Edinburgh College is delighted to be hosting #FIRSTLEGOLEAGUE at Sighthill Campus in December.
This is a wonderful occasion for teams of young people to represent their schools and take part in a highly interactive challenge, designed to develop their coding and programming skills.
Engage your team about designing creative solutions to tackle real-world problems by programming a robot in this year’s #FIRSTLEGOLEAGUE #CARGOCONNECT season.
For more information, visit:
From 1 December 2021, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will stop making payments of Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance and tax credits, into Post Office card accounts.
HMRC is urging customers who receive their payments via this method to act now so they still get their money on time.
Any tax credits, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance customers who receive their benefits or payments via a Post Office card account have until 30 November 2021 to set up a new account and notify HMRC of the details so they can continue to receive their payments. Any suspended payments will be held and then paid to the customer once they notify HMRC of the new details.
If customers already have an alternative bank account, they can contact HMRC now to update their details. If they do not have an alternative, they should set up a new bank, building society or credit union account to receive their money.
Customers can use their Personal Tax Account to provide revised account details. Alternatively, Child Benefit customers can change their bank account details via GOV.UK or by contacting the Child Benefit helpline on 0300 200 3100.
Tax credits customers can change their bank account details by contacting the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900. If customers cannot open a bank account, they should contact HMRC.
The Money Advice and Pensions Service offers information and advice about how to choose the right current account and how to open an account.
The move towards greener motoring shows no sign of slowing down according to new Department for Transport research.
The latest government figures show new registrations of three main green fuel types – Hybrid Electric, Plug-in Hybrid Electric and Battery Electric – more than tripled in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019.
By comparison, there were falls of 27% and 60% for petrol and diesel vehicles respectively over the same period.
Petrol vehicles are still the most popular type of vehicle registrations – 269,000 vehicles – and they account for 56% of all new Q2 registrations in Great Britain.
Diesel car registrations have been especially badly hit in recent years. From a 2016 peak of 311,000, registrations fell by 80% to just 62,000 new diesel registrations in Q2 2021.
Ultra-low emission vehicles ULEVs increased by over 300% during Q2 2021 compared to the same period two years before . They make up just under 12% of all new registrations in Great Britain – 76,000 vehicles. Hybrid electric followed with an increase of more than 200% in Q2 2021 compared to Q2 2019.
During the height of lockdown in April 2020, vehicle registrations fell by 94% compared to April 2019, before rallying with a 1,486% rise in April this year.
A total of 637,000 vehicles were registered for the first time in Great Britain during the second quarter of 2021, 12% lower than during 2019 Q2. At the end of June 2021, there were 39.2 million vehicles on the road in Great Britain.
The Prime Minister announced in November that wholly powered petrol and diesel cars will no longer be sold in the UK from 2030 as part of the ‘green industrial revolution’ to tackle climate change. He says the government plans to “invest more than £2.8 billion in electric vehicles, lacing the land with charging points”.
Efforts have been made to expediate this plan by encouraging all Londoners to get rid of diesel cars as soon as possible now the world’s first 24 hour Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London has been implemented.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, which offers a comparison service for electric car insurance, comments: “Despite lockdown, the move to greener motoring continues to gather pace as drivers race towards the 2030 carbon neutral deadline with electric and other hybrid vehicle sales beginning to soar.
“The rising investment in public and home charging points and the recent panic at the petrol pumps suggest this surge in demand is here to stay.
“As a growing number of insurance providers enter the electric car insurance market, we expect the average cost of insuring electric cars to fall steadily. The use of a comparison website such as ours can help drivers compare quotes and find the most competitive premiums.”
Quotezone.co.uk offers bespoke items such as electric car insurance and van insurance.
It helps around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products and is recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.
We are pleased to invite you to Stepping Stones North Edinburgh’s AGM on Monday 11 October 2021 at 12.30pm.
This will take place via Zoom due to the ongoing Covid situation – for the link and further details please email: info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
We very much hope you can attend and would appreciate your RSVP no later than Wednesday 6th October.
Zoe Jordan
Business Administrator
Stepping Stones North Edinburgh
Plans to help Scotland’s education system continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic have been published by the Scottish Government – but Scotland’s biggest teaching union the EIS has dismissed the plans as a ‘missed opportunity’ and say Scotland must show more ambition.
Created with input from across the sector, including young people, the Education Recovery strategy outlines how almost £500 million has been used to support learners and staff across the country.
The publication also sets out how the Scottish Government will continue to provide ongoing support to the sector.
This includes:
Speaking after visiting the site of the new £47.2 million Wallyford Secondary Learning Facility, Ms Somerville said: “Our collaborative and ambitious programme of support to aid recovery right across our education sector has been underway for many months.
“Schools are still dealing with the pandemic and we will continue to support them through these challenging time. However, as a Government we must also be focused on recovery. Supporting children and young people remains our top priority, and almost £500 million of additional funding has already been committed during 2020/21 and 2021/22 as part of education recovery. Of this, £240m is to recruit extra staff to ensure resilience and to provide additional support for learners and teachers.
“Other initiatives will play a crucial role, such as the provision of free school breakfasts and lunches all year round for all children in P1-7, digital devices for every child, abolition of fees for instrumental music tuition, removal of core curriculum charges, and our extended early learning and childcare offer.
“Pupils sitting exams in spring 2022 will be offered a package of support, which will include online revision classes and targeted help for those who need it most. At the heart of all of this is our children and young people, who we will ensure have the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential in school and beyond.”
Read Education Recovery: Key Actions and Next Steps.
Commenting following the publication of the plan, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Clearly, there are significant elements within the plan to be welcomed – not least the commitment to increasing teacher numbers, the creation of more permanent posts to tackle the scandal of 10% of current teaching posts being temporary, and the reduction in class contact time to 21 hours.
“Overall, however, the plan largely restates existing workstreams and fails to promote a single big initiative such as a reduction in class sizes, which would catalyse an education recovery programme and bring immediate benefits to Scotland’s children and young people.
“Smaller class sizes, even on a limited basis as a starting point, such as P2 and P3 or S1 and S2, would mean more teacher time per pupil and assist with targeted interventions where the pandemic has impacted disproportionately on children’s lives. As a country, we need to be bolder in our ambitions for our youth.”
Responding to the Education Recovery Plan, a spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “While we welcome the commitment to help Scotland’s education system continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic through this plan, greater action is needed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.
“Even prior to the pandemic cases of poor mental health were at unprecedented levels and there are a growing number of vulnerable children who cannot access adequate support. At the end June 2021, 1,686 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), double that of the previous year.
“Increased funding to deliver new and enhanced community-based services, including counselling services, as outlined in the plan is welcomed. This however comes on the back of funding restrictions to these services. We must look to greatly increased investment in an expanded range of mental health services as part of a national crusade to address the impacts of the pandemic.
“We have for some time raised concerns over a potential lost generation of vulnerable children and young people, whose mental health is being impacted even further by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is more important than ever that children can access the support they need, when they need it, irrespective of where they live.
“This is a crisis we can overcome, but it will require a similar energy and commitment to that demonstrated for COVID-19 if we are to achieve this and prevent many young people giving up on their futures.”
PIZZA AND CURRY TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CURRY WEEK
– Morrisons limited edition Patak’s Tikka Masala Pizza will be made fresh in store on Market Street –
– Morrisons famous Volcanic Vindaloo also returns to shelves alongside new Burnin’ Bhajis –
Morrisons has launched three new dishes to help celebrate National Curry Week this year, from the 4th – 10th October.
Available for a limited time only, the Morrisons Patak’s Tikka Masala Pizza is ideal for curry lovers looking for an indulgent night in. At just £2.89, it’s a fraction of the cost of other limited edition pizzas available from high-street chains.
Made fresh by Morrisons foodmakers on Market Street, the 10-inch stonebaked pizza is topped with onion bhajis, spicy chicken breast, mixed peppers and dollops of Patak’s tikka masala sauce – before being finished with a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. Made to share, it’s perfect for a night in with family or friends.
And to offer customers an even spicier way to celebrate National Curry Week, Morrisons is bringing back its famous Volcanic Vindaloo. Available in-store now for just £2, the super hot curry is made with chargrilled marinated chicken breast pieces in an extra hot sauce with naga chilli paste and topped with a chargrilled green chilli.
Naga chillies have a Scoville rating of up to one million – 200 times hotter than Tabasco Sauce or a Jalapeño. Some Naga chilli varieties are hotter than pepper spray and others have been used to develop tear gas grenades!
Carrying a 6 chilli warning notice, the Volcanic Vindaloo is also topped with whole green chillies – roasted to intensify the flavour and heat – in the unlikely event that curry fans fancy an even bigger chilli hit.
Customers can pair their favourite dish with the new Burnin’ Bhaji – a sizzling side made with sweet onion spiced with red chilli in a crisp, golden batter – all for a pocket-friendly £1.
Morrisons Ready Meals Expert, Chris Strong, said: “Customers have been asking us to bring back our Volcanic Vindaloo so we’re excited to put it back on our shelves this October. Be warned, it packs a punch!”
Morrisons Pizza Expert, Leanne Cory, said: “Our Patak’s Tikka Masala Pizza is a must-try for spice lovers.
“We know our customers love trying unique pizzas with friends and the new limited edition dish is sure to be a crowd pleaser while raising temperatures. Available now on our Market Street counter for under £3, so that all our customers can enjoy this fiery treat on a budget.”
The Patak’s Tikka Masala Pizza is available now from Morrisons Market Street Pizza Counter and will be made fresh in store by Morrisons foodmakers every day until the 24th of October.
Astonishingly, just under two-fifths of the adult population in the UK are ignorant about secondary breast cancer, a new survey shows.
The disease killed former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding last month yet according to a YouGov poll just three weeks later, 38% of those questioned say they don’t know what secondary breast cancer is.
Furthermore, 21% are aware of this form of cancer, but oblivious of any signs or symptoms indicating the spread of the incurable disease.
The survey, to coincide with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, was commissioned by Make 2nds Count, a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope to women and men living with secondary breast cancer.
Emma Hall, Head of Fundraising and Engagement at Make 2nds Count, says: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK but despite all the coverage of the sad passing of Sarah Harding, what has not been clear is that she had secondary breast cancer. And that lack of knowledge is borne out by the results of our poll. Saying it’s unusual or rare or she was unlucky losing her battle doesn’t apply to secondary breast cancer.
“There are about 35,000 people in the UK currently living with the disease and 1,000 lose their lives every month. The coverage has focused on checking for primary breast cancer, but not secondary, so people are not being informed about the different signs and symptoms to look for. We need more education, support and research, and understanding that with secondary breast cancer you won’t be cured, you can only be treated.”
The poll, of 2113 UK adults carried out at the end of September, also showed that 44% of respondents think that young women – those aged 15-39 – have the best chance of survival. But breast cancer in young women can be more aggressive and it’s actually the 60-69 age group who live longer after diagnosis.
Edinburgh mum Lisa Fleming, 38, Founder of Make 2nds Count, knew nothing about secondary breast cancer more than four years ago when, without any warning signs, she learned she had primary and secondary breast cancer. It had already spread to the majority of her bones and a few months later spread to her brain.
She had no previous breast cancer diagnosis and no lump. She is still living with the death sentence and founded Make 2nds Count to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer.
She says: “We desperately need people to be aware of this forgotten form of breast cancer. We need to change the narrative, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of this disease and in turn save lives.”
Police Scotland is launching a six week campaign to highlight the work of Project Servator – a tactic designed to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.
Project Servator deployments will form an important part of the policing operation for COP26 and Police Scotland has been working with Glasgow City Council, British Transport Police (BTP) and the business community to build a network of vigilance and encourage the reporting of suspicious or unusual activity.
The highly visible and unpredictable deployments are carried out regularly across the country by police officers specially trained to identify individuals who may be planning or preparing to commit a crime.
These officers are supported by a range of specialist resources including police dogs, horses, armed officers, CCTV operators and security staff, and can use Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.
Key to the success of Project Servator is the support of the public to be extra eyes and ears for the police, reporting anything that doesn’t seem right, to help make it even harder for criminals to succeed. A six week advertising campaign will remind people of the important part they can play.
Superintendent Pat O’Callaghan, Lead Planner for COP26, said: “COP26 is one of the largest policing operations the UK has seen and we plan to utilise all resources at our disposal to support the delivery of a safe and secure event.
“Project Servator has proven to be an effective tactic in helping to disrupt criminal activity and keep people safe and has been deployed successfully at major events in the past such as the Commonwealth Games and Edinburgh Festivals.
“Support from businesses, partners and members of the public is vital to its success which is why we are working with communities, British Transport Police and local authorities and councils across the country, including the host city of Glasgow. We can all play a part and I would encourage you to get involved.
“If there’s a Project Servator deployment taking place in your area, speak to our officers who will be happy to provide information and reassurance. Together, we’ll help keep COP26 and Scotland safe. Remember if you see something suspicious, or if something doesn’t feel right, let us know immediately. You can do this by speaking to a police officer or calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Superintendent Dave Marshall, British Transport Police said: “We’ve been using Project Servator across the railway network for nearly six years now and seen first-hand the effectiveness of this tactic in deterring crime and terrorism, particularly when it comes to policing significant events.
“Project Servator will form a vital part of our policing operation for COP26, as we work closely with Police Scotland and our railway partners to ensure the safety and security of the travelling public.
“Passengers can expect to see specialist resources such as search dogs and armed police on patrol as part of these Project Servator deployments, but we need your help too. Please remember to keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it to us using our discreet text number 61016 or 999 in an emergency.”
Denise Hamilton, head of COP26 team, Glasgow City Council, said: “We know that support from our businesses and citizens is crucial in helping us host a safe and successful summit.
“Glasgow will be busy and people can play their part by remaining vigilant while moving around the city during COP26 and reporting anything that doesn’t seem or feel right. Our COP26 volunteers who will be based at various transport hubs, hotels and venues around the city will also be keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.”
Around 10,000 officers will be deployed each day during the COP26 climate conference for what will be one of the largest policing operations undertaken in the UK.
Granton Goes Greener are very excited about restarting our FREE SEWING CLASS on 11th October.
The classes will be taking place every Monday between 10 am and 12 noon in the East Hall of Granton Parish Church (55 Boswall Parkway).
Here is our link to register for the first class on 11/10: ;https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/sewing-classes-tickets…
You can also find more detail on our website: www.grantongoesgreener.org.uk
Any questions? Email: anna@grantongoesgreener.org.uk
A 29 year old man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into a number of wilful fire-raisings in the Drylaw area.
He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later today.
