Fore Play Crazy Golf Edinburgh is set to open on Friday, 2nd October 2020 with bookings going live this week.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
STAY HYDRATED
Staying hydrated throughout the day is really important for keeping your heart and circulatory system healthy. Dehydration makes the heart work harder and it can cause your blood pressure to drop. Being hydrated can also help with weight loss as thirst can quite often feel the same as hunger!
During hot weather, or physical activity, we lose water through sweating and this can lead to dehydration. Guidance says we should aim to drink between 6-8 cups of fluid every day.
Have a read of some of our tips below to help you stay hydrated.
How do I know if I am dehydrated?
When you become dehydrated, you may notice symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, irritability or difficulty concentrating. The easiest way to tell if you are dehydrated is the colour of your urine. If your urine is pale and clear then you’re hydrated. However, if your urine becomes more yellow, brown or dark in colour with a strong smell, this suggests you aren’t drinking enough.
I’m struggling to keep hydrated – what can I do?
Regular drinks of water throughout the day is the best way to keep hydrated. Water is always best, but if you don’t like water, or want to mix things up, fluids such as herbal teas and sugar-free squash are also good. You should avoid having too many drinks with added sugar and caffeine in them, such as sweet tea and coffee, energy drinks or sugary pop.
Keeping hydrated out and about
If you’re going out for the day, make sure you take a drink with you. You can also get water from foods. Fruit and vegetables tend to have a high water content, especially cucumber, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges and apples.
Try snacking on these foods rather than foods with a high fat and salt content, such as crisps or salted nuts, as these can make you feel thirsty.
You can find more healthy tips, recipes and advice at heartresearch.org.uk.
Green-fingered gardening enthusiasts are being given expert tips on how to make their gardens bloom while keeping water usage low.
Herbaceous Supervisor at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) Kirsty Wilson, who is also a BBC Beechgrove presenter, is supporting a drive with Scottish Water to remind homeowners of ways to be more environmentally friendly when it comes to gardening.
Kirsty said that although her ‘garden’ at RBGE is 70 acres, there are plenty of methods that people can adopt in their domestic setting to ensure they are not being wasteful with water.
Ensuring water resources are protected and waste reduced is a vital part of how Scottish Water is supporting sustainability, which is being highlighted during Climate Week.
One of the best tips is to water in the morning, which will allow plants to draw from water throughout the day, avoiding anything draining away overnight.
Kirsty said: “We can train our plants to drink water slowly by giving them less water, which will actually encourage them to drink less. In essence, if you keep the glass half full, your plants will adapt and learn to drink more slowly.
“If we swap hoses for watering cans, we can save a lot of water – using a watering can slows the flow of water, meaning more water stays in your plant pot rather than running out of the base.”
People with gardens should avoid watering lawns and grass, as the average lawn will bounce back quickly after a burst of rainfall – which is still always likely in Scotland.
Kirsty, who has also worked at Highgrove House for HRH the Prince of Wales, RBGE’s royal patron, added: “You can make your garden more environmentally friendly by installing a water butt – not only is rainwater better for your plans than mains tap water, it reduces pressure on drains during periods of heavy rain.
“If you don’t have space for a water butt, you can improve how well your soil holds water by adding organic materials like homemade compost, so when it does rain the soil retains more water.
“Water from your household is also ok to use, with care, on your outdoor plants – water from your kitchen, washing machine, baths or showers, is safe to use on most garden plants.”
RBGE is the latest to Join the Wave in supporting Scottish Water’s ‘Your Water Your Life’ campaign, which aims to encourage people to celebrate the country’s precious, natural resource – our Scottish tap water.
According to Kirsty and RBGE, gardens play an important role in preventing surface water from flooding urban areas. Green spaces soak up rain, whereas tarmac and paving can increase the amount of rainwater that runs off into street drains.
RBGE is also pioneering an experimental ‘Raingarden’ which is already proving to be helpful in understanding and planning strategies for coping with unpredictable weather.
Kirsty added: “Longer dry periods followed by heavy downpours are particularly problematic in terms of maintaining plant health and avoiding localised flooding in gardens of all sizes.
“Lawns are simply not effective at soaking up or trapping excess water and the answer does not lie in resorting to concrete or paving. We need to develop different gardening practices. Replacing hard surfaces and grass areas with a mixed selection of herbaceous perennials and shrubs can capture water runoff and increase the wildlife and habitat value of the area. This is a model that can be picked up and adapted to suit the needs of any plot, large or small.”
Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: “‘Your Water Your Life’ aims to highlight the importance of water in all of our lives, encouraging us to think about our water usage in a different way.
“Gardens and green spaces played a huge role in our lives during lockdown as a positive place and outlet for many of us to channel our energy. These tips show us how easy it is to keep our gardens green and beautiful while also being mindful of how much water we use.
“As we all strive to reduce the impact of all our activity on the environment and increase biodiversity, using water efficiently, saving it where we can and reducing waste, will really help.”
As Herbaceous Supervisor at RBGE, Kirsty is part of a globally important plant research and conservation horticulture institute, working at home and around the world to combat the impact of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.
Kirsty works with scientists and fellow horticulturists, outreach ranges from engaging with students and volunteers to her Beechgrove appearances, leading tours, writing articles, and inspiring citizens of Scotland to make changes for the better.
Find out more at: https://www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk/
Edinburgh International Film Festival and Unique Events, organisers of Drive-in Movies at Edinburgh Airport, are pleased to announce a special Halloween programme for the next four-day outdoor cinema extravaganza, supported by Edinburgh Live, taking place between 29 October and 1 November.
Packed-full with scary movies and fright-filled pre-film activities with ghoulish prizes, this special event is the perfect Halloween celebration in a safe, socially-distant environment.
Tickets for the Drive-in Movies – Halloween edition are now on sale at edinburghdrivein.co.uk with another fantastic programme of cinema classics including Ghostbusters, Jaws, The Lost Boys and Halloween alongside family favourites such as E.T., Coco and Jurassic Park.
Following a very successful opening weekend in August which saw over 4,000 people enjoying the event in a safe and family-friendly environment, Drive-in Movies fun continues this October with a scarily fantastic programme of Halloween-themed films and activities.
Edinburgh DJ Stewart Calverto will once again warm-up the crowds as ‘Count Calverto’ with Halloween-themed sing-along car disco and quizzes with spot prizes. There will also be ghoulish prizes for the best Halloween costumes and best Car-ved Pumpkins displayed on dashboards.
Edinburgh’s Drive-in Movies truly is the place to go for Halloween fun this year!
Audiences are being asked to vote on social media on their Fright Night Favourite horror film for the late Sunday slot: Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic Psycho (1960), John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror The Thing (1982), William Friedkin’s supernatural The Exorcist (1973) or Wes Craven’s first of the slasher series, Scream (1996). To cast a vote, check out Edinburgh International Film Festival’s poll on Twitter and Facebook.
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER
6.30pm GHOSTBUSTERS, 1984 (captioned)
10pm ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, 1975 (captioned)
FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER
6.30pm THE LOST BOYS, 1987 (captioned)
10pm DONNIE DARKO, 2001
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
10.30am COCO, 2017 (captioned)
2pm E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, 1982 (captioned)
6pm JAWS, 1975 (captioned)
10pm HALLOWEEN, 1978
SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER
10.30am HOCUS POCUS, 1993 (captioned)
2pm LABYRINTH, 1986 (captioned)
5.30pm JURASSIC PARK, 1993 (captioned)
9.30pm public vote film: PSYCHO / THE THING / THE EXORCIST / SCREAM
Tickets are available now at www.edinburghdrivein.co.uk, priced from £27.50 to £35.00 (+ booking fee) per vehicle for up to 5 persons.
This top-notch selection of films will be shown on a state of the art 100sqm LED screen, one of the largest mobile screens in the world with the audio broadcast straight to cars, for audiences to control the soundtrack.
Prior to each film, audiences will be able to sample some of the best fish and chips in the country from seafood specialists Alandas and for those not behind the wheel, Edinburgh-based award-winning brewery Cold Town Beer will be on site to serve beers and cocktails, as well as burgers and nachos.
Edinburgh Napier has made a dramatic surge through UK university rankings in back-to-back assessments carried out for the national Press.
The University climbed 38 places in the rankings for The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021, published this weekend, and was the highest placed of the Scottish post-1992 modern universities.
The success follows hot on the heels of another significant leap, in the Guardian University Guide, which saw Edinburgh Napier move up 43 places in the overall table.
And just two months ago, the University was ranked number one in Edinburgh for student satisfaction, according to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2020.
The largest student feedback survey in the world revealed an overall satisfaction level of 86 per cent at the University – up seven per cent on last year.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Our climb through the rankings is a wonderful lift for everyone at Edinburgh Napier in what are, and will continue to be, extremely challenging times for Higher Education.
“These tables are based on varying sets of metrics so to perform so impressively in successive assessments of the university landscape is a tribute to the hard work which goes into ensuring studying here is a rewarding experience.
“It is particularly pleasing to be ranked the top modern university in Scotland, an accolade which will inspire us to keep setting high standards as we embark on a new academic year.”
The Times and Sunday Times Guide places Edinburgh Napier ninth in Scotland and 63rd in the UK, a significant leap from last year’s UK rank of 101st.
Fuller details of the analysis carried out for the guide will be published on Sunday, but it follows the jump of 43 places in the Guardian Guide earlier this month, the largest increase in rank of any Scottish institution, to joint 62nd out of 122 UK universities.
The earlier guide saw Edinburgh Napier named the top institution for Film Production & Photography in the UK, and number one for Music and Media & Film Studies among the modern universities.
The university had five subjects in the top 10 for UK institutions – Film Production & Photography (1), Media & Film Studies (5), Hospitality, Event Management & Tourism (6), Music (7) and Journalism, Publishing & Public Relations (10).
The National Student Survey which was published over the summer saw satisfaction levels among students rise in all six of the University’s Schools; Applied Sciences (84 to 86 per cent), Arts & Creative Industries (84 to 94), Computing (81 to 85), Engineering & the Built Environment (78 to 79), Health & Social Care (67 to 81) and the Business School (84 to 87).
Every university in the UK participates in the survey.
TWO men aged 26 and 29 have been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted murder in Edinburgh.
The incident happened around 6.45pm last Sunday (13 September) when police and emergency services were called after a 34-year-old man was seriously injured during an altercation in Panmure Place. His condition is currently described as stable.
Both men are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday (21 September). A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will spend the weekend considering whether to tighten Covid-19 measures further, after saying the UK was “now seeing a second wave”.
Speaking during a visit to a Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre construction site near Oxford, Mr Johnson said: “There’s no question, as I’ve said for several weeks now, that we could expect – and are now seeing – a second wave coming in.
“We are seeing it in France, in Spain, across Europe – it has been absolutely, I’m afraid, inevitable we were going to see it in this country.”
The government is now looking at a ban on households in England mixing, and reducing opening hours for pubs and restaurants and is considering the introduction of a nationwide ‘circuit break’ to halt the spread of the virus.
At least 13.5 million people – around one in five of the UK population – are already facing local restrictions, including a swathe of the West of Scotland. The latest area to be added is the North West of England, which will see new measures introduced on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister only has direct power over restrictions in England, however, and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can set their own rules. They are urging the PM to call an emergency COBRA meeting over the weekend to agree a coordinated approach to address the latest surge.
Coronavirus cases are now doubling everTy seven to eight days, with 4,322 confirmed cases yesterday – the highest daily total of positive tests 8 May.
Mr Johnson said he did not “want to go into bigger lockdown measures” but that tighter social distancing rules might be necessary.
He added: “Clearly when you look at what is happening, you have got to wonder whether we need to go further than the rule of six that we brought in on Monday.”
Scotland’s Firt Minister Ms Sturgeon said the next few days would be “critical” to avoid another full-scale lockdown in Scotland.
