Day: March 15, 2022

Roll-out of on-street electric vehicle charging begins

New electric vehicle chargers are up and running at Ingliston Park and Ride and work is underway to install chargers around the city as part of plans to introduce 81 on-street chargers (141 bays).

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was joined by representatives of the Electric Vehicle Association and Scottish Electric Vehicle Drivers at Ingliston yesterday to try out one of 21 chargers – six rapid (six charging bays) and 15 slow (30 charging bays).

Another five rapid chargers (five bays) and 14 slow chargers (28 bays) will soon be operational at Hermiston Park and Ride.

Preliminary work is also underway to install an additional 41 rapid and fast chargers – amounting to 72 charging bays – at on-street locations in residential areas around the Capital. These will be complete and available for use by early summer.

The roll-out, designed to encourage and support the take-up of cleaner, low emission transport like electric vehicles, is being funded by £2.2 million awarded through Transport Scotland’s Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “These new chargers will provide convenient charging for people travelling in and out of the Capital, and very soon we’ll be delivering fast, accessible charge points in residential streets around the city too.

“The transition to clean, low emission transport like electric vehicles is critical if we are to meet our ambitious net zero 2030 target, alongside choosing walking, wheeling, cycling or taking public transport to get around. It’s our role to support and encourage this so it’s fantastic that we’re now rolling out electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Edinburgh.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said:  “Today we marked the start of an ambitious, strategic programme to install charging points across the city which will soon benefit thousands of people.

“Electric vehicles both help to lower our carbon footprint and limit air pollution, so it’s really encouraging that more and more people are making the switch to electric cars.”

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “I’m pleased to see Scottish Government investment of £2.2 million deliver new electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Edinburgh. 

“Our Switched on Towns and Cities funding is transforming Edinburgh’s provision of charge points, not only at key park and ride sites, but also through 72 new on-street charging bays at various locations across the city.

“This will improve air quality and protect our climate – directly supporting our commitment to phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.”

While the use of existing chargers is currently free, charging tariffs, as agreed by Council as part of the budget-setting process, are to be introduced in May. Any revenue generated will be used to fund the ongoing costs associated with our electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The city council is currently looking at future locations for electric vehicle chargers using data from two Energy Savings Trust studies and have developed a scoring framework. As part of this several potential new locations for chargers have been identified for investigation, subject to funding.

Find out more about new electric vehicle charging points on the Council website.

Electric Vehicle Association Scotland Director Neil Swanson added: “What we are experiencing today is a seismic change towards low emission transportation.

“As Scotland forges ahead with ever increasing numbers of electric vehicle sales month-on-month, it is important that the country’s public charging infrastructure simultaneously meets the rising demand for a range of suitably located charge points.

“As the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have already indicated in their recently announced commitment to meeting these challenges, there is an urgent need to keep pace with the rapid uptake by those who see the financial as well as the environmental benefits of going all-electric.

“EVA Scotland welcomes this essential, indeed fundamental objective and is committed to working with all those who can make this happen. We cannot go forward in our climate change obligations without having our vital charging infrastructure in place.

“What we see here in Edinburgh today represents significant investment, realising a major step forward by Edinburgh to ensure there are adequate numbers of charging facilities in place across the Capital to meet the increasing demand by all those making the switch to electric powered vehicles.

“We hope to see this truly ambitious effort replicated across the whole of Scotland…it is essential.”

Dr Euan McTurk, Plug Life Television, said: “The long-awaited expansion of the electric vehicle charging facilities at Ingliston Park and Ride is exactly the level of ambition that Councils across Scotland should be trying to emulate.

“Ingliston’s original rapid charger was one of the busiest in Scotland, and the six new ones next to it – doubled from the originally planned three new chargers – will no doubt be kept equally busy by a steady stream of electric taxis, delivery vans and drivers from the M8, M9 and M90.

“The addition of 30 new destination charge sockets next to the original four, mean that commuters and visitors to Edinburgh who don’t have a home charge point will no longer face a lottery of whether they’ll be able to charge their car whilst they’re in town.

“It’s equally promising to hear that similar charging hubs are being built across numerous sites in Edinburgh for residents, businesses and commuters, and that this is just the first of three much-needed phases of charging infrastructure expansion for Scotland’s capital.”

All COVID-19 travel restrictions removed in the UK

‘Reluctant’: Scottish concerns over lack of border control measures

The UK government is to remove the remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions for all passengers from 4am on Friday 18 March – despite rising numbers of Covid cases.

  • from 4am on 18 March no-one entering the UK will need to take tests or complete a passenger locator form
  • remaining managed hotel quarantine capacity will be fully stood down from the end of March, making the UK one of the first major economies to end all COVID-19 international travel rules
  • contingency plans put in place to manage any future variants of concern (VoCs)

The government will remove the remaining restrictions on international travel for all passengers ahead of the Easter holidays, the Transport Secretary has announced.

As one of the first major economies to remove all its remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions, this is a landmark moment for passengers and the travel and aviation sector.

From 4am Friday 18 March, all COVID-19 travel restrictions will be lifted, including the passenger locator form (PLF) for arrivals into UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated. This change, therefore, removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-departure test and a day 2 post arrival test.

This step reflects the decisions taken by the government, as set out in the Living with COVID plan, and the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout, with 86% of the population having received a second dose and 67% of the population with a booster or third dose.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is leading the world in removing all remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions, and today’s announcement is a testament to the hard work everyone in this country has put in place to roll out the vaccine and protect each other.

“I said we wouldn’t keep travel measures in place for any longer than necessary, which we’re delivering on today – providing more welcome news and greater freedom for travellers ahead of the Easter holidays.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the travel sector and partners around the world to keep international travel moving.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “As we learn to live with COVID-19, we’re taking further steps to open up international travel once again ahead of the Easter holidays.

“We will continue monitoring and tracking potential new variants and keep a reserve of measures that can be rapidly deployed if needed to keep us safe.

“We can remove these final restrictions thanks to the incredible success of our vaccination programme, which has seen more than 8 out of 10 adults across the UK boosted.”

To ensure the protection of public health, the government will maintain a range of contingency measures in reserve, which would enable it to take swift and proportionate action to delay any future harmful variants of COVID-19 entering the UK should the need arise.

In future, the government’s default approach will be to use the least stringent measures, if appropriate, to minimise the impact on travel as far as possible – given the high personal, economic and international costs border measures can have – and the contingency measures will only be implemented in extreme circumstances.

Given the current state of the pandemic and a move towards global travel volumes returning to normal, the remaining managed hotel quarantine capacity will be fully stood down from the end of March.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: “Today’s announcement sends a clear message to the world – the UK travel sector is back. With travellers returning to the UK no longer burdened by unnecessary forms and testing requirements, we can now look forward to the return to pre-COVID normality throughout the travel experience.

“We’re grateful for the timing of the announcement as we prepare to welcome back passengers this Easter and summer, for which we know there is huge pent-up demand, and for the UK’s leadership in being the first major aviation market to remove all remaining restrictions. The time to return to the skies – to enjoy all that makes aviation and international travel great, for families and businesses – is now.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of Airport Operators Association, said: “A return to restriction-free travel is good news for passengers and should allow for aviation to take significant steps towards recovery.

“People should feel encouraged to book their long-awaited holidays, trips to see relatives and friends abroad they haven’t seen for a long time and travel to rekindle business ties with other countries.”

 Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: Two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s announcement marks international travel finally returning to normal.

“The removal of passenger locator forms and testing regimes means that customers can at long last enjoy hassle-free travel, just like they did before the pandemic.”

With Easter just around the corner and summer fast approaching, this announcement comes at the perfect time, the government says. Since restrictions started to be eased at the beginning of the year, we have experienced strong, sustained demand and the complete removal of forms and requirements will boost that demand even further.

Additionally, UKHSA will continue to closely monitor the prevalence and spread of harmful variants and keep international data under review.

While there will be no border health measures on arrival in the UK from 18 March, other countries are at different stages in the pandemic and many still require passengers to comply with requirements.

Travellers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice to keep up to date with other countries’ entry requirements.

Passengers are also encouraged to carefully check booking conditions for flexibility in amending bookings prior to buying tickets. People will continue to be able to access their vaccine and recovery records through the NHS COVID Pass to use when travelling overseas.

The Scottish Government expressed concern over the lack of border control measures and – with the other devolved administrations – called on the UK Government to maintain some form of border surveillance.

However given the negative impact of non-alignment on the tourism industry, alignment was reluctantly agreed on a four nation basis.

These changes only apply to incoming travellers. People should continue to check gov.uk for the latest information on the requirements in other countries when travelling abroad.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “These measures significantly open up international travel and were agreed on a UK wide basis despite the Scottish Government raising concerns over the lack of border controls.

“However, we recognise the benefits of acting on a four nation basis and this will bring a high degree of normality back to travel and is extremely welcome for Scottish tourism, the aviation sector and travellers alike.

“There will be continued surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency to monitor for developments of concern and a contingency toolkit is being progressed which will enable an agile and rapid response in future to any changes.

“This could include tailored restrictions where appropriate and people may wish to continue to observe sensible measures while travelling such as frequent hand washing and respecting social distancing.”

First Minister will give a Covid update toMSPs at Holyrood later today.

‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme launches

UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses can now record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war through the UK government’s new Homes for Ukraine scheme.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has today (14 March 2022) launched a webpage for sponsors to record their interest, ahead of Phase One of the scheme opening for applications this Friday.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK.

Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.

Record your interest on the Homes for Ukraine webpage

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: ”The courage shown by the Ukrainian people in the face of devastation caused by the invasion of their great country is nothing short of remarkable.

“The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of helping others in their hour of need and our new Homes for Ukraine scheme offers a lifeline to those who have been forced to flee.

“I’m asking people across our country who can provide a home for Ukrainians to consider being sponsors.”

Local Government Association Chairman, Cllr James Jamieson said: “The humanitarian crisis caused by the Ukraine invasion is heart-breaking. Councils are ready to help new arrivals from Ukraine settle in the UK and to support communities who wish to offer assistance to those fleeing the devastating conflict.

“Councils will be central in helping families settle into their communities and access public services, including schools, public health and other support, including access to trauma counselling.”

Sanctuary Foundation Director, Dr Krish Kandiah said: “In 1939 the people of the UK opened their hearts and homes to children fleeing from the Nazis and we look back on that ‘Kinder Transport’ as an act of culture-defining hospitality. With the invasion of Ukraine the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the second world war is unfolding.

“I welcome with great enthusiasm the UK government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme. Sanctuary Foundation has already had over 7,000 pledges of sponsorship and I stand ready both personally and professionally to be part of this extraordinary welcome of Ukrainian refugees.”

Co-Director of Reset Communities and Refugees, Kate Brown said: “We warmly welcome the introduction of a way in which communities in the UK can open their doors to welcome those who so urgently need help.

“We have seen that, when communities come together to welcome those seeking sanctuary, they can make a huge impact, transforming the lives of so many whilst offering safety to those who need it.”

Record your interest on the Homes for Ukraine webpage

Individual sponsors will be asked to provide homes or a spare room rent-free for as long as they are able, with a minimum stay of 6 months. In return, they will receive £350 per month.

Those who have a named Ukrainian they wish to sponsor should contact them directly and prepare to fill in a visa application, with the application launching on Friday 18 March.

Charities, faith groups and local community organisations are also helping to facilitate connections between individuals, for potential sponsors who do not have a named contact.

Ukrainians arriving in the UK under this scheme will be granted 3 years leave to remain, with entitlement to work, and access benefits and public services.

Applicants will be vetted and will undergo security checks.

Birmingham University’s Professor Jenny Phillimore on the Ukrainian refugees settlement programme announced by the UK government:

“The proposed Ukrainian scheme is very different in that individuals and families can sponsor a refugee or refugee family and there is no requirement to raise funds or to locate separate housing.

“The application process has to be much faster with Ukrainians currently displaced and countries adjacent to Ukraine rapidly reaching capacity as more and more women and children escape the conflict.

“Unlike the situation of Syrians sponsored by communities those needing refuge from the Ukrainian conflict are very recently displaced and are likely to be extremely traumatised. 

“Allowing individuals and families to sponsor displaced Ukrainians clearly offers great potential to quickly build capacity to meet urgent need. With around 10% of the UK population saying they would definitely open their homes to needy Ukrainians there is reason to be optimistic. 

“However it is worth reminding ourselves that those who arrive will be extremely vulnerable, largely women and children, in a state of shock having lost their entire lives, and possibly loved ones, in just a matter of weeks.

“While the level of bureaucracy associated with Community Sponsorship is clearly not viable there is a need to safeguard the new arrivals against the possibility of abuse by hosts through a rapid vetting process.

“Further newcomers need to be informed about their rights and entitlements as they enter the UK and informed about the actions they can take if they face abuse or exploitation of any kind. The majority of people hosting refugees will not have any knowledge about the kinds of support they need. 

“Our evaluation of the Community Sponsorship programme showed that the support of local people is extremely important to refugees but that those volunteering with refugees need help to meet their needs.

“It is essential that the Government invests in information, advice and guidance for refugee hosts. Such support could be provided by specialist refugee and asylum seeker organisations already working in the UK.

“National organisations such as Reset, the Refugee Council and Refugee Action as well as smaller grassroots groups such as Baobab Project and Brushstrokes in the West Midlands have a wealth of expertise on refugee support but are already hugely under-funded. Such organisations urgently need additional funds to enable them to scale up to support the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.

“The extent of sympathy and desire to help Ukrainian refugees in the UK runs counter to the Home Office’s attempts to reduce the number of arrivals. If the projections are to be believed offers of support will exceed demand for places. 

“The situation presents an opportunity to right the wrongs faced by Afghan refugees many of whom have been languishing in hotels with scant access to healthcare, schooling and employment opportunities since August.

“They and other forced migrants should not be forgotten as the world turns its attention to Ukraine. It is important to use the current wave of sympathy for Ukrainians to remind both the UK Government and population that forced migration affects people from many nations and that others already in the UK and planning to seek asylum here are just as worthy and in need of support as Ukrainians.

“Ideally access to the upcoming scheme could be extended to enable British people to sponsor refugees escaping from other conflicts, and the appalling situation in Ukraine used to remind people that all conflict causes displacement, trauma and that forced migrants need help from wherever they originate.”

For more information or to record interest visit the Homes for Ukraine webpage.

Sponsors will be kept updated on the scheme.