‘Human Swan’ Sacha Dench has taken off on courageous circumnavigation of Britain by paramotor
Sacha takes off from Scottish beach on Round Britain Climate Challenge
After several delays caused by bad weather and technical issues with the paramotor Sacha Dench has taken off on the first ever circumnavigation of mainland Britain by electric paramotor.
She took off from the beach at Stevenson on the west coast of Scotland heading south along the coast on her 3,000 mile + journey around Britain – ending back in Glasgow in around 12 weeks’ time.
She will be landing frequently, and with her ground crew will be talking with, filming, and gathering information from industry, innovators and entrepreneurs, local heroes, communities, schools, farmers and individuals – anybody involved in addressing the effects of climate change in their areas.
A compilation of these stories will be presented at COP26 in Glasgow in November.
Sacha flying along the Western Coast of Scotland
Sacha flying over Culzean Castle
Sacha flying over Turnberry Golf Course
The journey is set inspire and excite people in all walks of life to get behind climate change actions in Britain – to get involved at local level in whatever small way to help reduce Carbon emissions.
Sacha says: “We need to get 140,001 people to take personal climate action between 18 June and 17th July to get a Guinness World Record.There’s a great way of doing this through Count Us In https://www.count-us-in.org/ – so please sign up NOW!
“As well as investigating how climate change is affecting different regions of the country, we will be showing, in a visually stunning and exciting way – from the air, ground and underwater – what is happing to help cut carbon and preserve and restore our environment.
“We’ll be finding the likely and unlikely heroes and discovering where and what works. I am so looking forward to meeting all the hundreds of inspiring people along the route.”
Jupiter’s clouds have water conditions that would allow Earth-like life to exist, but this isn’t possible in Venus’ clouds, according to the groundbreaking finding of new research led by a Queen’s University Belfast scientist.
For some decades, space exploration missions have looked for evidence of life beyond Earth where we know that large bodies of water, such as lakes or oceans, exist or have previously existed. However, the new research shows that it isn’t the quantity of water that matters for making life viable, but the effective concentration of water molecules – known as ‘water activity’.
The new study also found that research published by an independent team of scientists last year, claiming that the phosphine gas in Venus’ atmosphere indicates possible life in the sulphuric acid clouds of Venus, is not plausible.
Through this innovative research project, Dr John E. Hallsworth from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s and his team of international collaborators devised a method to determine the water activity of atmospheres of a planet. Using their approach to study the sulphuric acid clouds of Venus, the researchers found that the water activity was more than a hundred times below the lower limit at which life can exist on Earth.
The research also shows that Jupiter’s clouds have a high enough concentration of water, as well as the correct temperature, for life to exist there. The study has been published in Nature Astronomy.
Dr Hallsworth said: “Our research shows that the sulphuric acid clouds in Venus have too little water for active life to exist, based on what we know of life on Earth.
“We have also found that the conditions of water and temperature within Jupiter’s clouds could allow microbial-type life to subsist, assuming that other requirements such as nutrients are present.
“This is a timely finding given that NASA and the European Space Agency just announced three missions to Venus in the coming years. One of these will take measurements of Venus’s atmosphere that we will be able to compare with our finding.”
Co-author of the report, an expert on physics and chemical biology of water, Dr Philip Ball, commented: “The search for extraterrestrial life has sometimes been a bit simplistic in its attitude to water.
“As our work shows, it’s not enough to say that liquid water equates with habitability. We’ve got to think too about how Earth-like organisms actually use it – which shows us that we then have to ask how much of the water is actually available for those biological uses.”
Co-author of the report, NASA-based planetary scientist Prof Christopher P. McKay, said: “We derive water activity of atmospheres without a model of any sort, based only on direct observations of pressure, temperature, and water concentration.”
Dr Hallsworth added: “We have also performed calculations for Mars and Earth and show that these calculations can be done for planets outside our solar system.
“While our research doesn’t claim that alien (microbial-type) life does exist on other planets in our solar system, it shows that if the water activity and other conditions are right, then such life could exist in places where we haven’t previously been looking.”
Co-authors of this paper include planetary scientist Christopher P. McKay (NASA Ames Research Center, CA, USA); atmosphere chemistry expert Thomas Koop (Bielefeld University, Germany); expert on physics and chemical biology of water Philip Ball (London, UK); biomolecular scientist Tiffany D. Dallas (Queen’s University Belfast); biophysics-of-lipid-membrane expert Marcus K. Dymond (University of Brighton, UK); theoretical physicist María-Paz Zorzano (Centro de Astrobiologia [CSIC-INTA], Spain); micrometeorology and aerosol expert Juergen Burkhardt (University of Bonn, Germany); expert on acid-tolerant microorganisms Olga V. Golyshina (Bangor University, UK); and atmospheric physicist and planetary scientist Javier Martín-Torres (University of Aberdeen, UK).
The research was funded by Research Councils UK (RCUK), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Ministry of Science and Innovation.
Social media campaign kicks-off for benefit to 16 – 24 year olds
Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison has urged eligible young people to apply for Job Start Payment if they are starting a new job after a period of unemployment.
Eligible 16-24 year olds, who have been on certain benefits for six months or more, can apply for the one-off payment worth £252.50, or £404 if the applicant has children. The payment will help with the costs of starting a job including travel, new clothes or childcare.
Ms Robison visited Remploy’s offices in Dundee to meet hairdresser Mystialeigh Smith who recently used the payment to buy work clothes and travel.
Ms Robison said:“We want to give our young people all the support they need when they start work including making sure the costs associated with taking up a job don’t get in the way. We know lockdown has impacted job opportunities for many young people and getting money to those who need it is our priority.
“Access to this support is a right, and we are ensuring people receive all the financial support that they are entitled to.
“It is great to see organisations across the private and public sector highlighting the availability of Job Start Payment to their new employees. I strongly encourage all eligible young people who have recently started a new job or are about to start a new job to apply now.”
Peter Craig, Contracts Director at Remploy said:“The pandemic has had a major impact on the lives of our service users across Scotland.
“The Job Start Payment will be invaluable to young people accepting a job, helping them with any associated costs such as travel or childcare.”
Mystialeigh Smith 17, from Dundee, an apprentice hairdresser at Macintyres hairdressers who accessed Job Start Payment, said:
“Upon gaining employment my keyworker advised me to apply for the Job Start Payment on the social security website. It took roughly two weeks to go into my bank and it helped me buy work clothes and travel until I received my first pay.”
People can apply for Job Start Payment for up to three months after their start date.
You can find out more and apply through mygov.scot or by calling 0800 182 2222.
Since April, almost 800,000 employees who have been working from home during the pandemic, have already claimed tax relief on household related costs, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.
The saving is worth up to £128 per year for each employee in Scotland and eligible workers can claim the full year’s entitlement if they have been told to work from home by their employer, even if it has been for one day during the tax year.
Employees who have either returned to working in an office since early April or are preparing for their return can still claim the working from home tax relief and benefit from the full year’s relief for 2021/22.
It is quick and easy to claim via HMRC’s online portal. Employees can apply directly themselves and receive the full tax relief that is due. Once their application has been approved, their tax code will be automatically adjusted for the 2021/22 tax year, receiving the tax relief directly through their salary. Agents cannot use the online portal to apply on a customer’s behalf.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “More people are getting back to office working now, but it’s not too late to apply for tax relief on household expenses if they’ve been working from home during the pandemic.
“It’s quick and easy to check if you’re eligible and apply online – go to GOV.UK and search ‘working from home tax relief’.”
Since April last year, the maximum amount employers have been able to pay tax-free without employees having to provide evidence of an increased bill was set at £6 a week. Employees who have not received the working from home expenses payment direct from their employer can apply to receive the tax relief from HMRC.
Eligible customers can claim tax relief based on the rate at which they pay tax. For example, if an employed worker pays the 21% intermediate rate of tax and claims tax relief on £6 a week, they would receive £1.26 a week in tax relief (21% of £6 a week) towards the cost of their household bills.
Higher rate taxpayers would receive £2.46 a week (41% of £6 a week). Over the course of the year, this means customers can reduce the tax they pay by £65.52 or £127.92 respectively.
If employees were required to work from home in the 2020/21 tax year but did not claim for the tax relief, they have not missed out; HMRC will accept backdated claims for up to four years. They will receive a lump sum payment for any successful backdated claims.
Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Forfar visited St James Quarter yesterday for a tour of the new scheme developed by Nuveen Real Estate that has transformed the east end of Edinburgh.
St James Quarter, the most significant transformation Edinburgh has seen in a generation opened phase one last week, adding a new retail-led, lifestyle district that fully integrates and enhances Edinburgh’s city centre – providing an inspiring, attractive, and vibrant destination which is creating 3,000 retail and leisure jobs.
As part of its development programme, Nuveen Real Estate also committed to improving local infrastructure and public space in the area through the Growth Accelerator Model, the innovative funding arrangement with the Scottish Government.
Martin Perry, director of development at St James Quarter, commented: “We were delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to St James Quarter today.
“The team were honoured to show off the brand-new 850,000 sq ft shopping galleria, and the enviable line up of brands within it, but also give them a sneak peek at the amazing spaces and places that are still to come.
“We believe in Edinburgh, and we are excited to help lead the way as part of the city’s wider economic recovery. Throughout this pandemic we have never questioned our investment in not only the St James Quarter but the city itself. We’re here to stay and we’re here to help.
“Everyone involved has worked incredibly hard over the last 5 years to bring the St James Quarter vision to life and to deliver a world-class destination within the heart of the capital city – and a visit from the Royal Household was a great way to top off the phase one opening celebrations.”
standards will provide industry with guidance on how to make individual chargepoints more accessible by summer 2022
guidance will consider aspects such as kerb height, adequate space between bollards and chargepoints being of a height suitable for wheelchair users
partnership with British Standards Institute (BSI) and Motability will see chargepoints that are accessible for all as we accelerate towards a zero-emission future
The UK is accelerating towards a more inclusive, reliable electric vehicle (EV) charging network, as the government and charity sector come together to set accessibility standards, Transport Minister Rachel Maclean has announced today (30 June 2021).
In partnership with national disability charity Motability, the Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned the British Standards Institute (BSI) to develop accessibility standards for EV chargepoints across the country. These standards will provide industry with guidance and drivers with a new clear definition of ‘fully accessible’, ‘partially accessible’ and ‘not accessible’ public EV chargepoints.
The design of public chargepoints is already carefully considered by operators. However, consistent standards are crucial for drivers to easily identify which chargepoints are suitable for their needs. This could range from adequate space between bollards, charging units being of a height suitable for wheelchair users, size of the parking bay and the kerb height.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “With sales of EVs increasing and the government’s net zero ambitions accelerating, I want to make it as easy as possible for EV drivers to charge up their vehicles at public chargepoints right across the UK, regardless of their mobility.
“We are taking action to provide accessibility guidance to both operators and drivers to make sure that the transition to zero-emission driving will benefit everyone in society as we build back better.”
Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said: “As we build back greener, this government is ensuring disabled people are at the heart of our plans.
“As electric vehicles become more popular it is imperative that disabled people have the same opportunities to access them as everyone else. The new accessibility standards for chargepoints will help make this a reality.”
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), Motability and BSI will be working with industry stakeholders including EV chargepoint operators, disability charities and innovators to ensure that the consumer can find the right chargepoints for their needs.
Barry Le Grys MBE, Chief Executive Officer at Motability, said: “There is a risk that disabled people are left behind as the UK’s transition to electric vehicles approaches and Motability wants to ensure that this does not happen.
“We welcome the interest from government in our research on electric vehicle charging and accessibility and we are excited about our partnership with the Office of Zero Emissions Vehicles to further this work.
“We look forward to working together to create world-leading accessibility standards and to support the UK’s commitment to achieving zero emissions. Motability looks forward to a future where electric vehicle charging is inclusive for all.”
Motability is also working with Designability, a charity that creates products to enable disabled people to live with greater independence, to engage with disabled drivers and identify their requirements for accessible charging.
Catharine Brown Chief Executive at Designability said: “Accessible electric vehicle charging is an exciting area of innovation for government, industry and the charity sector. Designability welcomes this important drive towards standards that will make sure the needs of disabled people are taken into account as this new technology becomes mainstream.
“We are delighted to be working with Motability to create cutting-edge design solutions. Our expertise in working with disabled people makes us perfectly placed to find solutions to these everyday challenges – which will only increase as more people want to drive electric cars.
“To date over 1,000 disabled drivers have volunteered to feedback to Motability and Designability on how we can make electric vehicle charging accessible for all.”
Matthew Campbell-Hill, a former Team GB wheelchair athlete and member of the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England, said: “As an EV owner and motor vehicle enthusiast who knows how transformative inclusive infrastructure can be, I’m excited to learn of this cross-sector partnership between charity and government.
“I’ve experienced first-hand just how challenging it can be to use a chargepoint that hasn’t been built with disabled people in mind, and this work will ensure electric vehicle charging is accessible for all. I can’t wait to see innovation and change in this space.”
To ensure all interested stakeholders have the opportunity to come together and inform the standards, Motability will be holding a series of workshops on accessibility and electric vehicle charging in August.
If you are a charity working with disabled people or people with long-term health conditions and would like to know more about participating, contact innovation@motability.co.uk.
Couples across Scotland will be able to enter mixed-sex civil partnerships from June 30, and can submit a notice of intention now.
The introduction of mixed sex civil partnerships means that both mixed sex and same sex couples can now choose to marry or enter a civil partnership.
Minister for Equalities Christina McKelvie said: “I welcome the introduction of civil partnerships for all couples.
“We have now embedded equality of choice on how to formalise their relationship in the way that best reflects their beliefs and ensures access to the rights, responsibilities and benefits which flow from entering a legally recognised relationship.
“This ground-breaking change in law demonstrates our commitment to creating a fairer and more inclusive society for all.
“I wish good luck to all couples who are entering Scotland’s first mixed-sex civil partnerships.”
Council Leaders have urged people to take care and carry out regular testing as COVID cases remain high in the Capital.
The appeal follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister, in which she called for “renewed care and vigilance” at this critical moment. This week, Edinburgh and the Lothians recorded the highest number of COVID cases in Scotland.
In response to the high numbers, several community test centres have opened around the city over recent weeks. Free COVID tests are on offer for people who don’t display any symptoms, aiming to break the chain of transmission by catching asymptomatic cases which could still be infectious.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The city is beginning to open up, returning a sense of normality to our daily lives, but we really must continue to take care by continuing to wash hands and using sanitiser regularly and physical distancing when out enjoying all our city and its businesses has to offer.
“With the weather still getting better, continuing to meet up with friends and family outdoors where possible can help drive the numbers down and keep the freedoms we’re starting to enjoy again.
“Regular testing is vital too if we are to catch and isolate cases, and I would urge everyone to make use of community test centres and order your free home testing kits to check if you could have COVID even if you don’t have symptoms.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Over the last 15 months we’ve all worked really hard to minimise the impact of the COVID virus, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during this time.
“That’s why it’s crucial that we don’t let our guard down now so I would encourage everyone to take up their vaccination when offered. We need to keep following the rules put in place for good reason, as well as getting tested when possible, to reduce the rising case rate and to ensure we can enjoy a more ‘normal’ summer.”
Walk-up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, until Sunday, 11 July
Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the east stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place until Sunday, 11 July
McDonald Road Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
Wester Hailes Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
Fountainbridge Library from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
Drumbrae Library Hub from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
More than 180 school children across three schools in Edinburgh have taken part in a celebratory ‘booknic’ event organised by Fort Kinnaird in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
The ‘booknic’ involved children enjoying a picnic and a book while also taking part in a range of fun reading-themed activities.
Schoolchildren from St Francis RC Primary School, Castleview Primary School and Niddrie Mill Primary School took part in the event, with each child also able to take a book of their choice home.
The ‘booknic’ was part of the Young Readers Programme, an award-winning initiative sponsored by Fort Kinnaird’s co-owner British Land and run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, designed to encourage children to read outside of the classroom.
The initiative also gave the schools access to virtual interactive storytelling sessions and a literary quiz.
British Land and the National Literacy Trust celebrates its 10th year in partnership this year. Since the programme launched in Edinburgh, it has supported more than 2,000 schoolchildren and seen more than 6,100 books donated across the city.
Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that children who own their own books are six times more likely to read above the level expected for their age and three times more likely to enjoy reading.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“Supporting our community is so important to us and the Young Readers Programme plays a massive part in that. It’s a brilliant initiative which we look forward to every year and it’s great to see the children celebrating at our booknic event.
“Thanks also needs to go to the National Literacy Trust for their hard work on this event and over the years. They’ve helped us to ensure that the additional support and books go to those who need them most.”
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “Encouraging children to develop a love of reading from a young age can have a tangible impact on their literacy skills, mental wellbeing and futures.
“Yet hundreds of thousands of children across the UK are missing out on these benefits simply because they don’t have a book of their own to read at home.
“The Young Readers Programme, with support from British Land, tackles this and we’d like to thank them for all their support over the years.”
