Month: October 2020

Free financial health checks with local financial planner

To celebrate Financial Planning Week 2020 (5-11 October 2020) and World Financial Planning Day (7 October 2020), wealth manager Charles Stanley is offering free one-hour consultations with a financial planner.

Advisers in the Edinburgh office will be on hand to help people understand how they can achieve financial wellbeing and identify what steps they need to take to help reach their future goals. 

With the market and future so uncertain due to the Covid pandemic, many people are looking at their financial situation as their circumstances are changing, but planning finances can appear daunting and getting it wrong could be very costly. 

Anyone with questions around areas such as retirement, savings and investments or estate planning and inheritance, might benefit from getting an outside expert view.

Sam Cowan, Financial Planner at Charles Stanley says: “Many people think that only very wealthy people need advice, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Anyone planning for life milestones such as buying a home, planning for retirement or saving for their children’s university education can benefit. 

“There have been a number of tax and pension changes over the last year which can be complex which means people often miss out on available options and getting advice can really pay off and make a difference to your financial future.”

To book a video or telephone appointment for a free one-hour, introductory meeting call 0203 553 7384, email or fill in the form through our website. Appointments are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Top 10 reasons to see a financial planner:

  1. Retirement:  Avoid common retirement planning traps and get help in making crucial decisions such as whether it’s better to buy an annuity and how to get the best deal or if it’s better to draw money from your pension without buying an annuity to secure your future income.  Some people may be considering, or forced to consider, early retirement and need help in putting their affairs in place. 
  2. Pension planning: many people are notputting enough aside to ensure the retirement they ideally want, while others want help in transferring their pensions from one scheme to another and consolidating them.

3. Inheritance:  whether you have inherited a sum of money and want to make the most of it, or if you want to plan ahead for passing on your estate to make sure your loved ones get as much of your hard-earned money as possible, it is worth getting advice.   The sooner you start planning, the more options you have to minimise the amount of inheritance tax that might be due, such as looking at trusts or lifetime gifts and annual exemptions.  Similarly, if the main or sole earner in your household has passed away you may need help in sorting out your financial affairs.

4.       Children’s savings:  saving little and often from an early age can build into a substantial nest egg by the time your children leave school.  Explore the most tax-efficient options of saving, from JISA’s to pensions, and whether cash or stocks and shares solutions are the most appropriate for your needs. 

5.       Preparing for life milestones: whether you are looking at buying your first home, changing career, starting a family, paying for your child’s education or planning for retirement, it’s important to make sure you are financially prepared. Take time to set goals and think about what your priorities are to put the best savings scheme in place for your life ambitions.

6.       Succession planning: having a succession plan in place is crucial to safeguard a continued smooth running of your business or estate.  Transferring a business to a new owner can have significant tax implications, so it’s important to understand how the funds from the sale of your company may tie into your own personal wealth objectives.

7.       Tax-efficiency:  tax rules are complex and there are a number of tax allowances and exemptions to be aware of, to ensure you are not paying more tax than you should be.  From Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT) to Charitable Giving and tax-efficient saving, there many ways to make sure you are taking advantage of all the legitimate tax breaks you are entitled to. 

8.       Long-term care planning: with the onus increasingly on the individual to meet some or all of the expense of long-term care should it be needed, there are a number of options to consider, from covering the costs from savings and investments or taking a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with the local authority to equity release or taking out an immediate care annuity.  By planning early, you can ensure you are prepared. 

9.       Divorce:  going through a divorce is a stressful transition and a financial planner can be invaluable when it comes to cataloguing assets and advising on potential distribution, as well as other important factors, to ensure you are in the best possible financial position going forward. 

10.   Lifestyle protection:  make sure your family is protected and reduce the burden of life-changing events by arranging flexible protection policies to provide peace of mind such as life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection.

How to choose a financial planner

  • Get a recommendation:  speak to family and friends and see if they can recommend anyone.
  • Check qualifications and expertise
  • Get references:  speak to existing clients and check if they advise any clients in a similar situation to you.
  • How do they charge?  Make sure you get a breakdown of their charges and that you fully understand what you are getting for your money.
  • The psychology of money:  can the financial planner work out a financial life plan for you and create a vision for the future with a related financial plan?
  • Meet them:  make sure you feel they understand you and what you are trying to achieve.  Establishing a relationship with a financial planner you can trust is critical to achieving your goals.  Make the most of free consultations.
  • Do the understanding test:  make sure they explain everything clearly and don’t use jargon.  If you can explain their advice to a family friend, and if they understand it and can sense check it for you, then that’s a good way of checking that advice is sound.
  • What do you really, really want?  be clear about the advice you are looking for and what you hope to gain from the meeting and make sure they can offer it and are focused.
  • Check they are regulated:  they should be authorised by the FCA so check they are on its Register.

Concern over COVID outbreaks in two Lothian care homes

Two Lothian care homes are under investigation by NHS Lothian following significant coronavirus outbreaks.

53 cases have been reported in Redmill Care home in Broxburn while 29 people have tested positive for the virus in Millford House Care Home in Duddingston.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “My thoughts are with the families and loved ones who have died from this cruel virus at these care homes.

“Since the start of the covid-19 outbreak care homes have been by far where the highest proportion of deaths have been, with residents at higher risk to Covid-19 and living under the same roof.

“SNP Ministers have failed to introduce effective infection prevention measures comprehensively across all care homes, which has left residents at greater risk.”

800 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported across Scotland in the last 24 hours. Of these, 164 are in Lothian.

Local MSP Neil Findlay said: “I am very concerned about the situation at Redmill care home in Whitburn (above) where there is an outbreak of Covid 19 – the company and Scottish Govt must be transparent about the situation and advise families and staff about the situation.

“Families are very appreciative of the efforts of staff at the home who are very worried about their wellbeing and that of all their residents.”

Updated guidance for parent and baby groups

The number of adults allowed to attend parent and baby groups has been increased, subject to certain conditions, following the publication of updated public health advice.

When all children in a group are less than 12 months old, and other health and safety criteria are met, groups will now allow up to ten adults to be present at one time. Where children are over 12 months, the maximum number of adults allowed will remain five.

Announcing the updated guidance, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We understand the vital importance of parent and baby groups, especially for supporting mental health and wellbeing in the early months after having a baby. That is particularly important just now, as we know the pandemic has the potential to increase stress and anxiety for new mothers.

“We are also, however, trying to keep an extremely infectious virus from spreading and protect the health of families and the wider community.

“I hope that this updated guidance will help us to strike the correct balance. No one wants restrictions in place a moment longer than needed, but until then we are all having to accept circumstances that we would not normally ever want to.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): organised activities for children

Subject to content of the guidance and the following conditions being met, the maximum number of adults who can attend has been set to 10:

o where all children in the group are less than 12 months old

o where the space allows for appropriate physical distancing

o where face coverings must be worn at all times by anyone, except when sitting down

o where the service provider meets all the health and safety criteria and can comply with any specific conditions set out by the venue provider at all times

o where the duration of the activity is kept to a minimum and other blended delivery options are considered including use of outside space and digital delivery

o where group attendees and facilitators, as far as possible, are kept consistent and do not change regularly

M8 fatality: victim named

A woman killed following a crash on the M8 has been named as Lynda Mudd from Chapelhall, Airdrie.

Officers received a report of a one car crash involving a red Vauxhall Corsa around 4.05am on Friday, 2 October, close to junction 5 on the M8 eastbound.

Nobody was in the car when road policing officers arrived to move the vehicle which was damaged and in a dangerous position on the motorway. Reports were then received of a woman seen on the westbound carriageway near the Shotts off-slip at junction 5.

The woman died at the scene and she was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the Vauxhall Corsa, 51-year-old Lynda Mudd.

The M8 was closed in both directions between junction 4 and junction 5 from 6am until 9.40pm on Friday to allow investigation work to be carried out.

Chief Inspector Darren Faulds, of Road Policing, said: “This is a distressing incident and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Lynda was hit by a vehicle around the time she was seen on the westbound carriageway just after 4.05am near the Shotts off-slip.

“Various drivers have contacted us already who were travelling on the road at that time and I would encourage anyone else who hasn’t to please get in touch. We’re trying to build a picture of what happened.

“This is a complex investigation and we would like to thank the public for their patience on Friday while the road remained closed for over 15 hours.

“Anyone who has any information about this incident, was travelling on the M8 near Shotts around 4.05am on Friday or has dashcam footage from that area, please contact us.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0355 of 2 October 2020.

Western General group is local litter picking hub

As part of its commitment to supporting local communities to tackle local litter issues, environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is creating 20 new litter picking hubs across Scotland by providing free litter picking equipment that will be available for individuals and groups to borrow, following strict social distancing and safety guidance.

In Edinburgh, the Sustainability Committee at the Western General Hospital will receive a kit, making the group the first hub in the Edinburgh area.

You can contact the local hub by email at ECRF.sustainability@ed.ac.uk

The 20 community groups from across the country are the second collection of litter picking hubs established in Scotland, following eleven created last month.

Through these hubs, Keep Scotland Beautiful is striving to empower communities who are frustrated by litter which worsened during lockdown and over the summer. 

Polling commissioned by Keep Scotland Beautiful in June shows that 30% of people think that litter has got worse in their local area during lockdown.

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “During lockdown, many of us spent time enjoying our local parks and green spaces.

“Lockdown showed us how important these areas are to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, a minority of people have behaved in an irresponsible and selfish manner, dropping their rubbish, leaving it for others to clean up and spoiling our beautiful country.

By using the litter picking hubs, people will be able to tackle litter in the areas they care about and help Clean Up Scotland.”

The funding for these Helping Hands litter kits has been provided by Zero Waste Scotland, and will see kits containing ten litter pickers, gloves, bag hoops and hi vis vests to allow people to take part in either individual or two household litter picks. 

The community groups will also be able to access posters and social media content to help encourage people to look after their local places and keep Scotland beautiful.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Litter has no place in a circular economy. Discarding resources like plastic, metal and glass not only blights our communities, it also wastes valuable materials that should be being kept in use for as long as possible.

“Whether it has been our local streets, parks, woodland, countryside or coastline, recent months have highlighted how valuable our environment is to so many of us and why it needs to be kept that way.

“It is a shame these are needed, but the litter picking hubs will give communities the opportunity to tackle the nuisance of litter and ensure the areas they love can continue to look their best.”

Further detail of these hubs can be found here on the Clean Up Scotland website: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/local-environmental-quality/clean-up-scotland/clean-up-scotland-map/

Autism: Supporting and celebrating different minds

£250,000 funding to support new service for people with autism.

A new national support service will help children and adults diagnosed with autism to understand and embrace their identity.

The service will provide online support on a range of issues, offer practical help and connect autistic people and their families with peers.

Backed by £250,000 Scottish Government funding, the pilot National Post Diagnostic Support Programme will be led by Scottish Autism, in partnership with the National Autistic Society, Autism Initiatives and Autistic People’s Organisations.

A new awareness campaign, which aims to challenge stigma and myths to give the general public a clearer understanding of autism, is also being launched.

Speaking at the national Scottish Strategy for Autism’s annual conference, held virtually this year, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “We know that the restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have been particularly hard for autistic people and their families, with normal routines changed dramatically. 

“This new programme will allow autistic people across Scotland to access vital support, building on the excellent services already provided by third sector organisations, which have been well adapted to continue throughout the pandemic.

“We also know that there is sadly still a stigma associated with autism, and that’s why we today we are also launching our ‘Different minds. One Scotland’ campaign.

“Crucially, the campaign has been developed with autistic people. It aims to help the public understand autism, to be more accepting of the different qualities and attributes of autistic people.”

Autistic spokesperson Jasmine said: “The way I view the world is shaped by me being autistic, and my experiences have been shaped by me being autistic.

“I want to ensure that there is at least one autistic child who feels a little bit less alone – a little bit less like the world is against them –  then I’d feel like the campaign has accomplished everything it set out to.”

Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO at Scottish Autism said: “The delivery of a national post diagnostic service is a much needed and welcome step forward in Scotland. This new service brings the collective knowledge and experience of several charity partners that will work collaboratively to provide a wide range of information and support for autistic people of all ages and their families.

“This new service will focus on ensuring families are better informed and empowered after a diagnosis whilst also supporting autistic individuals to embrace their identity and widen their peer group.”                                          

Protecting Scotland’s Future: the Government’s Programme for Scotland 2019 – 20 committed to develop an online autism support service to help people live positively with autism, while reducing the demand for services through CAMHS, Psychological Therapies and other public services.

https://youtu.be/0TAuQUlpdvU

Find out more about the campaign at http://differentminds.scot.

A Scottish Government omnibus survey from September 2020 found that just 42% of people feel they have a good understanding of autism, over half (50.75%) think that autism is a mental health condition. In addition, 86% of respondents feel that there is value in learning from autistic people.

‘Simple but far-reaching’: RNIB launches Holyrood manifesto

National sight loss charity RNIB Scotland is calling on all political parties to build on the greater social cohesiveness that the coronavirus crisis has engendered.

Launching its manifesto for next year’s Scottish Parliament elections, the charity’s director James Adams said: “The next Scottish Parliament will convene in a changed world. A world forced to re-evaluate things previously taken for granted, in which everyone has been made more aware of how dependent we are on each other.

“‘A Vision for the 2020s’ sets out simple but far-reaching steps that can create a more inclusive Scotland for blind and partially sighted people. Let’s seize this opportunity.”

The manifesto is calling on the next Scottish Government to launch a new campaign to emphasise the importance of regular eye examinations in preventing sight loss. Over 178,000 people in Scotland currently live with significant sight loss but this could potentially double if steps aren’t taken to contain it.

The manifesto also wants Ministers to report annually on the attainment figures for blind and partially sighted school pupils and train more specialist teachers as a matter of urgency. It highlights that only one in four blind and partially sighted adults are currently in paid employment.

‘Shared spaces’ schemes – where pedestrians and vehicles occupy the same level area – should be scrapped, the manifesto says, and a nationwide ban on pavement parking and advertising boards implemented.

People with sight loss claiming the new disability benefits devolved to Scotland should not have to undergo periodic reassessed if there is no realistic prospect of their condition improving. Any benefits awarded should cover the, often significant, additional costs of living with a visual impairment.

The manifesto is also calling for all public information to be available in accessible formats such as braille, large-print and audio, and for alternative voting methods to ensure people can cast their ballot independently and in secret.

Mr Adams said: “We want a health service that prevents avoidable sight loss and helps people come to terms with it when it isn’t.

“Education that helps every child reach their full potential, and employers who better understand what people with sight loss are capable of.

“Information that’s always available in alternative formats and public transport that’s always accessible.

“And we want our streets and thoroughfares to allow pedestrians to walk safely and without obstacles.

“Today’s coronavirus crisis has exacerbated many of the problems blind and partially sighted people face. But it’s brought to the fore, too, some of the best instincts of our society. That generosity of spirit can be the spur for a new deal for people with sight loss and other disabilities.

“Let’s make that one lasting legacy of the parliamentary term ahead.”

* www.rnib.org.uk/scotland

EVOC Round Table events

We are holding a series of ‘Round table’ events in partnership with Third Sector Strategy Group (TSSG) and would like to invite you to attend and contribute to what we believe will be informative and actionable sessions. 

Our first event will take place on Wednesday 14th October (10.00am – 11.30am)

‘People’s Story’

Using information from the Poverty Commission, Food Fund Work and the Mind the Craic report as a basis for the discussions, we will discuss and highlight the experience of inequality and the urgent need first, coming up with some ideas about how these could be addressed.

To book a place at this session visit here

Our second event will take place on Wednesday 28th October (9.30am – 11.00am)
‘An Urban Commons’

This session will focus on how we increase participation, create purposeful partnerships, and continue to develop community wealth building.

To book a place at this session visit here

As a reminder: our AGM will take place on Tuesday 3rd November 2020. More details to follow.

All sessions will take place virtually, we would invite you to book your place asap!

https://www.evoc.org.uk/childen-and-young-people/evoc-round-table-events-book-your-place-now/

Construction: A plan for recovery

The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) has published a plan for the sector’s recovery from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The plan, which has been created following extensive consultation, focuses on the joint action required between the industry and the public sector to respond to the pandemic.

The plan will work towards maximising support for employers and employees and establishing new ways of working to manage infection control, health and safety and shared learning opportunities.

A range of immediate actions in the plan are almost complete, with remaining ones now moving into implementation. Short and medium term initiatives include work to help apprentices into trades and preparing the industry to deliver a net-zero built environment.

The recovery plan will be flexible and able to respond to industry needs and economic conditions going forward.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “This recovery plan has been developed through unprecedented levels of collaboration across industry and with Government. We will now also work with the sector to help implement the plan’s actions.

“There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on construction. It is absolutely vital for the economic recovery, and to protect jobs, that we get the sector back up to speed as quickly and as safely as possible.

“This plan sets out practical actions for how this can be achieved and we thank everyone who has taken part.”

Ken Gillespie, chair of Construction Scotland, said: “A huge amount of thought, energy and commitment from participants across Government and the Construction Industry has allowed us to prepare and publish this plan at pace and we are grateful to all those who have contributed.

“The hard work required to implement the plan and find the solutions to the challenges we face continues.

“We are indebted to the Minister for the leadership and support he has provided to the sector through this pandemic in his role as Chair of the CLF.”

Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “Endorsement by Scottish Government shows testimony to the sector’s shared vision of an industry that promotes a safe, productive, profitable, innovative, sustainable and socially responsible construction industry, offering quality jobs and fair work to a highly skilled and diverse workforce and a quality and life-time value product to its customers.”

The Scottish Construction Leadership Forum is a collaborative initiative of Construction Scotland and the Scottish Government. It was established in March 2019 to develop and implement an action plan of improvements.

The Recovery Plan is available online.

Stockbridge and McDonald Road among libraries to reopen today

The first phase of reopening Edinburgh’s libraries will see six branches opening today (Tuesday 6 October).

The six branches are:

•  Central Library

•  Kirkliston Library

•  McDonald Road Library

•  Fountainbridge Library

•  Stockbridge Library

•  Newington Library

Initially at least, services will be restricted. As you might expect, numbers within buildings will be limited and social distancing measures will be in place. Face coverings are mandatory in Libraries.

From Tuesday 6 October you can:

  • return your books
  • pick up Hey Girls sanitary products

You will have to book a slot to:

  • browse and borrow books
  • use a public computer
  • apply for a National Entitlement Card (bus pass)
  • collect hearing aid batteries

You can make your booking online here.

Or by phoning one of the six branches above.

Read our reopening frequently asked questions for further details of how services will work in our reopened libraries.

We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back!

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Donald Wilson said: “It’s a really positive step forward that these six libraries are opening to the public ahead of schedule as they are invaluable resources for our local communities.

“This phased reopening, which will also see community access to sports facilities in secondary schools start up again next month, is an important step in our plans for a phased reopening of community assets across the city.

“Libraries are a vital requirement in any democratic society, giving access to knowledge and literature, helping to bridge the digital divide and also centres for strengthening local communities.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “We really appreciate everyone’s support and patience as we gradually reopen our libraries, welcoming people back into their local spaces.

“Although services will be limited initially due to current restrictions, with an online booking service for some such as browsing and borrowing, I’m sure everyone will fully appreciate that our top priority remains the health of our residents and library colleagues.

“This cautious approach demonstrates our commitment and recognition of the importance of public libraries in this, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.”