A new study has revealed how a lack of financial education has left people across the United Kingdom confused by their own money with detrimental effects on their confidence, mental health and financial wellbeing.
Investment app Freetrade created the Great British Financial Literacy Test – 18 questions about savings, investment, ISAs and retirement that everybody will likely encounter at some point in their lives.
How did Britons perform in the financial literacy test?
Asking 2,000 British people to complete the test, Freetrade discovered that almost half of them (48%) could not answer basic questions about personal finance including what an ISA stands for, the difference between fixed rates and variable rates, and what your annuity provider does when you retire.
Retirement was the area of personal finance that people struggled to understand the most with 80% of Brits unable to correctly answer this part of the test. This figure was 81% among respondents aged 55+ approaching retirement age.
The pass rates for questions about investment were the second lowest at 44%. This was followed by savings at 34% and ISAs at 32%.
Do British people lack confidence in their finances?
Equally as alarming as the low pass rates across the UK were people’s lack of confidence around aspects of personal finance. Overall, 88% of Brits say they lack confidence with their money, and one third of Britons (32%) said this also led to a negative impact on their mental health.
An overwhelming majority of respondents (91%) told Freetrade they lack confidence in investment. 90% of Brits similarly lack confidence in managing their retirement money, according to the study. 88% of the UK also lack confidence when it comes to ISAs.
Dan Lane, senior analyst at Freetrade, said: “The greatest advantage you can give your investments is time. So it’s concerning that the cohort with the most time on their hands feels so ill-equipped.
“Whether we realise it or not, investing early on in life could be the difference between reaching our eventual financial goals or missing them entirely. Getting to grips with the basic concepts later in life might just be too late.
“There should be alarm bells ringing about the fact that 90% of Brits lack confidence with their pensions. With advances in medical technology and increased life expectancies we’re likely to live longer in retirement than ever before.
“But a massive gap in our understanding of how to invest for our third age, or even how to access those investments suitably later on, means we really aren’t prepared for a sizable portion of our lives. Unless we’re thinking about investing for retirement long before we get there, we could end up in the awful position of regretting the simple financial decisions we made 30 years ago.
“It’s a real sign of the nation’s lack of financial education when a huge portion of the population doesn’t know the name of one of the most common savings products. The frustrating thing about the lack of confidence around ISAs is just how helpful, accessible and easy to use ISAs can be. Chances are, if we’re unsure about the headline facts around ISAs, we’re not using them to help us as much as we could.”
Which areas of the UK have the highest and lowest financial literacy rates?
Brighton was the city discovered to be the most financially literate, according to Freetrade’s study. Pass rates there were 55%, much higher than the national average. Sheffield, however, was discovered to be the city with the lowest financial literacy with only a 47.6% pass rate.
The five highest and lowest scoring cities in the UK are:
Top 5 Cities
Pass Rate
Bottom 5 Cities
Pass Rate
Brighton
55%
Sheffield
47.6%
Manchester
54.1%
Belfast
48.5%
Edinburgh
53.8%
Birmingham
51.8%
Southampton
53.5%
Nottingham
51.9%
Cardiff
53.5%
London
52.4%
Dan Lane, senior analyst at Freetrade, continued: “There are regional differences on show but the overall takeaway is that we still need a greater focus on financial literacy all across the UK.
“Basic concepts like compound interest might be ticked off in the National Curriculum but setting us up to deal with that in the real world takes more than a textbook exercise.
“These results should be a wake-up call for the nation’s education system to equip young people well enough to put theory into practice.”
Where are we turning to for financial education?
Struggling to understand finance, Britons are turning to the internet for help. 23% of us make Google their first stop for learning about personal finance—the most popular answer among respondents. The second most common answer was social media with 16% of people saying they would get financial education from platforms like Instagram, TikTok or Facebook.
Dan Lane, senior analyst at Freetrade, concluded: “Young people are taking their future into their own hands and being proactive in addressing the gap in their financial knowledge.
“The results show that previous generations have clearly muddled through to retirement without ever getting a firm grip on their money management and the youngest Brits have said enough is enough.
“Social media can make the headlines for the strangest of reasons but dismissing these platforms means ignoring the truly valuable educational content young people are finding on them. These are free resources and guidance tools dealing with money matters in a way that engages and informs a generation who left school without a firm financial foundation.
“Those who diminish the efficacy of these resources have to ask themselves ‘what else is on offer to help?’”
The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has announced it will be offering pregnant women the COVID-19 vaccine, in line with the vaccine roll out plan for the UK.
This comes after the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) presented evidence to the JCVI on the impact of COVID-19 for pregnant women, leading the JCVI to recommend offering vaccination to all pregnant women in line with priority groups. This enables every pregnant woman to make an individual decision based on benefits and risks.
Up until this point, the COVID-19 vaccination has only been offered to pregnant women when their risk of exposure to the virus is high, such as health and social care workers, or if the woman has underlying conditions that place her at high risk of complications of COVID-19.
Clinical trials testing the vaccine in pregnant women are just starting, but robust real-world data from the US – where around 90,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated mainly with mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna – have not raised any safety concerns.
Therefore, the JCVI is advising that it is preferable for the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines to be offered to pregnant women in the UK, where available.
Professor Lucy Chappell, consultant obstetrician and COVID-19 vaccine lead for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “This announcement from the JCVI brings the UK into line with the US and other countries who have been offering the COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant women since December, and should provide reassurance to pregnant women, as well as those planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, that vaccination is an option for them.
“We are continuing to work with healthcare professionals so they are able to counsel pregnant women on the risks and benefits of having the COVID-19 vaccine based on their individual circumstances.
“We are also advocating for more data collection of pregnant women receiving the vaccine in the UK, and welcome the work that is going on to ensure that there is recording of pregnancy status in the national vaccination programme to enable linkage to outcomes.”
Dr Mary Ross-Davie, Director for Professional Midwifery and COVID-19 vaccine lead at the Royal College of Midwives, said:
“This is a sensible step by the Committee and one we welcome. It empowers pregnant women to make their own decisions about whether or not to receive the vaccine. Ultimately it will be a woman’s choice and midwives and obstetricians will be there to support them to make an informed decision that is right for them.
“It is now vital that the national vaccination programme, GPs and maternity services are supported to develop systems and procedures that support women who wish to have the vaccine to have it as easily as possible.
“We need to ensure that those providing counselling and information to women about the vaccine in pregnancy have up to date accurate information and have enough time to talk through questions and concerns with women.”
Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “We are grateful to the JCVI for taking into consideration our evidence and updating the guidance around the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy.
“Vaccination offers pregnant women the best protection from COVID-19, which can be serious in some women. We know pregnant women can get unwell with COVID-19; one in five pregnant women who become unwell and are admitted to hospital will have a premature birth.
“We believe it should be a woman’s choice whether to have the vaccine or not after considering the benefits and risks and would encourage pregnant women to discuss with a trusted source like their GP, obstetrician or midwife, or a healthcare professional in a vaccination centre.
“This move will empower all the pregnant women in the UK to make the decision that is right for them, at the same time that the non-pregnant population in their age group receive protection from COVID-19.”
FUNERAL of HRH THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH
Saturday, 17th April, 2021 at 3.00pm
During the service, a choir of four singers (three of whom are Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel Choir) will be conducted by James Vivian and the organ will be played by Luke Bond.
Music before the service
– Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
– Adagio espressivo (Sonata in A minor) – Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
– Salix (The Plymouth Suite) – Percy Whitlock (1903-1946)
– Berceuse (Op 31 No. 19) – Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
– Rhosymedre (Three Preludes founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes) – Ralph Vaughan Williams – (1872-1958)
The service is led by the Right Reverend David Conner, KCVO, Dean of Windsor.
The Blessing will be pronounced by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Members of the Royal Family and Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family arrive at the Galilee Porch and are conducted to the Dean’s Cloister.ADVERTISING
Members of the Royal Family and Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family are conducted from the Dean’s Cloister to the Galilee Porch to view the Procession and await the arrival of Her Majesty The Queen.
The Queen is received at the Galilee Porch by the Dean of Windsor, who conducts Her Majesty, Members of the Royal Family and Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family, who have been viewing the Procession, to their seats in the Quire.
ORDER OF SERVICE
All stand. The Coffin is removed from the Land Rover and is carried to the West Steps where it rests at 3pm for the one minute National Silence.
The Coffin is then carried to the Catafalque in the Quire.
Members of the Royal Family who have walked in the Procession are conducted to their places in the Quire.
Meanwhile, the choir sings
THE SENTENCES
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
John 11. 25-26
I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.
Job 19. 25-27
WE brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
1 Timothy 6. 7, Job 1. 21
William Croft (1678-1727)
All remain standing. The Dean of Windsor shall say
THE BIDDING
We are here today in St George’s Chapel to commit into the hands of God the soul of his servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. With grateful hearts, we remember the many ways in which his long life has been a blessing to us. We have been inspired by his unwavering loyalty to our Queen, by his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth, by his courage, fortitude and faith.
Our lives have been enriched through the challenges that he has set us, the encouragement that he has given us, his kindness, humour and humanity. We therefore pray that God will give us grace to follow his example, and that, with our brother Philip, at the last, we shall know the joys of life eternal.
All sit. The choir sings
Eternal Father, strong to save,Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deepIts own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to theeFor those in peril on the sea.O Saviour, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep,And calm amid its rage didst sleep:O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O sacred Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who bad’st its angry tumult cease,
And gavest light and life and peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso’er they go:
And ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Melita by J. B. Dykes (1823-76) William Whiting (1825-78)
Arranged by James Vivian (b. 1974)5
All remain seated.
THE FIRST LESSON
Ecclesiasticus 43. 11-26
Read by the Dean of Windsor
Look at the rainbow and praise its Maker; it shines with a supreme beauty, rounding the sky with its gleaming arc, a bow bent by the hands of the Most High.
His command speeds the snow storm and sends the swift lightning to execute his sentence.
To that end the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly out like birds.
By his mighty power the clouds are piled up and the hailstones broken small.
The crash of his thunder makes the earth writhe, and, when he appears, an earthquake shakes the hills.
At his will the south wind blows, the squall from the north and the hurricane.
He scatters the snow-flakes like birds alighting; they settle like a swarm of locusts.
The eye is dazzled by their beautiful whiteness, and as they fall the mind is entranced.
He spreads frost on the earth like salt, and icicles form like pointed stakes. A cold blast from the north, and ice grows hard on the water, settling on every pool, as though the water were putting on a breastplate.
He consumes the hills, scorches the wilderness, and withers the grass like fire. Cloudy weather quickly puts all to rights, and dew brings welcome relief after heat.
By the power of his thought he tamed the deep and planted it with islands. Those who sail the sea tell stories of its dangers, which astonish all who hear them; in it are strange and wonderful creatures, all kinds of living things and huge sea-monsters. By his own action he achieves his end, and by his word all things are held together.
All remain seated as the choir sings
THE JUBILATE
O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:serve the Lord with gladness,and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God:it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,and into his courts with praise:be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting:and his truth endureth from generation to generation.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be:world without end.
Amen.
Benjamin Britten (1913-76), in C
Written for St George’s Chapel, Windsor at the request of The Duke of Edinburgh
All remain seated.
THE SECOND LESSON
John 11. 21-27
Read by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”
All remain seated as the choir sings
PSALM 104
The Duke of Edinburgh requested that Psalm 104 should be set to music by William Lovelady.
Originally composed as a cantata in three movements, it was first sung in honour of His Royal Highness’s 75th Birthday.
My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,
In majesty and honour clothed;
The earth he made will not be moved,
The seas he made to be its robe.
Give praise.
The waters rise above the highest mountain,
And flow down to the vales and leas;At springs, wild asses quench their thirst,
And birds make nest amid the trees.
The trees the Lord has made are full of vigour,
The fir tree is a home for storks;
Wild goats find refuge in the hills,
From foes the conies shelter in the rocks.
My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,
In majesty and honour clothed;The earth he made will not be moved,
The seas he made to be its robe.
Give praise.
O Lord, how manifold is your creation,
All things in wisdom you provide;You give your riches to the earth,
And to the sea so great and wide.You take your creatures breath and life is ended,
Your breath goes forth and life begins;
Your hand renews the face of earth,
Your praise my whole life I will sing.
My soul give praise unto the Lord of heaven,In majesty and honour clothed;
The earth he made will not be moved,
The seas he made to be its robe.
Give praise.
William Lovelady (b. 1945) abridged and arranged for choir and organ by James Vivian (b. 1974) with the composer’s permission
Words from Psalm 104, adapted by Sam Dyer (b. 1945)
The choir sings
THE LESSER LITANY
Let us pray.
All sit or kneel.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
THE RESPONSES
Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord.
For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Grant unto him eternal rest.
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
We believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord.In the land of the living.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
And let our cry come unto thee.
William Smith (1603-45), adapted by Roger Judd, MVO (b. 1944)
The Lord’s Prayer, Music by Robert Stone (1516-1613) from John Day’s Certaine Notes 1565
THE COLLECT
The Dean of Windsor shall say
O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us by his Holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him:
We meekly beseech thee, O Father that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is this our brother doth; and that, at the general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying,
Come ye blessed children of my Father; receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this we beseech thee, O merciful Father through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer.
Amen.
THE PRAYERS
The Archbishop of Canterbury shall say
O eternal God, before whose face the generations rise and pass away, thyself unchanged, abiding, we bless thy holy name for all who have completed their earthly course in thy faith and following, and are now at rest; we remember before thee this day Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, rendering thanks unto thee-for his resolute faith and loyalty, for his high sense of duty and integrity, for his life of service to the Nation and Commonwealth, and for the courage and inspiration of his leadership.
To him, with all the faithful departed, grant thy peace; Let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Dean of Windsor, Register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, shall say
O Lord, who didst give to thy servant Saint George grace to lay aside the fear of man, and to be faithful even unto death: Grant that we, unmindful of worldly honour, may fight the wrong, uphold thy rule, and serve thee to our lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God save our gracious Sovereign and all the Companions, living and departed, of the Most Honourable and Noble Order of The Garter.
Amen.
O God of the spirits of all flesh, we praise thy holy name for thy servant Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who has left us a fair pattern of valiant and true knighthood; grant unto him the assurance of thine ancient promise that thou wilt ever be with those who go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great waters.
And we beseech thee that, following his good example and strengthened by his fellowship, we may at the last, together with him, be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Archbishop of Canterbury shall say
O Lord God, when thou givest to thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory; through him, who for the finishing of thy work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn; that casting every care on thee they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.10
All sit as the choir sings
THE ANTHEM
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy Saints:where sorrow and pain are no more;neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal, the Creator and Maker of man:
And we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return.
For so thou didst ordain, when thou createdest me, saying,
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.All we go down to the dust; and, weeping, o’er the grave,we make our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Russian Kontakion of the Departed
Translated William John Birkbeck (1859-1916)
Kiev Melody, arranged by Sir Walter Parratt, KCVO (1841-1924)
All stand.
As the Coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor shall say
THE COMMENDATION
Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul,In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee;
In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee;
In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee;
May thy portion this day be in peace,and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Amen.
All remain standing. Garter Principal King of Arms proclaims
THE STYLES AND TITLES OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH
Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life unto his divine mercy the late most Illustrious and most Exalted Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order upon whom had been conferred the Royal Victorian Chain, Grand Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, LordHigh Admiral of the United Kingdom, One of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal in the Army and Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Husband of Her Most Excellent Majesty Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, whom may God preserve and bless with long life, health and honour and all worldly happiness.
Thereafter, the Pipe Major of The Royal Regiment of Scotland plays
A LAMENT
The Buglers of the Royal Marines sound
THE LAST POST
After a period of silence the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry sound
REVEILLE
The Buglers of the Royal Marines sound
ACTION STATIONS
Then the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounces
THE BLESSING
All remain standing as the choir sings
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,God save The Queen!
All remain standing in their places as Her Majesty The Queen, Members of the Royal Family and Members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family leave the Chapel via the Galilee Porch escorted by the Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Music after the service
Luke Bond, Assistant Director of Music, St George’s Chapel, will play
Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 546 Johann Sebastian Bach.
Statistical Publication, City of Edinburgh Council
Edinburgh residents believe that climate change is an immediate and urgent problem according to the latest Edinburgh By Numbers report produced by the City of Edinburgh Council.
The report showed that nearly three quarters (73%) of people across the Capital are very concerned about the climate emergency.
The 14th annual edition of Edinburgh by Numbers provides a statistical overview of the Capital and how it compares to other UK cities in terms of People, Work, Economy, Tourism, Education, Environment, Property, Travel and Connectivity.
This year’s report, covering the time period 2009 to 2019/20, gives a snapshot of a pre-pandemic Edinburgh.
It paints a comprehensive picture of the city’s landscape before the Covid-19 crisis hit the world while also bringing to life our key priorities – as laid out in our three-year business plan, ‘Our Future Council, Our Future City’ – ending poverty, becoming net zero and enhancing wellbeing.
Cllr Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “These figures show the opportunities that Edinburgh offers to so many of our residents, and demonstrate the attraction for so many people to move here, work here, travel here and study here.
“Although we’ve had a huge disruption to all areas of our lives, our communities and the city more widely during the Covid-19 pandemic, looking at these figures, to pre pandemic times, should give us a sense of optimism about how we go forward.
“We will take stock of the last year and by using our strengths and the resilience we’ve gained, Edinburgh will build back a fairer, stronger and greener economy for the benefit of all our citizens.
“A greener, fairer recovery won’t be without its challenges but our approach to recovery will build a more sustainable future. Through the Edinburgh Guarantee, we’re expanding support to all ages getting back into fair work, education and training.
“We’re working with retail and hospitality businesses through our Forever Edinburgh campaign to help residents and visitors alike sustainably rediscover our beautiful city’s offer all year round.
“We’re welcoming back students to our world-class universities and colleges – once it is safe to do so – to continue their studies, building the skills we need for Edinburgh’s future and creating new technologies that are delivering such a bright economic future for the Capital with opportunities across our communities.
“We also look forward to growing centres of innovation that we invest in, such as the Edinburgh BioQuarter, that feed into the inclusive growth of our economy.
Depute Council Leader, Cllr Cammy Day said:“Tackling inequality and sustainability issues is high on the list of our priorities. Before the pandemic, our economic strategy was focused on good growth, on tackling inequality, on well-being, and also on sustainability.
“The Edinburgh Poverty Commission, an independent group working alongside the council to alleviate poverty in the city, is throwing its full weight behind this and we are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in projects to support this agenda in areas including transport, infrastructure, electronics, pensions, etc.
“We’ll also continue to look at new ways to continue to meet our net zero carbon emissions targets through our City Mobility Plan and our ambitious 30-year housing building and capital investment programme delivering 20,000 affordable and energy efficient homes and carbon neutral neighbourhoods through developments such as the Granton Waterfront, Fountainbridge and Meadowbank.”
Active Travel
In line with the City Mobility Plan, reducing emissions through active travel was also a priority for those going to work. The report highlights that 37% of people took the bus or cycled, over three times the Scottish average. Edinburgh also reported the lowest percentage of journeys undertaken by car or taxi to work at 41.0%, compared to 66.4% of people in Scotland that used these as their main modes of travel to work in 2019.
In the 10 year period, from 2009-2019, Edinburgh saw a growth in new business, with start-ups consistently outstripping closures. More than two fifths (42.1%) of new businesses in the city are still trading after five years, a rate of survival higher than most other UK cities.
In 2019, one in ten (9.6%) people employed in Edinburgh worked in finance and insurance – twice the average across other UK cities – while 50,000 people are employed in the health industry, accounting for nearly 15% of all jobs in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh, relative to other UK cities*, also has a much higher employment share in accommodation and food services, information & communications, and less relative employment in transport and storage, construction and manufacturing.
Forever Edinburgh
The Capital has a renowned global reputation for its hospitality, heritage, culture, festivals, culinary experiences and so much more. From 2013 to 2019, the number of visits by overseas visitors to Edinburgh increased by nearly one million, with the defined summer period proving popular in 2019 with 41% overseas visitors arriving during July to September.
In line with the Edinburgh 2020 Tourism Strategy, driving visitors to visit throughout the year and seasons is key to building a more sustainable tourism sector for the city.
While the traditional peak season increased by 42% – from 568,000 to 804,000 visits between 2013 and 2019 – the increase in the off-season period of October to March was greater – seeing an increase of 113% between January and March, and 143% between October and December.
This will continue to be a focus for the Edinburgh 2030 Tourism Strategy and the push for short-term let legislation to properly control both the concentration and management of holiday lets, putting people and communities at the heart as Edinburgh builds back its thriving tourism sector.
Live and Study
Edinburgh continues to be a vibrant city attracting people from around the world to live, work and study here. In the ten years to 2019 Edinburgh’s population grew by 13.3% to 524,000 people, three times faster than Scotland (4.4%).
Migration (53,000) has been the main driver for population growth in Edinburgh from 2009 to 2019 – five times higher than the net effect of births and deaths for the same 10-year period (10,390). The size of overseas migration to Edinburgh grew to 6,710 in 2018/19, after falling for two consecutive years in 2017/18 to 4,310, returning to levels seen in 2015/16 (6,790).
As reflected in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, Scotland also has a reputation for excellence in education. In 2019 the number of students enrolled in an Edinburgh university was higher than the number of students in primary and secondary schools.
Four in five (81.6%) higher education students in Edinburgh were from the UK and, compared to other UK cities, Edinburgh has one of the highest proportions of higher education students per 1,000 population.
Also, during 2019, three in five (62.7%) people in Edinburgh’s workforce in employment is educated to degree level or above.
Housing Overview
With more and more people coming to work and study in the Capital this puts increasing pressures on our housing stock with demand outstripping supply, pushing house prices to a premium.
In September 2020, the average property price in Edinburgh was £280,154, higher than most other major UK cities outside London. This compared to the next Scottish city, Glasgow which recorded the average property price of £144,828 – around half of the average cost of Edinburgh.
To support this demand, in the five years to 2019 there were 11,732 new build home completions in Edinburgh. Since 2015, the annual number of new build starts in Edinburgh has exceeded 12,500 – more than double the number of new start builds between 2010 to 2014.
In 2019, a quarter (25%) of Edinburgh households lived in private rented accommodation while more than half (59%) own their own homes. Both are higher rates than recorded across Scotland as a whole and other Scottish cities respectively.
From 2017 to 2019 the number of purpose-built student rooms was 2,677, a slower pace than the previous period, with around 1,500 fewer rooms built than in 2014-2016 (5,036).
*Throughout the Edinburgh by Number Report, Edinburgh is always compared to a comparative group of eight UK cities plus on occasion London.
Did you know you can walk part way across the Firth of Forth?
North of Cramond village lies an island rich in history: Cramond Island.
The island is rare as it has a geological feature which few islands do: you can walk there, as it is a tidal island.
Historians believe the Island was likely occupied by the Romans; Cramond is one of very few places in Scotland which is rich in Roman architecture.
Despite this there is little hard evidence of Roman activity on the island. There is, however, evidence which suggests that the island was of significance to the prehistoric culture, that evidence being a burial Cist ( a box like stone coffin).
Despite a lack of firm historical records during ancient times, strong evidence from the British Wool Company confirms that from the 1790s until the death of Peter Hogg in 1904, Cramond Island was used for farming and sheep grazing in particular.
One such piece of evidence comes from a 1853 ordnance survey which show as a Farmstead towards the northern end of the island, although today it is partially concealed in ivy.
Evidence also suggests that Cramond Island was also a fishing island, as the remains of a stone Jetty can still be seen at the northwest corner of the island.
Cramond island was once known for its oysters, but the oyster population has been destroyed due to overfishing.
The island was also requisitioned during both world wars to protect the nearby anchorage for warships and the dock gate at Rosyth Dockyard from German torpedo boats and possible sabateurs. Counter-measures included an anti- submarine net, which was placed along the Forth and ran from Cramond Island to Inchmickery and Inchcolm island and the Fife coast line.
Two-pounder guns (Personal Defence Weapons) were placed on the northern end of Cramond Island during World War One and reinforced with further two pounder guns during World War Two.
The remnants of several second world war buildings can be found on the island, including shelters, engine rooms and store houses.
The island is approximately 7.70 Hectares in area, roughly 1/3 of a mile away from Cramond village.
Although it is owned by the Dalmeny estate, visitors can cross the causeway and explore the island, although any visitors to the island should take care to visit the island at low tide as visitors are stranded on the island on occasions.
It is difficult to believe that the opportunity to explore such wilderness and historical mystery lies on Edinburgh’s door!
FACE (Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh) and Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre have each received a £1,000 donation inaugurating Barratt Developments East Scotland’s Community Fund giveaway for 2021.
Barratt Developments, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, celebrated a record-breaking 2020 after its charitable efforts topped more than £46,000 in donations across Scotland, including £14,000 in the east of Scotland.
Each year, the five-star housebuilder works with a wide range of local causes and has continued to step up its efforts through the Barratt and David Wilson Community Fund, which donates £1,000 to a deserving local cause in each of its three Scottish divisions every month.
FACE is a charity based at Western General Hospital that supports patients and families who have been affected by cancer.
The housebuilder’s donation will go towards making hospital stays more comfortable and welcoming, such as camp beds for a relative to stay close to a loved one, refurbishment of wards and complementary therapies to promote wellbeing for those who are unwell.
Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, based in Moredun, has worked throughout the pandemic to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for food and other essentials for local people in need.
To date the youth volunteers have delivered over 50,000 packed lunches, tens of thousands of hot meals and food parcels to families affected by poverty and the elderly and shielding across Liberton and Gilmerton.
Alison Condie, managing director at Barratt East Scotland, said: “FACE and Goodtrees carry out incredible work supporting those affected by cancer and those in need.
“We’re pleased to be able to help them and hope that our donation will allow them to continue to provide these crucial and important services through what continues to be difficult times for us all.”
Welcoming the donation John Macaulay, Convener at FACE added:“Through our fund raising we aim to provide ‘the little things’ that make a difference for patients and families affected by cancer.
“The donation from Barratt has gone towards a special shower reclining chair at the Western General Hospital, enabling us to shower patients with multiple care needs who otherwise may only be able to be washed in bed.
“The staff are delighted, and it is already making a difference for the ward and patients they care for, including those receiving treatment for cancer.”
John Beatson, Project Manager at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre said: “Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre were delighted to be chosen for Barratt Homes’ £1,000 donation. It came as a surprise and is particularly special to us, as being put forward for the fund by a Barratt employee shows that the work that our young people and staff carry out is valued within the wider community.
“We plan to use part of the donation to fund a treat to the elderly community we support with the rest of the donation giving us the opportunity to give back to our incredible youth volunteers, the key driving force behind our service, when guidance allows.”
As part of the housebuilder’s ongoing charitable activities, Barratt East Scotland also took part in a virtual 500k challenge, raising over £16,000 for The Prince’s Trust, and walking a total combined distance of 1,721km over the three-week competition period.
The division’s Land team is also providing in-kind support to Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, a foodbank based in Leith which turns surplus food into free meals for those in need.
Now in its third year, the Barratt Homes Community Fund pledges to donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation in the east of Scotland. Charities are nominated by and voted for by employees of Barratt Homes and the focus for the fund continues to be on organisations that improve the quality of life for those living in the area.
Interested charities can enquire about donation opportunities at
Edinburgh City Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, has released a statement regarding the #Coronavirus restrictions:
“I would like to thank the vast majority of people who are sticking to the rules to suppress the spread of coronavirus.
“The sacrifices people have made have allowed some restrictions around travel and gatherings to be eased from Friday.
“We are going to see increased traffic on our roads and if you are visiting beauty spots then I would urge you to please do so safely and respectfully – leaving no trace of your visit. Please also park responsibly to allow emergency access.
“I would also remind people that under the new restrictions, gatherings are limited to six people from six households meeting outdoors only.
“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.
“This approach will continue as restrictions continue to be eased over the coming months.”
The Duke of Edinburgh founded the #DofE awards in 1956. Now operating in more than 140 countries, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has helped to transform the lives of millions of young people in the UK and across the globe, through the International Award.
Inspired by the Moray Badge, for which Prince Philip had worked whilst a pupil at Gordonstoun School, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award challenged young people to serve their communities, experience adventure and to develop and learn outside the classroom.
Throughout the UK, over 300,000 people are usually taking part in DofE programmes at any one time.
The #DofE is widely recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement award.
Over 13 million people have participated in the International Award in more than 168 countries and they have launched the first-ever global collection of Award memories.https://intaward.org/memories/
A message from The Earl of Wessex has sent a message to all those who have shared #DofE stories and their memories of his father, The Duke of Edinburgh.
NHS Lothian and the HELP Appeal are today (12 April) celebrating an important milestone as the new helipad located at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (RHCYP/DCN) officially opens.
The helipad, located above the fourth floor of the RHCYP/DCN will serve both the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the RHCYP/DCN giving direct access to child and adult emergency departments, as well as all other clinical departments based on site.
Hospital helipads play a critical role in trauma care by helping to minimise the time it takes to transfer critically ill patients. Without them, patient treatment can be delayed, which can have a devastating impact on survival rates.
Dr Jon McCormack, Clinical Lead for Paediatric Major Trauma, NHS Lothian explained that having access to a helipad plays an important role in optimising patient flow pathways for both planned and emergency transfers.
He said, “The helipad will provide access to hospital services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with three trained helideck responders being available to ensure safe landing and departure. This will help to enhance patient care by facilitating a seamless transition of patients from the air ambulance to in-patient services.”
The helipad was part funded through the HELP Appeal, which aims to ensure that patients who sustain life threatening critical injuries or illnesses are able to be flown directly by air ambulance to a Major Trauma Centre or key A&E hospital, where all the specialist clinical skills and medical equipment are immediately available, improving their chances of survival and recovery.
The HELP Appeal is the only charity in the country funding hospital helipads.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal said, “The amazing RHCYP, DCN and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh treat some of the most seriously ill in Scotland. This lifesaving helipad will dramatically speed up the time it takes to transfer these patients from helicopter to hospital anytime of the day or night, giving them the best chance of survival and recovery.
“We had no hesitation in providing the £700,000 needed to ensure the hospitals had a state-of-the-art helipad – a crucial element in their emergency care offering – as it will save many lives.
“With brand new helipads opening in Applecross and Campbeltown, and the helipad opening in Edinburgh today, we are so pleased that the HELP Appeal is making a positive impact in emergency care across Scotland. We look forward to helping many more hospitals secure helipads in the future.”
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian said, “We are incredibly grateful for the support of the HELP Appeal in part-funding our new helipad.
“It really will make a positive difference to our patients and will no doubt save many lives not just here in Lothian, but across Scotland.”
