Helping Your Community Grow initiative in Edinburgh
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is helping green spaces and indoor areas across Edinburgh and the Lothians blossom this spring with the return of its much-loved Helping Your Community Grow initiative, with an enhanced sustainability focus for 2022.
Launched in 2010, the initiative encourages people across Edinburgh to take care of their green spaces. For 2022, Dobbies is seeking local groups striving to help their community space flourish in a sustainable way.
Both the Dobbies and little dobbies stores are offering the opportunity to get involved. Whether it’s a community allotment project to get kids eating more fruit and vegetables, a wildflower garden with pollinating flowers for bees and insects or a calming outdoor space for boosting mental health, Dobbies wants to help communities transform their space.
Helping Your Community Grow is calling for local groups from all over the Lothians to get in touch through an application form via Dobbies’ website, showcasing their community space that needs some attention and what they plan to do if they receive Dobbies’ support.
Successful groups will be given advice, products and time to help transform their outdoor spaces using Dobbies’ sustainable products where possible.
This could include peat-free compost, recycled and recyclable pots, UK-sourced plants and safer pest control products. The team at the little dobbies store in Stockbridge are looking to transform an indoor space with air purifying houseplants that will breathe life into a community space.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “Community is at the forefront of what we do at Dobbies and we’re proud to be relaunching our Helping Your Community Grow initiative in our Edinburgh stores this spring.
“We had a brilliant variety of applications last year and it was great to see local community spaces, school vegetable patches and memorial gardens benefit from our support.
“We are particularly keen to hear from projects in Edinburgh who have a sustainable focus to their work and our teams will share their knowledge of sustainable products and practices, to ensure a truly eco-friendly approach.”
In addition to the regional winners, one national winner will receive further support.
Claire Blowers from Noadswood PSA, the national winner from 2021 said: “We really benefitted from entering Helping Your Community Grow in 2021.
“We had invaluable support and advice from the team, along with products that enabled us to transform our space. I would highly recommend community projects submitting entries for this year’s initiative.”
Getting involved couldn’t be easier. Eligible projects must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store or 5 miles of the little dobbies’ Stockbridge store.
Travelling too fast for the conditions or excessive speed reported in 21% of fatal collisions
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland* is running a campaign to tackle the serious issue of speeding, delivering a clear message for drivers – ‘there’s no excuse for speeding, even if it’s just a little bit.’
Speeding is one of the riskiest driving behaviours, with travelling too fast for the conditions or excessive speed reported in 21% of fatal collisions, and in 10% of all reported accidents.1
Exceeding the speed limit on all road types is surprisingly common:
33% of people admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 30mph zones at least once in the past year.
31% admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 20mph areas in the last year.
8% admit to having driven at least once in the past year at 90mph on the motorway.
27% of drivers admit to having sped up through amber at least once in the past year.
13% admit they have exceeded the speed limit by 10 mph in a 30mph zone.2
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “Speeding remains a factor in a number of fatal and serious collisions every year. That’s why I welcome this campaign to tackle this serious issue and deliver a clear message to drivers.
“A collision involving speed can have far-reaching consequences, not only affecting the driver but also their family, the victim’s family, emergency services, and people who witness the incident.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re only slightly over the speed limit – however you try and justify it, there is no excuse for speeding.”
According to Police Scotland many drivers try and justify their speeding behaviour when they’re caught, with excuses including running out of petrol, the road being quiet, trying to beat the rush hour, knowing the road well, and other traffic also being perceived as exceeding the speed limit.
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “All too often police officers experience first-hand the tragic consequences of excessive speed on our roads.
“The dangers of speeding are well-known and the consequences can be devastating, life changing and long lasting. Excessive or inappropriate speed can cause serious harm to others, especially more vulnerable road users and it’s a risk not worth taking.
“If you’re caught speeding you will be fined, have your licence endorsed and could even lose your licence.”
Running across multiple platforms including radio and digital, the Scotland-wide campaign highlights some of the excuses commonly used by drivers to justify their speeding behaviours, while reminding those behind the wheel that, if they’re caught, they could face severe penalties.
By repeating the words ‘a little bit’ over and over, the ad creative emphasises that it doesn’t matter that you’re only slightly over the speed limit – you know there’s no excuse for speeding.
The RNIB See Differently Awards, alongside headline sponsor Amazon Alexa, recognise and celebrate outstanding work to support people with sight loss.
A campaigning group of people from Edinburgh have been shortlisted for an RNIB See Differently Award in recognition of their work to keep eye care services for blind and partially sighted people in their area.
Keep Edinburgh Eye Pavilion (KEEP) has been shortlisted in the Team of the Year category. This award seeks to recognise a team that has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted.
The group was formed following news in late 2020 that the replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, the main eye clinic serving the south-east of Scotland, would not go ahead as planned. The provision would instead be moved to the site of St John’s Hospital in Livingston, some 15 miles away from the current Eye Pavilion.
Chaired by Sylvia Paton from Corstophine, all members of KEEP have a visual impairment.
Sylvia, who has sight loss and attends the Eye Pavilion, was asked to comment on the announcement by a local journalist. She did so, outlining her objections which included poor transport links and a site that would be extremely difficult for blind and partially sighted people to navigate.
Sylvia was also worried that losing the Eye Pavilion, which is a teaching hospital, would set scientific research back.
After the interview, a number of people reached out to Sylvia. She said they told her: “We’ve all sat back for long enough.” Those conversations led to the establishment of the Keep Edinburgh Eye Pavilion (KEEP) campaign group.
After seeking advice and support from sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, KEEP began a campaign of letter writing. They wrote multiple letters to key decision makers, including members of the Scottish Government.
Their campaign has led to the Scottish Government and NHS Lothian agreeing that a new eye hospital in Edinburgh should be operational within five years.
There are now eight blind and partially sighted members of KEEP and the group meets at least once a month. Members join online or over the phone and all research, outcomes and other decisions are shared electronically so they are accessible to everyone.
Sylvia said: “I am so pleased for the KEEP team to be shortlisted and therefore recognised for the work they have done. Every member has their own skills, strengths, and experiences, helping the team work together with one objective, to KEEP and improve eye care services in Edinburgh. This recognition will strengthen the work we do.”
The RNIB See Differently Awards, which will be hosted by TV personality and entrepreneur Amar Latif will recognise and celebrate outstanding work to support people with sight loss. They aim to highlight the contributions being made to break down barriers and improve the world for people with sight loss.
RNIB chief executive Matt Stringer said: “The RNIB See Differently Awards celebrate people who are dedicated to making the world a better place for blind and partially sighted people. Our shortlisted National Finalists are all brilliant and we wish them the best of luck.”
The awards will recognise exceptional individuals and teams across seven categories: Campaigner of the Year, Community Contributor of the Year, Best Social Media Impact of the Year, Team of the Year, Employer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year and the Design for Everyone Award.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place on 29 March 2022.
Scotland sends £2.9 million of urgently needed items
Scotland is sending critical medical supplies and equipment to help Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia.
Over 500,000 emergency items valued at about £2.9 million, including hypodermic needles and oxygen masks are being donated by NHS Scotland.
An initial donation will be flown from Stansted Airport in Essex to Poland tomorrow (Thursday) for onward transport to Ukraine and includes wound dressings and bandages. These supplies are urgently needed by the Ukrainian Government.
The medical aid is in addition to £4 million of humanitarian assistance for Ukraine announced by the Scottish Government on Monday, which will help provide basic support such as shelter, water and sanitation.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the NHS equipment storage facility in Motherwell to see the supplies being loaded. She said: “Scotland stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and we are ready to provide whatever support we can in their hour of need.
“The Ukrainian Government has requested critical medical assistance and I am proud of our NHS and all those who have worked tirelessly in recent days to make this initial consignment possible. We will deliver the rest of the supplies as quickly as we can.
“Scotland has strong links with Ukraine – Edinburgh is twinned with Kyiv and many Ukrainians have chosen our country as their home – and we will continue to provide practical help as it faces Russia’s unprovoked and illegal aggression.”
NHS National Services Scotland Chief Executive Mary Morgan said: “We are all very saddened by what is happening in Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“Colleagues across NHS National Services Scotland, quickly mobilised to compile this shipment of necessary medical equipment which will go towards supporting the people of Ukraine, and we as an organisation will do whatever we can to support this period of uncertainty.
“Time is of the essence in this these situations, and thanks goes to the NHS teams for a fantastic effort in the coordination of this effort to support the humanitarian effort of Ukraine.”
One in 10 women have endometriosis, but it takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis.
Gynaecologist from intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA shares advice for people living with endometriosis and treatment possibilities.
Ground-breaking film ‘The Wait’ sees eight-year-old children use their age to symbolise the eight-year delay and the campaign aims to empower and inform people experiencing similar painful symptoms, who also feel unheard or ignored –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Rz9A6EyG8
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, affecting one in ten women worldwide.
Despite the seriousness of the disease, it takes an average of eight years just to get a diagnosis. That’s eight long years of enduring terrible pain and the feeling of not being heard.
To help people experiencing symptoms of endometriosis get the help they need sooner, intimate wellbeing brand INTIMINA UK’s gynaecologist Dr Shree Datta shares her advice and guidance:
How to recognise the symptoms
Endometriosis can present itself in different ways from person to person, so it can be very challenging for doctors to diagnose. Common symptoms which suggest endometriosis include cyclical pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, or pain leading up to and during periods. A change in bowel habit, tiredness, and difficulty conceiving can also be common symptoms, so it is important to seek medical advice early.
Keep a symptom diary
Keeping a pain and symptom diary is the best way to describe all of your symptoms before seeing a doctor. Specifically, note down when you experience symptoms concerning your periods, whether they are getting worse, and how they affect your daily activities.
Possible treatments
It may be worth trying to treat your symptoms initially with simple measures such as heat, gentle exercise, pain relief or hormonal medication, before considering more invasive options such as surgery. For some people, it may not be possible to cure endometriosis, and treatments depend on the type and location of endometriosis and how severe it is. Treatment can include medications such as the contraceptive pill, the Mirena coil and/or surgery. In some cases, a mixture of different treatments is needed.
Diet and exercise
Endometriosis is stimulated by oestrogen, so liver and digestive care through nutrition is important. Eating lots of green vegetables and anti-inflammatory foods, as well as reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can have an impact on the symptoms of endometriosis. Fish oil supplements and Vitamin B12 can help endometriosis-associated pain. Also, exercising regularly can be beneficial.
Advice for people trying to get pregnant
For people who are trying to get pregnant and have endometriosis, we would advise you to consult your gynaecologist early. Start taking pregnancy supplements three months before you want to conceive and have unprotected sex regularly throughout your cycle when trying to conceive. Most people have no problems conceiving, but it’s worth seeking expert help early.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
Endometriosis symptoms vary from person to person. Sometimes it takes a lot of time for people to acknowledge they have a medical condition and seek professional help. It can be uncomfortable speaking to a doctor about intimate health issues for many, but an open and honest relationship is crucial for getting the correct diagnosis. Millions of people have endometriosis, so educating the public and fighting this taboo is the way to help them speak up and get diagnosed sooner.
Dr Shree Datta’s advice follows the release of INTIMINA’s powerful film, named ‘The Wait’, that gives a voice to those suffering from the condition by featuring eight-year-old children whose age symbolises the damning eight-year wait statistic – with each of the youngsters having been alive for as long as it takes to be diagnosed with endometriosis*.
The children speak the actual words of real adult women who spent years of their lives waiting and fighting for an endometriosis diagnosis.
INTIMINA created ‘The Wait’ film as part of its ongoing Seen + Heard period positivity campaign.
Seen + Heard aims to increase the visibility of menstrual wellbeing across the world, normalise conversations about menstrual health, tackle stigma and bias and raise awareness of conditions like endometriosis – which see millions of people suffering in pain while their voices go unheard.
The Wait follows ‘Period’: a collaboration in 2020 between INTIMINA and Pantone that saw the creation of a shade of red emblematic of a healthy menstrual flow.
Danela Žagar, Spokesperson for INTIMINA, commented: “Endometriosis isn’t a rare disease – it affects one in every 10 women. That’s hundreds of millions of people across the world potentially suffering for years.
“The fact the eight-year statistic hasn’t changed in over a decade is further proof, if it were needed, that we must end the wait for those with endometriosis.
“As a global society we have to be more aware of endometriosis, more sympathetic towards those that have it, to speak up and do everything in our collective power to close the gender health gap and to break the taboos and biases that are not just attached to endometriosis, but to menstrual wellbeing in general.”
Dr Shree Datta added: “Healthcare professionals may assume painful periods are normal if they are unclear on its severity and whether pain relief is required. What’s more, it can be especially difficult examining young teenagers for endometriosis as the findings are not specific and the disease presents differently from person-to-person.
“As such it may take longer to refer people to the correct specialist for further investigation and treatment. It’s heart-breaking to hear that people still suffer in silence when we can support them and provide them treatment to help them through their symptoms – so please come and see us if you have a problem.”
For those looking to find out more about endometriosis or get support, please visit www.endometriosis-uk.org.
FORMER team GB swimmer Mark Foster is calling on people across Edinburgh and the Lothians to take the plunge and sign up for Swimathon 2022.
The swimming hero is helping to highlight the annual fundraiser which raises money for Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.
He is urging people of all ages and abilities to enter the sponsored event taking place at pools across Scotland from 6-8 May.
With a variety of distances to choose from – from 400m up to 30.9k – Swimathon offers a challenge for swimmers young and old, new and experienced. People can participate individually or as part of a team.
Any swimmers who can’t make one of the organised sessions can sign up to MySwimathon, which takes place from 29 April-15 May, and choose a time and venue that suits them.
After another challenging year for the sport, following the impact of the pandemic, Mark is championing the positive power of swimming to help inspire people to get back to the pool.
He said: “Swimming is a fantastic form of exercise, with a wide range of benefits for both your physical and mental health and is accessible to people with varying abilities and needs.
“So, whether you’re a keen swimmer who is in the pool all the time, prefer to be in open water or if you are just dipping your toes in for the first time, Swimathon is the perfect challenge for everyone. That’s why I’m asking everyone to get involved and feel the benefits of this fantastic sport whilst raising money for two great charities in Cancer Research UK and Marie Curie.”
Swimathon is the world’s largest annual swimming fundraiser. Since launching in 1986, more than 750,000 swimmers have taken part, raising over £55 million for charitable causes.
This year will also see the Swimathon Foundation donate £2.50 from the entry fee of everybody taking part at an official Swimathon venue to help protect these pools for the future.
Victoria Steven, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Scotland, said: “It really doesn’t matter if you’re not the fittest or the fastest, Swimathon is such a fun and simple way to encourage people to get swimming – all while supporting causes which are close to the hearts of so many.
“1 in 2 of us will get cancer*, but all of us can support the research that will beat it. From proving the link between smoking and cancer to laying the foundations for modern radiotherapy – our scientists have been at the forefront of cancer research for 120 years.
“And we’re not stopping now. That’s why we’re urging swimmers to dive in this spring, raise money and help us keep investing in science today to deliver the treatments of tomorrow. Together we will beat cancer.”
Marie Curie Nurse, Janet Lockheart, and Healthcare Assistant, Amy Chellew, will be undertaking Swimathon this year, after originally planning to do it in 2020.
Janet said: “We decided to do Swimathon to raise money to support the wonderful team at Marie Curie and the people that we care for. We’ve seen first-hand the difference fundraising can make to families that need our support, so to be able to do this for them, and for those supported by Cancer Research UK is amazing.
“Swimming is a great way to get fit and raise money, so we’re really excited – we’ve been waiting two years to say we’ve completed Swimathon.”
Not only will taking part help to raise money, moderate exercise such as swimming can help build stamina, burn calories and keep a healthy body weight, which reduces the risk of a range of diseases including cancer.
Swimming regularly is also gentle on the joints, canlower stress levels, reduce anxiety and depression, andimprove sleep patterns.
Sign up for Swimathon 2022 at swimathon.org. Between 8-16 March use code SPRINGSALE35 for a 35% discount off the registration fee.
Boys less likely to talk to Childline about mental health issues than girls
Childline launches ‘We All Feel It’ campaign to help boys who are struggling to ask for help with their mental health
Childline has found, in Scotland, boys are four times less likely to talk with the service’s trained counsellors about their mental health than girls, and even less likely to come to them when they have suicidal thoughts.
New statistics from the NSPCC-run service show that in 2020/21 counsellors carried out 2,054 sessions with girls about mental health issues compared to 493 with boys in Scotland.
When it came to counselling sessions about suicidal thoughts and feelings, they delivered 891 with girls but just 103 with boys.
Which is why Childline has launched it’s ‘We All Feel It’ campaign, to support young males whoare struggling to speak about their mental health, and to help them before they reach crisis point.
The campaign video features popular clips from the world of sports, social media and gaming to reflect the emotions some young people may struggle to articulate. It encourages boys in particular to use Childline to help them make sense of anything that has upset or worried them.
Childline insight
Childline counsellors hear from boys in Scotland who say they feel isolated in their experiences and are reluctant to reach out for help due to the stigma they feel around sharing their feelings.
One boy told a counsellor: “I’m feeling suicidal, depressed and rubbish. I tried to kill myself recently but got talked out of it.
“My dad is really violent and has been hurting me for years. I usually miss school when he leaves marks on me. I’ve also been arguing with my step-dad and sometimes it gets quite bad. People just watch it happen.
“I feel like my parents hold things against me. I have thought about running away but it’s hopeless. I usually sit and play computer games to distract myself from it all.”
Another male, aged 18, told Childline: “I usually have thoughts about suicide, mostly when I am feeling stressed but sometimes when I am not under any stress too.
“This all started about two years ago when school was starting to get stressful and I had to start thinking about my future.
“I am a very personal person and I never open up to anyone – I just feel shy and this is my first time ever talking to anyone about these thoughts.”
Suicide is a complex issue and there is rarely one single factor or event that leads someone to take their own life. It is usually a combination of lots of different individual, community and societal factors interacting with each other to increase risk.
‘We All Feel It’
Developed with creative agency Livity, the campaign aims to resonate with boys and remind them Childline is always there and ready to support them, with whatever they are experiencing, 24 hours a day.
Alex Gray, Service Head of Childline, said: “At Childline, we know how hard it can be for children to speak out about their mental health.
“In particular, it can be really challenging for boy’s due to the pressures they feel around not showing emotion and appearing strong due to toxic masculinity.
“At Childline, we want to remind all children that sharing their mental health concerns with a trusted adult or a Childline counsellor is a brave thing to do, and it will enable them to get the help and support they need.
“Talking about mental health issues early on can prevents things escalating and can save a young person’s life.
“We hope that by putting the spotlight on male mental health we can help boys understand that they are not alone.”
Children and young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.
Childline has been supported by the Postcode Children’s Trust for four years and it has recently given the service crucial funding of £1,000,000 – the equivalent of running Childline for an entire month – enabling counsellors to continue to save lives.
A new National Strategy for Economic Transformation, underpinned by detailed analysis of Scotland’s economic strengths and weaknesses, has been published by the Scottish government.
The strategy contains over 70 actions across five key priority programmes that have been identified as having the greatest potential to deliver economic growth that significantly outperforms the last decade within the current constitutional arrangements.
Investment will be prioritised in entrepreneurialism, skills and retraining and the development of new markets and opportunities, particularly in the Just Transition to net zero.
Economy Secretary Kate Forbes says it provides renewed clarity on Scotland’s economic vision and a relentless focus on delivery in order to improve economic productivity, accelerate growth and ensure work provides a genuine route out of poverty through better quality jobs and higher wages.
A sixth programme marks a step-change in the way the Scottish Government and business listen to, support and work with each other in this national endeavour to transform the economy. Shaped by the Advisory Council and extensive engagement with stakeholders, this will enable government, business and key partners to work together to create a more prosperous, more productive and more internationally competitive economy.
The Economy Secretary launched the Strategy at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc in Dundee, a location which embodies the potential transformation that can be realised by bringing the six key programmes of action together.
Ms Forbes said: “This strategy intentionally focuses on five key priorities, within Scotland’s current powers, that we believe will deliver most impact. These are based on extensive data analysis which does not ignore the short or long term challenges and seeks to meet them head on.
“It does so by identifying our key strengths as a nation and the economic opportunities with the greatest potential for Scotland. Through our detailed analytical work we have identified significant and targeted action that can shift the dial in these areas, by doubling down on the work that is producing results and by working together to maximise our success.
“We must now be bold, ruthless and laser-focused to maximise the impact of the actions we have identified. We all know the challenges of our day – the short term and the long term – but through the tumultuous times of the past, Scotland has pioneered solutions, created jobs and established highly successful businesses. The opportunities of decarbonisation, new technologies and successful industries are far greater than the challenges.
“This is a unique moment and we are ready, willing and able to lead the way and ensure Scotland capitalises on the opportunity.”
Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurial Scotland Sean McGrath said: “This strategy is recognition of not just the importance of starting new businesses, but of building an entrepreneurial mindset across all types of organisations and at all levels.
“It shows a huge belief in the ability of our immensely talented workforce in Scotland. It also calls on everyone who wants to see Scotland succeed to take part. This only works if we all want it to.”
Chief Executive of Energy Transition Zone Ltd Maggie McGinlay said: “I believe energy transition has a key role to play in realising this ambition.
“Scotland has an immediate competitive advantage in that we are blessed with a vast array of natural assets that, if harnessed the right way, means we can become globally recognised for high-value manufacturing, research, development and deployment of offshore wind, green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.
“The scale of the energy transition opportunity before us is huge and has the potential to contribute significantly to achieving true economic transformation for Scotland.”
Tracy Black, CBI Scotland Director, said:“Business will welcome the ambitions set out in the new ‘Economic Transformation Strategy’ as the right path for Scotland’s future economy.
“The Finance Secretary is also right to recognise the importance of delivery in turning high-level ambition into action – with business playing a vital role as a trusted partner.
“As firms across the country navigate rising living costs, ongoing shortages and spiralling business costs, they will want to see any new initiatives or investments bear fruit sooner rather than later.”
Environmentalists are calling for an urgent and inclusive national debate on economic transformation after the Scottish Government’s new strategy failed to show how it will achieve its own vision of wellbeing and ensuring a just transition to a zero-carbon economy.
The National Strategy for Economic Transformation ‘Delivering Economic Prosperity’ was launched today by the Cabinet Secretary Kate Forbes. She was supported by her Advisory Council which has previously been criticised for its lack of environmental and social justice expertise.
It comes the day after the latest UN IPCC report gave a stark reminder of the urgency of the climate crisis and the need to transform economies away from fossil fuels to avert its worst impacts.
Commenting on the Strategy, Matthew Crighton, Sustainable Economy Adviser at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “This economic strategy has environmental sustainability and wellbeing in its vision, which is welcome, but there is a lack of concrete ideas as to how its good intentions will be delivered.
“Everyone recognises the need to be greener and fairer but without any realistic plan to achieve these changes they will remain aspirational daydreams.
“To deliver a just transition to zero carbon, the government has to assess and secure the investments needed in each part of our economy. It then needs to set out expectations for job creation and social benefits, how to measure them and who will deliver them.
“Instead, it seems happy just to point the boat forwards and hope that the fickle winds of the market economy will blow it in the right direction.
“The focus on economic growth and entrepreneurship fails to show how this approach can deliver on these wider social and environmental benefits. Instead we have a repeat of lots of the tired old ideas that have helped bring us the current state of inequality, environmental breakdown and economic insecurity.
“The Scottish Government clearly hasn’t understood the roots of these problems nor recognised the mistakes of previous plans. Perhaps this is because it hasn’t spoken to either environmental experts nor to people at the sharp end of our current economic system.”
Ahead of the strategy launch, the ‘Transform Our Economy’ alliance produced Ten Points for a Transformative Economic Strategy against which to judge the Government’s plans. These ideas were backed by 40 academics and outline a new purpose at the heart of our economy: providing wellbeing for all within environmental limits.
Crighton continued: “With our allies in the Transform Our Economy alliance, we prepared Ten Points to judge the new strategy, endorsed by 40 leading academics.
“Sadly the Scottish Government’s document gets poor marks against these, starting well with its overall vision but then failing, in particular on practical things like generating enough of the right investment streams, having clear tests for all finance and integrating new performance measures for decarbonisation and biodiversity into economic decisions.”
The document has also been criticised by the country’s leading trade unionist. Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary who sat on the advisory group said: “Sadly, this is more a strategy for economic status quo than economic transformation.
“The National Strategy for Economic Transformation has a sprinkling of good ideas and we have successfully argued for some strong lines on the importance of Fair Work, decent pay and the role of trade unions, but overall, it is a missed opportunity to address the challenges before us and make real, transformational change.
“The main engine of the Scottish economy is the foundational economy. Unsurprisingly it is also the biggest employer. It encompasses transport, retail, energy generation, distribution and importantly education and public services.
“So, at the heart of the NSET should have been a strategy to increase pay and improve terms and conditions in these sectors. Investing in public services offers huge opportunity to support sustainable growth while tackling poverty and inequality.
“Over the coming years we face enormous challenges, none greater than the journey to net zero, a journey that must be carefully planned to ensure we create good, secure jobs that do not leave communities abandoned. Whilst the NSET talks about the potential for future development in the renewables and low carbon economy it fails to acknowledge previous failures or, more importantly, how we can learn from them and build a new industrial strategy.
“Scotland is not immune from global economic shocks, or the UK Government’s self-inflicted economic damage. Financialised capitalism embeds structural inequalities as evidenced by the escalating cost-of-living crisis.
“Addressing these structural inequalities is fundamental and it will certainly not be solved by prioritising becoming a ‘magnet for global private capital’ nor through the appointment of a ‘Chief Entrepreneurship Officer.’ Genuinely building new business start-ups is a good idea, flooding the economy with new start-ups, too many of which then fail, is not.
“The public sector has an enormous role to play in our economic transformation yet it is barely mentioned in the Scottish Government’s strategy. Neither is there any mention of tax – which is crucial to tackling inequality and raising revenue.
“Paying lip-service to community wealth building and the desire for a well-being economy will not deliver the change needed. If we are serious about economic transformation the Scottish Government must develop a green industrial strategy and invest in our public sector and the local authorities that make our vital services a reality.
“We will continue to engage with Scottish Government both on taking forward the more positive elements and aspirations of this strategy and to ensure the foundational economy is not left behind in Scotland’s economic future.”
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed that more than one million customers filed their late tax returns in February – taking advantage of the extra time to complete their Self Assessment without facing a penalty.
About 12.2 million customers were expected to file a return for the 2020/21 tax year and more than 11.3 million customers submitted theirs by 28 February.
The deadline for submitting tax returns was 31 January but, this year, HMRC gave customers an extra month to complete it. If customers filed their returns in February, they would avoid a late filing penalty.
HMRC has given customers until 1 April to pay their outstanding tax bill or set up a Time to Pay arrangement to avoid receiving a late payment penalty. Interest has been applied to all outstanding balances since 1 February.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We understand some customers might be worrying about paying their Self Assessment bill this year, and we want to support them.
“To see if you’re eligible to set up a payment plan, go to GOV.UK and search ‘pay my Self Assessment’.”
Lucy Frazer, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Today’s stats show how vital the extra month was in supporting the cash flows of more than a million self-employed people and businesses across the UK, helping to ensure their survival as we recover from the pandemic.”
The existing Time to Pay service allows any individual or business who needs it the option to spread their tax payments over time. Self Assessment taxpayers with up to £30,000 of tax debt can do this online once they have filed their return.
If customers owe more than £30,000, or need longer to pay, they should call the Self Assessment Payment Helpline on 0300 200 3822.
Customers can now make Self Assessment payments quickly and securely through the HMRC app. Customers choosing to make secure Self Assessment payments through the HMRC app can either connect to their bank to make their payments or pay by Direct Debit, personal debit card or corporate/commercial credit/debit card.
HMRC urges everyone to be alert if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information.
Customers should always type in the full online address www.gov.uk/hmrc to get the correct link for filing their Self Assessment return online securely and free of charge. HMRC sees high numbers of fraudsters emailing, calling or texting people claiming to be from the department. If you’re in doubt, do not reply directly to anything suspicious, but contact HMRC straight away and search GOV.UK for ‘HMRC scams’.
It is difficult to watch the events happening in Ukraine on the news without feeling helpless.
The charity GOCC Edinburgh are organising a collection for Ukrainians in need.
If you are able to help, you are welcome to leave donations of UN-OPENED toiletries, packets of nappies/sanitary products at Granton Information Centre’s office (134-138 West Granton Road, EH5 1PE) tomorrow morning between 9.30 – 12 midday and Thursday morning between 9.30 – 12 midday.
We will ensure all donations are safely delivered to GOCC Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon.
PLEASE NOTE we are only able to accept donations of the items listed above (no clothes, medicines, monetary donations, etc will be accepted at our office).
Additional items can be donated directly at the Foodplus stores mentioned in the flyer (below):
