Day: November 25, 2020

Nearly nine in 10 Black Friday ‘deals’ same price or cheaper before the big day, says Which?

Shoppers are being urged to do their research before they part with their cash this Black Friday as a new Which? investigation reveals that the vast majority of ‘deals’ are the same price or cheaper before the day itself.

The consumer champion tracked the prices of 219 popular products advertised as ‘Black Friday deals’ across Amazon, AO.com, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis and found that almost nine in 10 (85%) of these so-called ‘deals’ were actually cheaper or the same price in the six months before. 

In fact, when Which? compared a year’s worth of prices for these products, which included home and tech goods such as headphones, fridge freezers and soundbars, only three (1%) out of the 219 items tracked were at their cheapest price of the year on Black Friday.

Out of the retailers Which? looked at, Currys PC World was the most likely to have its Black Friday ‘deals’ cheaper or the same price in the six months before. This was the case for 47 out of 49 (96%) products. 

John Lewis was not far behind with 70 of the 78 (90%) Black Friday deals Which? tracked cheaper or the same price ahead of time.

AO had a total of 38 out of 44 (86%) Black Friday deals included in Which?’s research cheaper or the same price before the big day.

When it came to the Black Friday deals tracked at Argos, Which? found 15 out of 18 (86%) had been cheaper or the same price in the six months before Black Friday.

Amazon came out the best out of the retailers Which? looked at but still had just over half (57%) of products analysed cheaper or the same price in the six months before Black Friday.

Among the examples, Which? found that at Currys PC World a set of Bose Quietcomfort headphones was £249 on Black Friday but had been cheaper or the same price on at least 15 occasions in the six months prior.

Which? found the same problem with a pricey De’Longhi Primadonna Coffee Machine at John Lewis. Costing £1,285 in the Black Friday sale, the machine had been at the same price or less on at least 35 occasions in the six months before, dropping to less than £1,200 on several days in May and June 2019.  

Which? also found that at AO a Zanussi fridge freezer was £549 on Black Friday but had been sold at that price on 153 days in the six months before Black Friday – 84 per cent of the time.

While many of the items tracked by Which? had been cheaper or the same price in the six months before Black Friday, price drops were even more widespread after the day itself.

This applied to almost every single product from AO, Argos, Currys PC World and John Lewis included in the analysis and nine in 10 (90%) of the products Which? tracked on Amazon.

Among the sales season duds Which? did uncover a few great deals, including some Bose Soundsport headphones on Amazon that were on sale at £45 on Black Friday 2019, half the maximum price of £90 and, according to Which? data, the cheapest price of the year.

Meanwhile at Amazon, Which? also found a bargain on a Shark Handheld Vacuum cleaner at £97 on Black Friday 2019, just over half the £180 maximum, the cheapest price of the year.

Which?’s research shows that while a handful of offers might be genuine, the vast majority of Black Friday deals are not necessarily cheaper than at other times of the year – and those who hold out a little longer will often end up paying the same price or even less.

Which? is urging shoppers to not be tempted to impulse buy this year, and to make sure they do their research to assess whether the price and quality of the product they are considering makes it the right deal for them. Even if a deal is advertised as time-sensitive, chances are it will not be the last opportunity to buy at that price.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services, said: “With many of us stuck at home this Black Friday it might be tempting to scour the sales for a bargain, but we’ve found that you could get the same deal – or an even better one – at another time.

“Deals that look too good to be true often are, so don’t fall for time-limited offers and if you are looking for something in particular, do some research first. That way you’ll know a genuine bargain when you see one.”

  • Which? tracked the prices of 219 popular home and tech products over the course of a year, for six months before Black Friday 2019 and six months after.
  • The below table shows the number of products tracked and whether they were the same price or cheaper before and after the sales event.
  • In August 2020, a Which? survey found that 84 per cent of respondents were not planning on buying anything this Black Friday and those who were said they were taking a more considered approach by either tracking prices of coveted items or using price comparison sites.
  • However, internet industry body IMRG last week reported that the combination of Black Friday discounts and coronavirus restrictions will make November a record-breaking month for online spending in the UK. Their report suggested that online sales were up 61 per cent in the first week of November compared with the same period last year.

Black Friday example ‘deals’

AO -Hotpoint SA2844HIX 60cm 71L Built In Electric Single Oven 

You could have bought this built-in oven for £219.99 on Black Friday at AO, but if you’d bought it in the six months prior then you might have saved yourself a tenner – it was £209.99 on at least seven days. In the six months after the sale, it was £209.99 on at least 80 days, and was cheaper or the same price for a total of 134 days after the sale.

AO – Zanussi 178Cm Integrated Frost Free Fridge Freezer ZBB28651SV:

Black Friday price was £549. It was priced at £549 on 153 days in the six months before Black Friday, and was cheaper or the same price on 46 occasions after the sale. 

Argos – GoPro Hero7 White Action Cam

This action camera was £129.99 at Argos on Black Friday, and was the same price for the week before the sale day. In February 2020, it dropped to £119 for 11 days before staying at £129.99 – the same as its Black Friday price – until at least the end of May. In total, it was cheaper or the same price as Black Friday on at least 154 days in the six months following the sale.

Currys PC World – Samsung RS50N3513S8 Freestanding American Style Fridge Freezer

Last Black Friday, the silver version of this Samsung Fridge Freezer cost £849 at Currys PC World. Prior to the sale day, it was priced at £799 on at least 15 days – meaning a saving of £50 compared to Black Friday. Following the sale, it was £849 or cheaper on at least 27 days. 

Currys PC World – Sonos Playbar Soundbar

This stylish soundbar was £649 at Currys PC World last Black Friday, but had been the same price for at least 19 days in October 2019 too. After the sale day, it was the same price or cheaper on at least 129 days – including dropping to £599 over Christmas and new year, meaning shoppers could have saved £50 by holding out a little longer. For those prepared to play the waiting game, it was priced at £499 on several occasions during April and May 2020 – a saving of £150 compared to Black Friday. 

Currys PC World- Bose Quietcomfort 35 Ii Black QC35IIB: was cheaper or the same price as Black Friday on 15 occasions in the six months prior to Black Friday, and 66 days after the sale.

John Lewis – Brother MFC-J6930DW Wireless Inkjet Printer

On Black Friday, this Brother printer was £199.99 at John Lewis. In the six months before the sale day, it had been priced at £199 on at least 79 occasions. John Lewis told us that this was due to its price matching scheme. It was cheaper or the same price on 72 days in the six months after the sale, too. 

John Lewis – The De’Longhi Primadonna Elite Experience Bean To Cup Coffee Machine

The silver version of this expensive coffee machine was £1,285 at John Lewis in the Black Friday sale, but had been at the same price or less on at least 35 occasions in the six months before. This included costing less than £1,200 on several days in May and June 2019.  

John Lewis – The Sonos Beam Compact Smart Sound Bar with Voice Control, Black, was cheaper than its Black Friday price (£399) on 71 occasions in the six months before Black Friday, dropping to £369 for 14 days in July.  It was cheaper or the same price on 184 days in the six months after the sale.

Additional useful Which? Content:

Which? Black Friday Hub – https://www.which.co.uk/news/black-friday/

How to check if your Black Friday deals are real – https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/black-friday/article/black-friday-deals-how-to-check-if-a-black-friday-deal-is-real-aKtJD2L0zJEt

15 Shopping tips to help you get a deal this Black Friday – 

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/black-friday/article/top-15-shopping-tips-for-black-friday-deals-agwOd5D4LCzw

Amazon said: ‘We seek to offer our customers great value thanks to low prices all year round as well as a number of fantastic seasonal deals events. Our Black Friday Sale is about thousands of deals on a huge selection of products from every category across the site, at a time of year when we know saving money is important to our customers.  And the best thing about shopping online is that customers can easily compare prices, allowing them to make an informed purchase decision.’

An AO spokesperson said: ‘We offer great deals for our customers all year. Last year’s Black Friday event had over 9,000 fantastic and fair offers for customers and we expect this year to be even bigger.’

An Argos spokesperson said, ‘Our Black Friday event gives customers access to hundreds of products at their lowest ever price. They may also be part of sales and promotions we run the following year.’

A Currys PC World spokesperson said: “We have 1000s of deals in Black Friday every year, and aim to give our customers the best value with over 45% at their lowest price ever this year. Throughout the year we are also continuously price-matching and have additional sales to ensure we keep our promise of amazing tech that is affordable and accessible. Also as we are constantly looking to bring customers the latest and most innovative tech it means over time some of our older products will generally reduce in price as they are replaced by newer technology with improved features.”

John Lewis said: ‘As a participating retailer in Black Friday, we offer hundreds of deals across technology, home, beauty and fashion.  In addition to the variety of offers we have instore and online during the promotional period, our Never Knowingly Undersold price promise means that we continuously monitor and match the prices of our high street competitors throughout the year.  As such, we offer our customers the best value on the high street all year round, including during the Black Friday period.’   

MPs press Government to provide support for FareShare scheme

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has urged the UK Government to provide £5 million in extra funding to support those struggling to afford sufficient food this winter.

This echoes a call made earlier this year by the Committee in its report on Covid-19 and Food Supply. In a letter from the Committee’s Chair to the Secretary of State, the cross-party group of MPs show support for a FareShare scheme which redistributes surplus food from the supply chain to food charities.

FareShare estimates that the scheme would provide 47 million meals per year to the most vulnerable in society.

Chair of the EFRA Select Committee, Neil Parish MP, said: “We face a tough winter with many businesses closing and incomes reducing or disappearing, pushing people into food poverty.

“The Government must make sure that the most vulnerable members of society have access to enough healthy food. To waste food in the supply chain at such a time would be abhorrent, and this grant would provide a huge boost to the invaluable work of charities redistributing surplus food to those who most need it.”

Rosa Parks Day explained

What is the legacy of this extraordinary woman? Do you have the facts at your fingertips to share with your children when we celebrate her achievements on December 1? 

Former primary school teacher Catherine Lynch of education experts PlanBee is here to help:

In the US, Rosa Parks Day is a public holiday which honours the work of this inspirational woman who is known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’ and ‘the mother of the freedom movement’ by the United States Congress. 

Her influence spread far beyond the US and in the UK, too, we commemorate her work on this date.

The Montgomery bus boycott, which followed Rosa Parks’ protest, was the inspiration for the UK’s Bristol bus boycott in 1963, which arose from the refusal of the Bristol Omnibus Company to employ Black or Asian bus crews.

This was the UK’s own version of the civil rights movement that shook the American South.
 

This year, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, Rosa Parks Day is bound to take on a special significance all over the world.


Who was Rosa Parks?

She was born on 4 February, 1913, in Alabama, US. Her mother was a teacher and her father a carpenter. When her parents separated, Rosa and her younger brother moved with her mother to her maternal grandparents’ farm near Montgomery in Alabama.  

What was America like at that time?

African Americans did not have the same rights as white Americans and there was widespread racial segregation. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement called for widespread reform. Supporters wanted children with different racial backgrounds to go to the same schools and for everyone to have the same rights – for example, equal access to transport – and interracial marriages. African Americans and others who supported the cause took part in non-violent protests, resistance and civil disobedience.

Why is Rosa Parks famous?

Montgomery, the capital city of the state of Alabama, had a law saying bus passengers had to be separated by race. Conductors were allowed to make African Americans give up their seats for white passengers while white passengers didn’t have to share a row of seats with non-white passengers. The law also said that non-white passengers had to board the bus at the front to pay, then get off the bus, and get on again at the back. Sometimes passengers who had paid would not be able to board the bus again before it departed. 

How did she make her protest?

On 1 December, 1955, when Rosa was 42 years old, she boarded a bus to go home after work. Rosa sat in a seat in the first row of seats allowed for non-white passengers. After a while the seats allocated for white passengers filled up and the driver told the four people in Rosa’s row of seats to stand up so a white passenger could sit down. The other three passengers stood up, but Rosa didn’t. She moved towards the window making room for the other passenger. 

Describing the incident, she said: ‘When he [the bus driver] saw me still sitting, he asked if I was going to stand up and I said, “No, I’m not”. And he said, “Well, if you don’t stand up, I’m going to have to call the police and have you arrested”. I said, “You may do that”.’

Rosa was arrested, charged, and found guilty of violating the segregation law and disorderly conduct. She appealed against her conviction and challenged the legality of racial segregation. 

What is the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

On Sunday, 4 December, 1955, a bus boycott was announced in response to Rosa’s conviction. It lasted 381 days, severely damaging the bus companies’ finances. Eventually, the courts ruled that the Montgomery buses would become integrated. This meant that everyone using the busses had the same rights. 

What was the impact of Rosa Parks’ arrest?

Rosa Parks lost her job in the department store where she worked and had to find a new job as a seamstress. Her husband also had to leave his job as his employer forbade him from talking about his wife or her legal case. They also had to move from Montgomery to Hampton, Virginia. 

Was her conviction reversed?

Rosa Parks’ case moved slowly through the appeals court. In 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.  

What did Rosa do after the boycott?

Rosa became a spokesperson for the civil rights movement and later wrote a book about her experiences. She died in 2005 at the age of 92.

Five facts about Rosa Parks 

  1. Detroit has named a street Rosa Parks Boulevard in her honour. 
  2. Claudette Colvin was the first Montgomery bus passenger to be arrested for refusing to give up her seat for a white passenger. She was arrested nine months before Rosa Parks. Rosa helped to raise money for Claudette’s defence in court. 
  3. A few weeks after her first arrest, Rosa was arrested again alongside many other boycott organisers.
  4. After her death, she was the first woman to lie in state in the US Capitol. This honour is usually reserved for a statesperson or military leader. More than 30,000 people filed past her coffin to pay their respects.
  5. On 1 December 2005, bus seats were left empty in New York City, Washington DC and other American cities, to honour Rosa Parks on the 50th anniversary of her arrest.


PlanBee has fabulous FREE Rosa Parks educational resources for download: 

Rosa Parks word searches and inspirational Rosa Parks quotes posters. 

20,000 tonnes of single use face masks will be dumped in landfill by March

The amount of single use face masks that cannot be recycled in the UK will hit 6.3 billion in the 4 months to March weighing an incredible 20,000 tonnes – leading to claims that the laws on throw away masks need changing to prevent an environmental disaster.

“6.3 billion face masks is the amount the UK will throw in the bin in just 4 months – if the rules on mask wearing continue throughout 2021, this could top 19.2 billion – the numbers are absolutely mind blowing”, explains Charlotte Green from National recycling company TradeWaste.co.uk

The eyewatering number of non-recyclable single use face masks being thrown away in the UK:

  • 53m a day are sent to landfill
  • This is 742 million a week
  • Or 1.6 billion a month
  • So, 6.3 billion will be binned in the 4 months to March
  • This will weigh 20,000 tonnes in total
  • In one year, we will use 19.2 billion which weighs as much as 5 1/2 Eiffel Towers

The main problem with disposable face masks is that currently as they are formed from heated and pressed plastics, they cannot easily be recycled. So, the only place they can end up will be in the ground.

“When you put your face mask in the bin, it will most likely end up in landfill. However, it gets even worse if the face mask is either deliberately or accidentally dropped – they are blown around and end up in watercourses, rivers and eventually the ocean. This impact can have awful consequences if wildlife comes entangled in the fibres, or ear loops”, explains Green.

Disposable face masks are typically made from plastic in 3 layers with a metal strip and ear loops:

  • Non-woven plastic fabric outer
  • Melt-blown polymer filter such as polypropylene
  • Non-woven plastic fabric inner
  • Other – cotton ear loops and metal nose piece

What can we do to prevent environmental harm caused by disposable face masks?

The main thing to remember is that if we choose an alternative before buying a disposable mask then we have prevented the manufacture of that mask and therefore halted much of the potential environmental harm.

TradeWaste.co.uk recommends the following alternatives:

  1. Buy a washable face mask made from either recycled materials or washable cotton
  2. Use a paper facemask that can be recycled – these are becoming more widely available
  3. Use a recycling service which accepts disposable face masks made from plastic, such as dust masks, FFP2 (or so-called “N95”), FFP3 and surgical masks

“If you can use a mask where there are no parts to throw away, then you are doing your bit to prevent excess plastic from going to landfill, and in the worst case being blown into local rivers and streams”, concludes Charlotte Green from recycling company TradeWaste.co.uk

“If you think in a year we will dump the equivalent of 5 1/2 Eiffel Towers in 3.5g face masks, you’ll see the scale of the problem we are facing at the moment”.

Dram Disgrace? JUST Festival launches online programme

Whisky, women and sexism will address gender bias and discrimination in the whisky industry

Following on from the resounding success  of Just Festival, Edinburgh’s social justice and human rights festival which celebrated the 20th Anniversary this year, Board Member Helen Foord, CEO of ELE Global is chairing the first online event, continuing essential dialogue around important cultural conversations and issues in our world.

The Just Platform is a series of events, and the first will be Dram Disgrace on 26th of November, examining sexism in the whisky industry, following the incident in September, which made the drinks world stand up and take notice. Our Whisky co-founder Becky Paskin condemned the sexist language used to describe whiskies by one of the most well-known critics, Jim Murray in his new book Whisky Bible.

As a result, Whisky Bible was delisted from many retailers. Importantly, this took the subject of discrimination in the whisky industry onto a digital and social media platform.

For the first time household brands such as Glenfiddich, The Whisky Exchange, Beam Suntory and the Scotch Whisky Association came out in support of Becky’s comments, denouncing sexist language and sexism within the whisky trade.

In this panel event Helen will lead the discussion, speaking with Becky and other industry experts from William Grant, Glenrinnes Distillery amongst others, about gender bias and discrimination in the whisky industry.

The panel of speakers will be sharing thoughts and discussing if this was a standalone moment, or if this is widespread problem, and where do we go from here.

Helen Foord and the team at ELE Global have volunteered their services to all Just Festival events, supporting with all of their digital communications, project management, social media and event promotion.

Helen Foord, CEO of ELE Global comments, “Dram Disgrace is a really important event and topic for the drinks industry, those interested in Scottish produce and importantly the topic of sexism in 2020.

“I very much hope Dram Disgrace will help to challenge perceptions and encourage dialogue on such important issues of our time, during these uncertain times.”

For further information, or to register a place, please go to:

https://www.just-festival.org/eventbrite-event/a-dram-disgrace/

Kintore House goes Native!

Leading UK aparthotel brand Native will be taking over management of Edinburgh’s Kintore House on Queen Street, opening on the 1st December. 

Originally constructed in the 1790s, the building is a significant part of the original fabric of Edinburgh’s New Town, an area of outstanding neo-classical and Georgian architecture and a UNESCO world heritage site.

With 82 apartments comprising studios, one-bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh will build upon Native’s unique ethos of providing the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.

Native Edinburgh follows the successful launch of boutique aparthotels in Glasgow at the Anchorline Building off George Square in 2018 and Manchester at Ducie Street Warehouse – awarded best hotel of the North by the Sunday Times – in 2019. 

Native will also showcase their unique community-inspired ‘neighbourhood heroes’ – partnering with independent local businesses to offer guests a truly Scottish stay at Native Edinburgh.

Native CEO and founder Guy Nixon said: “After opening in Glasgow in 2018, it was a natural step to head to the wonderful city of Edinburgh, building on our commitment to bring the Native concept to wider regions of the UK.

“Following the successful launch of Native Manchester last year – which proudly won The Sunday Times Best Hotel of the North 2019 – we are excited to be operating in Scotland’s two greatest cities. 

“Even with the challenges of this year’s global Coronavirus pandemic, leisure demand for aparthotels has been buoyant in the months coming out of lockdown and we’re well placed to capture post-COVID demand. We’re looking forward to welcoming all guests back when the time is right, and everyone can expect a safe environment with the strictest safely and cleaning practices in place”.

Native Edinburgh joins Native Glasgow and Native Manchester alongside eleven sites in London including Native Bankside. Future sites under development include Leeds, York, Bristol, Oxford and London’s Soho. 

In response to Covid-19, Native operate a detailed Stay Safe commitment across all of their properties. 

Prices for a Studio at Native Edinburgh will start from £89 per night.

For more information and to book, please visit: www.nativeplaces.com.

Aldi’s Scottish-grown Nordman Fir Christmas trees are back

Aldi’s hand selected Nordman Fir Christmas trees, renowned for their big, bushy branches and fresh pine aroma, will return to stores across the UK tomorrow, with prices starting at only £14.99 for a medium tree (5-6ft) and £24.99 for a large tree (6-7ft). 

Grown and nurtured in the heart of Aberdeenshire for up to 10 years, each Aldi Christmas tree is hand selected to ensure the finest quality, and for every tree that is cut down, four more are planted in its place. 

The Nordman Fir is one of the most popular Christmas trees in the UK, favoured for its symmetrical shape and dark green needles that are soft yet strong enough to hold all your favourite decorations.   

This is the sixth year that Aldi has partnered with Lovania Nurseries, who will be supplying approximately 54,000 Nordman Firs in the lead up to the festive period.  

Lee Chambers, Head of Sales at Lovania Nurseries, said: “With its lush, dark green needles and perfect pyramid shape, the Nordman Fir is one of the most popular Christmas tree varieties. 

“They have a wide base, which is excellent for accommodating lots of presents, and their large, soft needles make them both pet and child friendly.  

“My top tip is that when you first take your Nordman Fir home, cut a few inches off the base of the trunk and place it in a bucket of water over night. Choose a cool spot with plenty of space, preferably away from radiators as this can dry the needles prematurely.

“Make sure your tree’s stand is kept topped up with fresh water and it will stay looking fresh and healthy throughout the festive season.” 

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Thanks to our long-standing relationship with Lovania Nurseries, Aldi customers will soon be able to pick up a real Nordman Fir Christmas tree at everyday low prices. 

“Each tree is hand picked by the experts at Lovania before being carefully wrapped and delivered to store, so that our customers can be sure they are buying a tree of the highest quality, with that nostalgic fresh pine scent that is so firmly associated with the festive season.” 

Aldi’s medium and large Nordman Fir Christmas trees go on sale in stores across the UK tomorrow (Thursday 26th November). You can find your nearest store here. 

Carers in Edinburgh urged to seek support

Still Game star highlights valued work of carers in new campaign

Carers across Edinburgh are being urged to seek emotional and practical support through a new national campaign, delivered in partnership with Still Game’s Jane McCarry.

Jane, who plays Isa Drennan in the BBC Scotland sitcom, is a ‘sandwich’ carer – that means she cares for her mother while juggling childcare and work responsibilities. Jane marked the launch of the campaign by addressing carers from across Scotland at this year’s virtual Carers Parliament event.

With more caution about going out, as well as services being under pressure because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, even more people have taken on a caring role. 

Before the pandemic, there were an estimated 690,000 carers in Scotland, however recent polling by YouGov suggests this figure could have increased by an additional 390,000[1] during COVID-19 and lockdown, taking the potential total number of carers in Scotland to around 1.1 million.

The campaign aims to make sure that all who are new to caring, as well as those who were before, are aware there is support out there for them and can come forward to access it.

Although most support is being provided remotely, services are still open and ready to welcome carers. There’s a range of support measures available nationally and locally to help improve carers’ quality of life, with local carer centres across Scotland offering sessions such as virtual support groups, information, advice and online relaxation sessions.

Local carer centres in Edinburgh can help all carers prepare their own personalised support plans.

Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick attended the virtual Carers Parliament event. He said: “Carers are juggling a lot between work, family, friends and their caring duties – it’s crucial for their own wellbeing that they get the support they deserve.

“They may not be aware of what’s available to them, or they may not even recognise themselves as carers, but there is support available nationally and locally to help improve their quality of life.

“Crucially, we want carers to recognise that they’re not alone. There is a community of carers on every doorstep and every street. Together, it’s important to connect them with emotional and practical support that works for them.”

Jane said: “I know first-hand how challenging it is to be a carer for a close friend, neighbour or family member. The working day doesn’t end yet you never view your responsibility as a burden because you’re ‘just’ looking after someone you love.

“The reality, however, is hard – both mentally and physically – and sometimes we all need some support, be it counselling, peer support sessions or even just sitting down for a virtual cuppa with someone who knows what you’re going through.

“I’d encourage anyone in a caring role to seek out the support that’s on offer to them.”

Jill Franklin, 51, from Edinburgh, is a carer for her two autistic sons and has experienced the benefits of taking advantage of the support on offer.

She said: “It’s crucial that carers take advantage of the support available to them and take some time back for themselves. In my own personal situation, I was referred to the carers’ allowance which helped me financially.

“I’ve also received help from VOCAL, an organisation supporting unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian.

“Their support helped me to pay a childminder which allowed me to take some time to study for a masters in playwriting. It’s so important to take time too for yourself which helps ensure you can continue to provide care to your loved ones when they need it most.”

The annual Carers Parliament is organised by Carers Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government and in partnership with national carer organisations, with this year’s virtual event including seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities for those in a caring role.

For more information on the support available to carers, please visit nhsinform.scot/caring or call 0800 011 3200.

No bailout for BiFab

After exploring all options, both the UK and Scottish Governments have concluded that there is currently no legal route to provide further financial support to BiFab in its current form.

A joint working group will be formed to consider ways to strengthen the renewables supply chain in Scotland and to secure future opportunities.  

In a joint statement, the governments have committed to exploring options for the future of the yards and to strengthen measures to support the renewables supply chain.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government has been working for more than three years to support BiFab.

“We have left no stone unturned in our search for a solution to the challenges faced by the business. As a minority shareholder, we have been exhaustive in our consideration of the options available to us to financially support BiFab from public funds.

“The Scottish Government has been clear that State Aid regulations are a barrier to us providing guarantees on the contract from Saipem to build foundation jackets for the Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) project. The UK Government has similarly concluded that there is no legal route for them to provide support.

“The situation at BiFab is a culmination of a number of issues, the main one being the unwillingness of the parent company and majority shareholder JV Driver to provide working capital, investment or guarantees for the company.

“We are determined to secure a new future for the yards in Fife and the Western Isles. We will explore options for the future of these sites and, through this new working group, work with the UK Government to strengthen the renewables and clean energy supply chain.”

Joint statement on BiFab from the Scottish and UK Governments:

Following discussion between the UK and Scottish Governments, ministers in both governments have concluded that, in the absence of a shareholder guarantee provided by BiFab’s majority shareholder, JV Driver, there is no legal route for either the Scottish or UK Governments to provide BiFab with the guarantees it would need to secure its contract with Saipem.

The UK and Scottish Governments are committed to investment in renewables and clean energy. The development of a domestic renewables supply chain is a key priority for both governments.

The UK and Scottish Governments are therefore convening a Joint Working Group to explore how existing policy measures can be used to strengthen the renewables and clean energy supply chain in Scotland, and look at options for the future of the sites where BiFab currently operates and other opportunities around Scotland, in a manner consistent with respective devolved and reserved competencies.

Responding to last night’s Scottish and UK Government joint statement concerning the refusal of financial support for the stricken BiFab yards in Fife and Lewis, Joint Union Secretaries Gary Smith and Pat Rafferty said: “Until the Scottish Government publishes the legal advice over its decision to walk away from BiFab, all the difficult questions remain unanswered.

“This evening’s statement is also disappointing given that our members learned of this through the media – it makes a mockery of the so called fair work agenda.

“The demise of Scotland’s best shot at building a manufacturing supply chain for offshore wind is down to a decade of failure from successive SNP and Tory Governments.”

Thousands of Scots get support to cover funeral costs

Almost 6,000 people received a Funeral Support Payment in its first full year, according to statistics published today.

Since it started making payments last September, Social Security Scotland has paid out £8.7 million to people who have lost a loved one. 

Eligible applicants currently receive an average of £1,761 to help with the costs of a burial or cremation and expenses such as travel and flowers.

Funeral Support Payment replaced the UK Government’s Funeral Expense Payment in Scotland.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Coping with the death of a loved one is one of the most difficult events any of us can face – it’s even harder when there’s extra stress trying to find the money to pay for a funeral.

“It’s important that we support people at key times like this. We want to do what we can to stop those who are dealing with grief having to get into debt too.

“The economic impact of COVID-19 means many more people are receiving Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits than previously, which means they could also be eligible for the Funeral Support Payment.

“I’d encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify for this important financial support to find out more and apply. People can apply for the payment up to 6 months after a funeral has taken place, although if you could not apply within this timescale because of COVID-19, we’ll accept your application as on time.

“Making sure that everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to is a basic step in putting dignity and respect at the heart of social security in Scotland.”

  • The payment includes a flat rate for any other expenses – £1,000 for the majority of applications and £122.05 if the person who died had made provision for their funeral through a funeral plan. It can also cover some travel, document, and medical costs
  • Clients can find pre-application advice which includes eligibility and award amounts and apply at mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment
  • Clients can choose to apply online, via a paper application form or by calling our specially trained Funeral Support Payment team on 0800 182 2222.