Tourists visiting UK seaside towns this Bank Holiday are being warned to do their research on parking charges – as research reveals the potential costs of leaving your vehicle when visiting the seaside.
As the cost-of-living crisis drives more of us towards Summer staycations, several popular private seaside car parks appear to be cashing in according to research by leading vehicle breakdown provider Start Rescue.
The worst offender was found in Newquay – a destination which welcomed over 5.9m tourists in 2021 – with one private parking location charging £35 for a stay of just eight hours.
Newquay, which has been described as Cornwall’s ‘favourite holiday destination’, is one of several popular seaside towns to scrap free parking facilities in favour of new pricey tariffs, removing its free facilities in June 2020.
Start Rescue has advised that it pays to shop around before ditching the car this Bank Holiday, warning visitors to vote with their feet when it comes to rip-off parking providers.
The great seaside spend: Rates to park your vehicle for eight hours:
Newquay – £35
Brighton – £31.50
Blackpool – £18
Bournemouth – £15.95
Weymouth – £15.50
Llandudno – £12
Durdle Door – £10
Polzeath – £10
Scarborough – £9.95
Southend on Sea – £9.30
Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue, said: “Parking our vehicle is something many of us take for granted and it’s the last thing we should be worrying about when taking a break at the seaside. We often find a parking space at the seaside, see the high cost to park, but are wary of moving in case we can’t find a cheaper space elsewhere.
“We recommend doing your research before your trip, because the cost of parking up by the beach can mount up, especially if you’re visiting for a few days, with prices varying greatly within one area.
“If you are able to walk a little further, first try the less expensive parking which is normally a little further away from the main beach area. Choose wisely and you’ll have more money to spend on the things that matter most.”
Meanwhile, in EDINBURGH – Please note, today and tomorrow (3 June) are NOT parking holidays. The usual parking charges will apply!
Visitors to the Pets at Home store at Fort Kinnaird last weekend joined the pet care specialist in celebrating its £300,000 pledge to Edinburgh-based Dementia Dog, an innovative project by Dogs for Good and Alzheimer Scotland that supports families across Scotland living with dementia, both at home and in the community.
The grant has been made through the Pets at Home Foundation, the charity founded by the Pets at Home Group – which includes Pets at Home, Vets4Pets and The Groom Room – as part of its mission to create a better world for pets and the people who love them.
The funds will be used to support the charity’s expansion across mainland Scotland, which includes training more full-time assistance dogs, providing animal assisted therapy, delivering training workshops and hosting events.
Over the weekend, visitors to the Fort Kinnaird store in Edinburgh, and others across Scotland, had the chance to speak to ambassadors from Dogs for Good about their work, enjoy cupcakes (or pupcakes) and more.
Amy Angus, Group Charity and Community Manager at the Pets at Home Foundation, said:“For families affected by dementia, a dog can provide great comfort and support through a very challenging time.
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to help such a fantastic initiative across Scotland, and it was great to celebrate with our colleagues and customers in our stores and veterinary practices over the weekend.
“It’s thanks to their great work and generous donations that we’re able to support so many important projects like Dementia Dog.”
Peter Gorbing, CEO of Dogs for Good, added:“For many people, their pets are not only their best friend, but can also be a real lifeline, helping to maintain a routine, retrieve medication and regulate sleeping patterns.
“We’re passionate about bringing people and dogs together and this funding will go a long way in helping us to support more families living with dementia.
“We’d like to send a big thank you to the Pets at Home Group and all the generous people who contributed to this pledge, which will mean so much to families across Scotland.”
The Dementia Dog project is one of hundreds of causes that the Pets at Home Foundation has supported, with more than £5 million donated to more than 750 organisations in the year to March 2022.
Two renowned East Lothian businesses are working together to offer more people in the local community who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis an opportunity to enjoy a fun day out.
Musselburgh Racecourse is partnering with S.Luca to offer racegoers a discounted meal when they purchase a concession ticket at the racecourse over the next three months.
Anyone who purchases a concession ticket will be able to present this at the Musselburgh branch of S. Luca to get a 10% off their meal. S. Luca is also offering a free ice cream for all kids who attend the races over this Jubilee weekend.
Concession tickets will be reduced to £15 over both days of the Jubilee weekend, saving £15 on Saturday and £10.00 on Sunday. This discount will continue over the next three months except for Ladies Day in August. All Saturday 4th June concession racegoers will receive a complimentary concession ticket to Sunday 5th June.
Bill Farnsworth, General Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “In a bid to help the local community during this difficult period, we were keen to partner with our friends at S.Luca to provide an offer over the summer that would help as many people locally get access to a fun day out.
“We hope this offer over the next three months allows more people, particularly those who have been hit the hardest to come along and enjoy their day at the races with a delicious meal at the end of it.”
Jane McGhie at S.Luca, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Musselburgh Racecourse to offer discount to those who are going along to the races this summer. We want to do everything we can to keep costs down for people at a time when prices are high across the most basic amenities.”
The concession ticket (£15 on all days except for Ladies Day) offer will continue for three months (finish end of August) and can only be purchased at the gate on race day with a form of valid ID.
HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS EDINBURGH TO BE SUPPORTED BY £23 BILLION
As communities across Edinburgh recover from the pandemic and face a Tory made cost of living crisis, yesterday the SNP Government’s spending review outlined record social security spending to help households facing increasing pressures. The Scottish Government allocated around £23 billion for social security over the course of the parliament.
The focus on supporting households under increasing pressure reflects the SNP’s commitment to create a fairer Scotland by tackling child poverty, reducing inequalities and supporting financial wellbeing in Edinburgh, and builds on current efforts to help families and mitigate Westminster welfare cuts.
The Resource Spending Review outlined over £23 billion worth of payments, with a total of almost £1.8 billion for the ‘game changing’ Scottish Child Payment alone. By 2026-27 the budget for Social Security Assistance will have increased by £6.3 billion.
This is despite the Scottish Budget for this year being cut in real terms by 5.2 per cent by the Tory UK government and the SNP government already spending almost £770 million on cost of living support, including several measures for families in Edinburgh not available elsewhere in the UK, such as:
Doubling the ‘game changing’ Scottish Child Payment to £20 per child per week with plans to increase it to £25 and extend it to under 16s by the end of the year – reaching a possible 450,00 young people.
Investing £86m to mitigate the Tory Government bedroom tax and benefit cap and support 90,00 people in their tenancies
Uprating eight Scottish social security payments by 6 per cent
A brand new Low-Income Winter Heating benefit that guarantees a £50 annual payment to over 400,000 low income households in winter 22/23
The Carers Allowance Supplement which will support around 90,000 carers with an additional £450 a year
Providing everyone in primaries one to five and over 140,000 eligible children and young people access to a free school lunch
Making free bus travel available for nearly half of Scotland’s population through concessionary travel
Additionally, the Scottish Government is making investment in areas like energy efficiency to bring down costs and the spending review set out how the SNP will build on these over the coming years.
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, said: ““I am very glad to see this record investment in social security by the SNP Government, putting such a strong focus on tackling child poverty and helping households both across the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency and the wider city who are facing severe pressures right now which seems likely to only increase for the next while.
“Many families across Edinburgh are already benefitting from support like the Scottish Child payment, a £150 council tax reduction, the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments which mitigate Westminster’s cruel bedroom tax.
“These are policies that build on the SNP’s current efforts. They will make a real difference to people’s lives and build on long standing measures that we benefit from every day – such as free prescriptions, free university tuition, free personal care, and 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare which will continue to be maintained.
“When times are tough, Governments have to make tough decisions and I’m grateful the SNP government continue to focus on what matters most to people but, it is acting with one hand tied behind its back as Westminster continues to inflict its cruel austerity agenda at a time when people need support the most.
“Once again, it is clear that only with the full powers of independence, that we can stop spending a fixed budget on protecting households against Tory cuts and start to properly build a fairer, more equal Scotland.”
Staff from David Wilson Homes took part in a Jubilee Big Tree Plant at Cammo Meadows to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Queen’s reign, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes has planted over 1,500 trees in communities across Britain.
The Jubilee Big Tree Plant saw the country’s largest housebuilder plant trees to recognise the Queen’s wish to create a legacy for future generations.
Douglas McLeod, Regional Managing Director, Scotland said “We wanted to recognise Her Majesty the Queens incredible service to the country and her communities by fulfilling Her Majesty’s wish to plant trees that improve the sustainability of the local environment.
“It was wonderful to bring together residents, staff and local community groups to mark the Queen’s Jubilee celebration.”
Last week I asked the Scottish Government about the rates of evictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, and if they would comment on evidence heard at the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee that sheriff officers are “making up for lost time” since the pandemic (writes FOYSUL CHOUDHURY MSP).
I was astonished by the answer. Green MSP Patrick Harvie, in his capacity as Minister for Tenants’ Rights, said that I was “overstating the case”.
But the words he dismissed were not my own. I was simply presenting the Minister with evidence heard at the committee, from a worker on the front line of dealing with Scotland’s increasing problems with debt and arrears.
Not only was Harvie’s response dismissive and insulting to those working to aid people with problem debt, it demonstrates a Scottish Government that is asleep at the wheel when it comes to the growing housing and homelessness crisis.
The scale of that crisis was reported recently: a 2,052 per cent spike in court proceedings initiated by local authorities since the eviction ban ended; 366 households facing eviction in just the first quarter of this year; a 16.5 per cent rise in homelessness applications from the last quarter.
Any analysis of this grave situation must also consider other evidence heard by the committee, that the cost to local authorities of evicting a social tenant and putting them into the homelessness system is exorbitant, at an estimated minimum of £24,000 for a relatively simple case without complex challenges.
As we all discovered afresh during the pandemic, prevention is better than cure. The Scottish Government had been repeatedly warned of the potential for spiralling evictions after the scrapping of the evictions ban.
Scottish Labour have been clear that Scotland badly needs targeted support for tenants in social housing to avoid this coming storm. Instead, we get denial of the scale of the problem as reported by those on its front lines. Scotland deserves better than a government that dismisses the concerns of its most vulnerable citizens.
I am unfortunately sure that this will not be the last the Social Justice and Social Security Committee hears on this matter in this Parliament.
I will continue to monitor the situation as it potentially affects many vulnerable people in the Lothian region I represent, and continue campaigning for better targeted support for vulnerable tenants who have been hit by the dual shocks of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
We must have a compassionate approach. Allowing cases like these to be pushed into the homelessness system has no moral or financial case, and the Scottish Government should explore every avenue to avoid it.
The TUC has demanded that hard-won workers’ rights will be protected after reports emerged suggesting that Jacob Rees-Mogg is drawing up a list comprising over 1,000 EU-derived regulations to be ripped up.
The TUC says it received a letter from the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in February 2022 which promised “there is no government plan to reduce workers rights”, after the union body had called for guarantees following the start of a review into EU-retained law.
The union body is calling for fresh assurance in the wake of new reports.
The TUC previously commissioned the legal help of Michael Ford QC to examine the rights at risk post-Brexit, including those strengthened by EU law. The rights include, among others:
Holiday pay
Equal pay for men and women
Parental leave
Equal treatment for part-time workers
These rights provide an essential protection against the erosion of working conditions, which are already under threat. Women living in North East Somerset currently earn an average of just 56.6% of the earnings of their male counterparts; the TUC South West region warns that without essential EU legislation, conditions such as these could erode even further, becoming harder to rectify.
The reports suggest that the bill will “fast-track” repealing regulations. The TUC says this could see some essential rights removed or watered down without proper parliamentary scrutiny.
The prime minister has promised to protect and enhance workers’ rights post-Brexit on numerous occasions.
In addition to the threat to “essential” workplace rights, the TUC points to the EU Commission’s proposals to strengthen the rights of platform workers, which shows how the UK is already at risk of falling behind our European counterparts on workers’ rights a year into Brexit.
TUC South West Regional Secretary Nigel Costley said: “Workers in North East Somerset, as across the UK, will feel the hit if Mr. Rees-Mogg is allowed to treat essential workplace protections as so-called ‘burdens of regulation’.
“Protections such as holiday entitlement, parental leave, equal pay, and equal treatment for part-time workers are essential to our wellbeing and quality of life. These are the very rights which are protected by retained EU law.
“This reckless, sweeping proposal treats all EU legislation with one brush, and if allowed to go ahead without scrutiny would be a shameful dismissal of conditions that workers depend on. We would hope Rees-Mogg wouldn’t stoop to this level of contempt for working people, especially those in his own constituency.
“This government has promised to ‘protect and enhance’ workers’ rights after Brexit; it is time that they make good on those promises.”
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was assaulted and robbed of his motorcycle. The incident happened around 6pm, on Saturday 28th May on Meuse Lane (between Princes Street and St Andrew Square.)
The 18-year-old man was assaulted by a group of men and had his motorcycle and mobile phone stolen. A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged – however further enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Constable Melissa Silva said: “Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we would be keen to speak to anyone with information.
“We know a number of members of the public were in the area at the time and some may have filmed the incident so we would be particularly keen to speak to any of them.
“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting 2975 of 28th May 2022, or call Crimestoppers anonymously 0n 0800 555 111.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has led parliamentary tributes to Her Majesty The Queen’s service to Scotland, ahead of Platinum Jubilee celebrations this weekend.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the First Minister said that The Queen had played an integral role in the story of modern Scotland, and it was no surprise that the occasion would be celebrated so widely.
Jubilee beacons will be lit across the country tomorrow night and a national thanksgiving service will be held at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday, in addition to the many community lunches, street parties and afternoon teas planned for the weekend.
The First Minister confirmed that on behalf of the people of Scotland, the Scottish Government will present The Queen with a limited edition Johnnie Walker whisky, with a special design to celebrate the beauty of Scotland’s plants and wildlife, and a throw made from the tartan commissioned in honour of the three bridges across the Forth.
A ‘Jubilee Wood’ of 70 native trees is planned for planting in Holyrood Park, within sight of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The First Minister said this was a historically appropriate gesture, as The Queen’s first duty in Scotland following her accession to the throne had been to plant a cherry tree that still stands by the entrance to the Canongate Kirk.
The First Minister said: “The occasion of the Platinum Jubilee is not just about an institution. It is, above all, about the life and service of an extraordinary woman.
“We should all pay tribute to that. So it is absolutely right that we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Let us congratulate her warmly on a reign of unprecedented length, and let us acknowledge with deep gratitude and respect, her dedication to duty.”
The First Minister will be attending a number of events in London to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – including the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 3 June, and the Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace.
Floral clock will bloom in honour of HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Work has finished to complete this year’s design on the world’s oldest Floral Clock in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens. For 2022, the hugely popular landmark will celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
A team of five gardeners took just four weeks to plant over 35,000 flowers and plants used to create the clock, which will be in bloom until October. There are nine different plants included in this year’s design such as Agaves, Echeveria, Sedums, Pyrethrum, Crassula, Kleenia, Antenaria, Geraniums and Begonias.
To be ready for this celebratory weekend, the team at Inch Nursery brought the plants on earlier than previous years and the gardeners worked quickly to complete this in time. They will be in full bloom in the coming weeks and throughout the summer.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “I am delighted to once again see the city’s beautiful floral clock completed, and in perfect time for the Jubilee weekend.
“Each year the iconic clock marks special occasions and events in the heart of the Capital and this year it is a unique tribute coinciding with celebrations taking place around the country as the nation marks the Queen’s 70-year reign.
“My thanks and congratulations to the dedicated and creative parks team who have put together the design that I’m sure will be enjoyed by everyone who passes by it this summer.”
The Floral Clock was first created in 1903 by then Edinburgh Parks Superintendent, John McHattie, and is the oldest of its kind in the world. It initially operated with just an hour hand, with a minute hand added in 1904, followed by a cuckoo clock in 1952. Until 1972 the clock was operated mechanically and had to be wound daily.
Since 1946 it has been designed in honour of various organisations and individuals, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson and the Queen, for her Golden Jubilee. In the clock’s centenary year in 2003 it won a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
QAVS recognition for Edinburgh’s Care Van volunteers
Those who have provided community support and empowered others receive highest number of awards
Awardees include volunteers working in food banks, hospices and fundraising
The highest award given to local volunteer groups, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, is being awarded to 244 organisations across the UK today in recognition of their outstanding community service.
Among them is Edinburgh’s Care Van volunteers, a project run by Edinburgh City Mission in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust and 40 local churches.
The van is an important source of care and support for people who are homeless and vulnerable in the capital.
Relying on volunteers, it goes out almost every day of the year providing soup, food, hot drinks, blankets and clothes, friendship, encouragement and advice to up to 60 people a night who are rough sleeping or housed in homeless B&B accommodation by Edinburgh Council.
Edinburgh City Mission co-ordinates rotas for over 40 teams that are drawn from local churches across the Lothians and includes over 750 volunteers.
Last year organisers celebrated 30 years since the Care Van first took to the streets of Edinburgh to provide food and comfort to people in need. Throughout Edinburgh’s Covid-19 lockdown, the evening and lunchtime teams have served over 20,000 meals.
Charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland receive the prestigious award for their volunteer-led work across a wide range of fields including mental health, youth, community, arts and heritage.
This year 204 organisations from England, 22 from Scotland, five from Wales and 13 from Northern Ireland will receive The Queen’s Award, highlighting the continued breadth and depth of voluntary service undertaken each and every day across the United Kingdom.
The awardees have all enhanced the lives of others through their work with the highest number of awards this year going to the community support sector, which includes food banks, village shops, fundraising events and men’s sheds.
Minister for Civil Society and Youth Nigel Huddleston said: “Our volunteers give up their time to help others and The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises their selfless acts of generosity and kindness.
“I congratulate all the awardees whose hard work and dedication is rightly recognised in this milestone year of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
Sir Martyn Lewis, QAVS Chair said: “I warmly congratulate all the outstanding voluntary groups who have been rewarded with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.
“The level of commitment and innovation shown by these volunteers is truly impressive. We owe a debt of gratitude to them, and the countless others who give up their free time regularly to improve the lives of others in their community.”
Empowering others is also an area well represented in this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service with confidence building, training opportunities, educational support and sports all highly recognised. Volunteers working in hospices, cancer support, long-term illness, search and rescue and first aid also feature prominently.
Coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises that volunteers continue to provide a vital social function and improve access to services across the country.
As well asThis year’s recipients also include:
Knockmany Running Club in County Tyrone which utilises an unused forest to provide a space for all ages to run, walk and ramble through accessible trails.
Cymru Creations in Gwent is a team of professionals who give their time to run an award-winning film academy, helping young people to create their own films and develop skills.
Bright Minds Big Futures which is a youth led movement in Stockton-on-Tees providing social action opportunities for young people and working very positively with the council to make Stockton a better place to live.
The Buddy Bag Foundation is providing support bags to children arriving in refuges which include toiletries, pyjamas, socks and underwear, in addition to comfort items such as a book and a teddy bear. It creates and supplies over 10,000 each year which helps to restore a sense of safety to the children in the West Midlands.
1st Buckie Company Boys’ Brigade is challenging young people from 6 to18 years old through physical and skills-based activities, community involvement and spiritual development in Banffshire.
The Oasis Centre which is creating communities in four parishes in Cornwall with multiple economic, health and well-being needs through food provision, social events and practical advice.
