Day: April 20, 2022

Aldi: Avoid a soggy bottom with Dunkability Challenge!

The act of dunking a biscuit in a cup of tea is a proud tradition, with research from McVitie’s finding that 71% of people admit to doing the dunk when enjoying a warm cuppa. 

But as National Tea Day approaches (tomorrow – 21st April), Aldi Scotland has set out to uncover what happens when the mighty shortbread is plunged into a milky tea and reveals the products with the best ‘dunkability’. 

To help its customers create the perfect tea and biscuit ritual, Aldi Scotland has put its most popular Specially Selected All Butter Shortbread products to the test in the supermarket’s first ‘Dunkability Challenge’. 

Rated on its shape, taste, and its crunch vs crumble qualities, tea lovers can use the below review system to find their perfect Aldi Scotland biccy to complement their cuppa, all for under £2.

Star outlineSpecially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbreads (£1.69, 5 pack)               5/5 Dunkability

Aldi Scotland’s Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbreads, winners at the 2021 Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards, are once again topping the competition by scoring a perfect 5/5 in the dunkability scale.

Shape

The deliciously dunkable Orkney Caramel Shortbreads are two perfectly formed pieces of utterly-buttery shortbread sealed together with a golden caramel centre making them easy to hold for dipping down to the last bite.

Taste

These irresistibly buttery shortbreads are double-drizzled in Belgian chocolate and golden caramel. When dunked into warm tea, the caramel centre will become deliciously gooey, melting in your mouth. Made from a traditional family recipe, using the finest ingredients including Orkney butter, the Orkney Caramel Shortbread’s are truly indulgent at a wallet-pleasing £1.69.

Crunch vs Crumble

With a perfect balance of crunch and crumble, these chunky treats are the upper crust on the ‘Dunkability’ scale. Fully immerse in your cuppa for a gooey mouthful, or delicately dip for that satisfying snap.

Result

A more modern take on the traditional Scottish shortbread, these double layered biscuits have earned their place in cupboards across the country and are guaranteed to add a certain luxury to any tea-break.

Star outlineSpecially Selected All Butter Scottish Shortbread Fingers (£1.19)             4/5 Dunkability

Shape

These Shortbread Fingers are the perfect shape for dunking in tea. The rectangle biscuits allow for controlled dunking, granting a tailored experience for each personal preference. It comes as no surprise these Shortbread Fingers won a star at the Great Taste Awards 2020.

Taste

Aldi’s All Butter Shortbread Fingers are slow baked, using a traditional Scottish recipe. Finished with a sprinkling of sugar, these shortbread biscuits will give you all the sweetness you need to balance out a strong brew.

Crunch vs Crumble

Upon dipping these Shortbread Fingers, you are sure to experience a soft crumble, while retaining a crisp crunch with each bite.

Result

A perfect all-rounder. Whether you’re a dunking aficionado, or simply trying out something new on your next tea-break, you won’t be left disappointed.

Specially Selected All Butter Scottish Shortbread Rounds (£1.19)             4/5 Dunkability

Shape

These fan favourites have a slim feel and circular form which deliver a delicate bite making them irresistibly moreish.

Taste

These Shortbread Rounds are available in All Butter, Sicilian Lemon and Chocolate Chunk. Whether you fancy a zap of zesty flavour, or a hint of luxurious chocolate, these All-Butter Shortbread Rounds work as well with coffee as they do tea.

Crunch vs Crumble

With a distinctive snap, these Shortbread Rounds will certainly give a satisfying crunch pre-dunk, while offering a soft crumble into your tea upon dipping. These are ideal for anyone who is not left disappointed by a soggy bottom.

Result

If you take pleasure in submerging your biscuit, then these Shortbread Rounds are most definitely for you, while the variety of flavour options, at the bargain price of £1.19 means there’s something for all tastes.

Building a tech nation

Investment can help create more high quality start-ups

Work to create the best opportunities for entrepreneurs is helping transform Scotland into one of Europe’s leading economies to start or grow a technology business.

Building on the entrepreneurial ambitions set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said work is underway – backed by £45 million of investment – to help transform Scotland’s tech sector.

During a parliamentary statement Ms Forbes highlighted progress made to date to implement the Logan Review. Actions include:

  • finalising arrangements for five new Tech Scaler hubs, with the potential to create more than 300 high quality start-ups, that will offer mentorship support to budding entrepreneurs. These new hubs, located around the country, will help to ensure new and existing tech innovators have access to high quality commercial education
  • establishing a £1 million Scottish Tech Ecosystem Fund providing support for organisations to deliver meet ups and events which create the best environment for entrepreneurs to succeed
  • investing more than £1 million in new devices and equipment to support teaching of computing science
  • appointing teachers who will drive improvements in equipment and training while sharing best practice
  • allocating £1.5 million for reskilling – including support for those on low incomes to gain digital skills

A Chief Entrepreneur Officer will also soon be appointed in the Scottish Government to help ensure entrepreneurship ambitions are embedded in policy development.

Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the most radical reforms of the Scottish entrepreneurial system since devolution. Our ambition is to establish Scotland as one of Europe’s leading start-up economies.

“These game changing tech scalers will deliver one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive state-funded environments in Europe for the creation and growth of start-ups.

“Tech scalers will put Scotland on the global start-up map and we will promote their services relentlessly to attract the world’s best talent to scale up their businesses in Scotland.

“A key ambition in our strategy to transform the economy is to help establish Scotland as a world-class entrepreneurial country, founded on a culture that encourages, promotes and celebrates entrepreneurial activity.”

Mark Logan said: “These coordinated initiatives are part of the most significant strategic investment in Scotland’s high-technology industry ever seen in Scotland.

“Together, they create the perfect environment for starting and scaling technology-based businesses, with the many opportunities for our people that will result from that. It’s a very exciting time for the sector.”

Edinburgh children ‘excelling under the SNP Scottish Government’

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has welcomed figures which show children across Edinburgh are excelling under the SNP Scottish Government.

Schools across Edinburgh are benefitting from £7.2m of funding for the coming year to reduce the attainment gap in the area.

As a result 95.1% of young people in the area go on to positive destinations. The latest figures also show that 19,523 have went into a modern apprenticeship under the SNP Scottish Government.

In helping to close the attainment gap, there are currently 10,016 children receiving free school meals.

Commenting, Gordon MacDonald said: “Since the SNP formed a government in 2007, attainment and the number of pupils going on to positive destinations has improved across Edinburgh.

“This is down to the funding the SNP Scottish Government has provided to reduce the attainment gap and I am delighted that this will continue as £7.2m has been committed to reduce the gap even further for the coming year.

“The SNP Scottish Government is also ensuring that P1-3 children have the best start to their day by providing free school meals. This will also be extended to all primary schools within this parliamentary term.

“It is only the SNP who can be trusted to protect Scotland’s education system and on May 5 the people of Edinburgh have the chance to send a message to the Tories that we do not trust them with it.”

Nine-year-old treks 96 MILES to raise money for vet charity PDSA

Johnathan takes on Scotland’s West Highland Way to raise vital funds for sick and injured pets

Nine-year-old Johnathan Westacott from North Devon has walked an incredible 96 miles to raise vital funds for vet charity PDSA.

Following many months of intense training, Johnathan walked for a total of 59 hours, covering over 310,000 steps over eight days across the wild landscapes of Scotland, raising over £1,500 for PDSA, who provide vital veterinary care to sick and injured pets across the UK.

The animal-obsessed fundraiser took on the challenge alongside his family and their family dogs Fudge and Coco, sharing regular video updates on their Facebook page throughout the gruelling hike.

Johnathan’s mum, Jennifer Westacott (37) said: “We are so proud of Johnathan and his achievement – it’s an incredible distance and seeing him finish the West Highland Way walk in aid of his favourite charity PDSA has made me burst with pride.

“Myself and my husband, Andrew, walked alongside him, together with his nanny and grandad, so we could all support one another to get through the miles. It wasn’t easy but together we made it so we could be there for Jonathan and we all kept each other going despite the very tired legs and blisters!

“Johnathan has always loved animals, especially dogs, and he decided to take on the challenge and to raise funds for vet charity PDSA.

“He was inspired to support PDSA after watching the daily live feeds from Max Out in the Lakes Facebook page who share daily updates during their walks with three Spaniels, Max, Paddy and Harry in the Lake District.

“They have held many fundraising events for PDSA, so Johnathan wanted to follow in their footsteps and do the same!”

Ruth Lister from PDSA said: “Johnathan’s challenge is incredibly inspiring and we are very grateful to Johnathan and the whole family for their support.

“The funds raised through their amazing fundraising challenge means that we are able to continue our life-saving work, caring for pets whose owners have nowhere else to turn. 

“We rely on the generosity of the pet-loving public who donate to make sure we can be there for a pet when they need us most. It’s thanks to inspiring fundraisers, such as Johnathan and his family, that we’re able to continue our life-saving work.”

So far Johnathan’s JustGiving page has raised over £1,500.

Further donations to support his fundraiser for PDSA can be made here: 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/johnathan-westacott?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=johnathan-westacott&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=b713a95c288947fcbb6221658c42945a

No pet owner should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

Find out more on their website www.pdsa.org.uk.

Emergency Care ‘remains in extreme crisis’

More than one third of patients facing long waits in Scotland, as Emergency Care remains in severe crisis.
Responding to the latest weekly Emergency Department performance figures in Scotland Dr John Thomson, Vice President of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, said: “We are continuing to see severely poor performance in the Emergency Care system. Staff are becoming more and more burnt out; the appalling crisis in Emergency Care is seriously distressing.

“The public are extremely worried about these long waiting times, and rightly so, because patients are coming to harm. Staff continue doing all they can to deliver care and keep patients safe, but it is incredibly challenging.

“It is a desperate situation, a result of widespread shortages of staff and beds throughout the system and a crisis in social care. Despite exiting winter and entering spring, the situation remains dire; we have never faced a crisis worse than this. The intense workload is breaking staff, and the distressing circumstances are breaking their morale.

“Patients continue to face seriously long waits, and we continue to state that this crisis is worse than ever, and that patients are coming to harm. The government cannot let this deteriorate further, staff and patients urgently need meaningful action now to tackle the desperate situation in Emergency Care and address the widespread staff shortages, the bed shortages, and the social care crisis.”

The latest weekly Emergency Department performance figures for Scotland show:

There were 22,774 attendances at Emergency Departments

Four-hour performance was 66.2%, the lowest ever on record-

7,705 patients waited more than four-hours in an Emergency Department

More than 3 in ten patients were waiting for more than four hours in an Emergency Department

2,373 patients waited more than eight-hours in an Emergency Department

Nearly one in six patients were waiting for more than eight-hours in an Emergency Department

944 patients waited more than 12-hours in an Emergency Department

One in twenty-five patients were waiting more than 12-hours in an Emergency Department

Edinburgh College students’ project to help the homeless

Students from Edinburgh College Midlothian Campus have marked the completion of their ground-breaking homelessness awareness project this month.

The students took part in Leonard Cheshire’s ‘Can Do’ programme, during which they decided to embark on a ‘building communities’ project to raise funds for, and awareness of, the needs of people in the community who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Delivered by the pan-disability charity Leonard Cheshire, Can Do is a skills development and community involvement programme designed for 16-35 year olds with additional support needs.

With both in-person and virtual formats, the participants took part in sessions on fundraising, mental health and wellbeing, designing posters and much more. The project gave the students an opportunity to make a positive difference in the community, improving their confidence and motivation, while also providing a learning opportunity. Participants gained an SVQ Building Communities award through completion of their project.

In one session, the students learned about homelessness and discussed some essential items you might need for winter as a homeless person.

Following this, they were tasked with some online shopping to create ‘care and share’ bags to donate. Each participant was given tasks, such as budgeting, comparing prices and spotting deals, before ordering and receiving the items, and packing the bags.

These bags, as well as all proceeds from the campaign, were donated to Bethany Christian Trust, a charitable organisation in Scotland whose mission is to relieve suffering and meet the long-term needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Scotland.

On receiving the items, Kevin, a staff member from Bethany Christian Trust, said: “I am grateful for the bags of love and kindness that have been donated by the students from Edinburgh College Midlothian campus.

“Bethany Christian Trust is full of gratitude for the commitment shown by the students in putting the bags together and the residents are absolutely going to love the items”.

The students also had an opportunity to learn first-hand about mental health and wellbeing. A local man who has lived experience of being homeless explained how he struggled with his mental health and discussed with the participants the support he received to recover from the challenges he faced. The students later sent wonderful messages of encouragement to him for his strength and ability to stay positive.

James, One of the Can Do participants, said: “What I liked most about the project was getting an opportunity to help and make someone smile”.

Jasmine Lapointe, Lecturer at Edinburgh College, applauded the students for choosing such a significant project which made a positive and tangible difference in people’s lives, and said they should all be proud for taking part. 

Obert Dhundu, Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do Coordinator for Edinburgh, said “The students expressed a keen interest in embarking on a project that will be impactful not only for themselves but for vulnerable people in the community, and this led them to choose a project centred on homelessness.

“They showed great commitment in learning about homelessness, as well as the related topics we covered. It was a real privilege to have facilitated this project for them.”

West Calder Rehoming Centre welcomes Christine Jardine MP

Local MP Christine Jardine MP was welcomed to Dogs Trust West Calder Rehoming Centre this month where she was greeted by a wagging tail reception.  

As well as a behind the scenes tour of the West Lothian centre, the MP for Edinburgh West chatted with Rehoming Centre Manager Susan Tonner about the charity’s work in Scotland and in particular the recent expansion of the Home from Home fostering scheme into Dundee and the surrounding counties of Angus, Perthshire and Fife.

The charity has recently employed its first Home from Home Co-ordinator in Dundee and has just placing its first dogs into foster homes in the Dundee area, with the aim of rehoming over 100 dogs locally every year.

Ms Jardine met some of the centre’s handsome hounds patiently waiting on their forever homes including loveable Shih Tzu, Tilly, who is looking to be rehomed with her best pal, Angel, a friendly border collie. 

Following her visit, Christine Jardine MP, said: “It was a pleasure to visit West Calder Rehoming Centre and to meet not only their dogs but also the excellent team who take care of them and work hard to find them their forever homes.

“The charity goes above and beyond for each individual dog, with some better suited to a foster home while they await their new families. One of the best parts of a great visit was hearing about the foster scheme and how people can get involved.  I would encourage anyone who is willing and able to look after a dog on a temporary basis to get in touch with Dogs Trust to find out more.”

Susan Tonner said: “It is clear Ms Jardine is a real dog lover, so it was lovely to meet her and show her around our Rehoming Centre, introducing her to some of our wonderful pooches.

“It was also a great opportunity for us to discuss the benefits of foster caring which is such an important part of our work. Ms Jardine was a real supporter of our Home from Home foster scheme and its continued growth within Scotland.”

Dogs Trust is currently looking for Home from Home fosterers in Dundee, Tayside, Perth and Kinross, Fife, Angus and Kincardine. Anyone interested can call Megan on 01506 873459 or email HFH.Dundee@dogstrust.org.uk

Anyone interested in rehoming Tilly, Angel or a four-legged friend can click here:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/

Britain moves closer to a ‘self-driving revolution’ – now what could possibly go wrong?

Changes to The Highway Code will help ensure the first wave of self-driving vehicles are used safely on UK roads.

  • UK Government sets out changes to The Highway Code to ensure the first self-driving vehicles are introduced safely on UK roads
  • changes clarify drivers’ responsibilities in self-driving vehicles, including when a driver must be ready to take back control
  • future technology could improve and level up transport, easing congestion, cutting emissions and reducing collisions caused by human error

Drivers will be able to experience the full benefits of the first self-driving vehicles when they arrive, as government sets out how they should be driven safely on UK roads.

The government has today (20 April 2022) confirmed planned changes to The Highway Code, responding to a public consultation, continuing to pave the way for safer, more efficient travel.

The changes to the code will help ensure the first wave of technology will be used safely, explaining clearly that while travelling in self-driving mode, motorists must be ready to resume control in a timely way if they are prompted to – such as when they approach motorway exits.

The plans also include a change to current regulation, allowing drivers to view content that is not related to driving on built-in display screens, while the self-driving vehicle is in control. It will, however, still be illegal to use mobile phones in self-driving mode, given the greater risk they pose in distracting drivers as shown in research.

With self-driving technology rapidly developing across the globe, Britain’s first vehicles approved for self-driving could be ready for use later this year. Vehicles will undergo rigorous testing and only be approved as self-driving when they have met stringent standards.

The government is continuing to develop a full legal framework for self-driving vehicles to enable the safer and greener movement of people and goods in the UK. The Department for Transport will also work with industry, regulators and safety organisations to ensure drivers can access information, including online, to help them use the vehicles safely.

Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said: “This is a major milestone in our safe introduction of self-driving vehicles, which will revolutionise the way we travel, making our future journeys greener, safer and more reliable.

“This exciting technology is developing at pace right here in Great Britain and we’re ensuring we have strong foundations in place for drivers when it takes to our roads.

“In doing so, we can help improve travel for all while boosting economic growth across the nation and securing Britain’s place as a global science superpower.”

The development of self-driving vehicles could create around 38,000 new, high-skilled jobs within Britain’s industry that would be worth £41.7 billion by 2035. 

The measures confirmed today follow a public consultation launched by the government, which found the majority of respondents were broadly supportive of the proposed changes to The Highway Code to clarify drivers’ responsibilities in self-driving vehicles.

The introduction of the technology is likely to begin with vehicles travelling at slow speeds on motorways, such as in congested traffic.

Following a landmark call for evidence, the government announced in April last year that vehicles fitted with automated lane keeping system (ALKS) technology could be the first example of self-driving technology. Existing technology available on the market is ‘assistive’, meaning drivers must currently always remain in control and responsible.

Designed for use on a motorway in slow traffic, ALKS enables a vehicle to drive itself in a single lane, up to 37 mph, while maintaining the ability to return control easily and safely to the driver when required.

Meanwhile, the government expects to have a full regulatory framework in place to support the widespread deployment of the technology by 2025, helping to make the movement of people and goods safer, greener and more efficient.

The technology could improve road safety across Britain by reducing human error, which is a contributory factor in 88% of all recorded road collisions.   

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “The Highway Code has been updated a number of times in recent years to reflect the rapidly changing transport world we live in and these latest additions will help us all understand what we must and must not do as we move forward to an environment where cars drive themselves.

“The final part of the jigsaw is to ensure these amendments are widely communicated to, ​and understood by,​ vehicle owners. Vehicle manufacturers and sellers will have a vital role to play in ensuring their customers fully appreciate the capabilities of the cars they buy and the rules that govern them.”

Self-driving technology in cars, buses and delivery vehicles could spark the beginning of the end of urban congestion, with traffic lights and vehicles speaking to each other to keep traffic flowing, reducing emissions and improving air quality in our towns and cities.  

The technology could also improve access to transport for people with mobility issues and lead to more reliable public transport services, helping to level-up access to transport in historically disconnected and rural areas.  

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Amending The Highway Code to reflect the pace of technological change will help clarify what motorists can and can’t do when a self-driving feature is engaged, so promoting its safe use.

“The technology could be available in the UK later this year and, with the right regulations in place, consumers are set to benefit from safer, more efficient journeys while the UK will strengthen its position as a global leader in the deployment of self-driving technology.”