A new study conducted by Savanta ComRes, has found that seven in ten UK adults (71%) feel concerned for children in the toughest of circumstances all over the world during the COVID19 crisis. However, only one quarter (26%) of UK adults are planning to donate to an overseas charity this Christmas due to the impact of COVID19.
The research, which was commissioned by international relief charity Samaritan’s Purse who run Operation Christmas Child, also highlighted that 75% of those surveyed believed that children needed to feel loved this Christmas more than ever due to the impact of COVID-19.
Director of Operation Christmas Child, Nick Cole says, “The pandemic has once again highlighted the importance of children’s mental and physical health. The concern for children across the world, and the importance that they need to feel seen and loved this year is more tangible than ever. We must all play our part in ensuring children are given the necessary support in the face of all they have experienced this year.”
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children in the toughest circumstances across the globe for more than two decades. For many children who receive them, it is the first gift they have ever received. This is a project that everyone can still be a part of, even with COVID-19 restrictions.
Cole continues, “From this survey we see that while concern is high for children across the world during the pandemic, the desire to donate to charities is a low priority.
“Through Operation Christmas Child, individuals can do the simple act of packing a shoebox and help contribute to the mental well-being of children in the most vulnerable communities.”
New plans to put improvements in air quality at the heart of Scotland’s green recovery have been set out.
The Scottish Government is consulting on a number of proposals to further reduce air pollution, including potential controls on the supply of wet wood and house coal.
The draft five-year Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy follows the recent Programme for Government, which set out a number of actions being taken forward to ensure a green recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, prioritising support for health, wellbeing and tackling climate change.
The strategy includes:
• taking forward potential measures to control the supply of the most polluting domestic fuels, including wet wood and house coal • work with the agriculture sector to develop a voluntary code of good practice to help reduce emission of air pollutants • a new approach to public engagement and behaviour change in relation to air quality • a continued shift to more sustainable transport modes as set out in the National Transport Strategy
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “The air that we breathe is fundamental to human life and the quality of our environment. It should protect and enhance our health and wellbeing. Despite the undoubted improvements in air quality over recent years, there is more we can, and must, do.
“The proposals set out in this strategy are essential if we are to ensure Scotland has the best air quality in Europe.
“Since our original Cleaner Air For Scotland strategy was published five years ago, we have introduced some of the most ambitious climate change legislation in the world, published our Environment Strategy, updated our National Transport Strategy with an emphasis on greener travel and began the introduction of Low Emission Zones.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that it is more important than ever that we design a better future and a more sustainable, green economy which will better support our communities health and environment as we head for net zero by 2045.
“So I would encourage people and organisations to engage in this consultation and work together for a better, cleaner future for our planet, this generation – and those to come.”
The consultation will last for 12 weeks and a number of stakeholder events to engage directly with the relevant sectors are planned.
Figures released by Reform Scotland this week show a yearly increase in the number of pupils that have less than a 50% attendance.
In Edinburgh the number of pupils who have a below 50% attendance has increased from 354 in 2016/17 to 457 in 2017/18 and 419 in 2018/19. This is 0.7%, 0.9% and 0.8% of total enrolled pupils in Edinburgh schools.
In East Lothian number of pupils who have a below 50% attendance has increased from 128 in 2016/17 to 163 in 2017/18 and 209 in 2018/19. This is 0.9%, 1.1% and 1.3% of total enrolled pupils in East Lothian schools.
In West Lothian number of pupils who have a below 50% attendance has increased from 329 in 2016/17 to 412 in 2017/18 and 444 om 2018/19. This is 1.2%,1.5% and 1.6% of total enrolled pupils in West Lothian schools.
Midlothian Council did not respond.
Latest CAMHS waiting times figures show over a thousand children and young people waiting 0-18 weeks and 427 children and young people who have been waiting over a year for mental health support.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“This is an important report from Reform Scotland which highlights how many young people are being let down by the education system in Edinburgh, West Lothian and East Lothian.
“It is extremely worrying that so many young pupil have a lower than 50% attendance rate at school and the number of pupils has risen in all three local authorities.
“CAMHS services in Lothian have been struggling to cope with the significant increase in demand for services and young people must be fully supported to get back into full time attendance at school.”
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on household finances, with personal debts increasing. But some people are seeing their savings rise as their incomes remain unaffected and their spending has been curtailed, says a new financial inclusion monitor from the University of Birmingham and the University of Lincoln.
The research also shows that the impact of COVID-19 comes on top of poor economic performance in 2019 (a likely result of Brexit uncertainties). Economic growth was negative and in the fourth quarter of 2019 it was zero. Furthermore, unemployment, under-employment and zero-hour contracts had all increased in 2019, while wages had started to fall in real terms towards the end of that year and into early 2020.
The 2020 briefing, now in its eighth year, highlighted that even though strains on family budgets were there prior to the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on top of this situation looks set to be monumental.
From just March to May 2020, between one quarter and one third of jobs were furloughed, and from March to April that year there were 2 million more claims for Universal Credit than there had been in the same period in 2019. By the end of May 2020, 28 per cent of the population said that COVID-19 had had a direct negative effect on their income.
For some households the Job Retention (furlough) Scheme and the boost to Universal Credit have been incredibly important interventions to support people’s incomes. However, those on ‘legacy’ benefits, are not seeing the same level of income protection, leading to a two-tier benefit system.
Karen Rowlingson, Professor of Social Policy and a member of the Centre on Household Assets and Savings Management (CHASM) at the University of Birmingham, and co-author of the report said: “COVID-19 has had, and is likely to continue for some time to have, a devastating impact on UK household finances.
“But it is important to note that, even prior to the pandemic, family budgets and the UK’s economy more generally were already faltering in many ways, possibly as a result of Brexit-related uncertainties during 2019.”
“Our research shows these are extremely difficult times for the country and many within it. Some statistics reveal, however, that a significant minority of the population is unaffected, financially, by COVID-19 or, indeed, are somewhat better off financially as their incomes remain the same but their expenditure drops. Inequality is rising still further as a result.”
Other key findings of the report show:
Unemployment had started to increase even before the COVID-19 crisis, possibly due to Brexit-related uncertainties.
Underemployment was similarly trending slightly upwards again to 2.5 million in December 2019. And the number of zero hour contracts also began increasing again in 2019 to a record high of 974,000.
The Trussell Trust has seen a doubling of emergency food parcels going to children in April 2020 compared to April 2019.
Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, nearly 2 million families (6 per cent) said that they could not keep up with bills and regular debt payments according to 2018/19 data. Levels of problem debt were highest among renters, particularly council and housing association renters with Council Tax debt being the most common type of debt in 2018/19.
There has been an increase in the last year from 1,590 mortgage possessions in the third quarter of 2018 to 2,130 in the third quarter of 2019.
There is slightly more positive news in relation to financial inclusion with the number of people ‘unbanked’ reaching an all-time low in 2018/19. But there is growing concern about access to cash as bank branch closures escalate and free cash machines continue to disappear from local high streets.
Steve McKay, Distinguished Professor in Social Research from the University of Lincoln and a co-author of the report says: “COVID-19 has led to an increase in already high levels of anxiety about finances with an estimated 4.6 million people now in arrears on household commitments totalling around £6 billion.
“As the furlough scheme finishes at the end of October and the eviction ban on tenants has already ended we will see a further rise in personal debt and people losing their homes”
As part of Occupational Therapy Week 2020, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has launched a campaign to inspire people from all backgrounds to become occupational therapists.
Although there are over 41,000 occupational therapists, across the UK there is still a significant shortage and the profession is included on the UK’s Shortage Occupations List.
RCOT also wants to encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to qualify as occupational therapists and ensure that the profession reflects the diversity of the population it serves.
Through a social media campaign, #ChooseOT, RCOT is reaching out to school students and the people who support them to encourage more people to consider occupational therapy as a career.
RCOT Chief Executive, Julia Scott said:“I’m sure I speak for our members in saying that being an occupational therapist is the best job in the world. It brings immense benefits and opportunities, and training to be an occupational therapist leads to a nationally and internationally recognised qualification.
“No two days are ever the same. You can change people’s lives on a daily basis working in the NHS, social care, schools, prisons, the emergency services and in the private and voluntary sector. The list is almost endless.
“The profession needs people from all backgrounds. So if you are a problem solver, people person, good at sizing up situations or enjoy helping people – now is the time to #ChooseOT.”
Occupational Therapy Week 2020 takes place from 2-8 November,
NHS Lothian announced last week that visiting across sites will be suspended unless for essential visits only.The decision is designed to help protect patients and staff by limiting the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Fiona Ireland, Deputy Director of Nursing, NHS Lothian said: “Across Lothian, Scotland and the UK, we are seeing rising levels of COVID-19 within the community.
“We have taken the difficult decision to suspend visiting across our sites to help minimise the risk of transmission, to protect patients, our staff and the wider community, and to manage the increasing pressure on our acute and community sites.”
Where possible, ward staff have been contacting relatives, who had previously been identified as designated visitors, to advise them of the new arrangements and to provide more information.
Under the current guidance, some essential visits are still permitted; for example patients receiving end-of-life care, for patients with mental health issues including dementia, for inpatients in our children’s services and those accompanying partners during childbirth. Visiting arrangements for these groups should only take place following discussions with senior charge nurses or midwives.
Ms Ireland added: “I understand that not being able to visit family members while they are in hospital may be upsetting, but I would like to assure the public that this decision has not been taken lightly.
“With higher levels of COVID-19 cases within the community, there is an increased risk that visitors could inadvertently bring COVID-19 into our hospital sites, especially if they are not showing any symptoms.
“This decision will help manage the increasing risks of COVID-19 transmission and protect the safety of your loved ones, our staff and the wider community. I would urge our patients and families to help us by respecting this difficult decision.”
NHS Lothian understands that the public may have questions in relation to this decision, so have prepared some FAQs:
Why can’t I visit?
Cases of COVID-19 within the community have been rising. With more people potentially exposed to the virus, there is a real risk that visitors to our sites may be infectious, but not displaying any symptoms.
By suspending visiting, we hope to limit the spread of COVID-19 and in doing so help to protect those individuals, including your loved ones, who may be more at risk.
What is classified as an essential visit?
As per the Scottish Government guidance, essential visits include the following –
For patients receiving end of life care
For patients with mental health issues including dementia
For patients with learning disabilities
For patients with autism
For birthing partners
For children
Can I get personal items like clothes, nightclothes, toiletries to my loved one?
If you are in hospital, we understand how important it is to have personal items such as clothes and your own toiletries. If relatives need to bring personal items to their loved ones, they can still do this, but are expected to leave the items with the ward staff and not enter the ward.
If I want to give my loved one a phone or an iPad to communicate with me can I hand this in?
Yes, but like handing in clothes or toiletries you will be expected to leave the items with the ward staff and not enter the ward.
What if my child is in an adult ward, can I visit them?
If your child (up to the age of 18) happens to be in an adult ward, the nurse in charge will be able to advise when to visit and any constraints that may be placed around the visit. We would remind families, that if they have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough, they should remain at home. Similarly if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days.
My partner is due to give birth, will I still be able to attend?
At present, birth partners are permitted to attend, however we ask that this is limited to just one person. The midwife in charge will be able to advise. We would remind birth partners, that if they have any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), such as a high temperature and/or a new persistent cough, they should remain at home.
Similarly if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) you should remain at home for the required isolation period, which is currently 14 days
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has accused SNP Ministers of having second thoughts about the development of Sheriffhall junction.
Plans for the development of Sheriffhall junction stalled earlier this year when the SNP Government went back on their commitment to commence the development, following pressure from the Greens.
Last week, (Wednesday 28th October), the Lothian MSP met with Scottish Conservative Transport Spokesperson Graham Simpson and South Scotland MSP Michelle Ballentine at the junction to see first hand the urgent need for the junction to be developed.
The development is a key national infrastructure projects that is vital for commuters in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s and to meet future demand with the South East of Scotland having the fastest growing population in Scotland.
A Written Answer to Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, attached, states “should Transport Scotland be unsuccessful in removing all objections, then a public local inquiry may be required” and that “Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set”.
The junction is also a major safety hazard with 299 accidents involving injury or death at the junction over a 10 year period.
Investment in infrastructure should be a key approach to Scotland economic recovery from Covid-19 and it is disappointing the this development is being delayed.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs commented:“This development of Sheriffhall Junction needs to be brought forward as soon as possible.For too long we have been campaigning for this and it is now time for action.
“This is a key national investment for the South East of Scotland which will reduce congestion and create jobs.
“I have written to the Scottish Government to get an update on their review to improve active travel and public transport provision.”
South Scotland MSP, Michelle Ballantyne, commented:“Sheriffhall Junction is the gateway to Edinburgh for much of south-east Scotland and thousands of residents rely upon it every day.
“We cannot afford any further delay; upgrades to the roundabout are critical for development in the region and will attract jobs and investment to Midlothian and the Borders.
“I will continue to press the Scottish Government on this important issue. South East Scotland deserves a road network that is fit for purpose.”
Scottish Conservative Transport Spokesperson, Graham Simpson, commented:“This project is badly needed and the SNP need to pull their fingers out and deliver it.
“It’s essential to Edinburgh and the wider region. Delays at Sheriffhall should be sorted – and fast.”
VIRGIN MONEY INVESTS IN NEW FLAGSHIP STORE IN SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL
New store first of its kind in Scotland
55 Clydesdale Bank branches will rebrand to Virgin Money Stores
Entire nationwide network of stores will operate under the new Virgin Money brand by spring 2021
Virgin Money has opened its state-of-the-art flagship Store in Edinburgh as part of its UK wide store rebrand programme.
The new flagship store located at 83 George Street, is the latest example of Virgin Money’s innovative approach to what a bank branch can offer. Once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, customers will be able to experience the full range of the new store’s features, including a space for entrepreneurs to co-work and create, a venue for events and much more as Virgin Money invests in UK high streets as part of its nation-wide rebrand.
The multi-million-pound rebranding of its national network of Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank and Virgin Money sites to the new Virgin Money branding will be completed by spring 2021, bringing all stores under a single brand.
Each rebranded store will offer full banking services to all 6.6 million customers in the Virgin Money Group, vastly increasing the network of available stores to existing Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank and Virgin Money customers. Over the coming months customers will also begin to see credit cards, banking apps and account statements change to Virgin Money as part of its wider rebrand activity.
Customers will continue to benefit from the same friendly and knowledgeable teams, providing excellent customer service and access to a wide range of Virgin Money products and services from current account to mortgages and credit cards. Customers will also have access to exclusive products and services from the wider Virgin Group of businesses.
Paul Titterton, Head of Personal Distribution at Virgin Money said: “These are exciting times for Virgin Money as we invest in our stores and move to a single brand for all customers.
“The new George Street store brings together the very best of digital banking with a unique offering on the high street. It’s a new chapter for our history, and our new approach to stores proves that a bank branch can be a buzzing creative space where businesses and people can come together.
“We can’t wait for the Covid restrictions to lift so customers can enjoy the full Virgin experience in our new Edinburgh store.”
As part of the programme 55 Clydesdale Bank branches will be rebranded to Virgin Money Stores across Scotland.
Virgin Money are in communication with its customers in advance of their own branch being rebranded to let them know about when they can expect the changes to be made.
First Minister to lay wreath at national service in Edinburgh
The National Service of Remembrance to commemorate the sacrifices of the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts will go ahead, but will be closed to the public due to ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
The service has been significantly scaled back, in line with events across the country, to protect public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, given that public gatherings are known to increase the spread of the virus.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will attend the service on Sunday 8 November at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle to pay respects on behalf of the people of Scotland.
The First Minister will give a reading and lay a wreath alongside representatives of the Armed Forces and faith organisations.
Unfortunately, due to the restrictions to manage the pandemic, local remembrance events will not be able to proceed as they have in previous years.
Instead, those who want to honour the fallen are able to do so in the following ways:
joining the two-minute silence at 11.00 on Sunday 8 November from their doorstep as part of their community
by invite to a service at a place of worship with numbers strictly limited by organisers
giving to the Scottish Poppy Appeal to support the important work it does with the Armed Forces community across Scotland
Scottish Government buildings St Andrews House and Victoria Quay in Edinburgh will be floodlit red on Sunday 8 November in support of the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said: “Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for people in Scotland to join with others across the world to commemorate the enormous sacrifices of the two World Wars and other conflicts, but the pandemic has made that much more difficult this year.
“We understand it will be disappointing to many people that national services will not be open to the public, however, due to the risk of public gatherings spreading the virus and endangering lives, we would encourage those who want to pay their respects to do so safely in other ways.
“It is vitally important that all of us abide by the restrictions to help save lives and protect the NHS as we are remembering the incredible sacrifice that so many have made.”
Dr Claire Armstrong, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said: “It is deeply disappointing that remembrance events are being impacted in this way given their importance to so many people, but maintaining public safety is paramount.
“However, we can and must take time as a nation to observe the two-minute silence safely, and ensure we come together in spirit to pay our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Payment introduced to protect people when challenging benefit decisions
People challenging disability benefit decisions will be able to claim a new Short Term Assistance payment under Scotland’s new social security system.
Short Term Assistance will mean people continue to receive the amount of money they were getting before the decision was made to lower or stop their payment.
To ensure people are not put off seeking an appeal or re-determination, they will not have to repay Short Term Assistance if the re-determination or appeal upholds the decision to lower or stop their social security payment.
This is a first for benefit delivery in the UK and it will be introduced alongside Child Disability Payment, the Scottish Government’s replacement for Disability Living Allowance for Children.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “People’s lives are complex and making benefit decisions, which take into consideration a whole range of unique circumstances, is difficult.
“Social Security Scotland will gather as much information as we can, working with the applicant, the wider public sector and health and social care professionals to make the right decision first time. However, we know that we won’t always get it right and where we don’t, we want people to feel able to challenge us to look again.
“This is why we are introducing Short Term Assistance. We know that it can be difficult for people who rely on disability assistance when their payment has been reduced or stopped. The decision to ask for a re-determination or appeal can be daunting. This new payment will give people the confidence to ask us to look again and to go to appeal if they feel they need to, ensuring they get everything they may be entitled while working through this process.
“We hope to drastically reduce the need for people to go through the re-determination and appeal process under our new system by getting the decisions right first time. Where we don’t get it right though, we will give people who rely on this service the opportunity to right this wrong, without being penalised.”
