Month: March 2022

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Fort Kinnaird

Mother’s Day is just a few days away, but there’s still time to pick up the perfect gift for the mother figure in your life.

Whether it’s dinner with family, her favourite perfume or a classic bouquet of flowers, there’s plenty to choose from at Fort Kinnaird.

  1. A family meal

Sometimes the most special gifts are those that you can enjoy together.

Brunch is a great way to spend the day, especially if you’re looking for Mother’s Day ideas for what to do. Browse the menu at Frankie & Benny’s for a delicious pancake stack – or celebrate in style with a cocktail at Fridays.

There’s also lots of restaurants to choose from for a Mother’s Day meal with options including wagamama, Bread Meats Bread and Pizza Express.

  1. A classic gesture

It doesn’t take big gestures to show someone how much they mean to you, a small token to say ‘thanks’ is sometimes all that it takes.

You can’t go wrong with a bunch of Mother’s Day flowers or a new houseplant from M&S to brighten up their day. Don’t forget to visit Card Factory for a Mother’s Day card too.

  1. A pampering present

Take the opportunity to restock their signature scent or treat them to a new fresh or floral fragrance for the spring/summer season at The Perfume Shop.

Boots also has a range of Mother’s Day gift sets to choose from, whether you’re after skincare, bath or beauty buys. Add a candle from Homesense to help them unwind with that at-home spa feeling.

For the ultimate cosy night in, treat them to a fresh set of pyjamas and a new pair of slippers from Next.

  1. A mindful moment

Whether their happy place is in the gym, garden, or curled up on the sofa, there’s got something for everyone.

Check out the fitness range at JD Sports for everything from apparel to yoga mats. Shop seeds, bird houses, gloves and more for keen gardeners at Wilko. Or browse the bestselling books at Waterstones to help them have the perfect day doing what they love.

  1. A special surprise

Surprising the mother figure in your life with an extra-special gift is sure to make them feel good on Mother’s Day and beyond.

Gift a little luxury with designer trainers or a coat from Tessuti. Or, treat them to a gorgeous set of earrings, or a Mother’s Day necklace from Goldsmiths or Beaverbrooks.

  1. An everyday essential

Handbags, purses and wallets are a great Mother’s Day gift idea, and whatever their style, you’ll have no trouble finding ‘the one’ at River Island.

If you’re hoping to wow with an extra big ‘thank you’ this year, visit Tessuti for a range of designer options.

  1. A sweet treat

If they have a serious sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with a box of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat â€“ the Velvetiser is also a must-have for chocoholics! 

For keen bakers or chefs, shop aprons, spatulas and pans galore at ProCook or treat them to a new cookbook from Nadiya Hussain or Jane’s Patisserie, packed with tasty cakes, bakes and treats.

  1. A homemade treasure

Take the time to make a handmade gift and show just how much they mean to you.

Make a thoughtful Mother’s Day hamper by adding a keepsake to treasure – find a range of personalised Mother’s Day gifts from homeware to accessories at Next. Or print out a family photo at Boots with a pretty frame from Homesense.

For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com.

Market Street assault: Do you recognise this couple?

Police Scotland has released images of a male and female they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault which occurred around 11.20pm on Sunday, 12 December, 2021, on Market Street, directly underneath North Bridge.

The male in the images is described as being white, in his mid-30s, around 5ft 9in tall and of medium build with short dark hair. He is wearing a grey/blue padded jacket and a two tone blue hooded jumper, blue jeans and was carrying a plastic orange carrier bag and a cream baseball cap.

The female in the images is described as white, in her mid-30s, around 5ft 5in and of small build. She was wearing a knee length black padded jacket with the hood up and had small-framed glasses.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, from Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the male and female, or anyone who has information relating to the male and female, depicted in these images to make contact with the police.

“Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 3829 of 12 December, 2021. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Getting the Right Change: A Retail Strategy for Scotland

Encouraging fair work and improving skills

Improving staff skills and working conditions are key parts of a newly published strategy to support retailers.

Getting the Right Change: A Retail Strategy for Scotland outlines how the Scottish Government, business leaders and trade unions can work together to unlock opportunities to grow businesses and the economy, improve wellbeing and address inequality, and support progress towards our ambitious climate change targets.

Actions outlined include:

  • developing and promoting a Fair Work Agreement that retailers can voluntarily sign up to, to improve fair work conditions across the sector and contribute to reduction of in-work poverty
  • working with Skills Development Scotland and other partners on a Skills Audit and Action Plan, to support retail reskilling or upskilling as jobs change, for example due to technology like self-scan checkouts and online ordering systems
  • developing a Just Transition Plan for Retail to protect jobs and contribute to net zero emissions by 2045 through developing local supply chains, reuse of materials and sustainable travel choices by staff and customers
  • promoting town and city centres and local businesses while supporting ways to repurpose vacant retail units
  • harnessing opportunities in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation that will directly support the retail sector, like actions to grow businesses, boost productivity and support entrepreneurship

A new Industry Leadership Group will be established to drive delivery of the retail strategy, co-chaired by Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur.

Mr Arthur said: “As we have seen during the pandemic, our retailers have played and continue to play a vital role in creatively supporting our communities.

“Our retail strategy sets out actions to support the sector to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic, address longer-term challenges and maximise opportunities to fulfil its potential. It has been developed in collaboration with business, trade unions, academia and the public sector.

“It builds on the National Strategy for Economic Transformation and Covid Recovery Strategy – setting out a shared vision for retail to achieve inclusive economic growth and play its part in creating a fairer, greener Scotland.

“The retail strategy builds on the strengths of the sector – so that it is successful, resilient, sustainable and profitable to the benefit of all of Scotland.

“We want to support innovation and entrepreneurship, and seize opportunities from new technology and markets, to boost productivity and grow businesses.

“In this way, our retailers can benefit from and contribute to the bold programme of actions that will transform our economy over the next decade.”

Chairman of the Scottish Retail Consortium John Brodie MBE said: “Scotland’s retailers have shown tremendous fortitude and resilience to come through the tribulations of the past few years, a period of profound transformation for the industry which was accelerated by the Covid pandemic.

“The Scottish Retail Consortium is delighted to have partnered with government to develop this strategy which recognises the enormous economic and social contribution that retailers make and outlines a shared approach to sustainably grow the industry.

“Retail is Scotland’s largest private sector employer and this more strategic and collaborative approach to supporting and nurturing the growth of the industry should help it flourish and fulfil its potential over the decade ahead.

“This will benefit retailers and the millions of customers they serve in Scotland, as well as the supply chain and broader economic ecosystem that retail touches, and help drive forward Scotland’s economy.”

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P&O Ferries illegal sackings scandal: Sign the Petition!

Sign the petition to call for UK government to stop DP World and P&O Ferries replacing 800 sacked workers with cheaper labour.

What’s the issue?

Last week, 800 workers at P&O Ferries were sacked via Zoom call.

This shameful act is devastating for these workers, their families and communities. Workers must be reinstated immediately – and P&O Ferries must face serious consequences.

This is a national scandal – it can’t ever be allowed to happen again. This must be a turning point for workers’ rights in the UK.

The government can stop this,  but they will not act unless thousands of us speak up. If callous acts like this are allowed at P&O, they can happen anywhere.

We need your help!

Please support P&O workers by signing the petition and make sure no worker can be treated like this again.

Sign petition

Help for Edinburgh’s young people to access education and employment opportunities

A budget of over ÂŁ3million is being committed to support more young people into training, education or workplace opportunities over the next year.

This is being done by the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) funding from the Scottish Government, as Scotland’s Capital looks to build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable economy.

At yesterday’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work (HHFW) committee (24 March) councillors were given an update on the diverse range of projects and programmes, both new and existing, across the city. These will help to support young people aged between 16-24 years old, from a wide variety of backgrounds and stages of their training or career journeys.

The help that young people can expect to receive through these programmes will include mental health support, early skills training, practical skills training, as well as in-work support and mentoring as they progress into employment. In particular, young people who find it difficult to access opportunities will be targeted to help them to either prepare or give them the tools to find work.  

As part of the initiatives, a further small grant opportunity for third-party employability programmes will be opening in April on the Joined Up for Jobs website.

YPG funding will also go to the NHS to run a new programme for care experienced young people who are looking for work experience, as well as a Job Creation Scheme to support progression from current YPG paid placements. This will offer funding to support the first year of up to 20 Modern or Graduate Apprenticeships within the Council and third sector organisations who are currently providing work placements. 

The city’s five Activity Agreement Hubs will also benefit from additional funding. The Hubs work with young people who have left school without a positive destination, or who drop out of college, training or their first job, to gain the skills they need to move into education or employment.

In addition, in a separate report to HHFW, it was agreed that funding from the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee will be used to support a new pilot programme that will look to enhance Employer Recruitment Incentives (ERIs) by offering an uplift to match the Real Living Wage where the employee is from a disadvantaged household and starting a Modern Apprenticeship or gaining a recognised qualification.

The funding is being delivered through the city’s own Edinburgh Guarantee, which last year expanded to help people of all ages access fair work, training and employment.    

Councillor Kate Campbell, Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee said: “Thanks to this funding, we are able to continue supporting existing programmes, as well as new projects, that are having a real impact for young people.

“There are so many good ideas and new, innovative programmes by organisations across the city that will help get people’s education and career goals back on track after what’s been a very disrupting time.

“We’re particularly mindful of the impact the pandemic has had on young people and people facing additional barriers. That’s why we also want to make sure that we continue to reach every area of the city by making sure the programmes we fund cover every community.

“The Young Person’s Guarantee grant programme will help to increase those opportunities and will complement the already extensive support provided across the city.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Vice Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, said: “Our Edinburgh Guarantee promises that no one will be left behind.

“Through the continuation of this small grant programme for another year we hope to make sure those who need our help will be given the opportunity to access the support they need – whether that’s for training or career aspirations – to reach their goals. We also want to make sure that this is spread out across the city and that those experiencing the greatest barriers get the most help from these grant programmes.”

PM Boris Johnson: The people of Ukraine will prevail

“UKRAINE IS NOT ALONE”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a statement at the NATO Summit in Brussels yesterday:

It is scarcely believable as we stand here today that just a month ago, the Ukrainian people were living ordinary, peaceful lives. Now, they are locked in an extraordinary battle for survival against an unprovoked onslaught from their neighbours.

Ukrainians have taken up the fight and taught the world the meaning of bravery. Against the odds, they have snarled up Russia’s invading army, inflicting defeat after defeat. The heroism of Ukraine has changed the geopolitics of Europe.

Vladimir Putin has badly miscalculated in Ukraine, and I believe he knows it. But now that Putin’s Plan A has foundered, he is already escalating by intensifying his attacks on civilians.

Maternity wards, schools and homes and have been bombed without any regard for civilian life. Families are being starved out in freezing basement shelters, and targeted as they flee.

The United Kingdom – and our allies in NATO and the G7 here today – are clear: we will not stand by while Putin vents his fury on Ukraine.

I have rarely seen our nations more united in recent years than we are now. Putin’s failure in Ukraine is vital for the peace and prosperity of all of us, and his barbaric invasion has galvanised the international community into collective action.

We will work with likeminded allies to ramp up lethal aid to Ukraine at scale, providing kit to President Zelenskyy in the quantity and with the quality and quantity that he needs to defend his country from its bullying neighbour.

Today, I have announced we in the UK will send an additional 6,000 missiles and provide £25 million in unrestricted funding for Ukraine’s armed forces, more than doubling the lethal aid we have provided to date.

We are bolstering our support for the NATO countries on the frontline, sending a new deployment of UK troops to Bulgaria on top of the doubling our troops both in Poland and in Estonia.

This is just the beginning. We must support a free and democratic Ukraine in the long term. This is a fellow European democracy fighting a war of national defence.

NATO and G7 leaders were also united today in our determination to continue turning the screws on the Kremlin’s war machine, including by weaning ourselves off Russian oil and gas and reshaping global energy security.

The UK has already hit over 1,000 Russian individuals and entities in our toughest-ever sanctions, and the Foreign Secretary has announced 65 new sanctions against Russian banks, weapons manufacturers and oligarchs just this morning.

I also discussed the humanitarian response with our allies and partners today, as we continue to see huge numbers of Ukrainians flee their homes.

And the message that President Putin can take from today’s extraordinary meeting of NATO and the G7 is this: Ukraine is not alone.

We stand with the people of Kyiv, of Mairupol, of Lviv and Donetsk. And as President Zelenskyy has said himself – the people of Ukraine will prevail and Putin must fail and he will fail.

Rates of Crohn’s and Colitis have been vastly underestimated for decades

  • New data released today shows over half a million people are living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in the UK, including 1 in 67 people in their 70s.
  • Largest study of its kind worldwide shows rates are far higher than previously thought. 
  • Research shows the UK is second only to the US in prevalence of the conditions and the impacts are huge.
  • Experts believe it is yet to reach its peak and voiced concerns of NHS capacity to manage treatment.

New research released by Crohn’s & Colitis UK today shows that the number of people in the UK living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – the two main forms of which are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis – has been vastly underestimated for years and the rates are growing.

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both serious, life-long conditions that involve inflammation of the gut. They can cause debilitating pain and can have a huge impact on people’s mental wellbeing due to the impact of their symptoms.

Patients can also be at higher risk of bowel cancer and up to 80% of people with Crohn’s Disease and 15% of those with Ulcerative Colitis will need to have surgery at some point in their lives. There is no known cure for either condition.

The research, which was carried out by scientists at the University of Nottingham and funded by Crohn’s & Colitis UK and Coeliac UK, shows that the prevalence of Crohn’s and Colitis in the UK population is far higher than previously thought.

The study shows there are over half a million people (1 in every 123) in the country living with inflammatory bowel disease, nearly double that of the 300,000 previously estimated, raising concerns about the capacity of the health service to provide the required care for thousands of people.

The research is the largest of its kind worldwide and measured the incidence (the diagnosis of new cases) and prevalence (the number of cases in the population in 2020) of Crohn’s and Colitis over the last 20 years. It gives the best picture so far of the scale of the problem across the country.

The study involved researchers analysing the health care records of 38.3 million people registered with GPs as part of a UK-wide study. It found that 0.81% of the population or one in every 123 people are living with Crohn’s or Colitis, increasing to 1 in every 67 for people in their 70s. Globally, this research puts the UK as second only to the US in terms of percentage of the population living with the condition and the problem is set to grow.

Symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis include urgent and frequent diarrhoea (often with blood), abdominal pain, fatigue, and associated anxiety and depression.

The causes of the conditions are unknown and some patients wait years to receive a diagnosis, meaning their symptoms could worsen and they potentially miss out on important treatment and care.

People receiving treatment for Crohn’s or Colitis need specialist care and support from nurse specialists, dietitians and psychologists to help them manage the impact of their condition. Currently, and in part due to the underestimated prevalence, the health service is not equipped to manage this care adequately in any of the four nations. 

Sarah Sleet, CEO at Crohn’s & Colitis UK and Chair of IBD UK said: “This study shows that there are nearly twice as many people living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in the UK than previously thought, yet outdated figures mean the scale of the issue has been overlooked for too long.

“Lifetime costs for the NHS for treating these conditions are comparable to heart disease and cancer. They can have a profound impact on a person’s life and patients need expert care from doctors, specialist nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and psychologists.

“It’s crucial that the NHS recognises the scale of the growing numbers with Crohn’s and Colitis and does more to prevent lives being blighted for decades by these debilitating illnesses.”

Evelyn, 66 from Dorset said: “I had symptoms for over 3 years before I received my diagnosis. I was suffering pain, weight loss, sickness, and had been admitted to hospital several times.

“Yet doctors told me that it was psychosomatic and I wasn’t believed. I’ve now been living with Crohn’s for over 40 years, having tried years of different medications and had two bowel resections.

“It’s something you learn to live with, but even on good days I have near constant fatigue, frequent pain, and always have to think about where the nearest toilet is. The impact it has on your life is huge”.

Dr Laila Tata, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Nottingham and lead researcher said: “IBD is unlikely to have reached its peak in the UK. This research estimates that the number of people living with the condition has grown to approximately half a million.

“It is a lifelong condition so it’s highly likely that the prevalence will continue to increase as the population ages. The associated complications, burden on individuals, capabilities of the healthcare system and other societal impacts of this all require serious consideration.

 “We need continued research to understand why we’re seeing inequalities in diagnosis.”

The research found that the prevalence of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis was lower in London compared to the rest of the UK and highest in Scotland. This could be due to a younger, urban population in London.

The prevalence was also lower in more socioeconomically deprived areas and higher in people who declared their ethnicity as white compared with all other ethnicity groups.

Researchers say this may have been due to lifestyle factors, although barriers to diagnosis likely account for most differences between groups, such as differences in awareness of the condition, suggesting a need for increased understanding of these barriers and public awareness of the conditions.

Dr Christian Selinger, Chair of the IBD Committee at the British Society of Gastroenterology, said: “We have seen our workload in IBD increase over the years. The service is under strain as we have more patients and not enough staff.

“In terms of going forwards, we need to make a clear plea for investment in IBD services and the NHS, in order to deliver a high quality of care to patients and provide a better service.”

Police appeal following housebreaking in Oxgangs

Police are appealing for information following a housebreaking in the Oxgangs area. The incident happened between 1.30pm on Tuesday, 22 March, and 7.30pm on Wednesday, 23 March, at a property in Swan Spring Avenue.

Jewellery worth around ÂŁ7,000, headphones and a black VW T30 highline van, registration number T5 KPE (pictured), were taken.

Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious at this property and who may have door-bell or dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries.

“I am also appealing to anyone who may have seen the car being driven to get in touch to help with our investigation to recover it and the rest of the items that have been stolen.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3049 of Wednesday, 23 march, 2022.

Cramond pitbull attack: Eighty year old man arrested

** UPDATE **

An 80-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a six-year-old child being attacked by a dog on Cramond beach which happened around 5pm on Friday, 18 March, 2022.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a child was bitten by a dog at about 5pm last Friday (18 March 2022) at Cramond Beach.

A 6-year-old girl was walking on Cramond Beach with 3 older teenage family members when a black Pitbull dog wearing a blue and white collar knocked her over and bit her to her face, body and arms.

The girl required medical attention.

The man in charge of the dog is described as white, about 60 years old, 6 feet tall, average build, white beard, wearing a red baseball cap, a long black coat and blue jeans.

Anyone who recognises the description of this man is urged to call 101 quoting reference 2853 of 18 March 2022.

Scottish Government launches latest child poverty delivery plan

Best Start, Bright Futures

Child poverty in Scotland is projected to fall to its lowest level in nearly 30 years as a result of the actions taken to date and commitments in the second Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

More than 60,000 fewer children could be living in relative poverty in 2023 compared to 2017, according to updated modelling.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said a focus on long-term parental employment opportunities, strengthened social security and support to reduce household costs are at the heart of the new four year delivery plan, Best Start, Bright Futures.

In 2022-23 this work will be supported by investment of almost ÂŁ113 million on top of funding already allocated to ongoing programmes.

Actions include:

  • Significantly increasing employment services with the aim of supporting up to 12,000 parents to enter and progress in sustainable and fair work through actions taken over the life of the Plan, with initial investment of up to ÂŁ81 million in 2022-23 in employability support for parents
  • Increasing Scottish Child Payment from ÂŁ20 to ÂŁ25 when the benefit is extended to under 16s by the end of 2022. This means ÂŁ1,300 of support per eligible child per year. It is five times more than originally asked for by campaigners and an investment of ÂŁ671 million over the next two years
  • Delivering a new Parental Transition Fund to tackle the financial barriers parents face in entering the labour market, particularly over the initial period of employment, with an investment of up to ÂŁ15 million each year
  • Taking immediate steps to mitigate the UK Government’s Benefit Cap as fully as possible within devolved powers, through Discretionary Housing Payments. This will support our priority families, in particular, who are disproportionately impacted by this policy

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Ms Robison said: “I am proud that our actions of the past four years, together with those set out in this plan, are projected to deliver the lowest level of child poverty in Scotland in 30 years.

“We are taking immediate steps to put cash in the pockets of families – tackling the cost of living crisis and helping to lift thousands of children out of poverty in Scotland.

“Our package of five family benefits for low income families, including the increased Scottish Child Payment, will be worth over £10,000 by the time a family’s first child turns 6, and £9,700 for second and subsequent children.

“That is a difference of more than £8,200 for every eligible child born in Scotland in comparison to England and Wales – highlighting the unparalleled support offered by this government to children across the early years.

“We will also build on our investment in employment support for parents, through new skills and training opportunities and key worker support to help reduce household costs and drive longer term change.

“Our national mission to tackle child poverty is already giving more children the best start and a bright future. We are determined to meet our ambitious targets set for 2023-24 and 2030 and beyond, so that no children in Scotland are living in poverty. We know there is not a silver bullet and this cannot be done overnight.”

Scottish Government Minister and Scottish Green Party Co-Leader Patrick Harvie said: “This plan delivers on key commitments to tackle child poverty and inequality in the cooperation agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party.

“We welcome the actions being taken, particularly in mitigating the UK Government benefit cap and increasing the Scottish Child Payment which will provide major support to thousands of low income households.”

Reacting to the Scottish Government’s publication of its Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “Child poverty is unjust and unnecessary. It’s a sign of Scotland’s commitment to compassion and justice that there are stretching targets to end it.

“A clear message from Poverty Alliance members ahead of the  new plan was to ‘put money in people’s pockets’. Commitments to increase the Scottish Child Payment to ÂŁ25 by the end of this year and to mitigate the unjust benefit cap are therefore welcome. With one in four children in Scotland still growing up in the grip of poverty, and the rising cost of living meaning that many more families are being swept into hardship every day, this new plan needed to set out how we can do more to protect people from harm.

“On the back of the Chancellor’s failure of a Spring Statement yesterday, we needed to see real commitments that will make a positive impact on the lives of people on low incomes. Alongside the mitigation of the benefit cap, the expansion of employability support that provides tailored support to families can help to make that impact.

“However, there is significant scope to go much further to ensure that cash makes it to those who most need it. There is clear evidence that increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 would have an even greater impact in unlocking families from poverty and take us closer to the target of eradicating child poverty by 2030.

“The rising tide of poverty sweeping across the country demands that the actions contained in this Plan are not the peak of our ambitions, but merely a start. Our efforts cannot and must not cease.”

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