Day: November 16, 2020

Free legal support helpline for landlords

Lawyer, author and property investment expert Julie Condliffe is reaching out to landlords, letting agents and property investors with a free legal consultation helpline to support them with expert legal advice amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

With provisions made by the UK government only assisting tenants in rented accommodation, many landlords have been left significantly out of pocket by unpaid rents and are unsure of what legal steps they are able to pursue in order to regain control of their property portfolios.

Due to her extensive legal expertise and personal experiences, Ms Condliffe recognises that it is not only tenants who are finding it difficult to get by, and hopes to change the conversation around property development by assisting landlords who need help.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly been tough for tenants across the UK, many landlords have voiced concerns that public sympathies and government support has been unfairly weighted towards those living in rented accommodation with little support provided to landlords that often rely on rents as a main source of income.

Not only does Ms Condliffe seek to challenge the notion that landlords are able to weather the Covid-19 without the payment of rents, she has also taken practical steps to help offer timely, relevant and professional legal advice to any UK landlord with a free telephone consultation. 

Backed by a team of specialist solicitors at Creative Legals, Julie wants to level the playing field by using her standing within the legal community to champion the creation of a new specialist landlord support system.

The Julie Condliffe free legal consultation helpline is available during the lockdown period from 2 November to 2 December 202 and is designed specifically for landlords, letting agents and property investors to meet the gap in the existing market for targeted legal advice catering to landlords.

Julie Condliffe said: “Although I have experienced homelessness myself in the past, it is apparent that the plight of the average UK landlord is vastly under-represented and many landlords have been left in severe financial distress.

“Government assistance mainly focuses on tenants as the vulnerable party in any dispute and have therefore been provided with some assistance to help them through the pandemic. Yet landlords are in a far less favourable position with minimal assistance offered. I want to encourage landlords who are finding themselves in difficulty to use my free legal consultation helpline that they can engage with the expert team at Creative Legals and discuss their own unique circumstances.

“Every case is different, yet there are always ways through even the darkest and most difficult of problems in the property investment sphere.”

To find out more about the Creative Legals team or to book a free, legal consultation visit https://creativelegals.co.uk/

Radio Forth launches Mission Christmas 2020 appeal

Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal has formally launched, despite the ongoing challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A team of charity workers and volunteers are working behind the scenes to ensure no child in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk, go without a present this Christmas.

Last year, through a combination of gift drop-offs and cash donations, more than £1.1 million worth of toys were handed out, helping 25,386 children in the region.

This year, a reduced number of donation points are available at leading retailers throughout the east of Scotland. Anyone who wants to help, but is unable to visit a physical drop-off point can donate via the Radio Forth Cash for Kids website.

At the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas HQ in Edinburgh’s Gyle Shopping Centre,  a raft of new measures have been adopted, including innovative fogging machines and a larger site, aimed at creating Covid-secure conditions and helping as many young people as possible.

Emma Kemp, Regional Charity Manager at Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids, said: “This year has been overwhelmingly challenging for Cash for Kids as we try to continue helping families throughout the region, while ensuring that our team members and volunteers remain safe.

“But, despite the obstacles, we’ve been absolutely determined to continue with Mission Christmas. The impact Coronavirus has had on vulnerable families has been profound, so our 2020 appeal is arguably more important than ever before.

“It’s been amazing seeing everyone pull together and come up with innovative solutions to ensure that – once again – every child in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk wakes up to a present on Christmas Day.

“We’d urge everyone to do their bit, either through gift drop-offs or cash donations, and let’s end 2020 on a positive note.”

The campaign may have only just launched, but business leaders have already stepped forward to offer their assistance. One of the first is Edinburgh-based Saltire Roofing & Building, who have donated £500 to the campaign.

Saltire Roofing Managing Director, Steven McIntosh, said: “Saltire Roofing & Building proudly  supports Cash for Kids Mission Christmas every year, and we’re first to donate to the appeal this year because we know how much it matters. COVID-19 has impacted on all our lives and delivering this year’s Mission Christmas will prove a significant challenge.

“Thousands of local children will still be wishing to wake up to a present from Santa, and we cannot let them down. If you can donate, please do so now, and together we can bring some happiness to the children who need it most this Christmas.”

Have you seen Lauren?

UPDATE: Police are pleased to report that 35 year old Lauren Weeks, who was reported missing from Edinburgh has been FOUND. Thanks to everyone who shared the appeal.

Police are re-appealing for the public’s help as part of their efforts to trace Lauren Weeks (35) who has been reported missing in Edinburgh.

Enquires have now revealed that Lauren was in the York Place vicinity on Thursday (12 November).

New images are being released as Lauren’s hair may now appear to be darker than originally posted.

She is described as a white female, 5’7” tall, slim build, long blonde/brown hair. She is believed to be dressed all in black wearing a high quality windproof jacket, skirt and ankle boots. She is believed to be carrying a large grey mountaineering style backpack, a dark green duffle bag and a dark green sleeping bag.

Anyone who may have seen Lauren, or who has any information on her whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1155 of 12/11/2020

Save Our Jobs: Casino industry appeals to Scottish Government to lift closure restrictions

·         ‘The Chips Are Down: Save Our Casinos, Save Our Jobs’ campaign is urging First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon to lift restrictions and allow casino venues to reopen in Level 2

·         More than 700 people employed by the casino industry face job uncertainty whilst venues stay closed

After weeks of closure and with hundreds of jobs at risk, the casino industry in Scotland has joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to change its current tiering restrictions which are forcing venues to remain closed.

11 casino venues in Scotland which support more than 700 jobs in Aberdeen, Dundee Edinburgh and Glasgow, have launched a petition encouraging its customers to write to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to enable the recovery of the sector by allowing casinos to open in Level 2.

Led by Scotland’s largest casino operator, Grosvenor Casinos and with the support of Genting Casinos, Caesars Entertainment and trade association Betting and Gaming Council, ‘The Chips Are Down: Save Our Casinos, Save Our Jobs’ campaign points to the belief that the casino industry is being unfairly singled out.

Whilst pubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas are able to continue to trade in Level 2 or below, the shutters came down on casino venues when the Scotland Strategic Framework was announced, putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.

Casinos are stressing the urgent need for the Scottish Government to lift the current restrictions imposed and allow venues to open in Level 2, and are asking the government to better understand the evidence which clearly points to casinos as ultra-safe venues.

Jonathon Swaine, Managing Director of Grosvenor Casinos, said: “We cannot stress enough how damaging it is that casinos across Scotland are being imposed with these arbitrary restrictions.

“As an industry we provide ultra-safe venues for colleagues and customers to visit. There is not a shred of scientific evidence which supports the decision to keep casinos closed in Level 2 while other hospitality venues are able to stay open.

“If Scottish casinos are forced to remain closed it will have a devastating impact on those customers who enjoy their local venues as a community hub, on team members who will lose their jobs, on the local suppliers it serves, on the charities that they are proud to support, as well as on the wider economy which will lose millions of pounds in tax receipts.”

Out of 30,000 unique admissions through the doors since reopening in August, there has been just one recorded case of coronavirus transmission within any casino in Scotland, with 87% of casino customers saying that they feel safe in a casino compared to other entertainment and hospitality venues.*

Casino businesses have invested millions of pounds to ensure venues are safe for its colleagues and customers to play, installing PPE such as plexiglass screens between gaming tables, ID scanning technology upon entry, hand sanitiser stations and social distancing signage throughout venues.

The casino industry in Scotland contributed £30m in tax a year to the UK economy, but the continued and unjustified closure of casinos in Scotland is threatening to shut their doors for good.

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “Casinos in Scotland safely re-opened in August, with excellent anti-Covid measures in place, and there is absolutely no evidence that they contribute to the spread of virus.

“Closing them makes no sense, especially when other parts of the hospitality sector are being allowed to stay open. That’s why the industry is rallying together to urge the Scottish Government to think again, remove casinos from Level 2 and let them get back to business.”

To add your support to ‘The Chips Are Down: Save Our Casinos, Save Our Jobs’ campaign petition and for more information www.savecasinossavejobs.com

Ethnic employability gap in public sector ‘unacceptable’, says Holyrood Committee

MSPs call for action to tackle ‘institutional racism’ in public sector employment

MSPs have called for public bodies to be compelled to publish employee ethnicity pay data to address “institutional racism” and tackle the “unacceptable” levels of unemployment and in-work poverty among minority ethnic communities in Scotland.

Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee, which has been investigating what actions are being taken to make sure minority ethnic communities have parity of employment and career progression, urged public authorities to produce an action plan to increase the number of people they employ from minority ethnic communities and reduce the ethnicity pay gap in their organisations.

The focus of the Committee’s inquiry was employers covered by the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, which includes large employers like local authorities, health boards as well as other public bodies.

Removal of the barriers faced by black and minority ethnic groups in accessing employment opportunities is key to addressing inequalities in housing, health, education, and participation in public life.

The Committee heard evidence that, despite various initiatives, recruitment, retention and progression of minority ethnic groups in the workplace had regressed over the last two decades and that there was a resistance on the part of employers to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism and its effects.

MSPs made a series of recommendations to address the issues highlighted by the inquiry. In a report published today, the Committee called for more use of “positive actions” to address under-representation of minority ethnic communities in the public sector workforce, and new regulations to require public bodies to publish their ethnicity pay gap, with an action plan to deliver identified outcomes with associated timescales.

Committee Convener, Ruth Maguire MSP, said: “The inquiry heard evidence that unemployment and in-work poverty remains disproportionately higher for people from minority ethnic communities than it is in the majority of the population. We are seriously concerned by the lack of progress in tackling this issue.

“It is extremely disappointing and frustrating that we regularly have to revisit this issue, and it’s little wonder that during our inquiry we heard many witnesses and representatives of black and minority ethnic communities refer to ‘consultation fatigue’.

“From the evidence we heard, there is a sense that many employers prefer to look outwards rather than inwards; as though the issue lies with the minority ethnic communities, when the reality is that the issue lies with the public authorities themselves.

“It is evident that a key factor within this is the failure of the leaders of public authorities to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism and, in so doing, failing to act to deliver a culture shift within their organisations.

“The Committee is unanimously of the view that, despite all the mechanisms at the disposal of public authorities, including their equality duties and responsibilities, the ethnicity employment gap remains unacceptable and much more needs to be done to reduce the ethnicity pay gap, so we see more minority ethnic people in senior positions.”

Ms Maguire added: “Leaders of public authorities need to be accountable for their organisations’ record on employment of ethnic minority people. They must demonstrate leadership in this area. Now is the time for them to take concerted, definitive action.
 
“To address the lack of progress to date and decades of damage, our report recommends that public sector employers prioritise employment from minority ethnic communities within their strategic plans. We also recommend the Scottish Government regulates to ensure public authorities publish their ethnicity pay gap figures and set out actions to deliver improvements within an agreed timeframe.

“We sincerely hope that our successor committee will not have to revisit this subject, unless it is to reflect on the result of positive action, accountability, and eradication of institutional racism in Scotland.”

A summary of written evidence in response to the Committee’s call for views has been published on its webpage. The committee also held oral evidence sessions throughout September 2020.

More good news as another Covid vaccine shows impressive results

 A new vaccine that protects against Covid-19 is nearly 95% effective, early data from US company Moderna shows.

The latest news follows last week’s breakthrough announcement from Pfizer, and, while testing is still to be done, it’s looking more and more likely that vaccines to help bring an end to the pandemic will be available over coming months.

This study, known as the COVE study, enrolled more than 30,000 participants in the U.S. and is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The primary endpoint of the Phase 3 COVE study is based on the analysis of COVID-19 cases confirmed and adjudicated starting two weeks following the second dose of vaccine. This first interim analysis was based on 95 cases, of which 90 cases of COVID-19 were observed in the placebo group versus 5 cases observed in the mRNA-1273 group, resulting in a point estimate of vaccine efficacy of 94.5% (p <0.0001).

Moderna says it is a “great day” and they plan to apply for approval to use the vaccine in the next few weeks.

“This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible”, said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna.

“All along, we have known that each day matters. This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has given us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease.

“This milestone is only possible because of the hard work and sacrifices of so many. I want to thank the thousands of participants in our Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies, and the staff at our clinical trial sites who have been on the front lines of the fight against the virus.

“They are an inspiration to us all. I want to thank the NIH, particularly NIAID, for their scientific leadership including through years of foundational research on potential pandemic threats at the Vaccine Research Center that led to the discovery of the best way to make Spike protein antigens that are being used in our vaccine and others.

“I want to thank our partners at BARDA and Operation Warp Speed who have been instrumental to accelerating our progress to this point. Finally, I want to thank the Moderna team, our suppliers and our partners, for their tireless work across research, development and manufacturing of the vaccine.

“We look forward to the next milestones of submitting for an EUA in the U.S., and regulatory filings in countries around the world, while we continue to collect data on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in the COVE study. We remain committed to and focused on doing our part to help end the COVID-19 pandemic.”

ELREC: United Against Bullying discussion event

Bullying is any form of discrimination or behaviour intended to hurt or harm the reputation of another. It can happen face to face or online. Any type of bullying is unacceptable.

The reasons for bullying behaviour can be complex. It can harm people physically or emotionally. Victims feel hurt, threatened, frightened and left out.

Even though the actual behaviour might not be repeated, the threat that it might can be sustained over time, typically by actions: looks, messages, confrontations, physical interventions, or the fear of these.

Event Timetable:

Introductions

What is bullying

Prejudice

Children’s rights

Staying safe online

How to deal with bullying

Where to ask for help

Coping with feelings

Hosted by: ELREC’s True Colours and No Hate Network projects.

ELREC is a charity committed to promoting equality and opportunity for all. We aim to support and empower people with protected characteristics and tackle discrimination and prejudice.

True Colours project is led by young people and works against discrimination and pre-judice based bullying. We deliver workshops for young people on topics related to discrimination and hate crime.

No Hate Network group work on social media and aim to tackle arguments fuelling hate speech.

Devolved nations call for joint effort to reach those in need

Letter urges UK-wide benefit strategy

The devolved administrations have united to call on the UK Government to ensure those who are entitled to financial support are receiving it.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has joined Ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland in writing to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey, asking to work together to create a benefit take-up strategy.

The devolved nations have also asked the UK Government to make permanent the current £20 a week increase for Universal Credit (UC) and extend it to the benefits which will eventually be replaced by UC, such as Working Tax Credits. The uplift was introduced to help low-income families cope with the extra cost of the COVID-19 outbreak, and is to come to an end in April 2021.

Ms Somerville said: “It’s vital that we make every effort to ensure everyone is aware of and able to access the support available to them.

“Maximising benefit take-up is a moral obligation, especially in these uncertain times when there is clear evidence of increased need for support.

“The £20 uplift was needed before the pandemic, and so it is vital now. People must be given the certainty that it will be made permanent and that they are not facing a cliff edge in a matter of months when this support is pulled.”

The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn said: “The pandemic will cast a long shadow on those who are most in need and has reiterated the importance of a robust financial safety net for individuals and families, ensuring existing funding programmes have the maximum impact on the lives of those in poverty.

“Having a strategic UK approach will ensure that everyone can get the support they need during this difficult time.”

The Scottish Government published its first Benefit Take-up Strategy in October 2019, and will publish the next one by October 2021.

The Welsh Government has outlined steps it will take to maximise the incomes of families living in poverty in its Child Poverty Income Maximisation Action Plan.

Northern Ireland’s benefit take-up initiative Make the Call has generated over £260 million in additional annual benefits for its residents since 2005.

It aims to ensure that every individual and household is receiving all the social security benefits and other supports and services to which they are entitled. The most recent results for 2019/20 show that this has benefited just under 10,000 people who are now better off by an average of £88 per person per week.

The Department for Work and Pensions has no published approach to promoting UK benefits or supporting people to access the money which they are due.

Many people need to be in receipt of a DWP benefit in order to claim other benefits – for example the Scottish Child Payment, where eligibility is reliant on receipt of UC, or Pension Credit which means people can claim a Council Tax reduction, or those over 75 qualify for a free TV licence. So it is vital people are aware of what they are entitled to.

The letter can be read in full here:

Joint-Ministerial-letter-Secretary-of-State-DWP-Benefit-Take-upDownload

As part of their Benefit Take-up Report – published 11 March 2020 – the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee recommended that the UK Government develops a strategy that aims to maximise take-up of reserved benefits across the UK.

A report by the National Association of Welfare Rights Advisors, published in September, showed a 40% reduction in claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) being made during the pandemic. Almost 90% of those surveyed have never seen a take-up advert for PIP.

Independent Age has called for ‘an ambitious action plan detailing how the UK government will work to increase the uptake of Pension Credit over the next five years’. More details here.

This follows research which concluded that if Pension Credit take-up was lifted from 61 per cent to 100 per cent, then almost 450,000 pensioners could be lifted out of poverty, reducing pensioner poverty to its lowest ever level, and resulting in substantial savings to the NHS and social care systems over the long term. 

Rachel’s degree project gets international exposure

Sustainable living app showcased at Global Grad Show

Edinburgh Napier product design graduate Rachel Naysmith has won international recognition for a project which rewards good environmental deeds and helps combat climate anxiety.

M.O.S.S. – My Own Sustainable Self – has been selected for the Global Grad Show, an initiative by the Art Dubai Group which showcases 100 potentially world-changing ideas.

The newly-opened exhibition, normally in Dubai but being held online this year, attracted 1,600 applications from 270 universities in 60 countries.

Rachel’s work, and that of three Glasgow-based students, features alongside ideas like a diabetes monitoring earring, a London Underground air pollution solution, an alternative to Styrofoam made of food waste, a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention device and a skin patch that monitors nutrition data.

Rachel, 23, of Insch, Aberdeenshire, developed M.O.S.S. as her major project on her way to a first class B Des (Hons) Edinburgh Napier degree and the 2020 Class Medal, and she was encouraged to enter the Global Grad Show after her work was spotted on Instagram.

The project appears at the interactive online show under the category, “Coping in a complex world: Supporting mental health in challenging online and offline environments”.

M.O.S.S. recognises that people doing their best to follow environmentally-friendly lifestyles can easily become disheartened and feel their personal initiatives count for little when set against the catastrophes which play out on the news.

However, the app-based project keeps motivation levels high by providing targets and allowing users to keep tabs on their own sustainable efforts, and it rewards the achievement of goals with a M.O.S.S. panel housing a mini ecosystem which can be attached to the outside of any building.

“A one metre squared area of moss produces the same amount of oxygen as 78 trees,” said Rachel. “You are not only provided with a visual representation of your efforts but you also help purify the air, reducing air pollution one M.O.S.S. panel at a time.”

She added: “I am very proud of the project and also proud to be one of the first four graduates from Scotland to be represented on this international platform.”

Global Grad Show was launched in 2015 as an exhibition of impact-driven designs from 10 universities, but has grown quickly.

Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, director of Global Grad Show, said: “The diversity of the community of young talented researchers we bring together at Global Grad Show has many facets: they span across six continents, institutions from Ivy League to regional colleges and disciplines from bioengineering through to architecture.

“They do have however, a reassuring common denominator: they investigate problems, social and environmental, that matter for everyone.

“Today we present 100 projects that are, in essence, alternatives and remedies put forward by our global community of graduates whose ambition is to create a future-ready world.”

Rising COVID infection levels highlight concerns over school safety

The EIS has highlighted that the growing number of pupils and teachers infected with COVID-19 is creating increased concern over the effectiveness of COVID mitigations in schools and the safety of pupils, staff and the wider community.

Figures published on a regular basis by the Scottish Government have highlighted week-on-week increases in both the number of pupils and teachers infected with COVID-19 and, also, the number of pupils and teachers absent from school due to being required to self-isolate.

The latest updated figures, published on the Scottish Government website on Friday, indicate that 29,486 pupils were absent from school on 10th November for COVID-related reasons – an increase of 28% on the previous week’s figure of 23,034. For teachers, the figure of 1,559 teachers absent for COVID-related reasons represents an 18% increase on the previous week’s figure of 1,326.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “Our members are increasingly concerned by the week-on-week increase in the number of pupils and staff being infected with COVID-19.

“This, coupled with the increase in the numbers self-isolating, is having a significant impact on education provision and is raising anxiety levels over the effectiveness of safety mitigations in our schools.

“The weekly figures reveal an increasingly bleak picture and are leading to calls from members for a new approach to ensuring the safety of everyone within the school community.

With the Deputy First Minister indicating that some parts of Scotland may soon move to Level 4 restrictions, this will inevitably further heighten concerns over school safety and will prompt consideration of industrial action by our members, if schools are forced to remain fully open when staff feel it is unsafe to do so.”

Mr Flanagan added, “The EIS has repeatedly said that schools remaining fully operational cannot come at the expense of teacher and pupil wellbeing. Blended and remote learning models are increasingly being adopted in other countries to stem increases in COVID infection;  It is time for the Scottish Government to rethink its stance, in light of the rising infection levels, particularly if some areas do move into level 4 in the near future.”

Last week, the EIS issued a survey to its teacher members across Scotland, seeking their views on the effectiveness of COVID safety measures in schools. The survey will close next week and will inform the next steps to be taken by the EIS to protect teachers and pupils from the potential risk of COVID-19 infection.

They EIS survey is seeking members’ views on issues such as: perceptions of current COVID mitigations in their workplaces; attitudes to the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework and its default position on schools remaining open at all levels; and member willingness or otherwise to support industrial action in response to a refusal to implement a move to blended or remote learning at Level 4, where staff support either contingency.

The survey also includes sections to gauge the specific COVID-related concerns of teachers in vulnerable groups and teachers without permanent contracts.