Month: April 2022

Fraser of Allander Institute: Looking ahead to local government elections

Local elections will be held across all 32 Scottish local authorities on 5th May. Just over 1,200 council seats will be determined.

Local government is a hugely significant part of the public service landscape in Scotland. Local government’s revenue settlement from the Scottish government in 2022/23 is almost £12bn, accounting for just shy of one third of the Scottish government’s total revenue spending.

Drawing on this settlement – plus resources from council tax, fees and charges – local authorities will manage and deliver social care services, pre-school and school education, and a raft of environmental, planning and cultural services.

In this context, it is perhaps surprising that turnout at local government elections is typically less than 50% (turnout in 2017 was 47%). Low turnout partly reflects a sense among the electorate that their vote makes relatively little difference to the delivery of public services, for two reasons.

  • First is a pervasive view that local authorities have relatively little power to influence service delivery in meaningful ways, regardless of the political control of the council, as local authorities are often perceived largely as delivery agents of the Scottish government.
  • Second is a set of issues around political accountability. The results of local government elections are often ambiguous – after the 2017 elections, no mainland council authority was controlled by a single party (moreover, it is not always the case that the largest party forms part of the governing coalition). On top of this, the profile of local politicians is often low. Recent research indicates that three quarters of people are not confident that they could name the leader of their council.

Data from the Scottish Household Survey – an annual survey of around 10,000 households – indicates that in 2019, fewer than a fifth of adults thought they could influence decisions affecting their local area.

At the same time, only just over one quarter actually wanted to be more involved in the decisions of their local council (Chart 1). The last decade has seen a persistent decline in the proportion of adults who want to be more involved in local democracy.

Chart 1: Percentage of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with various statements about local services.

Source: FAI analysis of Scottish Household Survey

The Covid pandemic may have raised the public’s awareness of local government and the breadth of activities it is responsible for. Local authorities were instrumental in delivering financial and other support during the pandemic – both to households and to businesses – supporting testing and tracing infrastructure, and ensuring the safe reopening of schools. It will be interesting to see whether this manifests in any increase in turnout in this year’s elections.

People have different views about how much we should care about the public’s relatively low interest in local government, and what we should do about it. For some, the answer is greater policy autonomy, both in general terms and in relation to local taxation in particular. For others, elected mayors (or provosts) would raise profile and accountability.

On the first of these issues, policy autonomy, there has been little progress during the past five years. In fact if anything, things are moving towards less not more local autonomy. Throughout the past five years the Scottish government has made increasing use of specific (ring-fenced grants). Meanwhile, the government’s plans to establish a new national social care agency – which have a number of well meaning justifications – have been referred to by Cosla as ‘a direct attack on localism and on the rights of people to make, and benefit from, decisions taken locally.

Local government funding, 2017/18 – 2022-23

One of the dominant issues going into the 2017 local government elections was the very constrained nature of the local government financial settlement over the past five years. Between 2013/14 and 2017/18, the core local government revenue settlement declined by £750 million in real terms according to SPICe which is equivalent to a 7% real terms reduction in its budget.

What’s happened to local government budgets during the past five years?

Unsurprisingly, local government budgets increased substantially during the pandemic. Local government General Revenue Grant increased by £2.4bn in 2020/21 to reach £9.3bn. The increase offsets the loss of around £1bn of non-domestic rates revenue as a result of pandemic-related tax reliefs, and  also reflects increased grant to enable local authorities to play a critical role in delivering pandemic-related support to households, businesses, and the wider pandemic infrastructure (e.g. testing facilities).

The local government settlement in 2021/22 was not as high as in 2020/21, as the recovery began to take effect.

By 2022/23, core local government funding – including general revenue grant, NDR income and specific grants – is slightly lower in real terms than it was in 2017/18 (Chart 2). If we also include additional funding from the Scottish Government that is transferred into the local government settlement from other portfolios, then the story is that local government funding from the Scottish government is around 3.5% higher in 2022/23 than in 2017/18.

These additional revenues include £380m for health and social care integration and mental health, £234m to pay the living wage to social care staff, and £150m for additional teaching and support staff in schools. It does make sense to include these elements in the calculation. But even so, the 3.5% real terms funding increase has to be seen within the context of a significant increase in local government’s delivery responsibilities over the same period.

In other words, whilst the story of the past five years has not been one of funding cuts – at least as clearly as at the last election – local government’s funding settlement has nonetheless been very constrained.

Chart 2: Local government core funding from Scottish Government, real terms.

Source: For 2017/18 to 2021/22, Provisional Outturn and Budget Estimates (POBE); for 2022/23, Local Government Finance Circular 1/2022.

One result of this funding constraint is a further concentration of local government spending on education and social care. Between 2017/18 and 2021/22 (the latest year for which data is available), spending on education increased 6% in real terms, whilst for social work the increase was 5%. The flipside of this was a 9% real terms decline in local government spending on cultural services and an 8% decline in environmental services spending.

Despite these funding pressures, overall satisfaction with council services had held up reasonably well, at least until 2019 – the latest year for which we have comparable data (Chart 3). However, there was also some evidence of a decline in satisfaction with particular aspects of local government service delivery in 2017 and 2018. This coincides with a period when local government funding was cut particularly rapidly. It will be interesting to see how this trend is affected by the pandemic once data is available.

Chart 3: Percentage of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with various statements about local services.

 Source: FAI analysis of Scottish Household Survey

Looking ahead

Local government will retain a critical role over the next five years in delivering key Scottish government priorities and commitments, particularly around childcare, educational attainment, and climate objectives (e.g. in relation to improvements to the housing stock and active travel plans). And clearly, major existing agendas such as health and social care integration and digitalisation of public services will remain high priorities.

Yet at the same time, it is hard to see an immediate reversal in the broad trend of funding constraint. The forthcoming Scottish government Spending Review, to be published in May, should shed further light on the funding outlook for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

In addition to consideration of the local government funding envelope in totality, local government will be interested to know more about the outlook for its core budget, relative to elements of the budget that are ringfenced in some way.

The government has committed to work with local authorities to produce a fiscal framework for local government this parliament. The expectation is that this might set out clearer criteria about when it is or isn’t appropriate for local government funding resources to be ringfenced. But the timescales for production of the review are not yet known.

A major area of uncertainty is what the future of social care will mean for local government.

The Scottish government has set out its intentions to establish a new National Care Service by 2026. There are a number of well-founded justifications for the proposed National Care Service, including parity with the NHS, stronger opportunities for staff retention, and consistency of service across the country.

But there is little clarity yet about what the reforms will mean for the role of local government in shaping local priorities. COSLA has accused the proposals as representing an attack on localism.

Another uncertainty is the prospects for local tax reform. The past five years have seen relatively little movement on this front. The government has introduced legislation to allow local authorities to introduce Workplace Parking Levies, although the practical advantage of this as a policy has been temporarily stymied by the pandemic.

Debates around the introduction of local powers over tourism levies is progressing slowly. On council tax, the SNP-Green Collaboration Agreement makes the case for a ‘fairer, more inclusive and fiscally sustainable form of local taxation’. It proposes a process of deliberative engagement and a citizens jury to consider reforms in further detail. Whether this process culminates in a more concrete political willingness to reform council tax than previous processes remains to be seen.

The past five years have seen no major revolutions of local government financing arrangements or public services delivery. But evolution continues at pace. Local government played a critical role in supporting the pandemic response, and continues to play an increasingly important role in delivering core Scottish government commitments in areas from child poverty and the cost of living crisis to climate change.

The next five years may see more substantive evolution in the role and responsibility of local government in Scotland. Whether this happens in a way that enhances, or further erodes, public engagement with local democracy remains to be seen.

You can read the Economic Commentary here.

Dynamic Earth helps power the future as Scotland’s Science Centres unite for National Climate Campaign

The National Climate Campaign empowers underserved communities across Scotland with climate change knowledge

Dynamic Earth have delivered a packed programme of events and experiences exploring climate change including the delivery of STEM kits to a local children’s hospital, as part of a National Climate Campaign uniting Scotland’s Science Centres.

The kits, designed for young people, contain a variety of activities and experiments focusing on earth and environmental sciences, with connections to climate change and marine environments.

These boxes give young people the chance to explore connections between ocean depth and pressure, experience augmented reality colouring-in, build their own rope and more, bringing science directly to them wherever they are.

Alongside their STEM kit distribution, Dynamic Earth delivered a series of in-person events and digital programmes reaching over seven thousand people as part of a campaign, building on the legacy of COP26 alongside Scotland’s other science centres.

The centre has been running climate change workshops with community audiences and family learning activities with local primary schools, reaching groups including the Edinburgh Young Carers Project Care for Carers and the Citadel Youth Centre.

Brought together by Glasgow Science Centre, the centres have joined forces to inform, inspire and empower a diverse audience to tackle the climate crisis and ensure the discussion on climate change remains open.

Working together to further climate science education in their communities, the National Climate Campaign saw each centre deliver a coordinated and interactive campaign of over 89 events, reaching over 13,000 members of underserved and underrepresented audiences by the end of March 2022.

The programme strived to make science more relatable and helps learners build up their science skills to understand the world around them.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Glasgow Science Centre have been hosting weekly community visits and film screenings, shining a light on the importance of science in the community and engaging with groups who are unlikely to visit Glasgow Science Centre regularly and can be most affected by climate change and its effect on lifestyle.

In total Glasgow Science Centre have facilitated 16 community group visits this year to the Science Centre, including visitors from Glasgow Disability Alliance, Yorkhill Green Space and African Challenge Scotland.

They have engaged 374 people who may have not visited the centre before, while also offering 3,000 primary school pupils in remote, rural and deprived areas access to their online interactive ‘Learning Labs’.

A highlight from Aberdeen Science Centre’s 20-event programme was last month’s Supper and Science Evening, where families came together to cook an evening meal at Northfield Academy.

While the meal was cooking, Science Centre staff ran a series of climate-themed workshop activities, including one where they recreated an oil spill with feathers and soap, to give the children some hands-on climate science experience.

In Dundee, the team created 150 climate-themed community kits for young people, containing a mini solar-powered windmill as well as other items to show how earth and environmental sciences connect to climate change and marine environments, while also engaging over 1,000 primary school pupils in activities during COP26 Schools Week.

Eilidh Massie, Marketing Director at Dynamic Earth said: “It is so important for people to not only learn about our amazing planet, but also to understand that the Earth’s climate system is something we have taken for granted for too long.

“At Dynamic Earth we’re committed to reminding people, young and old, that we need to act now before the damage is irreversible.

“It has been a fantastic opportunity to work collectively with Scotland’s Science Centres as part of the National Climate Campaign to further these messages.”

Stephen Breslin, CEO of the Glasgow Science Centre said: “We set up the National Climate Campaign to ensure that there is a legacy of climate engagement left behind after COP26.

“We hope that by providing communities across Scotland with our knowledge and resources, we can act as a magnet for climate engagement and help empower young people to make considered decisions and learn what climate change means for them.”

Environment Minister, Mairi McAllan said: “Young people have been among the strongest voices calling for urgent global action to address climate change.

“This campaign will make sure that young people in communities across Scotland continue to play a key role in our journey to becoming a net zero nation, delivering a lasting legacy for COP26, and making their voices heard loud and clear.”

For more information on the National Climate Campaign and Scottish Science Centre’s climate change education programming visit:

https://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/discover/our-world-our-impact

HUB and Bridges submit plans for Beaverhall Build-To-Rent development

Developer HUB and Bridges Fund Management (“Bridges”), a specialist sustainable and impact investor, have submitted plans for a residential-led development on Beaverhall Road.

The scheme will provide 205 Build to Rent homes, including 52 affordable homes, as well as creative workspace co-designed with locals and a new publicly accessible courtyard.

The proposals for Beaverhall Road will replace an existing warehouse building, with a contemporary scheme that maintains the site’s status as a hub for the local creative community, while bringing new homes to the area.

New public realm, Makers Yard, will sit at the heart of the scheme, acting as a focal point for both residents and commercial tenants, as well as neighbours. The scheme will also feature a large mural, displayed on one of the external walls.

As with all HUB and Bridges projects, people and planet are at the heart of the scheme. The new development makes efficient use of a brownfield city centre site and will deliver ‘tenure-blind’ homes for all ages, meaning all residents’ homes will be of the same high quality.

The plans exceed current Scottish sustainability regulations and include a communal air source heat pump to provide environmentally responsible heating for the entire building and a biodiverse green roof.

Designed by architects shedkm, the scheme has been developed in close collaboration with the local community and current businesses, with the ground floor creative workspace co-designed by the existing tenants.

Situated in Canonmills, the proposed development is within easy reach of the city centre, while benefiting from a sense of community created by the area’s existing amenities.

Situated within walking distance from both Stockbridge, close to the Royal Botanic Gardens, and Leith, which Time Out recently named one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, the HUB and Bridges scheme will allow residents to explore the best that the city has to offer.

Tom Valente, Development Manager at HUB, said: “We are hugely excited to have submitted plans for one of our first schemes in Edinburgh.

“We were struck by the vibrancy of the creative community in the area and knew immediately that we wanted to maintain that by placing studios and maker spaces at the heart of the development.

“The mix of Build to Rent and creative workspace is one that we know works fantastically well in terms of fostering a sense of community and making places where people choose to live.”

Racial abuse incident in Silverknowes: Eight boys charged

Eight boys have been charged in relation to the racial abuse and assault of two adults in the North West of Edinburgh.

The boys, aged between 12 and 15 years, were identified following an investigation into the incident which took place at Silverknowes Road on Saturday 5th March, and they have now been traced and reported.

Inspector Jonny Elliott of Drylaw Police Station said: “We are committed to an immediate and robust response when faced with antisocial behaviour. We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and officers left no stone unturned to ensure a positive outcome.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their support during this enquiry.”

Hate crime can be reported to police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. Find out more about hate crime and how to report it via the Police Scotland website:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and…/hate-crime/….

Information can also be provided anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Edinburgh ambulance crew save life of man who had an allergic reaction after eating a Scottish roll

An Edinburgh ambulance crew have been praised for saving the life of a man who had an allergic reaction to wheat after eating a Scottish morning roll while on holiday.

Terry and Elizabeth Hanson, of Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, have passed on their thanks to Scott Atkinson, Paramedic, and Andrew Innes, Technician, both of Edinburgh City Station.

The pair were on holiday and were walking in Newhailes around 2pm when Terry had a reaction to wheat, which quickly turned into anaphylaxis.

Terry, 71, said: “We were visiting friends. I had breakfast, and I foolishly had a Scottish morning roll, even though I knew I had an allergy to wheat flour.

“Everything was okay until I started walking and the times I’ve had anaphylaxis in the past, it’s always been associated with eating wheat flour and then exercising afterwards, so it was just totally the wrong thing to do.”

Elizabeth said: “I noticed he was very pale and just didn’t look right. He kind of staggered to a bridge. After a few minutes, he totally lost consciousness.”

She said a group of cyclists passing by stopped by; one called an ambulance and Elizabeth administered an EpiPen.

She explained:  “The ambulance arrived very, very quickly and just in time to save my husband’s life.  The two ambulance staff were accompanied by a university student who was observing and helping.”

She said they were “blue lighted” across Edinburgh by Scott and Andrew to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, adding: “My husband was seen immediately and stabilised. One of the ambulance staff found me in the waiting area and updated me with everything, even though it was extremely busy.

“Nursing staff also took the time to update me in the waiting area too. 

“I am in no doubt that his life was saved by the swift actions of the ambulance staff and I would like to pass on our sincerest thanks and gratitude to them – I hope they realise how incredible they all are.

“The staff who attended to him were all very efficient and friendly. I feel he received the absolute best care that he could have possibly received.”

Following the incident on November 13, 2021, Terry was discharged at 3am the following morning.

He has now recovered at home and added: “I just want to say thanks very much to the ambulance crew for saving my life. I’m sure I would not have made it if not for them.”

Community organisations can win a Burg-Wachter Security Kit

Regional community leaders and volunteers are in line to win a security kit worth up to £200 for their organisation, thanks to an initiative called the ‘Secure Communities Scheme’ currently being run by security specialist Burg-Wächter UK.

It’s simple to apply to the scheme to nominate a particular project or initiative for a chance to win a bundle of Burg-Wächter security products. Any regional initiative that is run by or supports the local community can apply.

Burg-Wächter launched the scheme in recognition of the fact that people around the country who are doing their bit for their community should not have to worry about the security of their premises, equipment or storage areas.  The company’s Secure Communities Scheme is its way of saying thank you to community leaders for supporting people in their area.

The type of project or organisation that the scheme is open to is very wide-ranging. It could be a scouts group; a local sports group like a cycling or football club; a school after-hours club; a hospital or healthcare community programme; a provider of events for children or OAPs; a facilitator of village activity; or a town/village charity.

As long as the initiative is run by or supports the local community, and it has a specific security need Burg-Wächter would like to hear about it. Successful applicants will each receive a tailored security kit to help secure property, premises, equipment or storage areas to the value of £150 – £200 at retail price.

The Secure Communities Scheme is an ongoing initiative, which has already helped 97 regional causes through the provision of over 2,000 pieces of security equipment. Burg-Wächter is helping regional community leaders and volunteers with security so that they can get on with being heroes for their local community.

To apply to the scheme and for details of the rules of entry head to:

www.burg.biz/uk/community/

For information on Burg-Wächter’s range of home security products, visit: www.burg.biz/uk or call 01274 395 333.

Tax cut worth up to £1,000 for half a million small businesses starts today

  • Tax cut worth up to £1,000 for eligible businesses announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Statement takes effect today
  • Increase in Employment Allowance from £4,000 to £5,000 benefits around 495,000 businesses – 30% of all UK firms
  • Takes the total number of firms not paying the Health and Social Care Levy to 670,000

Nearly half a million UK businesses will benefit from a tax cut worth up to £1,000 from today (6 April 2022).

The Employment Allowance has risen from £4,000 to £5,000 – meaning smaller firms will be able to claim up to £5,000 off their employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) bills.

Announced by the Chancellor at last month’s Spring Statement to reduce employment costs, the change takes an extra 50,000 firms out of paying NICs and the Health and Social Care Levy. This increases the total number of businesses not paying NICs and the Levy to 670,000.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This tax cut for half a million businesses will help them thrive and grow to help drive our economic recovery.

“It comes on top of a suite of wider tax cuts available to firms, including 50% business rates relief, a record fuel duty cut and the super-deduction, the largest two-year business tax cut in our history.”

This is the third time the government has increased the Employment Allowance since its introduction in 2014, demonstrating an enduring commitment to supporting smaller businesses. Firms will be able to employ four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying employer NICs at all.

94% of businesses benefitting from the £1,000 increase are small and micro businesses, and the sectors that will see the highest numbers of employers benefitting are the wholesale and retail sector (87,000); the professional, scientific and technical activities industry (63,000); and the construction sector (52,000).

Today’s Employment Allowance change is one of a number of measures on offer to spur business growth, including that:

  • Last week eligible high street businesses saw the start of a new 50% business rates relief worth almost £1.7 billion, subject to a £110,000 cash cap per business.
  • Businesses across the board are also benefitting from a freeze to the business rates multiplier, putting the brakes on bill increases and worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.
  • Businesses are already benefitting from our temporary twelve-month-long 5p cut to fuel duty.
  • Companies have one year left to make investments that benefit from the super-deduction, the largest two-year business tax cut in modern British history.
  • Our landmark Help to Grow programmes are supporting SMEs to adopt productivity enhancing software and to get mini-MBAs.
  • We will ensure that our tax regime for innovation is globally competitive and properly incentivises higher business investment in R&D, with further plans to be set out in the Autumn.

Michelle Ovens CBE, founder, Small Business Britain, said: “The Chancellor’s move to increase the employment allowance is welcome, and will certainty play a role in helping those businesses with employees deal with the huge cost-of-living challenges they are currently facing.

“In particular, it is good to see the immediacy of this rise in employment allowance, which will go towards helping businesses asap.”

Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: ““The increase in the Employment Allowance helps small firms do what they do best, creating and sustaining jobs.

“This was FSB’s ‘hero ask’ at the Spring Statement, and we have hugely valued the time taken by Treasury officials to work with us on the positive impact this will have not just on work opportunities, but also training and investment.

“The Chancellor has now raised the Allowance twice since his appointment, stepping up for small businesses.”

Lee Harris-Hamer, from White Horse cleaning services based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said: “As a growing company, we appreciate the opportunity to reduce our annual NI liability because this helps us to invest the savings in other areas like staff training and further growth.

“Staff are our key asset and we want to be able to continue recruiting and offering more employment opportunities locally. Government has supported us with the change and we are proud to be members of FSB who championed the increase.”

Jo Bevilacqua, owner of Serenity Loves hair and beauty salon, Peterborough: “This rise in the employment allowance offers welcome breathing space for my small business and others like us across the country.

“In an age where we are all facing increasing costs from all angles and every penny counts, this will help ease some pressure, allowing us to invest more in staff – whether it is increasing salaries or offering training.”

Over The Bridge: Local residents to launch music festival in Stockbridge

A new three-day music event, Over the Bridge, is set to take place in Edinburgh this summer. The event will see some of Scotland and the UK’s biggest music acts take to the stage including James Arthur, Ella Eyre, Feeder and Razorlight, over one weekend from Friday 29th – 31st July at Raeburn Place sports ground in Stockbridge. 

Day and weekend tickets go on sale this Friday 8th April via Ticketmaster. Each day, live music will start at 1pm, ending at 9pm. 

On Friday 29th July, Over the Bridge will be headlined by Say You Won’t Let Go singer James Arthur (above), with Ella Eyre, Cassia, RATS, Alex Amor, Stina Marie Claire, and Aaron Smith completing the days line up. 

Saturday will see Glasgow rock band Twin Atlantic headline (below), with Feeder, Declan Welsh and the Decadent West, Liz Lawrence, Zuzu, Beren Olivia and Swiss Portrait also on the bill. 

Following the recent announcement of a reunion of the original lineup, the final day will see Razorlight (below) take to the stage, made famous for hits including America, Golden Touch, andIn the Morning to see out Over the Bridge after a day of music from Sports Team, Sam Ryder, Daytime TV, Luke La Volpe, Charlotte Jane and False Friends. 

Over the Bridge will also support Edinburgh’s favourite food and drink traders for guests to enjoy over the three days. The event will be using a reusable cup scheme to remove single use plastic waste. This will help improve sustainability, as well as reducing litter generally on and off the site.

Taking place at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, Over the Bridge has been developed by Stockbridge residents Edward Wilson and Preston Mommsen.

Two years ago, the duo brought The Neighbourgood Market to the same location with the popular, vibrant food and drinks market returning last year over a twelve-week period.

The market showcased some of Scotland’s best food and drink offering from the likes of Stockbridge favourite Good Brothers Wine Bar, Innis & Gunn, The Peruvian, Pizza Geeks, Stag Bites, Edinburgh Gin and many more whilst visitors were also able to enjoy live music from local artists.

As residents who live and run businesses in Stockbridge, the pair recognised the potential impact that the event could have on local residents. They went through a thorough public consultation process with locals and the wider community to ensure Over the Bridge is a positive event that everyone can enjoy. This included liaising with the major community groups, letters to residents, door knocking and face to face Q&A sessions in the area.

Over the Bridge co-founder, Edward Wilson, said: “We’re extremely proud to be Edinburgh locals, and two years ago we wanted to bring something special to the city, which is when The Neighbourgood Market was born.

” After two tough years for Edinburgh, including a scaled back version of Fringe Festival, live music and arts have been on hold. This year, we wanted to bring live entertainment back to the city, so we are excited to announce the launch of the three-day music event, Over the Bridge.

“With a line up of amazing local and national acts, and with day and weekend tickets available, we hope it will be one of the highlights of this Summer in Edinburgh.”

Tickets for Over the Bridge go on sale at 10am on Friday 8th April, with day tickets starting at £50.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit: 

https://overthebridgeedinburgh.com/ 

Love All Feed All: Go Dharmic launches in Edinburgh

Go Dharmic  is a global charity that organises hot food distribution across UK. On Sunday (2nd April) Go Dharmic launched a new weekly distribution of hot meals for Edinburgh’s homeless and vulnerable people.

Martin Dover, 18, a medical student from St. Andrews University, is head of food distribution for the Go Dharmic charity, which aspires to create positive change in the lives of individuals and their communities.

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity put its efforts into providing food and hot meals to the people who are desperate for it, and seeing the benefits it brings.

Martin along with another volunteer Puneet Dwivedi has now launched the second distribution chain in Edinburgh.

They had their first Food distribution near Haymarket station in Edinburgh, where the hot food was donated by Kripa Bhama of Corstorphine’s Dangal Indian Restaurant.

Many people living at the homeless centre at The Haymarket Hub benefitted from this food distribution. The free food was also served up to anyone who wanted it!

Our amazing team of volunteers – Martin, Sumit, Nidhi and Puneet, along with young children Aarya, Aarush & Mahi – have been busy serving Hot meal, Crisp, Banana, water and juices.

The team were amazing and connected with some wonderful beneficiaries.

If anyone is looking to volunteer or donate please contact us directly at:

info@godharmic.com

Go Dharmic was started in 2011 by Hemal Randerwala. I It aims to bring people together to have compassion in action, however small that may be.

Go Dharmic is based on philosophy of Dharma (Universal Responsibility) Love all, feed all, serve all. They have already distributed 6M food worldwide.

To join Go Dharmic and #feedeveryone, email: info@godharmic.com or download the Go Dharmic App!

UK to donate fleet of ambulances to Ukraine

A fleet of NHS ambulances will provide urgent care for those injured by Russian attacks in Ukraine following a donation from the UK.

  • UK NHS trusts donating around 20 ambulances to the Government of Ukraine
  • donations will help replace Ukrainian ambulances lost to Russian bombardments and provide urgent care to injured
  • Ukraine’s health services stretched as Russian attacks hit civilian shelters and hospitals

The donation of around 20 NHS ambulances will help bring vital lifesaving care to Ukrainians remaining in towns and cities under attack from Russian bombardments.

This donation will help replace those Ukrainian ambulances lost to Russian attacks, bolstering the existing fleet’s resilience as the barbaric war goes on.

It is estimated more than 12 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance across Ukraine.

The conflict has stretched Ukraine’s health services, with Russia’s indiscriminate attacks targeting civilian shelters and even hospitals.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is leading the way, donating four of its ambulances, with further donations from NHS trusts across the country soon to follow.

The first ambulances will arrive in Ukraine this week, destined for Lviv in the west of the country, where they will be transported on to those areas most in need.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “We have sadly seen day after day the horrific impacts of Putin’s cruel war on the people of Ukraine, including evidence of appalling acts by Russian troops in towns such as Irpin and Bucha.

“The UK has been among the biggest aid donors, providing food, medicines and generators to help those affected. These world class NHS ambulances will now help bring lifesaving care directly to those injured in the conflict.”

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “The UK government has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and provided them with the lifesaving medical equipment they need.

“The invasion has damaged key medical infrastructure and the generous donation of four ambulances by South Central Ambulance Service will ensure people in Ukraine can receive urgent care. It marks the first of many ambulances the UK government and the NHS is donating to Ukraine in the coming days.”

Paul Kempster, SCAS Chief Operating Officer said: “Ambulance Trusts around the country have been rallying to provide ambulances and we in SCAS are immensely humbled to also be able to support those in need in Ukraine.

“We hope that this small gesture goes some way to helping provide immediate frontline healthcare support to the many people who desperately need it.”

This latest funding and donation comes in addition to the nearly £400 million (£394 million) already pledged by the UK for the conflict in Ukraine, including £220 million of humanitarian aid.

To date, the UK has donated more than 5 million items of medical supplies to Ukraine to help the country cope with the medical emergency caused by the Russian invasion.