Scottish research into the experiences of deaf and blind people during the coronavirus pandemic reveals a deprivation in the sense of touch.
The results of the ‘Touch Post-COVID-19’ project led by the University of Glasgow informs the development of new technology which supports human interaction.
The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) within UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) rapid response to COVID-19.
Humans maintain large and complex social networks that are essential for not only our success as a species, but for our mental health and overall happiness. So, when the pandemic struck, an easily overlooked but dangerous aspect of social isolation in our newfound daily lives involved the loss of everyday physical touch.
Over the past two years, up and down the UK, thousands of research and innovation projects have been publicly funded to tackle the pandemic.
The University of Glasgow launched an 18-month project to investigate the impact of touch deprivation on the deafblind community during the pandemic. Named the ‘Touch Post-COVID-19’ project, it aimed to develop strategies and policies for people who rely on their sense of touch to discover the world around them.
The study collected audio-visual data such as interviews and audio diaries from participants to understand their experiences of space, memory, and social interactions.
This understanding helped create a tool for audio and visually impaired people to better navigate their surroundings in the post-pandemic world. The results will be used by researchers to develop new technologies to help facilitate safe and reliable communication and interaction with surroundings.
The work by the team at the University of Glasgow forms part of a £550 million COVID-19 rapid investment programme by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – the largest public funder of research and development in the UK.
The diversity of UKRI-funded projects is vast – from the world’s first COVID-19 treatments and vaccines to projects that help us understand and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our economy, environment, education, arts sector and mental health.
This funding builds on decades of public investment and research expertise which have provided the backbone to our national COVID-19 response.
Dr Azadeh Emadi, lecturer in Film and Television at The University pf Glasgow, who was part of the project comments: “The project aims to understand and reveal the relevance of deafblind experiences of touch and touch deprivation during COVID-19 to a larger general population.
“In collaboration with deafblind community, we gathered audio-visual data, in the form of audio diaries and interviews, about their experiences. From gathered data, we have been developing creative works, a policy brief, and a prototype device that enhances situational awareness through haptics technology informed by radar sensors.
“Our research data shows that COVID-19 has increased the intimacy and reliance on the relationship with close partners and guid communicators, but endangered broader access to social and cultural life.
“To rethink touch and address the increasing isolation of deafblind individuals require a new interdisciplinary framework, one that is based on mutual communication and inclusion of the community.”
A kind offer from an external lighting manufacturer will see The DunBear, the sculpture of a brown bear beside the A1 at Dunbar, illuminated again.
The generous offer of six new solar panels by Acrospire, a UK designer and manufacturer of external lighting, follows recent vandalism of the solar panels that provides the lighting for the five-metre-high steel sculpture.
The major East Lothian visitor attraction has been subjected to repeated acts of mindless vandalism, spoiling people’s enjoyment of the sculpture, the most recent just last month.
A tribute to the pioneering Dunbar-born naturalist and conservationist, John Muir, who played a key role in the establishment of National Parks in the USA, the sculpture is much-loved by the local community and has attracted increased footfall to the town, benefitting it immensely.
On hearing of the vandalism and being aware of the considerable enjoyment The DunBear brings to both visitors and locals alike, Kevin Grigg, Sales Director at Acrospire immediately offered their expertise, replacing the damaged solar panels free of charge to see the scheme illuminated once again.
Designed by renowned Scottish sculptor, Andy Scott, also responsible for The Kelpies, The DunBear was erected in 2019 by Hallhill Developments and is lit up with different colours on key dates, such as Valentine’s Day and St Andrew’s Day (above).
Prior to the vandalism it was the intent to light up the sculpture in the colours of the Ukraine flag – yellow and blue – in solidarity with the people of the Ukraine. This will be attempted again once the new panels are installed.
Ken Ross from Hallhill Developments, which is responsible for The DunBear and is undertaking the DunBear Park development, commented: “We cannot thank Acrospire enough for its very generous supply of six replacement solar panels.
“The vandalism we have experienced is deeply sad to see – especially at a time when we had planned to illuminate it in yellow and blue in support and solidarity of the people of Ukraine.
“We know that this sculpture is popular with the community and would request that it be vigilant and report any vandalism to the police if they see it happening again.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) is boosting its mental health resources, with the recruitment of 21 new mental health staff, and the continuation of the successful Mental Health Triage cars in Dundee, Glasgow and Inverness.
The Service has been provided with £1.6 million by the Scottish Government over the last three years as part of their Mental Health Strategy. The funding has supported mental health care initiatives, including establishing and staffing mental health triage cars, and boosting the care and support offered to individuals and communities.
This investment supports the recruitment of 21 new mental health staff, including thirteen mental health paramedics and a manager, four mental health dispatchers and three clinical effectiveness leads. These leads offer support across a range of work streams, with a focus on education, mental health pathways and connecting with key partners.
The funding is also assisting with the continuation of the Service’s Mental Health Triage cars, which provide specialist care to people who are experiencing mental health challenges and have contacted the Scottish Ambulance Service for help.
These Mental Health Triage cars offer an adaptive and approachable way of responding to people experiencing mental health distress, with a joint response from a mental health practitioner and a paramedic, to meet the patient’s immediate needs. There are three mental health cars available for the east, west and the north, and are based in Dundee, Glasgow and Inverness.
The Service has a further range of support services in place for people calling 999 to report mental health distress. SAS has partnered with NHS 24 and Police Scotland as part of the Enhanced Mental Health Pathway to continue the development of a Mental Health Hub which is hosted within NHS 24. Accessible for patients 24 hours a day, the Hub is staffed by psychological wellbeing practitioners, mental health nurse practitioners and mental health senior charge nurses.
In support of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) national roll-out, SAS continues to connect people in distress through this initiative, offering a response to people who have called 999.
The Scottish Ambulance Service’s Regional Director for the East region, Kenny Freeburn, said: “This funding continues to support the expansion of our initiatives to help in how we care for people experiencing mental health distress.
“It’s estimated that at least one in four people a year in the UK will experience mental health challenges, and the number of people contacting the emergency services about mental health concerns is also increasing.
“Our clinicians are often the first responders to have contact with a person experiencing mental health distress. Our ambition across all our initiatives is to connect people to the most appropriate care to meet their needs in as timely a manner as possible.”
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Mental wellbeing is more important than ever right now and I am pleased to see this initiative being established as part of the Scottish Government’s mental health strategy.
“With these three triage cars and over 20 dedicated roles within this service, it means people in need of mental health support will get it quicker and that can only be a good thing.”
Pictured are (from l to r), Minister Kevin Stewart, Iona Crawford, Susan Simpson paramedic team leader, Kenny Freeburn regional director.
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.
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.”
‘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.
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.
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.”
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.”
Budding artists and designers now have the chance to make their mark on a historic building in Edinburgh, with a piece of their commissioned art set to be displayed in the lobby of aparthotel group Native Edinburgh as part of their refurbishment plans.
Bringing sustainability and a sense of local place into their renovations, the exciting new community collaboration sees Native Edinburgh supporting Scottish designers ahead of their relaunch in May as a lifestyle destination.
Launching today (Monday, 14th March) the new initiative will give local designers the chance to take home £1000, on top of having their commissioned art or designs on display and becoming part of the hotel interiors.
Native is calling out artists with a keen eye on sustainability using wood carving – modern or traditional in the creation of their aesthetic objects to apply to win the commission fund. This is a rare chance to be part of the aparthotel’s stylish decor, and any designers are encouraged to send fill out this form with Native choosing the first successful designer of the fund by March 31st.
The Native Community Creations campaign will see each of their aparthotels in the UK collaborate with designers, artists, suppliers to run year-long creative programming on property that supports creativity and sustainability.
Nestled in the original fabric of Edinburgh’s historic New Town, an area of outstanding neo-classical and Georgian architecture, and a UNESCO world heritage site, Native Edinburgh is ensuring their interiors are as beautifully adorned as their exteriors, with this new competition open to all designers in Edinburgh and beyond.
Awarded double gold from Greengage’s ECOsmart programme in 2021, Native has embraced a road to recovery that targets sustainable travellers and an eco-friendly approach to operations.
Believing that by choosing sustainable accommodation you can, amongst other things, cut down your own carbon footprint without compromising on a comfortable and stylish stay, Native’s latest style elevation has even looked to the Scottish environment for inspiration.
With 82 apartments comprising studios, one bedrooms, and ground floor leisure, Native Edinburgh provides the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home in the heart of the city.
Rani Saidi, head of marketing of Native Places UK said:“Collaboration is part of our fabric here at Native. We are always championing the independents in the cities we feature, and it’s now time to shine the spotlight on creatives.
“This new community initiative will support designers across the UK in our properties, and in Edinburgh, we will be marking our refurbishment with a collaboration with a local designer.
“With a £1000 prize fund, we are inviting creatives across Scotland to apply to our fund and help us bring a sense of community to our lobby in Edinburgh.”
The Community Initiative Fund is now open to designers and artists. The fund will close on 31 March 2022, with one designer picked to receive £1000 and their work commissioned for Native Edinburgh.
The Immigration Advice Service (IAS) has announced a new scheme that will offer free legal advice to Ukrainian nationals and residents who are both in the UK or attempting to migrate to the UK following the Russian invasion.
The free advice scheme has been launched due to IAS’s growing concern over incorrect and misleading advice provided to Ukrainians by the Home Office helpline.
For over a decade, IAS has helped thousands of clients with their immigration issues and strongly believes that everyone should be entitled to reliable, professional immigration, and asylum advice. The new scheme will allow Ukrainian nationals and their family members to make sense of and navigate the constantly changing concessions offered by the Home Office.
Natalie Pashley, Immigration Casework Supervisor at IAS, said: “A group of lawyers at IAS have volunteered their time to provide this assistance following alarming conversations with a number of clients who had received incorrect, misleading, and often dangerous advice from the helpline set up by the Home Office.
“Our experience of dealing with the Home Office helpline has been no better, in one phone call I had towards the end of last week, they were not even aware that family members of British Citizens could make a free application, and were still advising people to go to the Kyiv Application Centre, which has been closed for some time now.”
The IAS is aware of several examples in which Ukrainian nationals and residents have received incorrect or dangerous advice from the Home Office following Russia’s invasion of the country.
Recently, the Home Office Ukraine helpline advised a British Citizen, currently in the UK, to travel to Kyiv in order to apply for a visa for his wife. This information was not only incorrect but put this person in an incredibly dangerous situation.
They spent several days at the Polish border waiting to leave Ukraine and have so far waited over a week for a decision on what is supposed to be an urgent application. The free advice scheme that IAS is offering will help to avoid cases like those outlined above.
The seriousness of the current situation in Ukraine means that now, more than ever, accurate and helpful immigration advice is needed to ensure the safety of Ukrainian nationals and residents and IAS’s experienced immigration lawyers are helping to provide this.
Seniorpupils from North Berwick High School have been named as runners up as part of a competition to find the most promising next generation of business investors.
The young women, aged 16-18, were recognised in the Growing Future Assets Competition, a contest to nurture future female investment experts and encourage them to consider a career in the industry.
But the winning teams faced tough competition to triumph in the finals, with entries up by a record-breaking 300% this year.
The girls from North Berwick High School were runners up in the senior 16 -18 age group category, winning £500 for the school and £100 of vouchers each.
The team from Lochaber High School in Fort William won the senior competition collecting £1000 for the school and £200 of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member.
North Berwick High School team members Bethan, Marcia and Keira say: “We really enjoyed getting an insight into the world of investment and are inspired to continue to find out more.
“Working closely with our mentor Amanda was massively helpful, she supported us with the financial aspect of the competition and gave great presentation tips, which will give us a competitive edge in our future careers.
“The Growing Future Assets Competition has given us unparalleled knowledge which we otherwise wouldn’t have had, and we would encourage young people curious about business and finance careers to get involved in the future.”
In the 13-16 year category, the team from Larbert High School, Falkirk, came out top and runners up were girls from Bishopbriggs Academy, East Dunbartonshire.
Financial educators Future Asset believe that being female should never be a barrier to progressing in a chosen career and the contest introduces senior schoolgirls to potential careers in investment, demonstrating how working in the sector can change the world for the better and give young women valuable, transferable skills.
Business Education teacher for North Berwick High School, Hannah Fox says:“The competition offers more than a chance to gain an insight into the investment industry via task completion, it opens doors to valuable industry mentors and opportunities for work place visits.
“It is genuinely the most valuable educational competition I’ve worked on and would not hesitate to recommend it to educational peers.”
During the competition youngsters had to prove their ability to spot the next big investment prospect by researching, analysing and pitching a company, from a selection of 38 businesses, they considered a great long-term venture.
The North Berwick High School team alongside two other teams pitched renewable energy company Ørsted, the fourth picked Accsys Technologies which produces high-performance building material from renewable wood sources. All considered environmental sustainability of central importance.
Mairi Dudley, Head of UK Market Development at Ørsted, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen by so many of these high-achieving girls as their investment of choice. As the world’s most sustainable energy company, we hold social sustainability and inclusion at the highest value.
“Reducing barriers and widening participation in traditionally male-dominated industries is vital for us to keep achieving our goals and protecting the environment. It’s inspiring to see these values held in such high esteem by future generations.”
More than 80 groups, totalling almost 370 girls, took part from all over Scotland. They were mentored by more than 80 investment management professionals offering advice, inspiration and career insights, and supported by teachers.
Fund Manager for Artemis and judge for the Senior competition, Neil Goddin says: “What a fantastic finals day we had; the standard of presentations was extremely high and all the teams, both in the final and the wider competition, should be proud of the effort they put in.
“Watching the confidence and knowledge levels grow through the competition was great to see and I am sure we will see lots of young females joining the asset management in the coming years.”
More than 80 groups, totalling almost 370 girls, took part from all over Scotland. They were mentored by more than 80 investment management professionals offering advice, inspiration and career insights, and supported by teachers.
Chief Operating Officer for Martin Currie, Jennifer Mair says:“Martin Currie recognises the value of a diverse workforce and we partner with a number of organisations to grow diversity in the investment management industry.
“We support Future Asset with their aim of informing female talent about financial services and the range of possible career opportunities in the sector. We were delighted to act as mentors for and share insights with the team from North Berwick High School. We are very proud of their achievement in the recent Growing Future Assets Investment Competition.”
Helen Bradley, Future Asset programme manager, says: “The judges were hugely impressed by all the teams. The standard was fantastically high and all the presentations were worthy of industry professionals.
“The winning senior team, Lochaber High School, delivered passion and commitment that the panel felt was unrivalled.”
Planning approvals and main contract awards rally, indicating future recovery
Value of underlying work starting on-site (less than £100 million) during the three months to February fell 12% against the preceding three months, down 30% compared with the previous year
Residential project-starts performed poorly, with the value declining 21% against the preceding three-month period to stand 46% lower than a year ago.
Non-residential work starting on-site increased 1% against the preceding three months but fell 2% compared with a year ago
Civil engineering-starts slip back 17% against the preceding three-month period to stand 34% lower than the previous year.
Glenigan, the construction industry’s insight expert, has released the March 2022 edition of its Construction Index.
The Index focuses on February 2022, covering all projects with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted.
It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months.
Silver Linings
Although decline continued into February, making it the weakest on record, performance-wise since 2015, a strengthening pipeline of planning approvals and main contract awards indicates future, if not immediate, recovery.
This month’s Index shows that, the downward curve, which has persisted since spring 2021, is starting to soften. Supply chain issues might continue to bite, but are less aggressive in material terms.
However, socio-economic ructions caused by the Russia-Ukraine situation will no doubt have an effect as fuel and energy prices are likely to rocket in Q.2 and Q.3. However, the full impact is still too early to appreciate.
Sector Analysis – Residential
Private housing experienced one of the worst overall performances of any sector during this period, with the value of project starts declining by 23% against the preceding three months (to February 2022), standing 50% lower than a year ago.
Social housing fared little better, having remained relatively robust in the preceding months, falling 16% during the period and 26% compared with the previous year.
Looking at the sector overall, work commencing on site fell 21% during the three months to February, and were 46% lower than the previous year.
Sector Specific – Non-Residential
It was a mixed bag in the non-residential sector, however, a few trends are starting to emerge which indicate post-COVID resurgence.
Last month, the Index reported that hotel & leisure grew (23% on the preceding year, and 35% in the three months to January). Once more, the sector has increased performance-wise, standing 23% on the preceding the three months to February and 7% higher than a year ago.
Community & amenity was another March index high-riser, experiencing a spike in activity. Starts jumped 28% against the preceding 3 months and 38% compared with a year ago.
Industrial-starts, the consistent star performer in Index terms, declined 17% during the three-month period covered by the Index. However, the vertical remained steadfast, up 19% on the previous year.
Sprinting ahead, office construction-starts increased by nearly a fifth (17%) in the three months to end of February, but fell marginally short compared to 2021 levels (-6%)
Education and health-starts fell, reflecting a steady decline in both sectors, which will no doubt throw the Government’s levelling-up policy open to scrutiny.
Whilst infrastructure construction-starts indicated green shoots of recovery, increasing 2% during the three months to February, the value fell 27% compared to 2021.
Modest increases will be tempered by another sharp fall for civils work, down 17% against the preceding three months and 34% compared with a year ago. The utilities sector added further salt to the wound once again posting big losses in start terms, falling 43% against the preceding three months to February to stand 48% lower than a year ago.
Regional Analysis
The North East was the best performer during the three months to February, and the only one that experienced growth against this period and 2021 (+6%).
Inconsistency reigned supreme in the other regions. Scotland experienced the greatest increase in project starts against the preceding three months (+13%), but was down 36% on a year ago. Similarly, project starts in London declined by over a quarter (26%) compared to 2021, but increased during the three months to February. The South East was the only other region to experience growth against the preceding three months (+4%).
Unfortunately, all other regions returned poor performances. The value of project starts fell in the West Midlands by 41% during the three months to February, standing 54% lower compared to a year ago. Strong declines were also seen in the East Midlands, East of England, North West and South West on both the Index period covered and 2021.
Commenting on the Index’s findings, Glenigan’s Senior Economist, Rhys Gadsby says, “We urge readers of this Index to maintain a positive outlook. Whilst project starts remain low, the downward curve is softening and, as our most recent Forecast predicted, a gradual rise in the latter half of 2022 is likely.
“External events are skewing the market and no doubt current geopolitical events in Eastern Europe will create some challenges. However, the UK construction industry is incredibly resourceful, and the strong pipeline of planning approvals and contract wins is testament to this. In our view it’s very much a case of ‘keep calm and carry on’.”
