St Columba’s Hospice Care will be lighting up its Trees of Remembrance on Monday 6th December in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh and Thursday 9th December in St Mary’s Pleasance Courtyard, Haddington, for its annual Christmas appeal, ‘Light up a Life’.
The services are open to all, not just those with a connection to the Hospice; and the lights on the Tree of Remembrance symbolise dedications made by supporters across Edinburgh and the Lothians in memory of people who have died.
St Columba’s Hospice Care Chief Executive, Jackie Stone, spoke about the importance of the appeal to the Hospice.She said: “Light up a Life is a hugely important appeal for us, as it brings the St Columba’s Hospice Care community together at what can be a time of mixed emotions for many who are remembering a loved one.
“The donations we received last year, in excess of £110,000, helped us to reach patients and families across Edinburgh and East Lothian. The money raised this year will enable us to bring world leading palliative care to even more of the people who need it in our communities.”
The Tree of Remembrance lighting ceremonies draw thousands of people and this year’s events will open at 5.30pm, before the services begin at 6.30pm.
The events are sponsored by Farmer’s Autocare and Walter Scott Foundation. Performing at both services this year is Ciara Harvie, a 23 year old classical crossover singer from Edinburgh.
Her reputation is now global, with regular appearances in Europe and beyond, as the world continues to be wowed by this young classical singer possessing a voice filled with passion, warmth, soul, and maturity.
The Edinburgh Brass Band will also perform in Charlotte Square Gardens.
Anyone is welcome to attend a service, simply email
People of Edinburgh can help Sight Scotland to light up Christmas for children and young people with visual impairment this festive season.
This winter, the charity hopes to provide new sensory lighting equipment for the children and young people with sight loss who are supported by Sight Scotland’s residential services in Edinburgh.
The bright colours and warmth of sensory lighting brings joy and relaxation to children and young people with visual impairment and can support their development.
New sensory lighting equipment would play a huge part in the day-to-day tailored interactive activities at the residential services.
Sight Scotland is also inviting Edinburgh residents to decorate paper Christmas baubles to provide unique tree decorations for the charity’s residential services.
A selection of the delightful designs which are sent in will also be shared on Sight Scotland’s social media pages.
Kerry Lindsay, Sight Scotland Head of Fundraising, said: “We would love to bring some added magic to this time of year for the children and young people we support in our fantastic Edinburgh based residential services.
“Donations to our sensory light appeal this Christmas to help us provide new sensory lighting equipment will help create fantastic interactive experiences for the children and young people we support. We would hugely appreciate anything you can give.
“Our residential staff and colleagues in services across Sight Scotland are also working hard to create beautiful decorations for everyone in our residential services to enjoy. If you would like to help spread some joy by sending us your own decorated paper bauble, we would be delighted to receive your design.”
If you would like to help make the festive season extra special for children and young people in Sight Scotland’s residential services, please visit
Three American graduates have collectively put more than 10,000 miles between themselves and their hometowns to work at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
Kaia Waxenberg, Brady Stevens and Alexa Green have gone from studying for an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management at SRUC to working within the organisation.
Despite growing up in New York City with no connections to farming, Kaia is assisting with agricultural greenhouse gas emissions research at SAC Consulting, focusing on the scientific development of the Agrecalc carbon footprinting tool.
Brady, from Buffalo in New York State, is also working at SAC Consulting as a Rural Business and Economics Consultant and Alex, from Miami, is a Research Assistant at the Rural Policy Centre.
Kaia said: “I’m from New York City, so you can probably imagine my early encounters with farming were pretty limited. I originally became interested in issues of conservation and sustainability as a teenager, working in volunteer and internship roles throughout Manhattan.
“I then moved to the UK to pursue an undergraduate degree in conservation but ended up specialising in plant sciences after becoming increasingly interested in food sustainability.
“My new role is a great opportunity to apply my modelling and data analysis skills to practical farm management and consulting. I’m so excited to help deliver evidence-based mitigation solutions to farmers across the UK.”
Living across the road from his uncle’s 2000-cow dairy farm, Brady grew up with a knowledge of the agricultural industry. He fell in love with Scotland after cycling across the Highlands during his teaching fellowship in London and applied to do a Masters degree at SRUC.
“I was drawn to the practicality of the degrees offered and the opportunity to get out in the field and be close to agriculture,” he said. “I was also inspired by the research/education/consulting model – the win-win-wins made sense to me.
“My first three months at SAC Consulting have been intense and exciting. Given the pace and scale of changes required to meet Scotland’s climate and environment goals, there is tons of work to be done, and I feel I have been able to jump into the middle of it and make meaningful contributions already.
“The time is flying as the work is varied and engaging. I am loving it!”
Growing up in Miami, Alexa developed an appreciation for the environment and particularly marine and peatland areas such as mangroves and wetlands.
After studying Psychology and Sustainability Studies, she worked for a non-profit organisation focusing on improving recycling systems through behaviour change.
As a research assistant with the Rural Policy Centre, Alexa works on a variety of research and knowledge exchange opportunities
“I chose the Masters programme at SRUC because I wanted to obtain a more concrete understanding of climate science and policy and improve my research and analysis skills,” she said.
“I am excited to continue to develop my skills and work with the amazing team at SRUC to inform wider policy and help Scotland reach net zero by 2045.”
Holyrood’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee is calling for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government to develop a framework to facilitate appropriate and proportionate scrutiny on decisions to align with EU law.
The Committee has been considering Scottish Ministers’ use of powers given to them by the Continuity Act to ‘keep pace’ with EU law by using regulation-making powers. MSPs on the Committee have been looking at the first draft annual report and policy statement, which the Scottish Government are required to publish under the legislation.
The MSPs have concluded that:
• It is essential that the Scottish Parliament and civic society in Scotland can meaningfully engage with and influence Scottish Government decisions on whether or not to align with EU law;
• the draft documents currently provide limited information to aid scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s commitment to continued EU alignment and consideration should be given to providing a fuller picture.
• There is an urgent need for Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government Officials to work together to develop proposals to ensure effective scrutiny of the commitment to align with EU law.
Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP, said:“Transparency is key given that aligning with EU law is a policy commitment of the Scottish Government.
“We understand that decisions on whether to align or not will be influenced by a range of factors – which may include the impact of divergence from the rest of the UK, the UK Internal Market Act and how common frameworks are operating, as well as the policies themselves.
“The Parliament and Scottish Government must now develop proposals to deliver on the Government’s commitment to a decision-making framework which will facilitate an appropriate and proportionate level of scrutiny of Ministerial decisions to align with EU law.
“This should include consideration of how to ensure the involvement of businesses, local government, civic society and other stakeholders in an open and transparent way.”
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than treating your pooch to some festive fun this Christmas at Dobbies.
The UK’s leading garden centre will be debuting its ever-popular Santa Paws event at the recently opened little dobbies Stockbridge store on limited weekend dates during December. A perfect opportunity to give four-legged friends a fun day out and get some great snaps for those Christmas cards.
Santa Paws offers the adorable chance for dogs to meet Santa and take home a special Christmas gift. A memorable experience for pets and owners alike.
Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies, said: “We love welcoming furry friends to our stores throughout the year, and can’t wait to meet our four-legged customers this Christmas.
“This will be the first time Santa Paws has come to our little dobbies Stockbridge store, and we really hope locals and visitors alike can enjoy this offering.
“We have a wide range of products in-store that would make for the perfect Christmas treat for your furry friend, or special new accessory to don on Christmas day.”
This exclusive festive experience will take place outside the little dobbies Stockbridge store, where each dog will have a pre-booked slot with Santa. Booking is essential to enjoy this experience, and subject to availability.
Running on the 11,12, 18 and 19 December, customers and canines can enjoy this experienced in the run up to Christmas, priced at £6.99 per pet.
Santa Paws will also be taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store during selected dates in December.
Find the full list of festive events and more information online, www.dobbies.com.
The Scottish Child Payment will be doubled to £20 per week per child from April 2022, the First Minister has announced. The decision has been welcomed by poverty camapigners.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that more than 105,000 children will immediately benefit from the increased payment, which supports low income families with children aged under 6.
First introduced in February 2021 as a £10 per week payment designed to tackle child poverty, it provides regular, additional financial support for eligible families.
The benefit, which is unique in the UK, will be fully rolled out to children under the age of 16 by the end of 2022, subject to data on qualifying benefits being received from the Department of Work and Pensions. It is expected over 400,000 children could be eligible for the doubled payment from that point.
From 2023/24 it will represent an annual investment in tackling child poverty of around £360 million a year. The increase to £20 per week further underlines the Scottish Government’s national mission to tackle child poverty.
The First Minister said: “The Scottish Government is determined to lift children out of poverty.
“Of the £2 billion a year that the Scottish Government invests to support people on low incomes, over £670 million is already targeted at children. Through the range of new payments delivered by Social Security Scotland, low income families receive, in the early years of each child’s life, £5,000 of additional financial support.
“At the heart of this is the Scottish Child Payment – the only payment of its kind anywhere in the UK, designed solely to lift children out of poverty and give them better lives. The £10 per week payment for eligible children under age 6 will be extended to all eligible children under 16 at the end of 2022; and we committed to doubling the payment to £20 per child per week within this Parliamentary term.
“I am proud that our budget will confirm that we will double the Scottish Child Payment from the start of the new financial year. This increase to £20 per child per week will reach over 105,000 children under age 6 in just four months’ time. When we extend the Scottish Child Payment to all under 16s at the end of next year, over 400,000 children and their families will be eligible.
“This is the boldest and most ambitious anti-poverty measure anywhere in the UK. Delivering it isn’t easy. It will involve hard choices elsewhere in our budget. But it is a choice we are opting to make.
“Eradicating child poverty is essential if we are to build the strongest foundation for Scotland’s future. And that is what we are determined to do.”
Scottish Government Minister and Scottish Green Party Co-Leader Patrick Harvie said: “With rising inflation, energy costs and the recent UK Government cuts to Universal Credit, further action to tackle child poverty could not have been more urgent.
“I’m therefore delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to double the Scottish Child Payment from April, just months after our policy of free bus travel for children and young people goes live.
“These bold actions deliver on key commitments made in the cooperation deal between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party, and will make a real difference to families across Scotland.”
Scottish Greens MSP Lorna Slater said the decision will be pivotal to tackling child poverty in Lothian.
Ms Slater said: “With a new Covid variant, rising energy costs, inflation and the catastrophic impact of a Tory Brexit being felt, it is more important than ever that we do everything we can to help people that are being hit by Westminster’s cuts and austerity.
“That is why I’m delighted that we will see the Scottish Child Payment doubled in the forthcoming Scottish budget. This will be pivotal to tackling child poverty and will be welcomed by families that are feeling stretched, particularly those that have been hit by Boris Johnson’s punishing Universal Credit cut.
“With Greens in government we are delivering for people and the planet and making a real difference to families in Lothian and beyond.”
“That is why we are introducing free bus travel for everyone under 22 from January, extending free school meals to all primary school pupils and ensuring that government contracts pay the real living wage. We will continue to work towards a fairer, greener Scotland.”
Social Security Scotland delivers a number of benefits for families. These include Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment, School Age Payment and Best Start Foods.
The newly doubled Scottish Child Payment, together with the three Best Start Grant payments and Best Start Foods, could give families up to £8,400 by the time their first child turns 6.
Campaigners have welcomed the announcement:
Chris Birt, Associate Director for Scotland at Joseph Rowntree Foundation said:“This is very welcome news that will provide vital support for families with young children following what is expected to be a challenging winter as the cost of living continues to rise. Doubling the payment for older children cannot come soon enough.
“As we noted in our Poverty in Scotland report, this investment alone will not be enough to meet the interim child poverty targets, but it is an important step in the right direction and will make a real difference to families.”
Christmas will officially arrive at Fort Kinnaird this weekend as Santa Claus comes to town for three weekends of festive fun.
Santa and his chief elf Twinkle will be popping up at the centre every Saturday until the 18th December to sprinkle some Christmas cheer.
Shoppers will also be able to take in the glittering Christmas decorations around the centre, including trees, star lights and Santa’s very own trusty reindeer which is located near Odeon.
Throughout the festive season Fort Kinnaird visitors will be able to make contactless donations to the centre’s chosen charity, Radio Forth Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, at the giant Giving Box located outside Boots.
Mission Christmas is a lifeline to families living in poverty, for who Christmas is a luxury they can’t afford. Generous donations from the public can help ensure children across the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk receive a gift on Christmas morning.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Christmas was a difficult time for many last year, so we want to do what we can to help make this year extra special. We’re excited to have a range of activities and festive characters to help visitors get into the Christmas spirit.”
Fort Kinnaird’s later opening times mean visitors have a full twelve hours to pick up their Christmas shopping every weekday from 9am – 9pm, with opening hours from 9am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Please check with individual retailers for opening hours.
Free parking is available as usual and shoppers are being encouraged to visit outside of peak times if they can, with quieter times usually before 11am and after 6pm on weekdays.
For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit:
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s briefing from St Andrew’s House this morning:
Good morning,
I am joined here today as you can see by the Chief Medical Officer.
Now today’s full Covid statistics will be published later on today, so I’m not going to provide all of the detail of those right now.
I can though confirm that the overall situation in Scotland does remain stable at this stage.
We have in recent days been seeing cases declining slightly.
We knew, however, that the weeks ahead would present real risks to this stability.
Colder weather forcing us indoors. Festive socialising. And a deteriorating situation in many countries across Europe.
However, over the past few days a new risk has emerged in the form of the Omicron variant and it is that that we want to update you on today.
I am going to set out what we know so far about the new variant – though I stress there is still much that we and the rest of the world do not know about it.
I will also give the most up to date information we have on numbers of cases identified so far here in Scotland – though I expect that this will be a developing situation in the days ahead.
I will set out the actions we have considered it appropriate to take so far on a precautionary basis.
And of course I will remind everyone what we can all do – must do, in fact – to help contain the spread of the virus in general but this new variant in particular.
Firstly, what do we know at this stage?
And as I said a moment ago, the most important point to make – which was underlined in a briefing issued by the World Health Organisation last night – is that there is still a huge amount that we do not know about the variant.
The number of mutations that it has – and the nature of these – and some of the very early indications from Southern Africa have raised the concern that this variant might be more transmissible than Delta which of course is currently the dominant variant in Scotland and many other countries.
However, much more data and analysis is required to be certain of this and, if it is more transmissible, to understand by how much.
Further work is also needed to confirm what impact this variant might have on the effectiveness of vaccines and the risk of re-infection.
The WHO said yesterday that preliminary evidence suggests there might be an increased risk of re-infection but stressed that information at this stage is still limited.
It also said that there is currently no information to suggest that the symptoms from Omicron are any different to the symptoms from other variants.
In other words, although again more data is still required, there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that the disease caused by Omicron is more severe.
Now the days and weeks ahead will tell all of us much more about the nature of this variant and therefore its implications, if there are implications, for our response to the pandemic.
What we do know at this stage, though, confirms in my view that we should treat it seriously, and we should continue to act on a precautionary basis at this stage.
While we all hope that the emerging understanding of it will reduce rather than increase our level of concern, there is no doubt that this presents – potentially – the most challenging development in the course of the pandemic for quite some time.
Let me turn now to the situation in Scotland. We have stepped up our surveillance in recent days and I want to thank public health teams for the work they are doing to ensure that we are able to detect cases of this variant quickly.
As we confirmed earlier today, that enhanced surveillance has identified 6 cases of the Omicron variant in Scotland so far – 4 of these are in Lanarkshire and 2 in Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
Now it is important for me to stress that the contact tracing of these cases is still ongoing. However, at this stage, we know that not all of them have any recent travel history to, or known links with others who have travelled to, the countries in Southern Africa where the variant was originally detected.
This suggests that there might already be some community transmission of this variant in Scotland but again let me stress there is no evidence yet that this is sustained – nor any evidence from the enhanced surveillance that it is widespread at this stage.
However, evidence of even limited community transmission underlines the importance of all of us increasing our compliance with the protections that are in place.
And I will turn now to the actions we have taken.
We have already reintroduced some travel restrictions – even with evidence of community transmission locally, these travel measures are important and I will say more about them shortly – but given that Omicron is already present in Scotland, we also need to consider carefully what steps are necessary and proportionate to reduce transmission here.
Some protections that the UK Government has announced in recent days in relation to England – for example the requirement to wear face coverings in some settings – are of course already in place, and in fact more extensive already, here in Scotland.
So at this stage, we are asking people, everyone across the country, to significantly step up and increase compliance with all existing precautions – face coverings, hygiene like washing hands and surfaces, getting vaccinated and of course testing yourselves regularly with lateral flow devices and, from now on, testing yourself before mixing socially with people from other households.
We are also reminding people to work from home if possible. As of today, I’m asking employers to make sure they are maximising the potential of home working.
However, this may be, and is likely to be, a fast-moving situation – so our response will be kept under close review as we learn more about the risk Omicron poses, and the nature of transmission here in Scotland.
A key part of our initial response will be to continue to identify cases as quickly as we can and, where possible after that, break the chains of transmission.
To that end, additional testing will be undertaken in areas where cases have been identified.
Now, our local response will complement the UK-wide travel restrictions that aim to avoid importing new cases while we are trying to curb community transmission.
Even with cases already here, it is really important to do what we can to prevent new seeding of the variant from elsewhere.
So in line with the rest of the UK, we have reinstated the red list of countries, and to date 10 countries from southern Africa have been added to that red list.
Anybody travelling back to Scotland from those 10 countries must enter managed quarantine for 10 days on their arrival.
In addition, anyone arriving in Scotland from anywhere outside the common travel area, will be asked to take a PCR test on the second day after arrival, and self-isolate until they get the result of that test.
We know, however, that the incubation period for this virus is very often more than 2 days.
So our view is that it would be sensible on a precautionary basis for these travel rules to be tightened further.
That’s a view shared by the Welsh Government.
I had a called yesterday with First Minister Mark Drakeford and he and I have this written this morning a joint letter to the Prime Minister.
We are proposing a tougher four-nations approach to travel restrictions at this stage that would see people arriving in the UK from overseas asked to self-isolate for eight days. Under our proposal, they would take a PCR test on day eight of their arrival, as well as on day 2.
We believe this measure would be more effective in identifying cases of this variant which result from overseas travel, and therefore help us prevent further community transmission from imported cases.
Now as we know from earlier stages of the pandemic, with so many people travelling to Scotland and indeed to Wales via airports in England, anything less than a four-nations approach to requirements like this will be ineffective. So we hope that a four-nations agreement can be reached.
A four-nations approach obviously requires the four nations to discuss these issues together, and hear the best advice available.
So Mark Drakeford and I have also called on the Prime Minister today to immediately convene a COBRA meeting – with representation from each nation – to discuss what additional steps we might have to consider and how we work together to tackle this new risk.
Mark Drakeford and I are also conscious of the very real concern businesses and staff will feel at the possibility of further protections becoming necessary.
Now let me stress we all hope this will not be necessary but it is prudent to plan ahead and so we have also sought confirmation that – should any further protections be necessary – Treasury funding will be available to any of the four nations that require to activate business support schemes.
Now, given the serious tone and content of my statement today, I want to stress this.
It is always important – and we’ve learned this over these past two years – in the face of new developments in this virus to prepare for the worst, to act on a precautionary basis.
But that does not mean that we are not hoping – because we are hoping – for something considerably short of the worst. We are still hoping for the best, and hoping that our developing understanding of this variant will reduce rather than increase our concern.
I very much hope that additional protections can be avoided. And while we will act on a precautionary basis we will also seek to act at all times in a proportionate manner.
I want to end by stressing what we can all do. Vaccination remains our most important line of defence.
We had already outlined last week that the Scottish Government was working to accelerate even further the booster vaccine programme. We will now step up those efforts more.
We are expecting a statement later today from the JCVI conforming its updated advice on vaccination.
The Scottish Government is getting ready to operationalise any new recommendations from the JCVI – for example in relation to the interval between second doses and boosters, or the range of people who can now receive booster jags and we will do that as quickly as is possible.
Vaccines do remain our best line of defence and I want to stress this point
If – and it is still an if – vaccines do prove to be less effective against this new variant, vaccination will still be hugely important.
Less effective does not mean ineffective.
If anything, the new variant makes it more important – not less important – to get all doses of the vaccine.
Over the weekend, 40-49 year olds became able to book boosters through NHS Inform.
Older age groups can already do so.
So if you are 40 or over, go to the website, book a booster for when you are due it.
And if you haven’t yet had your first or second doses, please book an appointment to get them now.
The Scottish Government will consider carefully in the coming days any further actions that are necessary, as we get more information about this variant and the extent of its presence here.
But the point I want to end on, and indeed stress at this stage, is that the same measures that have worked against previous strains of this virus, will also help us curb any transmission of this new variant.
So if in recent weeks you’ve been sticking a bit less rigorously to all of the public health advice, which I think is entirely understandable and I am sure we are all in that position to a greater or lesser extent, now is the time to start following all of that advice rigorously again.
Every one of us can make a difference in protecting ourselves and each other.
So let me just end with a reminder of what all of us can do and what it is really important that all of us do at this stage.
These steps are now vital so I am asking everybody not to see this as optional.
Firstly, get vaccinated.
It is the single most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and each other.
Secondly, test for Covid regularly. As I said, we will be increasing testing in areas where the new variant has been identified.
But for all of us, wherever we are, even if we are feeling fine, regular lateral flow testing is a really important way of finding out if we might have the virus.
So on any occasion that you are intending to socialize, or mix with people from other households – whether that is in a pub, a restaurant, a house or even a shopping centre – please do an LFD test. You can get kits online, or pick them up from local pharmacies or test centres. They are free so get as many as you need and keep your supply topped up.
And finally, comply with all of the existing protections.
Wear face coverings on public transport, in shops, and whenever you are moving about in hospitality settings.
Keep windows open if you have people in your house to improve ventilation because we know that helps.
Follow all advice on hygiene. It is time to go back rigorously to washing our hands, to cleaning surfaces.
And as I said earlier, please work from home right now if you can.
The Economy Secretary will be meeting business organisations later this afternoon and stressing that home working when possible will help us get through the winter and also this latest risk more safely.
The discovery of the new variant makes these measures more important than ever before. They will make a difference. And by sticking to them, we give ourselves the best possible chance of enjoying the more normal Christmas we are all looking forward to, but enjoying not just a more normal Christmas but a safer Christmas too, and hopefully avoiding the need for any tighter protections in the weeks to come.
So please, let’s all of us make sure that we up our compliance right now. This of course is a concerning development but if we take it as a reminder not to let our guard slip, then I hope we can protect the stronger position that we had already got ourselves into.
So please, get vaccinated, test yourself regularly, and follow all of the protections that are in place.
Thank you to everybody for doing all of these things and for what I know everybody will be seeking to do in the weeks ahead.
Council Leaders urge citizens to help limit Covid spread
City council leaders have urged residents to continue and renew efforts to help limit the spread of the Covid virus following the emergence of the new Omicron variant in Scotland.
The call from Council Leader Adam McVey and Depute Leader Cammy Day comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave a national update earlier today (Monday).
The First Minister stressed the importance of getting vaccinated, carrying out lateral flow tests regularly and rigorously following existing advice, including wearing masks, sanitising hands and surfaces and working from home where possible.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “With the emergence of the new Omicron variant it’s essential that we follow a precautionary approach. While we’re still learning about this variant it’s right that we take action to protect ourselves and those around us.
“We must continue our efforts to limit its transmission, particularly as we head into the coldest winter months. First and foremost that means getting vaccinated – get both your jags and, if eligible, your third, booster dose.
“It’s also crucial that we test ourselves regularly, especially if we’re mixing with others, and, of course, carry on following the public health guidance on handwashing, face-coverings, ventilation and meeting outdoors wherever possible.
“There’s so much we can do to slow the virus’s spread and, hopefully, enjoy the more ‘normal’ Christmas we’ve all been waiting for.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “The latest developments demonstrate that, while we’ve been making strides to limit the spread of the Covid virus, we need to remain alert.
“We can’t let all the sacrifices we’ve made so far go to waste – now is the time to redouble our efforts, look after one another and follow the rules.
“Together we can help limit the spread of the virus, reducing pressure on our health and care services over the winter and the need for further restrictions.”
Community test centres and mobile test centres are open for people with no Covid symptoms. Full details of these, and how to order home lateral flow testing kits, are available online.
A majority of people in Scotland support next month’s Scottish Government budget being used to double the Scottish Child Payment immediately, new polling released today has found, as campaigners continue to press for Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, to back the move.
The polling, conducted by Survation for the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland, revealed that – once ‘don’t knows’ were excluded – 68% of people in Scotland support the immediate doubling of the benefit for low income families.
Among those who voted for the SNP at May’s Holyrood elections, this figure jumped to 74%. Young people aged 16-34 were even more likely to back the call, with that figure reaching 79% in favour.
It comes amid mounting pressure on the Scottish Government to respond with urgency to what campaigners are calling a “rising tide of child poverty” across Scotland. On 18th November, over 100 organisations from across Scotland wrote to Kate Forbes urging her to “do the right thing” and use December’s budget to double the payment.
While the Scottish Government have said the payment will be doubled ‘as soon as possible’ during the course of this Scottish Parliament, as of yet they have resisted calls to do so immediately. But anti-poverty campaigners have warned that, unless the Finance Secretary uses December’s budget to act immediately, Scotland’s child poverty targets risk failure.
Responding to the poll findings, Peter Kelly (Director, Poverty Alliance) said: “In Scotland, people believe in protecting one another and in doing the right thing. As this new polling makes clear, they overwhelmingly support taking action now to stem the rising tide of child poverty.
“Children and families living in the grip of poverty right now simply cannot wait. Scottish ministers must listen to people across the country who are calling on them to do the right thing, and double the Scottish Child Payment now.”
Polly Jones (Head of Scotland, Trussell Trust) said: “Families across Scotland are facing a really difficult winter. Right now, food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Scotland are giving out a food parcel every three minutes to people in crisis.
“This isn’t right, especially when we have the power to change this. Doubling the Scottish Child Payment now would be a huge boost to Scotland’s struggling families and I hope Ministers will listen to the public and act.”
Claire Telfer, head of Scotland, Save the Children, said: “This polling confirms what we know and what we’re hearing from parents and families across Scotland: the Scottish Child Payment is making a huge difference but it’s not going far enough and it needs to be doubled.
“Just last week a parent told us ‘Doubling the Scottish Child Payment would make a massive difference, any extra money a week would help.
“We know that many families with young children in Scotland are struggling to make ends meet, parents are going without food or not putting the heating on, to care for their children.
“As a society we can – and must – do better. Next month’s budget is a golden opportunity to act now and support families and drive down poverty by doubling the Scottish Child Payment.”
A little boy who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at only 12 days old was first to switch on the Christmas lights at Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital.
Joey Sharp, now 11 months old, endured two life-saving surgeries just days after he was born at Christmas time last year, and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the hospital ever since.
Alongside his proud parents and with the help of big sister Carly (3), Joey pressed the button to light up the 20ft tree and surrounding area, following an introduction and countdown from Forth One presenter Boogie in the Morning.
Mum Sam said: “Our little Joey was only 12 days old when he had emergency surgery in December last year. Hours before, we were given the devastating news that he had a brain tumour.
“We were told to prepare for the worst. Our world had shattered. I had been making Christmas lists, buying presents and organising family fun. Suddenly, it all seemed hopeless.
“After eight agonising hours, 50% of the tumour was removed. But Joey was still seriously ill and needed a second operation. The days passed in a blur as we sat by his side in Intensive Care.
“Two days before Christmas, he had his second brain surgery. This time, they removed 98% of the tumour, but we still had a way to go. With six long months of intensive chemotherapy ahead, we were determined to make the most of every moment.”
Sam and husband Steven will always be grateful for all the care and support both they, Joey and Carly received while in hospital over the festive period.
The family are backing Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) new Christmas appeal, which asks supporters to help “Light Up Christmas” for those seriously ill children and young people facing a hospital stay this December.
Sam continued: “Throughout our time in hospital, ECHC was there for us at every turn, supporting us on the ward when none of our family or friends could visit.
“The charity’s activities gave us a break from our daily reality. Seeing Joey respond to bubbles in baby sensory sessions, and hearing singing and live music was wonderful. It gave us hope. The change that came over the ward when the charity arrived was amazing, everyone’s faces lit up.
“On Christmas Day, Covid rules were relaxed and we were allowed to be together. ECHC made sure our time was magical. They showered the kids with gifts and involved Carly in all the fun. The best gift of all was seeing her and her baby brother together for the first time since he was admitted.
“In March, we were transferred to the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. We felt anxious leaving the old Sick Kids but the moment we arrived we were reassured with the most wonderful welcome.
“The new hospital is made for children and families. It’s a bright, fun, friendly space that supporters of the charity should be proud to have made possible.
“Joey is now 11 months old, cancer free and growing stronger every day. Without doubt, the support from ECHC made a huge difference to his recovery and our first memories as a family so it was wonderful to have him be the first to switch on the Christmas lights for the charity at the new hospital!”
Children, families and staff gathered at the hospital entrance and watching on from windows were treated to a musical performance by Edinburgh Brass Band before watching Joey and his family light up the giant Christmas tree – very kindly gifted to ECHC by Conifox Adventure Park.
The Christmas Light Switch On is just one of many activities that the charity has planned to make Christmas as magical as possible for those who are sadly too unwell to spend it at home.
Victoria Buchanan, from ECHC, said: “We would like to say an enormous thank you to Conifox Adventure Park, Edinburgh Brass Band, Boogie in the Morning and Joey and his family for helping to make our first ever Christmas Light Switch On at the new hospital so special.
“Every year, ECHC makes Christmas magical for children in hospital by creating a living advent calendar around the wards with a new surprise behind each door, with everything from a real ballerina to festive magic sessions and a samba band! We also fund the hospital play team and Christmas gifts to make sure treats and distractions are always available to bring smiles and comfort.
“This is our first year in our new home at Little France, so we are determined to make it the biggest and best Christmas yet. Although we have lit up the building, we still need help to Light Up Christmas and make sure no child or young person in hospital misses out on the joy of the festive season.
“We rely solely on donations to do this. Please help by making a donation to ECHC this Christmas. You could Light Up Christmas for a child in hospital this December.”
To donate now to ECHC’s Light Up Christmas appeal, visit:
