Day: February 3, 2021

BOGOF! Consumers warn government off meddling with food and drink promotions

A survey by BritainThinks, commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), has found that 73% of in-store shoppers say they usually or always purchase products that are on promotion when shopping, with a quarter (25%) of respondents suggesting that if there were no promotions, they would be concerned about the affordability of their shopping.

Nearly two thirds of participants (62%) also agreed that promotions are an important way to save money on food and drink, with nearly three quarters of participants (72%) wanting promotions to continue, finding them useful for saving money, stock up on food for the future and trying new products.

The findings come following news that the government remains committed to plans that would restrict promotions, including multibuys and buy-one-get-one-free deals.

Commenting on the findings, the FDF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Kate Halliwell, said: “The survey results clearly demonstrate that a large majority of in-store shoppers use promotions as a way to save money on their food and drink shopping. We’re extremely concerned that removing these promotions will add to the household’s food bill.

“There is evidence that during a recession, many people increasingly rely on promotions to help them save money. It’s predicted that the average shopping basket may increase by £600 a year without promotions in retail. We have already seen evidence of rising food costs – at the start of lockdown we saw a spike of 2.4% increase in food prices, fuelled by a 15% fall in promotions which accounted for over half of this inflationary spike.

“We urge the Government to consider these findings as they press on with their plans to restrict retail promotions and think about the impact this may have on the shopping basket and for shoppers during an incredibly difficult economic time.”

Scottish Ensemble embrace digital, young people and mental wellbeing with new appointments

Scottish Ensemble starts 2021 as it means to go on with the appointment of three new board members by chair Samantha Barber.

Scotland’s award-winning ensemble has been treating audiences both old and new to an array of digital content and collaborations since the global pandemic began and the appointment of three new board members carries their commitment to reaching new audiences and promoting mental wellbeing well into the future.

Together, the new appointments draw on expertise from the fields of digital/ technology, mental health, young people, tackling social disadvantage, strategy and governance and will help the ensemble continue to innovate at a time of ongoing uncertainty and change.

James McAulay, the CEO & Co-Founder of Encore – one of the world’s largest online booking platforms helping musicians earn money playing at events, concerts, weddings and recording sessions – joined the board in December 2020, as its youngest member to date.

Before starting Encore, James studied the cello at the Music School of Douglas Academy in Glasgow and led the NYOS cello section at their BBC Proms performance with Nicola Benedetti in 2012. James brings extensive digital expertise and a passion for strings and composition to the table.

Morag Burnett began her career in arts management and has since worked with international NGOs and foundations for over 20 years in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, New York, London, Mexico City and most recently Tbilisi, Georgia.

Morag is deputy chair of the innovative, London-based Lankelly Chase foundation, working to change systems that perpetuate disadvantage and she hopes to bring this experience into her new role.

Amy Woodhouse, currently Head of Policy, Projects and Participation for Children in Scotland, the national network organisation improving children’s lives, has a particular interest in how music, and the arts more widely, can be used to promote mental health and wellbeing and will join the board in March 2021.

She brings an understanding of mental health improvement and participatory approaches to the board.

Chair of Scottish Ensemble, Samantha Barber said: “We are truly delighted to welcome Amy, Morag and James to the Scottish Ensemble board. Together they bring skills and experience that we know to be of utmost importance as we enter 2021.

“These new appointments and all that they represent in terms of knowledge and know-how will enable us to remain resilient and continue innovating in the way for which we have become known. I know that all of my colleagues on the board and across the organisation will join me in wishing them a warm welcome; we look forward to their input and to exploring new ideas and perspectives over the coming year.”

In addition to the new board members, SE also announce that after over 14 years in various roles throughout the organisation, Lesley Paterson retires in 2021 having completed her full term as a board member.

And finally, Chief Executive Jenny Jamison will be heading off on maternity leave in March and William Norris of William Norris Arts Management will be stepping into her role, supported by the wider SE team.

Having previously held the post, among others, of Managing Director for Southbank Sinfonia and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra (Toronto) William’s past work has explored innovative concert formats and looked at ways to reach new audiences and SE are delighted to welcome him to the team.

Electric scooter rider injured in Ferniehill – man charged

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was found injured in the south of the city after riding an electric scooter.

Shortly before 12.15am this morning (Wednesday, 3 February, 2021), a witness contacted emergency services after finding a man injured in the roadway on Ferniehill Road.

Officers and the Scottish Ambulance Service attended and the 40-year-old rider was taken to hospital with serious, but not life threatening, injuries.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish how he came to sustain his injuries and officers are asking anyone who may have seen the rider prior to him being found injured to contact police.

Police Constable James Lamb from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit based in Edinburgh said: “First and foremost we are seeking to understand how the man became injured. He suffered a head injury and was found in the eastbound lane of Ferniehill Road, just off Gilmerton Road, near to the junction with Ferniehill Avenue.

“I would ask anyone in the Moredun and Gilmerton areas who may have seen a man riding an e-scooter late last night, or any properties who may have private CCTV covering the area, to check their systems to see if this can help our enquiries.

“Similarly any drivers in the area who may have seen the rider prior to him being found injured, and especially if recording with dash cam, should provide any relevant information or footage to officers as soon as possible.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 0019 of 3 February. An anonymous report can be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Following a previous appeal regarding a man found injured after riding an electric scooter in the Ferniehill Road area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 3 February, Police Scotland can now confirm that a 48-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of road traffic offences.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Self-Isolation support extended

The £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant is being significantly extended to more people on low incomes.

The grant will be available to workers earning the Real Living Wage or less, as well as those in receipt of a council tax reduction because of low income.

People with caring responsibilities for someone over 16 who is asked to self-isolate, where the carer themselves meet the other eligibility criteria, can also get the grant.

In addition, the Scottish Government is lengthening the period during which people can apply for the Self-Isolation Support Grant. They will now be able to apply within 28 days of being told to self-isolate.

The changes will take effect from 16 February to allow local authorities time to change their systems and application forms, but eligibility will be backdated to 2 February. This means an additional 200,000 people will be eligible for the grant if they are asked to self-isolate.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Supporting people to self-isolate is critical to controlling the spread of the virus. We always said we would review this grant to make sure it worked for people who face financial hardship as a result of self-isolation. That is why we are making changes to considerably increase the eligibility of the grant to those on low incomes. 

“These are important changes and will be accompanied by a national and local media campaign to increase public awareness of support available. We know self-isolation is necessary to stop transmission of coronavirus, and recent research shows that 62% of symptomatic people and 80% of their close contacts comply fully with isolation guidance and I would like to thank them for this.

“While self-isolation can be difficult for everyone, we want to break down any financial barriers to complying. I am grateful to COSLA and local authority staff for their hard work to introduce these changes and offer support through the National Helpline and Local Self-Isolation Assistance Service to all those who need it.”

The Self-Isolation Support Grant is already available to low income workers who will lose earnings as a result of having to self-isolate, or having to care for a child under 16 who has to self-isolate.

You can call the Self-Isolation Support National Helpline on 0800 111 4000.

Two new stores: Aldi to invest over £6.7m in Lothians as part of continued expansion

Aldi, the UK’s lowest priced supermarket, is to invest more than £6.7 million in two new stores in Edinburgh and Midlothian this year, creating 42 jobs.  

The supermarket will open a new store at Hermiston Gait in Edinburgh and Thornybank Industrial Estate in Dalkeith before the end of the year. 

Aldi continues to lead the way on championing great quality Scottish produce with twenty five percent of its range now locally sourced in Scotland. The supermarket now has 96 stores throughout Scotland and is set to reach its 100th store milestone by the end of the year. This investment is part of the supermarket’s long-term target to reach 1,200 stores in the UK by 2025.  

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “With shoppers increasingly looking to make sure they get unbeatable prices on their weekly shop without compromising on quality, our stores are becoming ever more popular.  

“This investment in Aldi stores over the course of this year will help make the UK’s lowest-priced supermarket more accessible to even more people, and bring us closer to our long-term goal of having 1,200 stores across the UK by 2025.” 

“We have been investing in Britain for more than 30 years now, but we know that there are still areas that either don’t have an Aldi at all, or that need another store to meet customer demand. 

Last summer, Aldi announced it was looking for new store locations in 19 towns and cities across Scotland – including Stonehaven, Castle Douglas, and Peebles – as part of its longer-term expansion plans. 

Aldi has recently increased its minimum hourly rates, paying a minimum hourly rate of £9.55 nationally, up from £9.40. Store colleagues will now be able to earn up to £10.57 after three years nationally and £11.32 after two years in London. 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. 

The supermarket, which opened new stores in Livingston and Stewarton during 2020, has also announced plans to increase the amount of food and drink it buys from British suppliers by £3.5bn a year by 2025, as it continues its rapid expansion across the UK.

Aldi is widely recognised as the biggest supporter of local suppliers and has already put plans in place to expand its Scottish range to hit 500 locally sourced product lines in the next two years. 

Aldi is also investing £500m in new and upgraded stores, distribution centres and its supply chain in 2021, which will create over 4,000 jobs as well as new opportunities for British food and drink producers. 

UK Sikhs urge Dominic Raab to raise human rights violations against farmers in India

Sikh Organisations and Gurdwaras (Temples) from across the UK have written to The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Rabb, expressing their grave concerns about the human rights violations against farmers and journalists in India:

‘We urge the Foreign Secretary to express our collective concerns on behalf of the British people to India’s Government and raise the matter at the United Nations.

“Security services are indiscriminately detaining and charging protesting farmers and journalists with false charges of terrorism, sedition”

‘The Indian security services are indiscriminately detaining and charging protesting farmers and journalists with false charges of terrorism, sedition, and anti-national conduct. Internet and phone services have been restricted to prevent independent reporting of the situation on the ground in Delhi. Several journalists and farmers have been arrested or gone missing, many protestors have been illegally detained and tortured.

‘The Indian Government is in breach of various UN resolutions and international laws regarding the right to protest, access to information, and free press. The British Government has raised concerns around this right several times concerning the Chinese Government’s crackdowns on peaceful protests.

‘As citizens and residents of Great Britain, we call on Dominic Raab, as our Foreign Secretary to raise these matters urgently with the Indian Government and his counterparts and urge the Indian authorities to act with restraint and resume peaceful dialogue with the farmer groups.

‘We urge the UK Government to pursue this matter with the appropriate authorities and forums at the United Nations. As a Government, which is committed to the rule of law and human rights, there is a positive obligation on the British Government to continuously raise and monitor matters that concern the violation of fundamental human rights anywhere in the world.’

Dentistry in Scotland at risk as dental schools face uncertain future

The British Dental Association has urged the Scottish Government to provide a clear safety net to protect students, universities and the future of patient care, as questions emerge of whether Scotland’s dental schools will graduate classes in 2021. 

The COVID pandemic has limited the clinical experience of many dental undergraduates. In an open letter to Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Jeane Freeman, and Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney the BDA has warned action is needed to minimise wide-ranging impacts on the future of education, training and the sustainability of the NHS workforce.

The union has warned against saddling undergraduates with unmanageable debt. Scottish dental students can already expect to graduate with over £34,000 debt. An additional year of study could push it to over £40,000.

Dentist leaders have stressed that any changes will have an impact not just on this year’s graduating class, but on the shape and size of the 2021 intake.

The BDA is now calling on the Scottish Government to support any undergraduates who are required to take additional periods of study via an emergency bursary, to offer appropriate support for dental schools covering tuition fees where appropriate, teaching grant and clinical placement funding, and ongoing support for the network of NHS trainers who take on trainees following graduation.

Any disruption will have a significant impact on patient access. Graduate dentists are typically given higher needs patients to maximise their clinical experience during their vocational training. Longer-term this disruption may also translate into fewer qualified dentists entering the NHS workforce in years to come. The BDA has stressed any inaction will make the huge backlog facing Scotland’s dental services even more difficult to clear.

David McColl, Chair, British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “What dental students across Scotland really need now is certainty. The Scottish Government must offer a safety net, which protects the next generation, supports our universities, and secures the future of patient care.

“Should these students be unable to graduate in 2021 it will have a serious impact on both the workforce and patients’ ability to access NHS services.

“The pipeline of health professionals should not be left at risk. We need to see a plan that guarantees graduates aren’t saddled with unmanageable debt, keeps schools viable, and ensures Scotland has the dentists it needs.”

TUC calls for a ‘Workers’ Budget’

  • NEW POLL: 50% of low-paid workers have suffered income loss in the pandemic, compared to 29% of high earners
  • TUC budget submission calls for a “workers’ budget” and extension of JRS to the end of 2021

New polling, published this week by the TUC, finds that low earners are more likely than middle and higher earners to have been forced to cut spending and take on debt during the pandemic.

The poll findings (conducted for the TUC by BritainThinks) come as the TUC publishes its budget submission, which calls on the Chancellor to improve pandemic support for low- paid workers, and to invest in job protection and creation to prevent an unemployment crisis following the pandemic.

Low paid workers and the pandemic’s impacts

Over a third (37%) of workers said that their household had suffered a reduction in disposable income since the pandemic began.

This rises to half (50%) for workers with annual earnings below £15k, while it is just three in ten (29%) for workers earning more than £50k.

The lowest earners are also the most likely to have had to reduce spending and take on debt.

Percentage of workers saying that since start of pandemic they have….
Annual earnings(1) Less disposable income(2) Needed to reduce spending(3) Taken on more debt
Less than £15k50%46%29%
Between £15k and £29k35%30%18%
Between £29k and £50k33%31%20%
More than £50k29%24%18%
All workers37%34%21%

The TUC says that low-paid workers have been worse affected because:

  • Insecure work: Low paid workers are often employed on terms such as zero-hours contracts, which give them no protection when their hours of work are cut back.
  • Household budget flexibility: Workers who are already struggling on low pay have much less flexibility than middle and higher earners to reduce spending and avoid debt.
  • Hard-hit sectors: Hospitality, leisure and non-essential retail have had by far the highest rates of furlough, and they are both sectors with large numbers of low-paid workers.
  • Remote working: Middle and high wage earners are more likely to have jobs that can be done form home, meaning they can avoid the need to be furloughed and may also make savings such as their usual commuting costs.
  • Furlough is protecting incomes but can pay less than minimum wage: The job retention scheme does not have a floor, meaning that some workers receiving 80% of their wages have fallen below the minimum wage. Two million employees were paid below the minimum wage in April 2020 (compared to 409,000 in April 2019) and the majority of these were on furlough at the time.

TUC Budget submission

The TUC’s budget submission calls for a workers’ budget.

The union body encourages the Chancellor to follow the recommendations of the OECD to make greater use of fiscal policy to support the economy.

By increasing support for working people and low-income households, the Chancellor would also be using fiscal policy to protect the economy and stimulate recovery.

TUC budget recommendations include:

  • Extending the job retention scheme to the end of 2021.
  • A wage floor within JRS to prevent furlough pay falling below the minimum wage.
  • Permanent retention of the £20 per week increase in universal credit, and an end to the five-week wait for new universal credit claimants to receive payment.
  • Increasing child benefit and child tax credit and removing the two-child limit.
  • Fixing statutory sick pay by raising it to £330 per week (to match the level of the real Living Wage) and by extending eligibility to the two million low-paid workers currently excluded from SSP.
  • Raising the national minimum wage to at least £10 per hour.

The full submission includes further recommendations to invest in job creation and boost skills – including retaining the £12 million Union Learning Fund, which supports 200,000 workplace learners annually.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “When a crisis hits, the most exposed should get the most protection. But many low-paid workers are struggling through the pandemic on less money and with higher costs. And they are falling into deeper poverty and debt.

“Good government means stepping in to help. The Chancellor should help by extending furlough to the end of the year, with a guarantee that support will never be less than minimum wage. And last year’s boost to universal credit should be kept – permanently.

“Many of these low earners are key workers who have kept our country going. We owe it to them to build a fairer economy after the pandemic. The Chancellor should give Britain a workers’ budget next month. It should be a plan for full employment, with decent pay and job security for every worker.”

‘Facing real challenges’ – Young artist reflects on pandemic

An image representing young people overcoming challenges during the Covid-19 crisis has been released by Barnardo’s to mark Children’s Mental Health Week.

With the theme of this year’s week (February 1 to February 7) being ‘Express Yourself’ the UK’s leading children’s charity asked the artist to explain what inspired the picture.

Artist Louise, who is supported by Barnardo’s, said: “In the image, I chose the cogs to represent the idea that young people are facing many invisible challenges and feelings which I felt were important to acknowledge. 

“The blue light in the image represents that despite all these challenges, here was a generation that had come together in all sorts of different ways whether that was working for the NHS or doing a neighbour’s shopping. 

“Yes, young people are facing some real challenges at the moment but we are making a difference despite it all which felt powerful to me and was what I wanted to convey through my image.”

The picture was also used as the front cover of a Barnardo’s report entitled In Our Own Words, where young people had their say about how the pandemic has affected them.

Young people who helped produce the report said the pandemic has felt like a lifetime, and Barnardo’s is concerned the effects will last a real lifetime if steps are not taken to help children.

It is holding Government to account and ensuring the voice of the child is not forgotten in its response to the pandemic.

But cannot do it alone and needs the support of the public to help children and young people who are feeling lonely, anxious about the future, disconnected from their peers, with some living in unsafe home environments away from the protective gaze of their teachers and school staff. 

This is why the charity is relaunching an urgent Coronavirus Crisis Appeal. It knows that with the right support, children can recover from the trauma resulting from the pandemic. 

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “With spring still a long way off, the country in another lockdown and the end of the pandemic still uncertain, children and young people are facing a very difficult time.

“Just as Louise expresses so brilliantly in her picture, young people are facing many invisible challenges, but they don’t have to face them alone.

“Barnardo’s is always here for those who need us, and with your support we can reach  even more children and young people struggling during the pandemic and beyond. If you are in a position to donate, then please do consider supporting our Crisis Appeal.”

Go to www.barnardos.org.uk/coronavirus-crisis-appeal for more information.

Care provider completes vaccine roll out at Edinburgh care homes

A care provider which operates care homes across the country has completed its Covid-19 inoculation programme – with residents already talking about how their lives are set to be transformed.

Mansfield Care has successfully offered the vaccine to all of its frontline staff and residents, and have carried out the procedure to all those who have requested the vaccine.

Edinburgh homes Haugh House, Craighall House, Eildon House, and Belleville Lodge are among 11 care homes operated by Mansfield Care to have completed the vaccination programme.

Resident and journalist at Haugh House, Michael Fry, found the vaccine to have no physical impairment on him.

Michael said: “The vaccine had no physical effect on me, but made me happy in thinking I’ll be able to get out and about all the sooner. I have been in lockdown since March 2020, so I’m hoping the vaccine will let me get out again so I can see my family.”

85-year-old Craighall House resident, Jean McMillan, opted to take the vaccine to keep the infection rates down.

Jean said: “I received my first dose of vaccine on January 20. I didn’t feel a thing and felt fine afterwards. I decided to have the vaccine to help keep the rates down and because I have missed being able to see my daughter, Caroline and my great grandson Murray.”

Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Hume said: “It’s been a difficult year for everyone, so to have the vaccination programme fully completed with the full support of our staff and residents has been an incredible lift.

“Our philosophy that ‘small is key’ has been integral to keeping our residents and staff safe, while maintaining an optimal level of care throughout the pandemic.

“At this stage we cannot predict how the virus will mutate, and what impact that will have on our community, but we are determined to cover all bases and maintain the safety of everyone in our care homes.

“Again we would like to thank our incredible staff who have worked tirelessly over this turbulent period, and our residents for their continued diligence and patience.”

Mansfield Care has also implemented a regimented and rapid lateral flow testing process which swab tests staff two to three times per week and provides test results within 30 minutes, to ensure the safety of residents and staff alike.

In addition to its rigorous testing, the provider has also focused on creating new activities to combat the boredom and loneliness caused by social distancing and restrictions, including personalised activity boxes for residents and a creative conversation ball game designed specifically for residents with dementia.

Mansfield Care specialises in small, friendly, residential care homes across Edinburgh, Borders and West of Scotland, providing individualised care in state of the art facilities.

The Mansfield Care ethos is inspired by the kind of care many would wish for later in life – positive, empathetic, respectful and homely.

To find out more about Mansfield Care visit, https://www.mansfieldcare.co.uk/