Month: March 2022

University-supported entrepreneurs to pitch at live showcase events

Two events taking place this month will enable University of Edinburgh-supported start-ups to pitch their companies to an audience of investors, grant funding bodies and fellow entrepreneurs.

The AI Accelerator Showcase and Venture Builder Incubator Demo Day take place in Edinburgh on 17 and 25 March respectively marking two of the first major face to face eco-system events to be held since the outbreak of Covid-19 two years ago.

These events are part of the Data Driven Entrepreneurship (DDE) programme and are delivered by The University of Edinburgh’s world-leading innovation hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Bayes Centre, on behalf of the DDI hubs,  and Edinburgh Innovations, University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service. 

Both events will also offer a virtual facility for those wishing to attend online. 

The events will provide participants with a platform to pitch their businesses to an audience of investors and grant funding bodies including Scottish Enterprise and Innovate UK. Individuals from the wider Scottish entrepreneurial community will also be attending alongside representatives from commercially-focused organisations including Fintech Scotland and Barclays Eagle Labs.

The AI Accelerator Showcase features 12 disruptive and transformative AI-driven companies which were accepted into the six-month programme last September. Throughout that period the companies have benefitted from links to investors, partners, and mentors as well as space to scale their business.

The participants, which have all received a £9K grant through the programme, have had access to the programme’s partnership with London-based community Scale Space as well as strategic design support from Edinburgh Innovation’s partner NileHQ. The company founders have further benefitted from access to commercial expertise and collaboration opportunities with University of Edinburgh’s community of like-minded entrepreneurs. 

Those taking part in the AI Accelerator include Edinburgh cancer research and treatment business Carcinotech; Indigo.AI, a Milan-based conversational AI platform being supported by the University as it aims to set up a new premises in Scotland; and Glasgow-based GIGGED.AI, a platform which transforms the sourcing and on-boarding of tech talent in the gig economy.

Katy Guthrie, Programme Leader of AI Accelerator said: “We’re delighted to provide this opportunity for our 12 AI Accelerator programme companies which operate across a broad range of industry sectors.

“Staging this face-to-face platform with investors, funding bodies, advisors and potential collaborative partners is a key aspect of our programme and one that is designed to help these businesses scale up to reach their full potential.”

Meanwhile, the Venture Builder Incubator will showcase 20 IP-focused, early-stage companies. As part of the partnership with Cancer Research UK, eight of these ventures are specifically looking at innovative forms of cancer research and treatment focusing on early diagnoses, therapeutics and drug discovery.  

Venture Builder Incubator cohorts also include companies focused on addressing some of the world’s major challenges including the climate emergency, well-being, children’s mental health, and financial security.

The programme, which includes PhD students and post doctorates from University of Edinburgh or Heriot-Watt University, is designed to help fledgling entrepreneurs build their skills and take their businesses to the next level.

Each venture is provided with £2K and support through a series of workshops, networking events, mentoring, peer to peer learnings and access to the University of Edinburgh’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and its data expertise.

Laura Bernal, Venture Builder Incubator Programme Manager, said: “This event is a brilliant platform for these early-stage ventures to present to an audience which can help them further develop their business idea.

“This event is designed to bring our cohort community together and enable them to share their ideas with key commercial contacts, create potential partnerships with like-minded individuals, and build valuable connections.”

Contract confirmed for Muirhouse Community Hub

A £15 million contract for a new community hub at Macmillan Square, in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts, was approved by the Finance and Resources Committee yesterday.

As part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ongoing multi-million pound regeneration programme in North Edinburgh, Councillors agreed the project will now enter the construction phase which will be carried out by Robertson Construction Group (Robertson), following its successful completion of the demolition of Muirhouse Library.

The first of its kind in the city, designed by Richard Murphy Architects, The Hub will be a place to learn, work, meet people, hone new skills and have fun. The state-of-the-art shared building will accommodate an early year’s centre for 185 children, a new library and will provide additional space for North Edinburgh Arts and will ensure that it continues to be at the centre of a creative, connected and inspired community.

The community hub is the focal point of one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Scotland, tackling poverty and inequality in the area. It will be the flagship building at Macmillan Square which is currently being developed to provide a new square, 154 affordable homes and 13 retail units.

Over £200 million of public and private sector investment has been committed to revitalising the area for the wider community and this investment has already delivered Craigroyston High School, Pennywell All Care Centre and over half of the expected 1,000 new homes.

The North Edinburgh Regeneration project is recognised as a model of good practice in urban regeneration having won national awards for design, place making and community engagement. The new hub benefits from £2 million Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grants funding.

Complementing the Council’s new library, early years centre and affordable housing, the new hub will see arts and learning brought together under one roof in a striking new building offering the community in North Edinburgh an extensive range of services. This will include new enterprise, workshop, learning and creative studio space, alongside an expanded café, youth area and shared atrium.

Work to demolish the former Muirhouse Library started in October 2021 and following today’s decision construction on the new hub will start in April this year. The project will also include a comprehensive package of additional community benefits shaped by the local community and delivered by Robertson.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “The new building is an important part of the £200 million regeneration of Pennywell and Muirhouse that’s already seen significant investment by the Council and its partners, including Scottish Government, to build new Council houses and affordable homes and a community with strong local facilities in line with our aspirations for 20-minute neighbourhoods.

“Jointly led by the Council and North Edinburgh Arts, this is a good example of community empowerment showing how great value can be added to an area while supporting our landmark priorities as a Council to end poverty in Edinburgh by 2030, as well as enhancing wellbeing and equality for our residents.

“Key aspects include the new local library which we hope will act as a community living room, open and accessible to everyone. The new building also creates the opportunity to work closely with the new nursery to have as much interaction with the children, parents and staff as possible – providing tailored events and sessions especially for those using and working in the nursery.”

Council Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: ““The North Edinburgh Regeneration project is a major success story for the area, for the city and for Scotland and it’s so exciting to see this final element hitting a major milestone.

“This joint project with North Edinburgh Arts will create a unique facility at the heart of the community.  The new Early Learning and Childcare Centre will provide quality and accessible early years spaces for local children. 

“This will allow us to meet our commitments to making early years provision more flexible, to fit family needs, and deliver 1,140 hours a year of free early learning and childcare for all three- and four-year olds and eligible two-year olds.

“As part of the wider regeneration of this area we’re delivering 1,000 affordable homes as part of our pledge to deliver 20,000 affordable new homes in the city by 2027, which will make a substantial difference for people seeking a safe and permanent place to call home in Scotland’s Capital.”

Chair of NEA, Lesley Hinds, said: “This new capital project will allow the organisation to flourish, alongside Council provision, and bring a first-class facility to Macmillan Square.

“NEA is a special place for the community of North Edinburgh and has been a trusted community anchor providing emergency food and support throughout the pandemic. Thanks also to the Councillors, MSPS and MP who have continued to support NEA both in the Council and in the community and it is this enthusiasm shown by our community which has kept us going through some difficult times. We’re looking forward to building on this support to bring a truly inspirational place to the heart of Muirhouse.”

Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction – Central East, David Cairns, added: “Having worked closely with City of Edinburgh Council over the last 24 months to assist bringing Macmillan Square forward, we are delighted to be to the contractor of choice to make this innovative vision by the Council a reality.

“The building will undoubtedly be a fantastic facility for the community when complete and our planned programme of community benefits during the construction phase will bring further benefits to the area socially, economically and environmentally long after the building is completed.”

The new library will give an opportunity to create joint activities with the other services – providing summer activities, expanding bookbug and storytime sessions, to creating more adult learning opportunities. In addition, the local library will be a trusted and welcoming community space, a place people feel comfortable using as individuals or as a connected group: a place of connection.

The community hub will offer young people a place to develop skills, confidence and self-esteem, a safe and inspiring place for local families and children, and a place where older people will feel part of a connected and supportive community.

This accessible, welcoming and much needed community space uses environment-friendly build and innovative design techniques. The re-developed and extended venue reflects current community aspirations, whilst being flexible enough to respond to future changes in demand.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic NEA offered over 35 hours of creative workshops each week, most with a family focus, alongside a wide range of other events from singing groups to circus skills workshops, exhibitions, community theatre, film clubs, and festival events.

The venue is also home to Muirhouse Link Up, the Pennywell Pantry, North Edinburgh Drug and Alcohol Centre, and the Tinderbox Orchestra, all working to serve the most disadvantaged children, families and individuals in the North Edinburgh area. The extended NEA will also provide extra office space and facilities for community organisations.

Whilst the hub is under construction the library will operate from nearby Edinburgh College in Granton.

Certain events will continue to be provided in the Muirhouse area. For further details about opening hours and what’s on visit the City of Edinburgh Council’s Muirhouse Library page here.  

Spring Equinox Celebration at Leith Community Croft

Event Announcement 📢📣

We are hosting a Spring Equinox Celebration & Fundraiser on the Croft on March 19th & 20th and we’d love you to join us!

See more info & get your tickets here:

https://t.co/hjKYGeGoTe

https://earth-in-common.org/upcoming-events

#ceilidh #croft #leithevent

Roaring Twenties makes a return as consumer spending rockets

As the UK finally begins to emerge from the pandemic’s profound disruption to normal life, new patterns in consumer behaviour are taking shape. 

Increases in consumer spending at the start of this year, coupled with the acceleration of GDP throughout 2021 to levels not seen since the second World War, suggests that Brits are set to re-live aspects of the post-war Roaring Twenties, characterised by a surging economy and mass consumerism.*  

New data from Quotezone.co.uk highlights that business is booming in line with consumer spending as demand for commercial property insurance increased by 45% in the last six months of 2021. And just as the 1920s welcomed a new era of entrepreneurship and creativity, this boom has been largely led by smaller high street shops, businesses, salons, and pubs.  

As highlighted by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), consumer demand in January has been concentrated on the high street as the public flock back to homeware shops, restaurants, and clothing stores.

Quotezone.co.uk’s data supports this, showing that the driving force is demand for retail outlets rather than office space, with demand for offices falling even lower over the last six months compared to 2020, falling by 83%. 

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, a leading financial comparison platform, comments: “As retail sales surge and the UK’s GDP finally gets back on track, we’re beginning to see positive trends emerge for post-pandemic Britain.

“It’s encouraging to see such strong retail sales even in light of rising living costs. The spike in consumer demand is hopefully a sign that we’re entering our century’s very own Roaring Twenties.  

“It’s interesting that demand for office space has continued to drop dramatically, even though restrictions have been easing for several months, reflecting the continued popularity of working from home – showing that, like the 1920s, a major change in lifestyle is here to stay with a focus on the work-life balance. 

“However, as the majority of covid restrictions are now lifted, we may start to see demand for office space increase for the first time in two years – with many firms keen to explore the hybrid work model. 

“We champion increased consumer confidence and economic recovery, but consumers must remain vigilant. Many will face challenges in the coming months, particularly with rising energy and transport prices, so it is important to get value for money and find savings where possible. 

“A good place to start is checking how competitive suppliers are by not auto-renewing, reviewing direct debits, ordering in bulk and looking to sell or repurpose existing household items that are no longer needed.  Shopping around is key, comparison websites can help you compare policy details and prices all in one place so it’s easier to see what’s a fair price.” 

Quotezone.co.uk is one of the UK’s leading financial comparison platforms, helping millions of consumers find better deals on everything from personal loans to credit cards, and from car insurance to commercial property insurance.

MPs “ashamed” of aspects of UK withdrawal from Afghanistan

Concerns over parallels emerging in the UK’s response to Ukraine crisis

The UK Government failed to work effectively or quickly enough to provide support for aid workers and the Afghan people, says a new report from the International Development Committee – Afghanistan: UK support for aid workers and the Afghan people.

The Committee is also concerned about the pace at which the UK Government has disbursed pledged UK aid to Afghanistan and whether it will act swiftly enough to disburse pledged UK aid to Ukraine.

MPs say that the UK Government, in its response to Afghanistan and now Ukraine, has:

  • been inflexible in its response to an acute humanitarian situation by only making limited concessions to pre-existing UK immigration routes;
  • failed to provide sufficient clarity on what routes are available; and
  • dragged its feet in setting up new or variations to existing routes.

The UK Government has a moral duty towards aid workers who helped to deliver UK aid projects in Afghanistan, asserts the report.

This moral duty also extends to the people of Afghanistan, impacted over decades by the UK’s military and political interventions.

Chair of the International Development Committee, Sarah Champion MP, said: “We are deeply grateful to aid workers – be they British, Afghan or of other nationalities – for all they have done for the people of Afghanistan. The work that they do is phenomenal.

“But we are ashamed that the Government did not give them the support that they needed during the UK’s withdrawal, or now, during the complex task of delivering an aid programme under Taliban rule.

“More than 23 million people, over half the population of Afghanistan, are facing starvation. The Government must provide the support and the clarity that people working in the aid sector in Afghanistan have told us that they need.”

The Chair draws parallels with the developing situation in Ukraine. She said: “By only making limited concessions to pre-existing UK immigration routes, the response from the Home Office to the situation in Ukraine shows an inflexible and begrudging approach to an acute humanitarian situation.

“As in Afghanistan, there has been a lack of clarity – and agonizing slowness of pace – in explaining what UK immigration routes are available. The UK Government should be significantly more agile in establishing or adapting existing UK immigration routes in response to acute humanitarian crises. The safety of countless people and their families depends on it.”

UK and allied forces left Afghanistan in August 2021. The Taliban takeover was rapid. The scale of the humanitarian response required, had – to that date – been unprecedented. The humanitarian jeopardy has been extreme.

At the same time, the safety of aid workers has been compromised. Today, the cross-party Committee thanks aid workers for all their work, past and present, and reveals ‘shame’ that the UK Government has not given them the support or clarity that they need.

The Government’s contingency plans for the evacuation of aid workers from Afghanistan were neither apparent to the aid sector, nor scaled adequately. Government schemes have not adequately supported those aid workers seeking safe passage to the UK.

The report reveals that some Afghans who worked on projects funded by the UK Government are reporting that their lives are at risk of reprisals from the Taliban authorities.

The UK Government has pledged significant sums of aid since its withdrawal from Afghanistan, but the release of that aid to the people who desperately need it has been excruciatingly slow. A cash liquidity crisis is strangling the remaining life out of the country. Sanctions against the Taliban have stifled the provision of aid and women, children and minority groups are suffering disproportionately.

The Committee concludes that the Government should have worked faster to disburse the UK aid it pledged to Afghanistan in 2021. It should also have liaised more effectively and swiftly with the aid sector, international allies and financial institutions to help to resolve the challenges of sanctions to the aid sector; address the collapse of the banking system in Afghanistan; and free up the nominated funds frozen in the World Bank’s Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund.

Some of the Committee’s key recommendations in respect of aid workers and the Afghan people are:

  • The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office should take steps to better identify and assess the particular risks facing aid workers so that it can respond more effectively to those aid workers when they are in need of support in countries or regions where there is acute instability or signs of a rapidly deteriorating security situation.
  • The Government should accelerate without further delay all pathways of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and ensure that aid sector staff are explicitly recognised and prioritised for protection under the ACRS.
  • The UK Government should be taking more urgent steps to collaborate with its international counterparts, economists, representatives of the banking sector and aid organisations to find ways to help address more rapidly the banking crisis in Afghanistan to ease the humanitarian suffering of, and enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance to, the people of Afghanistan.
  • The UK Government should do more to encourage the World Bank to swiftly release the remaining funds from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund so that aid organisations can use that money to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
  • The Government should maintain its focus on working to try and ensure that the Taliban adopts a moderate position whereby it commits to behaving pragmatically towards the inclusion of women, girls and other minority groups in Afghan society.
  • The UK Government should further step up its efforts on working with the UN to ensure that aid organisations can effectively operate under the exemptions that UN resolution 2615 (and consequent UK law) permits. It should also urge the UN Security Council to extend those exemptions beyond their initial 12 months review period.
  • The UK Government should consult with representatives of aid organisations to ensure that it has issued adequate guidance on how to operate further to the adoption of UN resolution 2615 into UK law. Furthermore, the UK Government should press for UN resolution 2615 to be extended, or further resolutions to be adopted, to provide exemptions for development assistance, closely linked to the performance of the Taliban on upholding human rights and international law.
HoC-Afghnistan-withdrawal-reportDownload

Scottish Parliament to host International Women’s Day event

Over 130 women will gather in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow for an event ahead of International Women’s Day.

The theme of this year’s event will be to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women during the pandemic. Held with support from the Scottish Women’s Convention, the event will begin at 2pm on Saturday 5 March. It will also be broadcast live.

Chaired by the Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, women who have come from communities across the country, will hear from a number of speakers including:

The Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister;
Professor Linda Bauld, The Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh;
Actress Carmen Pieraccini;
Brenda King MBE.

The Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This event will bring together women from across Scotland to celebrate their achievements and share their collective ambition to build a better and more sustainable country as we start to think about our recovery from the pandemic.

“Women from the world of politics, academia and entertainment will share their perspective. My hope is that the day will raise aspirations of what we can achieve together.”

Agnes Tolmie, Chair, Scottish Women’s Convention, said; ““The SWC has been showcasing Women in Scotland’s contributions to their communities throughout the pandemic. We are proud of the range of achievements of women during one of the most difficult periods of our history.

“We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase women in Scotland’s achievements. We will also hear how women have become empowered to be part of the solution to making Scotland a greener, fairer nation.”

The event will be available to watch on SPTV from 2pm on Saturday 5 March.  

Indicative timings are below:

2.00pm   Welcome by the Presiding Officer

2.05pm    Opening remarks from Agnes Tolmie 

2.10pm    First Minister, the Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2.30pm   Professor Linda Bauld

               Cross Party Panel of MSPs

3.00pm    Pam Gosal MSP 

3.05pm    Maggie Chapman MSP 

3.10pm    Christina McKelvie MSP 

3.15pm   Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP

3.20pm   Panellist Q&A         

3.50pm   Brenda King MBE 

4.00pm   Carmen Pieraccini

4.15pm    Event close

Keep Scotland Beautiful Green Flag awards for Edinburgh schools

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted to award twelve schools in Edinburgh with an Eco-Schools Green Flag.

The international award recognises nurseries and schools which have demonstrated a commitment to the Eco-Schools Scotland programme and over two years have engaged their whole school community in local climate action.

The schools are: St David’s RC Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2010), Craiglockhart Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2016), Granton Primary School  (a Green Flag school since 2013), Drummond Community High (achieving its first Green Flag Award), St Cuthbert’s Primary School (a Green Flag school since 2014), Ratho Primary School (a Green Flag school since 2010), Blackhall Nursery (which has held a Green Flag since 2009), St Margaret’s RC Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2011), Arbor Green Nursery (a Green Flag school since 2012), Hermitage Park Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2007), Kirkliston Nursery School (since 2005) and St Mary’s RC Primary School (since 2012).

All the schools took part in a variety of fantastic litter-busting and climate action activities including litter picks, litter surveys, recycling and community clean ups. 

Pupils in the Eco Den at St David’s RC Primary School used their litter picking kit to tidy the playground. The nursery class also carried out a clean up. 

Craiglockhart Primary School’s Eco Committee carried out a litter survey and using the results, decided to modify or replace their outdoor bins to prevent the litter from blowing out. They also wrote to the council to ask them to reduce the amount of single use plastics in school lunch boxes. 

Granton Primary School’s Eco-Committee solved the problem of seagulls dragging litter out of the playground bins, by sourcing new seagull proof ones to replace them.

Drummond Community High introduced recycling bins to communal areas in the school, to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. St Cuthbert’s Primary School’s Eco-Committee purchased extra bins for the playground after finding there were not enough. 

Ratho Primary School started a weekly class litter picking rota, with the nursery children working with their P6 buddies. Blackhall Nursery children learned about the effects of plastics on the environment and wanted to make long term changes at nursery and at home, so the nursery no longer uses plastic glitter or wet wipes. They also filled two perspex boxes with littered items to see which materials decompose and which don’t.

St Margaret’s RC Primary School pupils made posters which were displayed around the school to promote the use of bins. Arbor Green Nursery introduced regular activities promoting the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. At Hermitage Park Primary School there was already a minimal amount of litter in the playground, and pupils aimed to decrease it even more..

Kirkliston Nursery School children joined in with a local community spring walk, talked about the litter in the local community garden and why we shouldn’t drop litter, and did a litter pick, recycling the items they collected. St Mary’s RC Primary School adopted a local street and encouraged residents to join in and pledge to take action on the problem.

Through the Eco-Schools Scotland programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful aims to make action to tackle climate change and environmental awareness an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of schools, for both pupils and for staff.

The programme provides a framework to engage the wider school community in climate action aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability.

To complete the Green Flag journey each school has a choice of ten topics to engage with, from climate action, to food and the environment, to litter, to energy. The schools also choose one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to link their Eco-Schools work to.

Catherine Gee, Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I’d like to congratulate the Eco-Committee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have worked so hard to play their part in combatting climate change and achieve their Green Flag Award. 

“This is particularly impressive during a time of unprecedented adjustment and change to education due to the pandemic and is testament to the resilience and creativity of both pupils and educators.

“Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children, young people and educators through our climate action schools activities to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet and work towards our goal of a Net Zero future.”

More information about the world’s largest sustainable schools programme and Eco-Schools Scotland can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/eco-schools

Operation Pillar tackling youth disorder near city tramlines

Police are working with local partners to tackle anti-social behaviour following an increase in incidents linked with youth gatherings at Sighthill Public Park and on the tramline between Hermiston Gait and Balgreen.

Community policing teams in Edinburgh Southwest have been working closely with Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Trams and the Fire Service to put in place a strategy to combat anti-social behaviour and protect the local community.

As part of the strategy, called Operation Pillar, police have introduced high visibility patrols at peak times and increased CCTV coverage in key locations across the area to discourage anti-social behaviour and help with identifying those responsible where incidents do occur.

Officers will also be delivering educational inputs at local High Schools and implementing diversionary interventions with local young people.

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton said: “We know that the increase in anti-social behaviour in the area has been a cause for concern to many in the community.

“For this reason we have been working closely with our local partners to put together a comprehensive strategy so we can tackle this issue head-on

“By establishing high visibility patrols and increasing CCTV coverage we expect to see a reduction in the number of incidents occurring and be able to catch those responsible where they do.

“Officers will be providing support to Council park rangers, tram staff and colleagues at the Fire Service so that any instances of anti-social behaviour can be dealt with effectively.

“Positive engagement with young people is also a key component of this strategy and by working with local schools we hope to prevent any incidents from happening in the first place.

“If anyone does however observe any anti-social behaviour or criminality, I would ask that people report through the 101 telephone number, or if it is an emergency to dial 999.

“Members of the public are also encouraged to speak with patrolling officers when they see them to highlight any issues or concerns.”

An Edinburgh Trams spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of customers and employees is always our number one priority, and we work closely with the police and other partners to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour that are sometimes reported on the network.

“These partnerships include regular joint patrols with the police, while extensive, high quality CCTV coverage on the tramway enables us to react quickly to any incidents. Footage captured by our cameras can also be shared with the police to help them to identify those responsible.

“Trams are one of the safest forms of public transport and these measures provide further reassurance for our customers and colleagues.”

Truss: Putin must lose in Ukraine

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ATTACKED

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss gave an opening statement at a press conference with Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis in Vilnius yesterday:

Thank you, Minister Landsbergis, for bringing us together here together in Vilnius.

The United Kingdom stands with our allies in doing all we can to support Ukraine against President Putin’s war of choice. We must ensure Putin fails in this horrific enterprise and his ambitions go no further.

We were pleased to support Lithuania’s leadership referring war crimes to the ICC.

I’m here today in Vilnius with our Baltic friends, because I want to say that the UK’s commitment to Baltics and to Article 5 are unyielding.

Our Baltic friends know what’s at stake, having long lived in the shadow of Russian aggression, and I admire your courage. We are working together to deliver two clear objectives.

First, Putin must lose in Ukraine. We are helping Ukraine to defend itself. Our defensive weapons from the United Kingdom are now being used to stop Russian tanks. But we need to do more.

Secondly, we must contain this aggression. We are reinforcing NATO’s Eastern flank and supporting European security through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force.

We are here in the Baltic Region – we lead and have doubled our enhanced forward presence in Estonia. Our allies are leading troops across the Baltics. British military intelligence are working with Lithuania’s military to enhance border defences, including in the Suwalki Gap. 200 troops are doing joint military exercises right now, and we are working together on maritime security.

At the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting tomorrow, we will be working together to strengthen our collective defence in the light of the changed security situation across Europe.

In terms of supporting Ukraine with defensive weaponry, the United Kingdom was the first European country to give defensive military support to Ukraine – and we are now also supporting with humanitarian aid. We pledged £220 million in aid support to Ukraine – and we are the top European donor. And we will do more.

We have also been on the forefront in tightening the vice on the Kremlin through sanctions, and it is vital at this juncture that we keep the foot on gas.

We have worked with the EU, the US and the G7 to cut off funding for Putin’s war machine, kicking Russian banks out of the financial system.

We have also shut our airspace to Russian planes, and we are fast-forwarding sanctions against Russian oligarchs, but we need to go further.

We need to make sure no Russian bank has access to SWIFT, and we need to go further on reducing dependency on hydrocarbons from Russia, including oil, gas and coal. We have also launched sanctions against Belarus for aiding and abetting aggression.

I will be raising these issues at the G7 tomorrow and also at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, alongside the US, Canada and Ukraine, who have also been invited in these extraordinary circumstances.

This is a struggle not just for Ukraine’s freedom and self-determination, but for all of our freedom and security. By continuing to respond with strength, we will together ensure that Putin loses.

And we stand with our brave allies here in the Baltics to do just that.

Prime Minister Boris Johson spoke to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the early hours of this morning about the gravely concerning situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.

Both leaders agreed that Russia must immediately cease its attack on the power station and allow unfettered access for emergency services to the plant.

The Prime Minister said the reckless actions of President Putin could now directly threaten the safety of all of Europe. He said the UK would do everything it could to ensure the situation did not deteriorate further.

The Prime Minister said he would be seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting in the coming hours, and that the UK would raise this issue immediately with Russia and close partners.

Both leaders agreed a ceasefire was crucial.

Contract agreed for Waterfront’s Western Villages project

Part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s major £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront, the Western Villages project, will now be taken forward by CCG (Scotland) Ltd following a competitive tender process.

On track to begin construction in mid-2022, Western Villages will offer a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom flats with wheelchair accessible homes and a range of tenure options including social, mid-market rent and homes for sale.

The masterplan for the area will take account of the sea views and the nearby parkland, and will focus on active travel, electric car charging points, car club spaces and public transport links.

The decision was taken by the Finance and Resources Committee on Thursday (3 March).

The City of Edinburgh Council Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “Particularly on the back of COP26 and our own 2030 Climate Strategy, approving this contract gives us certainty that that we’ll be able to deliver this major aspect of the Council’s £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront regeneration.

“Housing will be integral in meeting our net zero ambitions by 2030 and Western Villages will be a gold-standard for other new development across the city.

“The wider regeneration project will also create one of Europe’s largest coastal city parks, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to reconnect with the city’s waterfront by offering more areas for leisure and outdoor experiences, civic spaces and sustainable housing.”

Convener for the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee, Councillor Kate Campbell, said: “The decision by Finance and Resources Committee is great news and will help us deliver this development, which will help us accelerate the delivery of affordable homes. Granton’s regeneration is a key part of our commitment to build 20,000 social and affordable homes by 2027.

“The steps we’re taking now to make homes more sustainable will make homes easier and cheaper to heat, which helps us to tackle climate change. But it’s also crucial for tenants, reducing fuel bills at a time where the cost of living crisis is pushing too many people in poverty.”

Partnering with CCG (Scotland) and architect Cooper Cromar in the creation of the new housing, the Council is also adopting CCG’s new Net Zero Home housebuilding standard for this build which will support its ambition of achieving net zero by 2030.

This standard brings improved insulation, low carbon heating and renewable technology that will help the Council make big strides in building sustainable housing for its residents.

Over the next 15 years, 3,500 net-zero carbon homes, a low energy heat network, a primary school, health centre, commercial and cultural spaces, sustainable transport provision and a new coastal park are all planned to be delivered in Granton Waterfront alongside progress underway in growing a cultural and arts cluster.