Pressure has mounted on the Prime Minister to provide a vital lifeline to millions of families across the UK after a House of Commons debate and vote on Monday evening to extend benefit increases which is worth £20 per week.
Millions of low -income households across the UK could see their incomes fall dramatically in April if the uplift in universe credit ends.
It is estimated that around 16 million people will be in households facing an overnight income loss equivalent to £1,040 a year, with those on the lowest incomes and families with children being hardest hit.
In an instant, 700,000 more people risk being pulled into poverty, including 300,000 children, and 500,000 more of those already in poverty will be plunged deeper into poverty (more than 50% below the poverty line).
Christians Against Poverty along with other charities are urging the Prime Minister to back the ‘Keep the Lifeline’ campaign and support making it permanent for those on Universal and tax credits.
Emma Jackson, National Director of CAP in Scotland said, “The uplift has been a lifeline for people and to remove it would cause devastating effects. We are urging the government to keep the £20 Universal credit uplift in place, and extend it to those on legacy benefits.
“Introducing this was a bold and compassionate measure made by the government and this one action has prevented hundreds of thousands of families across the UK from being pulled further under by the tide of poverty. We know right now that things are incredibly difficult for those on the lowest of incomes and they need financial support.
“We are delighted that significant support has been displayed today in favour of keeping the £20 a week uplift on UC and tax credits. Introducing the £20 a week uplift has been a vital lifeline for so many of our clients at CAP. This one action has prevented hundreds of thousands of families across the UK from being pulled under by the tide of poverty.
“However, we’re extremely disappointed that the government has yet to take the opportunity to extend the uplift. This will put extra pressure and uncertainty on so many families, including pushing families into debt to meet essential costs.
“For those already worried about debt, CAP and other free debt help charities are still here and still working to help those overcome the weight of debt.”
New minimum hourly rates for Store Assistants of £9.55 nationally, rising to £10.57
All Scottish store colleagues to receive hourly pay increases
New minimum hourly pay exceeds the Living Wage Foundation’s latest recommended pay rates
Aldi is one of the only supermarkets to offer paid breaks, which means its colleagues remain the best-paid in the sector
Aldi is recruiting for 335 new store colleagues in Scotland in 2021
Aldi has recognised the amazing contribution of its store colleagues by giving them a New Year’s pay rise and increasing its minimum hourly rates from 1 February 2021.
All of Aldi’s 1,500 Scottish Store Assistant colleagues will benefit from the pay rise, with Aldi paying a minimum hourly rate of £9.55, up from £9.40.
The new rates of pay are also boosted by the fact Aldi is still one of the only UK supermarkets to pay for breaks taken during shifts, which means Aldi colleagues remain the best-paid in the sector. When paid breaks are included, Aldi’s minimum hourly pay rate for store colleagues, based on an average six-hour shift, will be £10.11*.
These changes mean that Aldi store colleagues across Scotland will earn a minimum of £0.83 more per hour than the current National Living Wage.
The pay rise follows bonuses that were awarded to store colleagues in April and December 2020, in recognition of their efforts throughout the pandemic.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Aldi UK and Ireland said: “I want to express my sincere thanks to every single Aldi colleague, who stepped up when it mattered and helped us succeed in our most important mission of all – feeding the nation.
“That is down to our people. Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day. It has never been more important to ensure that our colleagues are rewarded fully for their immense contribution during a challenging period for everyone.”
This year will see Aldi open its 100th Scottish store in Scotland. Currently, the retailer has 96 Scottish stores stocking some of the finest and best value locally sourced food and drink.
This year it will invest a further £20 million in four new stores, which include Hermiston Gait in Edinburgh, Thornybank Industrial Estate in Dalkeith, Portlethen Retail Park in Aberdeen and J24 Retail Park in Govan, while a new store in Gateside Commerce Park, Haddington will open to replace the existing store.
To support this growth, Aldi is recruiting 335 store-level positions in Scotland this year. For the latest vacancies, please visit https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/.
UNISON’s Edinburgh Council branch has reacted angrily to attacks on council workers by Conservative leader Ian Whyte in the Evening News (18 January), and has urged the public to get behind staff who have worked ‘above and beyond’ throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Tom Connolly, UNISON Edinburgh branch secretary, said: “Councillor Whyte (below) should be praising the work of council staff who have been providing services above and beyond throughout the pandemic. Again this is an example of Conservative hypocrisy, clapping workers on the Thursday then slapping them on the Monday.”
Slamming Ian Whyte’s call for staff to be compulsorily redeployed to tasks ‘like winter maintenance’, Tom Connolly added: “I’m sure the public would have questions to ask if staff were taken off tasks like child protection or environmental protection to clear pavements. The fact is that council workers have volunteered in droves to help out throughout the pandemic, inventing new ways of working and ensuring services are delivered where possible. They deserve thanks not criticism.
“Thankfully, the public see the real picture. They see under-pressure, under-paid NHS, Social Care & Council staff and all key workers putting themselves on the frontline to help the vulnerable.
“Councillor Whyte’s comments are the more galling given the Conservative austerity onslaught that has seen local government cut to shreds with 50,000 public service jobs cut in Scotland. The local Conservatives should do something meaningful, such as calling for greater public sector investment
“The real lesson the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is not so-called flexibility to cover up cuts. It is that if all public services had been adequately maintained and grown, we would have been in a much better place to respond.
“UNISON stands with our members and all keyworkers and thanks them for all that they have done and continue to do.”
A new survey into the nation’s TV viewing habits reveals that, on average, Edinburgh viewers currently spend 28 hours of every week glued to their tellies, clocking up to 112 hours a month.
Commissioned by Samsung UK, the research shows that as many as 82 percent of those in the area surveyed said having good things to watch this January and February would help them get through the bleaker winter months.
With 80 percent of the British nation having enjoyed watching more TV during 2020, the research reveals that, in Edinburgh, the average household is set to enjoy 22 box set episodes, 10 sit-coms, six soap opera episodes and four football matches per month. Over a quarter of those polled said that in 2021 they could not live without their TVs.
In an average month this year, viewers in Edinburgh will also enjoy 14 reruns of their favourite shows, nine films, seven game shows and five reality shows – as well as a staggering 73 YouTube videos.
The research also uncovers that over the period of a month, people in Edinburgh will fall asleep in front of the TV three times, have four family feuds over what to watch, snuggle up with a furry friend five times and spill something on the carpet at least four times.
The True Crime genre TV capital of the UK is revealed to be London, with Brits in the city set to enjoy eight episodes each month.
Moreover, the research into TV habits reveals that the soap opera capital of the UK is officially Bristol, where residents will indulge in nine episodes of their favourite soap each month.
Meanwhile it was revealed that hardcore football fans are most likely to be found in Newcastle upon Tyne, watching up to six matches a month.
The research also found that Edinburgh is shifting from watching traditional terrestrial TV to using more modern streaming platforms.
Overall, 46 percent of the nation favours Netflix and this rings true for Edinburgh households, as 38 percent prefer to use this platform over anything else to get their entertainment fix.
Other popular streaming platforms across Edinburgh include Amazon Prime (10 percent), Disney+ (six percent) and BBC iPlayer (eight percent).
The old saying “Laughter is the best medicine” certainly rings true across the nation, as over half of Edinburgh based participants (68 percent) will be watching comedy shows to help keep spirits up throughout the beginning of the year.
In fact, viewers in the UK will laugh until they cry at least five times a month, with 66 percent of Edinburgh based adults admitting comedy is their favourite type of programme to watch. This was closely followed by documentaries (46 percent) true crime (36 percent), game shows (34 percent) and light entertainment (32 percent).
Deep Halder, Head of TV/AV Retail & Content Services, Samsung Electronics UK Ltd said: “As the nation is set to spend even more time at home this year, many of us will be turning to our TVs to provide some comfort and light relief during these times.
“At Samsung, we’re always listening to what our customers desire from their viewing experiences and with almost half turning to comedy shows, we’re proud to have recently launched Samsung’s own Comedy channel via Samsung TV Plus – our exclusive service which offers Smart TV owners instant access to over 80 live and on-demand TV channels for free, guaranteeing endless entertainment options.”
The survey also showed that selecting what to view on TV isn’t always plain sailing, with the average Edinburgh household spending 10 minutes per day bickering over what to watch and 15 minutes flicking through the channels.
One of the biggest frustrations, however, is often finding the remote in the first place, with the research revealing that they spend seven minutes every day searching for the elusive item.
To find out more about Samsung’s TV portfolio, from its pioneering QLED 8K TVs offering state-of-the-art technology, to its impeccably stylish range of lifestyle TVs with innovative features, please visit www.samsung.com/uk/.
INDEPENDENCE ‘THE ONLY WAY’ TO SECURE SCOTLAND’S PLACE IN THE EU
The SNP has challenged Willie Rennie to say whether he backs his London bosses, after UK Lib Dem leader Ed Davey confirmed that his party would abandon any attempts to rejoin the EU, joining Labour and the Tories in becoming a pro-Brexit party.
In an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr, he said that the Lib Dems are “not a rejoin party” – despite promising to voters in their 2019 General Election manifesto that every vote for the party was a “vote to stop Brexit and stay in the European Union”.
The move confirms the SNP as the only major party committed to reversing Brexit and securing Scotland’s membership of the EU.
SNP candidate for Edinburgh Western, Sarah Masson, said: “The Lib Dems have firmly joined the Tories and Labour in becoming pro-Brexit parties, making it crystal clear that the only way to protect Scotland’s interests and secure our place in the EU is to become an independent country.
“With the Lib Dems delivering another trademark U-turn, Willie Rennie must end the silence and clarify whether he stands by his previous pledge to ‘pursue re-entry’ to the EU – and if so, how he squares that with his UK colleagues’ policy – or if it was all hollow rhetoric and he will simply now fall into line and accept the devastating impact Brexit is having on Scottish businesses, including our vital fishing communities.
“The SNP is now the only major pro-EU party committed to rejoining the EU. With the main Westminster parties all signed up to Brexit and the damaging consequences it brings – even in the event of a change in government – there is no route back to the EU through Westminster.
“Scotland can do so much better than a Westminster system acting against our interests. Only by becoming an independent country will we be able to work to rejoin the EU, protect our vital industries and economy, and be part of the world’s largest single market.”
One in three blocked from paying with notes and coins during pandemic
Which? is calling for urgent action to protect the millions of people who depend on the critically endangered cash network, as new research from the consumer champion shows more than a third of consumers have been blocked from paying with cash since the start of the pandemic.
In a survey of 2,000 people, 34 per cent reported being unable to pay with cash at least once when trying to buy something since March, when coronavirus restrictions were first introduced.
Respondents were most likely to be refused the option of paying in cash when shopping for groceries, which accounted for more than a quarter (28%) of incidents.
This was followed by leisure activities such as going to a pub or restaurant (24%) and buying cleaning products (21%).
In one particularly concerning incident reported to Which?, a diabetic man in urgent need of food because his blood sugar levels had dropped was refused service in two restaurants that had gone cashless because of coronavirus.
The figures are highly concerning given the significant numbers of people that still need cash to pay for essential goods and services, particularly now that the UK is once again under tough coronavirus measures.
Five per cent of respondents said they rely on cash, which equates to more than two and a half million people in the UK. 13 per cent, equivalent to seven million people, also said they would struggle without it.
Taken together, this means that 10 million people are not ready – or able – to give up cash.
Furthermore, 40 per cent, representing 22 million people, said that they viewed cash as an essential backup.
The survey also highlighted how rapidly the coronavirus outbreak has changed the way many people pay.
More than half (53%) of people said they had replaced some or all of their cash use since the first lockdown. Of these, just under half (46%) said that their declining cash use was as a result of shops prohibiting or discouraging it.
The potentially serious consequences of businesses refusing cash have been highlighted by the experience of consumers who have reported their problems to Which?.
In November, James Boswell, who is diabetic, stopped off at a service station in urgent need of food after getting stuck in traffic for several hours on the M25, which meant his blood sugar levels dropped.
Despite explaining his situation, the first food outlet he tried, a Nando’s restaurant, refused to serve him as he only had cash with him. The same happened at another restaurant, El Mexicana, but eventually he was able to pay in cash at KFC.
Which? also heard from Linda Blacker, from Southampton, who was unable to board a Bluestar bus after she attempted to pay with a banknote. This was despite having her foot in a brace on account of a broken ankle, and was on her way to see her GP to get a sick note at the time.
Meanwhile, two in five shoppers (42%) told Which? they were using less cash because they thought card payments were safer, a notion that prompted some businesses to encourage contactless payments or go entirely cash free in response to the pandemic.
This approach was first taken at the start of the pandemic, when there were mixed messages about the safety of cash, but since then the Bank of England has provided clarity on the issue.
It advised during the first lockdown that the risk from banknotes is ‘no greater than touching any other common surface, such as handrails doorknobs or credit cards’, and in November concluded that ‘any risk from handling cash should be low,’ particularly compared with ‘hightouch’ objects such as shopping baskets, self-checkout touchscreens or products for sale.
Given the low level of risk, combined with the significant number of people who still rely on it, Which? is encouraging shops to continue to accept cash to ensure that people, particularly those who are vulnerable, are not left in a position where they have no other way to pay.
The consumer champion is currently working with retailers to develop an initiative to protect consumers who want or need to continue shopping with cash.
Which? welcomes the government’s proposal for the FCA to be given the responsibility to oversee the protection of access to cash in the UK. However, the issue of acceptance must also be addressed.
The consumer champion is also calling on the government to make the regulator responsible for tracking the number of UK businesses accepting cash and at what rate this is changing, in order to determine what action is needed and when.
Failure to do so risks undermining legislation on protecting cash access announced by the government in last year’s budget, and the FCA and government need to work together to ensure cash remains a viable payment option.
Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, said: “Cash is still a vital way to pay for millions of consumers, so to see such a high proportion of people report that they have had difficulty spending it is very concerning, particularly now we have entered another lockdown.
“We have repeatedly warned about the consequences that coronavirus will have on what was an already fragile cash system, but nowhere near enough action has been taken by the government or the regulator to understand the scale of this issue.
“The government, which is still yet to introduce legislation to protect cash it promised almost a year ago, must urgently make the FCA responsible for tracking cash acceptance levels. Failure to do so will see the cash network crumble and leave millions of people abandoned.”
Usdaw urges MSPs to back a new law to protect Scottish retail staff
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has today released new figures showing the extent of abuse retail staff suffered last year, ahead of tomorrow’s final vote in the Scottish Parliament on ground-breaking legislation to protect retail staff.
Usdaw’s 2020 survey of 2,729 shopworkers across the UK found that:
88% experienced verbal abuse,
61% were threatened by a customer,
9% were assaulted.
The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill will make it a specific offence to abuse, threaten or assault a shopworker. It is promoted by Daniel Johnson MSP and timetabled for its third and final stage in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 19 January 2021.
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw Divisional Officer says, “We congratulate Daniel Johnson MSP for the work he has done on behalf of our members and retail workers across Scotland by getting this Bill to its final stage in the Scottish Parliament. We urge MSPs to support this ground-breaking new law.
“Shopworkers have been on the frontline throughout the coronavirus crisis, helping to ensure our communities remain fed, despite the risks of contracting the virus. The latest stats we have released today clearly show the scale of abuse they have endured and the need for a change in the law.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members and their local communities. Shopworkers are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be just a part of the job. Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
Voices from the frontline:
Some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
“Shouting, being dismissed, being spoken down to. Treated like scum.”
“We deal with everything – threatened to be stabbed after work, family threatened, grabbed by the neck and pushed against the wall.”
“Pandemic has brought out the worst behaviour in many people. Verbal abuse for limiting items during lockdown, making people queue and most for mask wearing.”
“Varies from comments such as stupid bitch, jobsworth, being told to f*** off or shut up.”
“Always about alcohol. The refusal to sell to an intoxicated person or when asking for age identification.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Scottish shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.
“By passing this Bill, the Scottish Parliament will be leading the way on protection of shopworkers. Retail staff are key workers delivering essential services and we hope MSPs will support them in tomorrow’s vote.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a huge increase in the use of video calls as a way to stay connected with others and improve wellbeing.
Staying connected is especially important for people aged 70 and above who have been advised to self-isolate for long periods of time.
However, there may be barriers to video call use, including difficulties with hearing.
We are interested in finding out how and to what extent older people with hearing loss have been using video calls, focusing on ease or difficulty of use and any effects on feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Take part in our survey
We’ve launched a survey to find out about these things and we’d love you to take part, whether you use video calls frequently or hardly at all and whether you love them or loathe them (or something in between). You can complete the survey online or, if you prefer, fill in a paper copy.
It should take roughly half an hour. We will also conduct a smaller number of in-depth interviews to find out more detail about people’s experiences; you can volunteer for an interview via the survey.
If you’re interested, please register here. If you’d like any more information, please email ear.vcp@ucl.ac.uk or phone 02076798904.
If you prefer to fill in the survey on paper, we can send you a copy in the post.
All respondents can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win one of two £50 shopping vouchers.
This project is a collaboration between four different UCL departments: the Ear Institute, Centre for Behaviour Change, Division of Psychiatry and Institute of Health Informatics.
We will use the results of our investigations to write recommendations about making video conferencing more accessible to older people with hearing loss. We believe that the information we gather will be valuable in helping older people with hearing loss cope with further periods of isolation, either due to the pandemic or other life events.
Hope you are settled back in after Christmas and New Year. Our adult education courses are starting back next week and am taking this opportunity to highlight some wellbeing opportunities that you might be able to share in your networks.
Tuesdays 12.30-1.30pm Pilates Post Beginner – suitable for people working from home in need of some toning exercise as well! Designed for those working from home, but anyone in need of some mid-day exercise can join.
Pilates is a movement/exercise system designed to build dynamic strength and increase your flexibility, stability and mobility. It is a way of re-educating and re-patterning your mind-body by becoming aware of your movements and connecting with your deeper muscles.
The Pilates Method improves your overall functioning and health – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. It is both gentle and challenging, focusing on moving easily, efficiently and pain-free. This course will focus on these elements, providing you with a gentle but strengthening workout. https://www.joininedinburgh.org/activity/17776/
Wednesdays 10.30-12 noon for Beginner Mindfulness to help relax MINDFULNESS (awareness of the present moment) is taught through cultivating Meditation skills which include bringing a kind attention to the breath and body during stillness and movement in a curious non-judgemental way, noticing what is going on in your body, your mind and in the world around you.
HOW THE COURSE WILL BE TAUGHT: Experience of guided practices (Tutor Led) including sitting Meditation, bodyscan and Mindful movement. Encouraged to engage in daily home practice of short (15-20 minutes) meditations to gain the most benefit. Discussion – reflection of experience of home practices. Support and guidance in applying Mindfulness to everyday activities. Short readings and poems.
Thursdays 16.30-17.00 for Health Meditation and Breathing
Is lockdown taking a toll on you? Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed or exhausted? Do you find difficult to focus, relax or even sleep? Are your emotions like a roller coaster lately?
This course will help you navigate the current uncertain times and discover there are actually easy, effective and pleasant ways of managing these emotional states.
Fridays 10.45am-11.15 plus YouTube video Tai Chi Beginners (new class being added because other beginner class full) Beginners Course: Is to introduce you to Yang Style Tai-Chi Chuan.
This will cover the fundamental aims and principles of Tai-Chi Chuan, including an introduction to the philosophy underpinning this. Additionally, we will learn some warm up exercise routines, that will enable, through practice, to establish a foundation and develop agile movements to relax and soften muscles and tissue. This brings movement into areas of the body, where tension and stiffness may already exist. email fiona.henderson@craigroyston.edin.sch.uk if interested
Fridays 12.20-13.30 Mindbody Stretching
Stiff, tense or stressed? Increase your flexibility/mobility in a PLEASANT painless way, prevent muscle/joint soreness and release tension from your body and mind.
Deep and relaxing stretching system, focused on improving flexibility/mobility for the long term, that will help you reduce stress and calm the mind.https://www.joininedinburgh.org/activity/17779/
Costs can be found by clicking on the link but roughly the cost for the standard fee is £31.40 and £15.75 for students, senior citizens or people receiving benefits, for an 8 week term.
Thank you for anything you can do to spread the word – there are also many other courses on the website www.joininedinburgh.org but hopefully these courses might be a good fit for local groups or individuals you know.
An investment of £750,000 in local carer centres will increase support for unpaid carers of all ages, helping them to take a break from caring and access other much-needed help.
This recognises some of the challenges faced by unpaid carers, with many regular sources of support having stopped or moved online due to the pandemic.
It also comes in response to concerns about increasing pressure on carers – particularly while many traditional respite breaks are restricted or unavailable.
The funding will allow local carer centres to react flexibly to the needs of carers in their areas. Feedback from national and local carer representatives suggests there is a demand for extending existing services such as befriending, counselling or online support groups, as well as offering additional grants for carers which can be used for expenditure such as leisure equipment, hobbies or entertainment subscriptions.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in society but without the right support, caring relationships can break down, which can result additional health or social care support being needed for the cared for person, their carer, or both.
“This funding will enable carer centres to decide how best to promptly meet local need. It is designed to ensure more unpaid carers – including young carers – can benefit from a much-needed break and emotional support.”
On behalf of Scotland’s National Carer Organisations, Don Williamson, Chief Executive of Shared Care Scotland, said: “COVID-19 has made life hugely challenging for unpaid carers, many of whom are struggling on with little or no opportunity to have any breaks from their caring. We therefore very much welcome this additional funding from Scottish Government which will go towards increasing the capacity of local carer services so they can provide support to more carers, including with accessing breaks, to help them over the particularly difficult winter months.”
