In Edinburgh, men are paid 14.2% more than women – well above the Scottish average gender pay gap of 10.2%
East Dunbartonshire has the biggest gender pay gap in Scotland, with men being paid 26.9% more than women
Aberdeenshire is Scotland’s second worst area for gender pay gaps, with men enjoying 22.1% more pay than women
Edinburgh’s gender pay gap is well above the Scottish average, new research can reveal.
In Edinburgh, men are paid 14.2% more than women. The Scotland average gender pay gap is 10.2%
Following International Women’s Day, financial experts Forbes Advisor used new ONS data to explore the gender pay gap for full time employees in every local authority in Scotland to discover which areas have the worst gender pay gap of all.
RANKED: Gender pay gaps in Scotland from biggest to smallest
Scotland area
Rank
How much more men earn than women (%)
East Dunbartonshire
1
26.9
Aberdeenshire
2
22.1
Inverclyde
3
20.1
Renfrewshire
4
18.6
Aberdeen City
5
17.9
Moray
6
17.1
Perth and Kinross
7
16.9
Na h-Eileanan Siar
8
15.8
South Ayrshire
9
15.5
Clackmannanshire
10
15.0
City of Edinburgh
11
14.2
Argyll and Bute
12
13.6
East Lothian
13
13.6
Dundee City
14
11.6
Falkirk
15
11.0
Glasgow City
16
10.7
North Lanarkshire
17
8.8
East Ayrshire
18
7.7
Midlothian
19
4.9
Fife
20
3.4
South Lanarkshire
21
3.3
West Lothian
22
3.1
Scottish Borders
23
2.3
Angus
24
2.2
Stirling
25
1.6
Highland
26
0.9
North Ayrshire
27
-4.6
Dumfries and Galloway
28
-7.0
Scotland average
10.2
East Dunbartonshire has the biggest gender pay gap in Scotland. In East Dunbartonshire, men are paid 26.9% more than women – well over double Scotland’s average gender pay gap (10.2%).
Aberdeenshire has the second biggest pay gap in Scotland, with men earning 22.1% more than women – twice the Scottish average gender pay gap of 10.2%. Inverclyde has Scotland’s third biggest pay gap, with men raking in 20% more in wages than women.
Renfrewshire, Aberdeen City and Moray are also some of Scotland’s worst areas for gender pay gaps, with men earning 18.6%, 17.9% and 17.1% more than women respectively.
At the other end of the scale, Dumfries and Galloway and North Ayrshire in Scotland are the only areas in the country where women earn more than men. In Dumfries and Galloway, women earn 7% more than men, and in North Ayrshire, women earn 4.6% more than men.
The Scottish Highlands, Stirling and Angus also have smaller gender pay gaps than the rest of Scotland. In the Scottish Highlands, men earn 0.9% more than women, and in Stirling and Angus, they earn 1.6% and 2.2% more than women respectively.
A spokesperson for Forbes Advisor commented on the findings: “These figures shed light on the concerning gender inequality which still persists in Scotland.
“It’s not enough to tweet about gender equality in the wake of International Women’s Day, we all have a responsibility to ensure that everyone is equally compensated for their labour.
“Not only do men earn 10.2% more than women across Scotland as a whole, but in local authorities such as East Dunbartonshire, men are earning up to 26.9% more than women, which shows that we have a long way to go before achieving fair pay.”
Mark Coulter, Founder and Director of Ellisons Property in Edinburgh and East Central Scotland, is running five marathons in five days to raise funds for Doddie Weir’s Motor Neurone Disease charity the MY NAME’5 DODDIE Foundation.
The five marathons challenge will see Mark running a total distance of 131 miles over the five-day period. Mark who is the creator & former CEO of Coulters Property, has since founded Ellisons Property in Edinburgh.
After securing their first clients in the pandemic, Ellisons has grown fast and been awarded a “United Kingdom Property Award” for “Best Property Consultancy for Scotland”.
While setting up a brand-new company might be enough of a challenge for most people, Mark is now running five marathons in five days to raise money for the MY NAME’5 DODDIE Foundation.
The foundation, which raises money for MND sufferers, was set up by former rugby union player Doddie Weir, who went public with his MND diagnosis in June 2017 and has since gone on to raise millions for MND research through the charity.
The MY NAME’5 DODDIE Foundation fundraises for research into the causes of MND and to investigate potential cures. They also provide grants to individuals suffering from MND, to enable them to live as fulfilled a life as possible.
Mark is doing what he can to support the foundation despite his lack of running experience: “Everyone who knows me knows that I am no marathon runner, hell I am not even a runner but that isn’t the point, and this challenge isn’t about me.
“It’s about the horrific disease, MND and the fact that there is no known cure. Hopefully, my small contribution will go some way to changing that and defeating this horrible disease which causes so much pain to individuals and their families!”
Individuals wishing to support Mark in “Doin it for Doddie” and raising money for the MY NAME’5 DODDIE Foundation can donate here.
A new, state-of-the-art bus station management system has been officially unveiled at Edinburgh Bus Station, transforming the passenger experience for those travelling to and from Scotland’s Capital.
The management platform is one of the most advanced in the UK and features real-time arrival and departure information on intelligent display screens throughout the station, along with live updates on disruption, delays and events.
Upgrades include larger displays for people with visual impairments, which connect via Bluetooth to the RNIB React smart device app to read out departures, and multiple languages on some screens. Interactive ‘wayfinding’ signage has been installed to help users plan their onward journeys, with routes, travel updates and tourist information.
On Tuesday, Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was given a tour of the improvements at the station, where more than 9000 bus and coach services pass through every month, departing to destinations across Scotland and the UK.
Councillor Macinnes said: “There is no doubt the new management system at Edinburgh Bus Station will transform the experience for anyone travelling through it. Not only is journey information much clearer and more accessible, but upgrades will really help people making onward trips around Edinburgh.
“It’s really fascinating to see the difference the improvements are making behind the scenes, managing the bus station more effectively, supporting safer departures and monitoring performance.
“By delivering a truly integrated, efficient service, these changes make travel by bus an attractive choice, which is central to our net zero target.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “The use of new technology is helping to manage the bus station more easily and effectively. This means more accurate and more available information for passengers, including the automatic notification of any delays and incidents.
“We hope projects like this will give more passengers and visitors the confidence to choose travel by bus.”
The new management system also features a bus reversing facility, helping to manage departures from the station more effectively and safely, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to automatically log the arrival and departure of every bus in the station.
At the centre of the platform is a Content Management System (CMS) combining live bus location data with scheduled information to provide accurate real time passenger information. This is distributed to displays inside and outside the station, as well as to Traveline Scotland, neighbouring local authorities, bus operators and local business parks.
Work to upgrade the city’s on-street 400 real time passenger information signs at bus stops, including the addition of more signs, will also begin this year, as part of the same contract. The main contractor delivering the improvements is Journeo.
Scottish housebuilder Barratt Developments has pledged to recruit 23 new apprentices in Scotland this year as it doubles down on investing in new talent in response to a growing need for skilled tradespeople.
The 23 new trade apprentice roles, which include eight in the east of Scotland, are being launched as part of the homebuilder’s biggest ever apprentice recruitment campaign, and will see opportunities in bricklaying, joinery, electrical maintenance and plumbing in Barratt Developments sites across the country, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes.
The announcement coincides with the annual Scottish Apprenticeship Week, running from 7-11 March, which celebrates the benefits of apprenticeships for individuals, businesses and the wider economy. At a time when young people have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, providing high-quality employment opportunities is central to economic recovery plans.
Alison Condie, managing director for Barratt Developments East Scotland, said:“This is an exciting time for anyone with an interest in housebuilding to join Barratt. The construction industry is flourishing and we are committed to help young people progress through the business.
“Many of the apprentices we’ve hired over the years are now in leadership positions responsible for managing and delivering multi-million pound housing developments.
“As one of the country’s top housing developers we are absolutely committed to investing in raw talent, and there’s never been a more important time to provide these kinds of apprenticeship opportunities.”
A shortage of skilled tradespeople has been repeatedly cited as a major risk to the growth and success of the construction sector, both in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The latest monthly construction market survey (Q4 2021) from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) shows the second most significant hindrance to construction activity is a skills shortage, with over two thirds (67%) of respondents reporting that skilled trades and project managers are in particularly short supply.
The new apprentices, who will start in August, will be based on a designated development site and will learn skills in bricklaying, carpentry, joinery, electrical maintenance or plumbing from experienced tradespeople, as well as attend college each week to gain formal qualifications.
Gage is laying the building blocks for a rewarding career in construction
With qualifications varying from computing to mechanics and panel beating, it’s fair to say that Gage Wells (23) is passionate about learning practical skills that will serve him well in everyday life. However, after finishing his studies he hadn’t pinpointed exactly what he wanted to do as his career.
Although Gage had little hands-on construction experience of his own, he was surrounded by people working within the industry; “My dad’s a joiner and initially I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but after testing it out I realised it wasn’t the trade for me. I also dabbled a bit in plastering and as a sparkie, but it was my brother-in-law, who works for Barratt Homes as a labourer, who told me about an apprenticeship in bricklaying, and I decided to give it a go.”
After successfully being offered a place on Barratt’s bricklaying apprenticeship scheme, Gage is currently in his first of four years. He’s based on-site at Barratt Homes in Winchburgh, Midlothian for two weeks of each month, with the other two weeks spent at Edinburgh College’s Granton campus.
Although he’s only in his first year of the apprenticeship, he’s been involved with the bricklaying process since day one – laying his first brick the very first day he started. Since then he’s also received training on how to safely use blades and ladders and works alongside more experienced members of the team to learn the trade first-hand.
Perhaps no surprise given his qualifications but it’s the practical side of the apprenticeship that Gage enjoys best, something many apprentices would agree on. This is reflected in his hobbies outside of work, where he takes his three younger brothers fishing and camping to learn different survival skills. Prior to starting his apprenticeship, Gage also helped with caring for his younger brother, and he’s passionate about helping to upskill the next generation in the future.
Gage’s also developing his analytical and technical skills and feels he can put his mathematical brain to good use, as it’s incredibly important to be precise when building a house. For some, physically building a home might seem like a daunting task, but when asked how it felt laying his first brick, Gage said: “I felt very accomplished when laying my first brick, it was like I was just meant to be there – almost as if the building blocks had fallen into place.”
Since starting his apprenticeship in August 2021, Gage reckons he has helped to build at least 15 homes in Winchburgh. He loves how rewarding his job is, how friendly the people are and the fact that he always has someone to work alongside him.
The UK is currently facing a bricklayer shortage. Bricklayers have been repeatedly cited as one of the hardest trades to recruit, with more than two-thirds (68%) of construction sites struggling to hire bricklayers (State of Trade, 2020). Skills like Gage’s will be increasingly in demand, and it’s a great time to consider learning a trade. In fact, Gage’s goal when he is fully qualified is to start his own business and support more young people like himself into bricklaying and helping to reduce the shortage within the trade industry while providing a lifelong and rewarding career.
And Gage’s advice for anyone thinking about an apprenticeship? “Just go for it, I have no regrets! I learn a lot of transferrable skills, get to work with great people and it’s set me up with a trade that will always be needed.”
500 small cells will be deployed in towns and cities across the UK to enhance EE 4G coverage
BT is partnering with local authorities in UK towns and cities, including Edinburgh, to boost mobile coverage by mounting small cell antennas on street furniture such as lampposts and CCTV columns.
The technology and telecoms firm is also using its own assets, including phone boxes and its Street Hub 2.0 digital units, so its mobile arm EE can house hundreds of small cells to boost capacity in high demand areas.
Small cells are mobile radio cells that help to provide better coverage for customers at street level, where it’s often impractical to install larger mobile masts or where an offloading capability is required.
The programme will allow EE customers to experience uninterrupted data speeds of up to 300Mbps in the two Scottish cities along with others such as Glasgow, Leeds, Greater Manchester, London, Birmingham and Nottingham.
The infrastructure will be delivered over the next 18 months and can also support 5G network coverage in the future. In addition to enabling small cell deployment by EE, BT is also working with other UK mobile network operators to deploy small cells around the UK to help extend and densify their high-speed mobile network coverage.
Brian More O’Ferrall, Director, Mobile Operators in BT’s Enterprise business, said:“Around 200 of the small cells are already live and are helping to boost 4G coverage for EE customers in towns and cities across the UK.
“We have worked closely with our local authority partners to utilise their street furniture, as well as our own assets, to improve connectivity in these areas.
“Ensuring good digital infrastructure is a priority for many councils, especially with the rise in mobile device ownership and growth in demand for data and connectivity, and they have seen the benefits that such partnerships can provide.
“Not only does it mean that average download speeds can often double in some areas, but it’s also more efficient and means there is a reduced need for new cell masts in the localities.
“We’re pleased to be working with EE and other mobile network operators to deliver this coverage boost.”
EE was the first UK network to combine unlicensed and licensed spectrum in a single 4G small cell. Using Licensed-assisted access (LAA) allows network operators to exploit the additional capacity of 5GHz spectrum for a downlink to the mobile phone. Not only does this provide additional capacity but also improves the quality of service of key mobile functions, such as video streaming.
The small cells will be deployed across the UK including the following areas:
Birmingham
Croydon
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Leeds
Greater London (including numerous London boroughs)
Greater Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Leicester
Cardiff
Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council and Smart Cities Lead, Cammy Day, said: “This is an innovative use of space – using the Council’s existing CCTV cameras to accelerate the roll out of high-density mobile coverage and close the digital divide in some of our most disadvantaged communities.
“We are already investing in our CCTV to keep Edinburgh safe and make our systems modern and sustainable. And we know that there are lower levels of fixed or high-speed internet in parts of the city where we have CCTV coverage. That’s why we’re driving forward this initiative with BT, which will encourage providers to invest in improving mobile coverage, capacity and speeds in key parts of the city.
“It makes perfect sense to make the most out of the sites we already have and avoid any unnecessary extra street clutter, and it is innovation like this which is making sure Edinburgh has the very best mobile infrastructure in place and developing our position as one of the world’s leading smart cities!”
BT is using its new Street Hub 2.0 units to site small cells and further boost connectivity, which comes after a recent survey by the company found that two thirds of small firms agree that mobile connectivity could be improved in their area.
The new units have already been rolled out in Glasgow, Nottingham and London. Subject to local planning processes, BT is aiming to roll out around 300 Street Hub 2.0 units across the UK this year, working closely with local councils and communities.
Yesterday’s announcement also comes after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport recently launched its new Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Accelerator (DCIA) scheme to enable telecoms firms to get easier access to public buildings and street lights, bus shelters and traffic lights to mount small cell equipment for 4G and 5G networks.
Through the pilots managed by DCIA, BT will be working closely with DCMS and local authority partners to further accelerate small cell deployment across the UK.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has today released its report into the fatal derailment of a passenger train at Carmont, Aberdeenshire, 12th August 2020.
At around 09:37 hrs on Wednesday 12 August 2020, a passenger train derailed near Carmont, Aberdeenshire. The train, reporting number 1T08, was the 06:38 hrs service from Aberdeen to Glasgow, which was returning towards Aberdeen due to a blockage that had been reported on the line ahead.
It was travelling at 73 mph (117 km/h), just under the normal speed for the line concerned. After derailing, the train deviated to the left, before striking a bridge parapet which caused the vehicles to scatter. Tragically, three people died as a result of the accident: the conductor, Donald Dinnie; the train driver, Brett McCullough; a passenger, Christopher Stuchbury. The remaining six people on the train were injured.
On the morning of the accident there was near-continuous heavy rain at the site of the accident between about 06:00 hrs and 09:00 hrs. The 51.5 mm of rain which fell in this period at the accident site was close to the average rainfall for the month of August in this part of Scotland.
Train 1T08 derailed because it struck debris that had been washed out of a drainage trench. This trench, which had been constructed between 2011 and 2012, contained a perforated pipe that had been installed as part of a project to address a known problem with drainage and the stability of a cutting in that area.
However, the drainage system and associated earthworks had not been constructed in accordance with the original design and so were not able to safely accommodate the water flows that morning.
RAIB’s investigators found that a low earth bank (bund) had been constructed that ran across a slope leading towards the track.
The presence of this bund significantly altered the flow of water such that extreme rainfall would cause a concentrated flow into the steeply sloping section of trench. The evidence indicates that the intensity and duration of this rainfall would have generated water flows into the trench that were sufficient to wash away the gravel fill and the ground immediately surrounding the trench.
No instruction was given by route control or the signaller that train 1T08 should be run at a lower speed on its journey between Carmont and Stonehaven. At that time there was no written process that required any such precaution in these circumstances.
Consequently, normal railway rules were applied to the train movement. The RAIB’s investigation found that the ‘route controllers’ (who were responsible for the operational management of Scotland’s railway network) had not been given the information, procedures or training that they needed to effectively manage complex situations of the type encountered on the morning of 12 August 2020.
The RAIB’s investigation also identified that Network Rail’s management processes had not identified or addressed weaknesses in the way it mitigated the consequences of extreme rainfall events. Furthermore, despite an awareness of the risk, Network Rail had not completed the implementation of additional control measures following previous events involving extreme weather and the management of operating incidents.
A train built to modern standards would have had a number of design features that are intended to minimise the damage to the train in case of collision or derailment. However, the refurbished HST that derailed at Carmont was designed and constructed before some of these standards came into force.
While it is not possible to be certain about what would have happened in the hypothetical situation with different rolling stock in the same accident, RAIB considers it more likely than not that the outcome would have been better if the train had been compliant with modern ‘crashworthiness’ standards.
Recommendations
As a consequence of this accident, RAIB has made 20 recommendations for the improvement of railway safety. The areas covered include:
better management of civil engineering construction activities by Network Rail and its contractors
additional standards and guidance on the safe design of drainage systems
improved operational response to extreme rainfall events, exploiting the full capability of modern technology, and based on a detailed understanding of the risk associated with extreme rainfall
enhancing the capability of route control offices to effectively manage complex events
extending Network Rail’s assurance regime to encompass route control offices
addressing the obstacles to effective implementation of lessons learnt from the investigation of accidents and incidents
measures to prevent derailed trains from deviating too far from the track (equipment fitted to track and/or trains)
addressing train design issues identified by the investigation and better understanding the additional risk associated with the operation of older trains.
Simon French, the Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, said:“This was a tragedy that devastated the lives of the three families who lost their loved ones and brought terror and injury to six other people on the morning of 12 August 2020. Our thoughts are with them all. Nothing can undo this event, but we owe it to everybody who was affected by it to strive to learn safety lessons for the future.
“Although railway safety in the UK has been steadily improving over recent decades, the tragedy at Carmont is a reminder of just how disruptive and potentially dangerous Britain’s volatile weather can be.
“The railway industry needs to get even smarter about the way it counters this threat, and to better exploit remarkable modern technology that enables the prediction and tracking of extreme weather events such as summer convective storms. There’s also an urgent need for the railway to provide real-time decision-makers with the information, procedures and training they need to manage complex and widespread weather-related events across the rail network.
“No one wants to shut down the railway every time it rains. Railways need to operate safely and reliably in most weather conditions. If they’re not able to achieve this, potential passengers will be forced onto the roads, which are undoubtedly much more dangerous in bad weather conditions. So, there’s a balance to be struck and technology can help to get this balance right.
“Modern weather forecasting and monitoring systems can spot the truly exceptional events before they occur and as they happen, so allowing railway operators to implement precautionary measures when it’s prudent to do so. This would benefit the safety of the line (by restricting train speeds, or suspending operations, when necessary) while reducing the need for imposing blanket speed restrictions over areas that are not at significant risk.
“This investigation highlights the risk of uncontrolled changes to railway infrastructure during construction. It is so sad that a project that was designed for the protection of the travelling public became unsuitable for its intended use and posed a hazard to trains because of such uncontrolled changes to the design.
“When anything is built in difficult conditions, such as on the side of a steeply sloped cutting, changes will often be needed for practical reasons. Although such changes are normal and can be highly beneficial in terms of saved time and cost, they need to be made with care.
“In each case, the original designer needs to understand the change that’s proposed and review the implications of a change that may appear inconsequential to the team on site. I hope this example will resonate throughout the UK’s construction industry.
“It’s important for all of us in the rail industry not to dismiss this truly harrowing accident as a one-off event. The railway industry needs to think through the implications of severe weather on its infrastructure, whilst also looking to the behaviour of trains should they derail after striking obstructions such as washouts and landslips.
“Is there more that could be done to keep trains in line and closer to the track, to minimise the risk of jack-knifing and to keep bogies attached to rail vehicles?
“RAIB doesn’t have all of the answers but is urging the railway industry to think about ways of guiding derailed trains, and to think about the longer-term implications of continuing to operate rolling stock that pre-dates modern standards.”
Carmont Report ‘damning’ and must be ‘Watershed Moment for Rail Safety’ say Drivers Union ASLEF
ASLEF’s organiser in Scotland, Kevin Lindsay, said:“This report is damning and makes for difficult reading, not least for the families of those who died and were injured.
“The failures identified in this report are so bad that we believe this must be a watershed moment in the way we ensure rail safety is adhered to. ASLEF has made a number of recommendations and demands (see notes below).
“Never again should our drivers be on trains where crashworthiness is not fit for purpose and on track and infrastructure not designed to withstand the consequences from climate change and where repeated warnings were not acted upon.
“Action must be taken urgently, if not then this tragedy could happen again and again.
“Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail failed the staff and passengers who were on the train that crashed at Carmont and they must be held to account. This should start with Alex Hynes, given his involvement in both Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail, his position is untenable, and he must resign with immediate effect.
“Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail must also be pursued in the courts. Carmont represents endemic corporate failure and for justice to prevail corporate homicide/manslaughter laws should be used to pursue Network Rail and Abellio ScotRail. Using the laws of the land and we implore the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to act and ensure that their litany of failure is heard in court.”
The train drivers’ trade union demands:
ASLEF demands ORR begins the immediate process of withdrawal of HST’s from service across the entire rail network by 12th of August 2023.
ASLEF demands the ORR conduct an immediate industry review of crashworthiness standards of all rolling stock in service today and insist that classes of train or locomotive that do not meet minimum standards of crashworthiness be modified or be given a timescale for withdrawal.
ASLEF demands the ORR to ensure that going forward there are regular reviews of the crashworthiness of legacy rolling stock to take into account the “state of the art” at the time of the review, and the introduction of any new cab equipment.
The RSSB initiate research on the design, specification and effectiveness of lifeguards with a view to specifying a new standard that would prevent the derailment of trains in scenarios such as the one experienced at Carmont.
In line with the RAIB report ASLEF calls for the RSSB to review its previous research on the fitting of secondary impact protection devices for train drivers (including seatbelts) in the light of the circumstances of Carmont, future train accident risk (including derailment) and the capabilities of current technology.
In consultation with relevant stakeholders the RSSB evaluates the case for fitting specific secondary impact protection devices into new and existing trains; and where justified and incorporate requirements for improved protection measures into standards for train driving cabs.
A Public Inquiry into the events at Carmont and the awarding of the franchise to Abellio with regards bringing HSTs to Scotland.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave a statement to the House of Commons on Ukraine yesterday:
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to update the House on the situation in Ukraine and Her Majesty’s Government’s support to the Government in Kyiv.
The situation on the ground is grave. As we can recall, on 24 February, forces of the Russian army, unprovoked, crossed into Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Along three main axes, Russian armour has attempted to occupy Ukraine. Its plan was to reach and encircle Kyiv, encircle Ukrainian forces near the border and invade from the south to link up with its forces via Mariupol.
Russian high command committed 65% of its entire land forces, which are indisputably in possession of overwhelming firepower and armour. It is estimated that at the start of the invasion they had between 110 and 120 battalion tactical groups dedicated to the task, compared with approximately 65 in Ukraine.
Their missile stocks gave them even greater strength to reach Ukraine at distance. However, what they did not and still do not possess is the moral component so often needed for victory.
After 14 days of the war, according to the Ukrainian general staff, at 6 March, Russian casualties were assessed to include 285 tanks, 985 armoured fighting vehicles, 109 artillery systems, 50 multiple launch rocket systems, 44 aircraft, 48 helicopters and 11,000 soldiers, who have lost their lives needlessly.
There are numerous reports of surrenders and desertions by the ever-growingly disillusioned Russian army. To be clear, those are Ukrainian figures; I have to caution the House that we have not verified them by defence intelligence or other means.
I can announce to the House our assessment that, of the initial Russian objectives, only one has been successfully achieved.
While Russian forces are in control of Kherson, Melitopol and Berdyansk in southern Ukraine, they currently encircle the cities of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol but are not in control of them.
In addition, their first day objective of targeting Ukrainian air defence has failed, preventing total air dominance. The Ukrainian armed forces have put up a strong defence while mobilising the whole population.
President Putin’s arrogant assumption that he would be welcomed as a liberator has deservedly crumbled as fast as his troops’ morale.
For our part, the United Kingdom continues to play a leading role in supporting Ukraine. On 17 January, I announced to the House the Government’s intention to supply military aid to the Ukrainian armed forces.
The aid took the form of body armour, helmets, boots, ear defenders, ration packs, rangefinders and communication equipment, and for the first time it also included weapons systems. The initial supply was to be 2,000 new light anti-tank weapons (NLAWs), small arms and ammunition.
In response to further acts of aggression by Russia, we have now increased that supply. I can update the House that, as of today, we have delivered 3,615 NLAWs and continue to deliver more. We will shortly be starting the delivery of a small consignment of anti-tank Javelin missiles as well. I want to assure the House that everything we do is bound by the decision to supply defensive systems and is calibrated not to escalate to a strategic level.
Britain was the first European country to supply lethal aid. I was pleased that not long after a military aid donor conference I held on 25 February, many more countries decided to do the same.
From right across Europe, the donations came. In particular, I want to highlight the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Romania, the Baltic states, Belgium and Slovenia for their leadership, and we should not ignore the significance of the German Government joining us, in a change of stance, and donating such aid.
Donations are not enough; the delivery of aid to the front line is just as important. Here, again, Britain is leading, because alongside Canada, the United States and Sweden, we have invested in building Ukrainian military capacity since 2015, and we find ourselves able to co-ordinate the delivery alongside our partners.
As the conflict intensifies, the Russians are changing their tactics, so the Ukrainians need to, too. We can all see the horrific devastation inflicted on civilian areas by Russian artillery and airstrikes, which have been indiscriminate and murderous. It is therefore vital that Ukraine maintains its ability to fly and to suppress Russian air attack.
To date, the international community has donated more than 900 man-portable air defence missiles and thousands of anti-tank guided weapons of varying types, as well as various small arms.
However, the capability needs strengthening, so in response to Ukrainian requests the Government have taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity, man-portable anti-air missiles. We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons, but will allow the Ukrainian forces to better defend their skies. We shall also be increasing supplies of rations, medical equipment, and other non-lethal military aid.
As with any war, the civilian population is suffering horrendous hardships. According to the Ukrainian Minister of Education, 211 schools have been damaged or destroyed, and media footage shows Russian strikes hitting kindergartens.
The Chernihiv regional administration reported that the Russian air force was employing FAB-500 unguided bombs against targets in the city, and according to Human Rights Watch, civilians in Mariupol have now been without water and power for almost a week.
President Zelenskyy talked of children dying of thirst. Today the estimated number of Ukrainian civilians killed or injured stands at more than 1,000, but the true figure is expected to be much higher, and I am afraid that worse is likely to come.
It is for that reason that the UK will increase its funding for Ukraine to £220 million, which includes £120 million of humanitarian aid. That will make the United Kingdom the single biggest bilateral humanitarian donor to Ukraine. We are also supporting humanitarian work with the Polish and Romanian Governments on the borders.
As I said in my last statement, we still believe that it is worth trying to build diplomatic pressure on Russia. This week, my good friend the Prime Minister met the Prime Ministers of Canada, the Netherlands and Poland. He also spoke to the leaders of France, Germany and the United States, and the Prime Ministers of Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
The Foreign Secretary is in Washington at the G7, and also attended the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting earlier this month. I myself met the Ukrainian Ambassador just this morning. President Putin should be and can be in no doubt that the international community is united against his actions. It remains strong, and will not back down.
As well as giving direct military support to Ukraine, we continue to bolster our contribution towards NATO’s collective security. NATO Defence Ministers will gather next week in Brussels to discuss the next steps. The UK is doing its bit in giving military support and reassurance to its allies.
We are currently supplying significant air power to NATO, including increased air patrols, with both Typhoons and F-35s for NATO air policing. We have also deployed four additional Typhoons to Cyprus to patrol NATO’s eastern border, and have sent an additional 800 troops to Estonia.
Over the last week, Apache and Chinook helicopters were involved in exercises in Estonia. Meanwhile, HMS Diamond has sailed to the eastern Mediterranean, HMS Northumberland is taking part in a northern deployment, and HMS Grimsby is in the Norwegian sea supporting NATO mine countermeasures.
On Monday HMS Prince of Wales, RFA Tidesurge and HMS Defender joined HMS Albion and RFA Mounts Bay for Exercise Cold Response, a multinational exercise off the coast of Norway, and HMS Richmond will be exercising with the Joint Expeditionary Force.
We have put over 1,000 more British troops on readiness to support humanitarian responses in the bordering countries. Britain’s contribution to NATO is significant and enduring. It is important at this time that, in order to maximise our reassurance and resilience effect, we co-ordinate through NATO and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Few of us will not have been moved by President Zelenskyy’s speech yesterday. His people are fighting for their very survival. His country is united against this aggression, and it is indeed his country’s darkest hour.
Yesterday I saw footage of a Russian armoured train, bristling with guns, heading towards Mariupol. A single brave Ukrainian woman ran to the train and shouted “Slava Ukraini”—unmoved, unintimidated by the guns. That woman’s bravery should inspire us all.
I know that many of our constituents, and our colleagues, are fearful of what will happen next. President Putin and the Kremlin continue to threaten countries that offer help to Ukraine. Their military campaign will, I am afraid, become more brutal and more indiscriminate, but it is my firm belief that our strength to stand up to such bullying comes from our alliances. As long as we stand united, both as a House and as the international community, the Kremlin’s threats cannot hurt us.
We should take strength from the peoples right across Europe who are standing shoulder to shoulder to protect our values—our freedom, our tolerance, our democracy and our free press. That is our shield.
New Scots urged to register to vote in May elections
The Electoral Commission is running a Welcome to Your Vote Day, today Thursday 10 March, to raise awareness amongst New Scots about their right to vote ahead of the upcoming council elections.
In 2020 the Scottish Parliament voted to extend the franchise for Scottish Parliament and council elections to include anyone aged 16 or over who is resident in Scotland, regardless of their nationality. This means that the upcoming elections will be the first opportunity for many New Scots to vote in Scottish council elections.
Anyone who wants to vote in the Scottish council elections on 5 May must be registered by midnight on 18 April.
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland said:“Welcome to Your Vote Day aims to raise awareness that New Scots have the right to register to vote and have their say on 5 May.
“We have information to help new voters understand the voting process in various languages on our website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.
“You can’t have your say in the council elections taking place this May unless you are registered to vote, which you can do online now at www.gov.uk/registertovote.”
The Electoral Commission is also working with organisations across Scotland to ensure that recently-enfranchised voters have the tools they need to confidently cast their vote on issues that affect their day to day lives.
This includes providing resources which community groups and other organisations can use to raise awareness amongst New Scots they work with and run their own registration events.
Luis, who is a member of JustRight Scotland’s JustCitizens Panel and came to Scotland from Mexico in 2014, said:“This year I am going to vote, after living here for a couple of years. I feel like I belong and I would like to think that I have the power to shape the society I live in.”
Mira from the Just Citizens Panel, who is originally from Poland, said:“I voted in Scotland for the first time in 2017 at the local council elections and, emotionally speaking, it was quite an emotive and powerful event.
“It felt like, even though I had already lived in Scotland for seven years at that point, it really felt like I was part of the society and like I was taking an active role in what was happening to the city that I live in.”
A Scottish business with children at its heart has set up a new initiative to help young partygoers spread birthday joy to less fortunate children across Scotland.
Conifox Adventure Park & Activity Centre, near Edinburgh, have created a Birthday Club initiative where children celebrating their birthday with a party – and their guests – can donate an extra gift for a child in need.
The venture follows the success of the festive Toy Appeal collaboration which ran during Conifox Adventure Park & Activity Centre’s Christmas Experience and is the brainchild of Fiona Shapcott, Founder of local charity Kids Love Clothes. Last year the generosity of Conifox customers, in partnership with Kids Love Clothes, helped to provide 400 gift bags of toys for distribution via the charity’s established network.
Deborah Gammell from Conifox Adventure Park & Activity Centre says: “The response to our Christmas Toy Appeal was fantastic and while we recognize that some families struggle at Christmas time, we also acknowledge that there are those who struggle with birthdays too.
“This project will help spread a little extra happiness all year round by reaching out to families and offering them the chance to celebrate their child’s birthday.
“At Conifox, we host several parties every week, both in our outdoor Adventure Park and indoor Activity Centre. We often host up to 12 separate parties per. Each party can be attended by up to 25 children. If just some of those guests were generous enough to donate an extra gift, the potential to help others would be huge.
“We hope children and their families will agree it is a lovely way to share the pleasure that celebrating a birthday brings.”
Conifox Adventure Park & Activity Centre, situated at Kirkliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh, caters for youngsters from 0 to 13 and is inviting donations of gifts suitable for that same age group.
Only NEW toys can be donated and placed unwrapped, into the big Toy Box in the Activity Centre. Any donations of wrapping paper and gift bags will also be gratefully received.
“We are a family-owned company,” says Deborah, “and we have young children ourselves. We believe that the well-being of local children is a shared priority, and we are confident visitors to the Adventure Park & Activity Centre will join us in this initiative.”
Fiona Shapcott, Founder of local charity; Kids Love Clothes comments, “The Kids Love Clothes team is delighted to partner with Conifox on our Birthday Club initiative and giving toys is a natural extension of our core clothing service.
“As a wholly volunteer-led charity, we rely on the valuable support from businesses and individuals. Donated toys will be delivered in gift bags with the same care as our clothing gift bags, and with the community support, we will be able to reach even more children, giving them a birthday to remember.”
To find out more about Conifox Adventure Park & Activity Centre visit:
Police Scotland is appealing to hill users and mountaineers to plan ahead and take extra care in the coming weeks.
Mountain Rescue Teams across Scotland have been experiencing a recent increase in callouts and six people have tragically lost their lives over the last two weeks.
On Tuesday night Mountain Rescue Teams dealt with an incident on Ben Nevis when police were made aware of a number of people in difficulty. One man, aged 28 was pronounced dead at the scene and 23 people were assisted off the mountain. Two men, aged 29 and 37 were treated in hospital.
A search for Nick Gillingham, last seen near the summit of Stob Coire Nam Beith, Glencoe, was stood down yesterday due to weather conditions. It will resume once it is safe for mountain rescue teams to do so.
Inspector Matt Smith, Police Scotland Mountain Rescue coordinator said, “The onset of spring has brought some more settled weather patterns and a welcome increase in daylight hours.
“We would urge those seeking to venture into the outdoors to take extra care. Challenging winter conditions still prevail in the hills with large areas totally covered in snow and ice.
“Often these areas are completely unavoidable and snow may be rock hard with a high likelihood of a fall unless crampons and an ice axe are carried and most importantly, the group has a knowledge in how and when to use them. A slip in these situations may have very serious or fatal consequences.
“As with all outdoor activities, planning is key and a number of key partners produce resources and guidance to help keep you safe including the current #thinkWINTER campaign backed by Scottish Mountain Rescue and Mountaineering Scotland.
“It is vitally important to understand the risks of your activity, the experience of your group, the prevailing weather conditions during, and at your intended destination and that suitable equipment is carried to allow you to navigate safely over steep or icy terrain.
“Make a plan, don’t be afraid to adapt and make sure you think about what to do if things go wrong. The photo you’ve seen on social media is not always a true reflection of what you may find when you get there.
“The volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams across Scotland are an amazing network of dedicated and highly skilled people who will do everything they can to assist you if you find yourself in difficulty but responsibility for staying safe on the mountains rest with us all and involves good planning, sound decision making and the ability to carry and use the correct equipment.
“By all mean enjoy Scotland’s spectacular scenery but do so safely.”
If you do need emergency help on the mountains, dial 999, ask for the police and then for Mountain Rescue.
