Month: August 2022

Prime Minister launches ‘Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission’

  • Prime Minister launches national mission to tackle dementia, and doubles research funding to £160 million a year by 2024
  • New taskforce to speed up dementia research, using the successful approach of the Covid Vaccine Taskforce 
  • Prime Minister calls for volunteers to come forward and join ‘Babs’ Army’ by signing up for clinical trials

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has launched a new national mission to tackle dementia and doubled research funding in memory of the late Dame Barbara Windsor.

Dame Barbara’s husband, Scott Mitchell, met with the Prime Minister earlier this week at Downing Street. They discussed the significant suffering caused by dementia and the slow process of finding treatments and cures.

In response, the Prime Minister has launched the ‘Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission,’ in honour of Dame Barbara and the millions of other people and their loved ones who have had their lives ruined by dementia.

An additional £95 million in ringfenced funding will support the national mission, boosting the number of clinical trials and innovative research projects. This will help meet the manifesto commitment to double dementia research funding by 2024, reaching a total of £160 million a year.

The mission will be driven by a new taskforce, bringing together industry, the NHS, academia and families living with dementia. By speeding up the clinical trial process, more hypotheses and potential treatments can be tested for dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The taskforce will build on the success of the Covid Vaccine Taskforce led by Kate Bingham. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Dame Barbara Windsor was a British hero. I had the pleasure of meeting her both on the set of Eastenders as Peggy Mitchell, and at Downing Street as we discussed the injustices faced by dementia sufferers.

“I am delighted that we can now honour Dame Barbara in such a fitting way, launching a new national dementia mission in her name.

“Working with her husband Scott, and on behalf of everyone who is living with dementia or has a loved one affected by this devastating condition, I am doubling research funding and calling for volunteers to join ‘Babs’ Army.’ We can work together to beat this disease, and honour an exceptional woman who campaigned tirelessly for change.”

One million people are predicted to be living with dementia by 2025, and 1.6 million by 2040. Up to 40% of dementia cases are potentially preventable but causes are still poorly understood. Dementia can affect the brain years before people show any symptoms, which means treatments need to be tested on people far earlier.

More clinical trials are needed but these are often overly time consuming, with resources wasted on trying to find volunteers.

The Prime Minister has today issued a call for volunteers with or without a family history of dementia to come forward and sign up for clinical trials for preventative therapies, nicknamed “Babs’ Army.’ 

Scott Mitchell, Dame Barbara’s husband, said: “The first in 15 Prime Ministers and over 70 years to grasp the nettle and reform social care, I’m so pleased that Boris had the conviction to do this reform.

“I’m so honoured that not only has he reformed social care, but he’s also committed this new money in Barbara’s name to make the necessary research breakthroughs to find a cure for dementia.

“Barbara would be so proud that she has had this legacy which will hopefully mean that families in the future won’t have to go through the same heart-breaking experience that she and I had to endure. I can’t stop thinking about her looking down with pride.”

Volunteers can register their interest through the Join Dementia Research website. The new taskforce, combined with the extra funding, will work to reduce the cost of trials while speeding up delivery. Existing NIHR infrastructure will be used, building on new ways of working pioneered during covid vaccination clinical trials.

A recruitment process will start this week for a taskforce lead, with the successful candidate focusing on galvanising action while ensuring the best use of tax-payer money.

The new national mission will build on recent advances in biological and data sciences, including genomics, AI and the latest brain imaging technology, to test new treatments from a growing range of possible options.

Researchers will look for signals of risk factors, which could help those who are at risk from developing dementia to understand how they might be able to slow or prevent the disease in the future.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said: “Anyone who lives with dementia, or has a loved one affected, knows the devastating impact this condition can have on their daily lives, but for too long our understanding of its causes have not been fully understood.

“By harnessing the same spirit of innovation that delivered the vaccine rollout, this new Dementia mission, backed by £95 million of government funding, will help us find new ways to deliver earlier diagnosis, enhanced treatments and ensure a better quality of life for those living with this disease, both now and in the future.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re delighted the Government has recommitted to doubling dementia research funding, and that our call for a Dementia Medicines Taskforce to speed up the development of new treatments has been heard.

“This marks an important step towards finding life-changing treatments for dementia and supporting our NHS to be able to deliver these new medicines to the people who need them when they become available.

“We are incredibly grateful to our tireless supporters who have helped keep dementia on the political agenda over the past three years. Over 50,000 people joined us in contacting their MPs, signing petitions, and even writing personal letters to the Prime Minster himself.

“The upcoming 10-year dementia plan is a chance for the next Prime Minster to make sure this funding is met with ambitious action and we look forward to working with the Government to turn it into a reality.”

Expert reveals how to prevent sleep deprivation

With approximately 7.5 million Brits only achieving five hours of sleep or less on average, sleep deprivation is far more common than you may think.

Consistent lack of sleep can become a threat to our mental and physical health if not addressed. Sleep expert, Jasmin Lee at EachNight Mattresses reveals the signs that you may be suffering from sleep deprivation and the ways you can combat it.

What actually is sleep deprivation?

Sleep deprivation happens when you don’t get enough sleep consistently over time. It could be from going to bed late and waking up early or frequently waking up throughout the night and having a disruptive sleep. The short-term effect of this is feeling moody and struggling to concentrate throughout the day. However, the long-term effects of sleep deprivation have been linked to health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, sleep is critical to a healthier lifestyle.

What are the signs that I’m sleep deprived?

  1. Poor memory

Sleep deprivation affects the brain’s ability to learn and recall information. During REM sleep, the brain is active, processing information and storing memories from the previous day.

Less sleep disrupts this process because the body spends less time in this REM cycle. The following day you may have trouble recalling what was said in a business meeting or what assignments you have. Sleep deprivation also makes it harder for the brain to absorb new information, as the brain is working hard to focus and take in information.

Not only is your ability to remember affected but your motor skills suffer too. The brain’s ability to store memory also includes motor skills and physical reflexes. This is another reason why a high percentage of car accidents occur due to sleep deprivation. Sleep-deprived drivers have a slower reaction time. Poor motor skills can also be problematic if you play sports with less sleep—you may struggle to execute a specific move or maneuver, preventing you from performing at your best.

  1. Weight gain

Less sleep triggers changes in hormone levels that regulate your hunger. Leptin lets the body know when it’s full, while ghrelin signals hunger. Little sleep produces less leptin and more ghrelin—you’ll feel hungrier, but your body will be slower to react when you’re full. You end up eating more than you need to.

Sleep deprivation increases stress. Less sleep triggers an increase in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone responsible for holding onto energy (sugars and fat) to be used later. More stress means your body retains more fat.

Your insulin levels are also affected. With a higher production of cortisol, your body is less sensitive to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that changes food into energy. Your body has a harder time processing fats from the bloodstream when it becomes less sensitive to insulin. These fats end up stored in the body, leading to weight gain.

Less sleep also affects your diet. As previously mentioned, sleep may influence your decisions. Studies show that less sleep leads to consuming more junk food. You’re more likely to have intense cravings for high-fat, high-sugar foods, like french fries and ice cream. You’re also more likely to give in to those cravings.

To make matters worse, eating these foods increases the chance that you’ll indulge in the same foods again on the same day.

  1. Poor decision making

Studies show that sleep loss is tied to making risky decisions. You become more impulsive and are less likely to consider loss, only focusing on the reward. How does this happen?

In 2001, the SLEEP journal published a study on how sleep deprivation elevates the expectation of gains. Sleep-deprived participants were more likely to make risk-taking decisions if the payoff was high. The anticipation of reward stems from an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. While the number of high-risk decisions didn’t increase, the expectation for a higher reward did.

This type of phenomenon is common in gambling. It can also be a problem in everyday life. For example, if you’re an entrepreneur or own a company, you may make risky decisions hoping for a higher reward. Further, less sleep also means your brain is less aware of loss—you could make a high-risk decision, only focused on the reward and not fully considering the consequences if you lose.

How much sleep do I need to avoid being sleep deprived?

This varies on your age:

  • Newborns (0 to 3 months): Between 14 and 17 hours of sleep
  • Infants (4 to 11 months): Between 12 and 15 hours of sleep
  • Toddlers (1 to 2 years): 11 to 14 hours of sleep
  • Pre-school (3 to 5 years): 10 to 13 hours of sleep
  • Children (6 to 13 years): 9 to 11 hours of sleep
  • Teenagers (14 to 17 years): 8 to 10 hours of sleep
  • Adults (18 to 64 years): 7 to 9 hours of sleep
  • Older adults (65+ years): 7 to 8 hours of sleep

Does napping make up for lost sleep?

Napping for brief periods may boost your energy levels and improve your focus. Just make sure you’re smart about how you nap. Don’t sleep longer than 30 minutes—you want to avoid slipping into the REM cycle, which can cause sleep inertia. Also, avoid napping after 3 p.m. This could make it harder for you to fall asleep at night.

How can I achieve better sleep?

Practicing good sleep hygiene is the key to avoiding the effects of poor sleep. There a number of small things you can do in your routine that can better your sleep hygiene.

  1. Establish a sleep schedule

Setting a bedtime may seem childish, but in reality, it works. A set sleep and wake time makes it easier to fall asleep at night and wake in the morning. Your body will adjust to the rhythm, so when it’s time for bed, you may automatically start to feel sleepy. It’s just as important to maintain this schedule on the weekends too. Bodies respond positively to these consistent rhythms. It may be tempting to sleep in for a few hours, but this can throw off your body. Plus, if you’re getting the right amount of sleep, you likely do not need that extra time.

  1. Avoid heavy meals

There may be some truth to “eat dinner like a pauper” philosophy. Avoiding heavy meals and snacking may improve your sleep. Heavy meals take longer to digest. When it’s time for bed, your body may be focused on digesting, making it harder to fall asleep. The best time to eat dinner is between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., allowing your body time to digest your meal.

  1. Keep your bedroom dark

Your body’s sleep-wake cycle is influenced by melatonin. Your body is continually producing melatonin. However, production is lowest during the day and strongest at night. That’s because the more light you’re exposed to, the less melatonin there is in your body.

Keeping your bedroom dark induces sleep. Any light exposure could reduce melatonin levels and make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Alternatively, if you can’t make your bedroom dark, a sleep mask can be effective.

  1. Avoid your phone or laptop

We’ve all been there: you climb into bed and start scrolling through your phone, checking on messages, and browsing social media sites. This may come across as a relaxing activity to help you sleep, but it’s the exact opposite.

When you’re using any electronic device (TV, tablet, computer, or smartphone), you’re exposing yourself to blue light. Blue light tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, halting the melatonin production and making it harder to fall asleep. Try to avoid any electronic devices for an hour or two before bed. If you need to scroll through your phone, use your night settings or the apps that filter out blue light.

The perfect foodie day at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Enjoy the 75th Edinburgh Festival Fringe by experiencing a variety of incredible shows and sampling the delicious food on offer at some exciting venues around the city.

From breakfast to lunch all the way to dinner, with a pitstop for a delicious snack and tipple or two on the way, here is a full itinerary for the perfect foodie day at the Fringe, courtesy of Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s (EUSA) unique city venues.

Breakfast

Begin your day bright and early and head out to catch an early bird show. The glorious Gilded Balloon at Teviot, located in the heart of the fringe, is the perfect venue for a morning performance.

Why not grab a coffee and a light breakfast at Linton&Co? Then head to the Gilded Balloon’s Garden which is completely sheltered and the perfect place to sit at to shelter from the famous Scottish rain. Enjoy your delicious breakfast while flicking through the Fringe magazine and choose your shows for the day.

Lunch

During the fringe visitors will be spoilt for choice with delicious lunch options. If you don’t want to venture too far from the Gilded Balloon at Teviot, then head to nearby Charles Street and enjoy a delicious Bross Bagel or try the best macaroni cheese on offer in Edinburgh at Mac Love. If you are looking for a lunch option that is perfect for both meat lovers and veggies, then look no further than the Screaming Peacock, where you can enjoy a mouth-watering selection of meaty and veggie burgers.

If you’re heading to watch a show at Potterrow Plaza, maybe you’re braving the two new interactive simulation performances installed by the Pleasance Theatre Trust? The perfect post-show lunch stop is Mint Falafel to pick up some delicious flatbread wraps for lunch.

Snacks

If the mid-afternoon hunger hits, head on over to Chunks Ice Cream on Charles Street outside the Gilded Balloon. The best place to satisfy any sweet tooth with yummy churros, ice cream and coffee, from the team behind one of Scotland’s most successful street food vans, Crema Caravan.

Dinner

After a full day at the fringe enjoy bite to eat before heading for a late-night show. Choose between a large selection of options including Edinburgh favourite Pizza Geeks, located at The Pleasance Courtyard, and sample some of the capital’s best pizza on offer. If you’re in the mood for pasta try a dish from the Barnacles & Bones delicious pasta menu, also found at The Pleasance Courtyard.

Luxford Burgers (which was founded by an Edinburgh University student) is also on hand to serve up the freshest, delicious burgers.

Drinks

Grab a lovely refreshment on your way to the show and choose between a selection of drinks from Scottish-based Stewart Brewing or Sea Change Prosecco, as well as Coors, Prahva, Carling, Staropramen, Guinness, Rekorderlig ciders, Johnnie Walker, Gordon’s Gin and Fever Tree, all found at Gilded Balloon, Pleasance Dome and The Pleasance Courtyard.

To get the latest news from EUSA’s venues, follow:

https://www.instagram.com/thegardenatteviot/
https://www.instagram.com/courtyardanddome/  

Fringe 2022: Anu Vaidyanathan BC:AD (Before Children: After Diapers)

Stand-up comic Anu Vaidyanathan used to be an international triathlete, who became a mum and then she was history.

BC:AD (Before Children, After Diapers) is an invitation to anyone that finds themselves slightly overdrawn, mostly obscure and definitely needing the sound of another voice to reason with their own challenges.

In her debut standup hour, Anu paints a peripatetic picture of a comedian, filmmaker and sometime engineer who loves endurance sports, including parenting.

From the equatorial latitudes of Madras, India to the glacial confines of Munich, Germany, the throughline of BC:AD is anything but a line. It resembles a cooked thread of spaghetti. Or string cheese past its due date, with enough twists and turns to make the most ambitious wedgie, jealous.

If before children, Anu was considered unique for being one of few women to race triathlons, after diapers she finds herself being the least common multiple. A mum. And that might be something to write home about.

Anu Vaidyanathan is a filmmaker, comedian and engineer whose memoir Anywhere But Home was long-listed for the Mumbai Film Festival’s word-to-screen market in 2016. Her feature scripts have found themselves at the final rounds at Sundance and Rotterdam.

As a comedian, she has gigged across greater Europe and London and has trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and Ecole Philippe Gaulier in France.

Two out of three drivers won’t go electric unless ‘absolutely necessary’

As the cost-of-living rockets, price comparison experts Quotezone.co.uk asked consumers how they really feel about electric versus fossil fuel cars (petrol/diesel) and which they found most cost effective. 

The new survey reveals that 59.3% of petrol/diesel drivers will only consider buying an electric or hybrid vehicle ‘when I absolutely have to’.  26.2% said they would buy ‘within the next 5 years’, 10.3% said they would ‘buy now / as soon as is feasibly possible’ and only 4.3% said they’d buy ‘just before the deadline’ – 2030, when the government plan on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.  

The research also found that the main barrier that is stopping people from buying an electric car is the price, with 35.7% of drivers saying they are too expensive, followed by 20% of people who said range anxiety was a major concern, while worries about the availability of public charging points were cited as an issue by 19.3% of respondents. 

Interestingly though, 57.8% of those with electric cars said they were saving over £100 per month compared to their previous fossil fuel vehicle – with 36.6% saving under £100 per month.  Only 5.6% didn’t believe they were making savings.  

When electric vehicle owners were asked what they didn’t like about their cars, 24.8% said there weren’t enough readily available charging points, followed by range anxiety (20%), broken charging points (19%) and rising energy costs (18%).  

The data, compiled by Quotezone.co.uk, was taken from a survey of 500 electric and petrol / diesel car insurance policyholders, completed in August 2022.  

Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder, Greg Wilson, comments: “It’s really interesting to see what’s holding people back from going electric and again, lack of infrastructure and car price, appear to be the top offenders that are making it impractical for many to make the switch.   

“The hike in car prices is most likely due to the new car shortage, brought about by lack of materials and logistical issues across Europe, causing a spike in shoppers choosing ‘nearly new’ second-hand petrol cars.  

“One positive point to bear in mind for those worried about costs is that electric car insurance is now more readily available as the majority of insurance providers have added electric cars to their offering – making it easier for consumers to shop around and get a competitive premium.”   

Currently only 2% of cars are hybrid and 3% are electric in the UK.  Data from Quotezone.co.uk shows a small increase in customers with electric or hybrid cars of 0.2% from June 2021 compared to June 2022 – with the average cost of those electric vehicles increasing by £5k from £34,000 to £39,000. 

The government has been increasing investment in charging points, including grants for motorists, as well as tax relief to help make electric vehicles more affordable.   

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products including electric car insurance, Tesla car insurance and standard car insurance.

Quotezone.co.uk is recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk. 

On-board babies: twins return to Loganair to mark 40 years since their sky-born delivery

Special birthday celebrations have taken place as airborne twins mark 40 years since their delivery on board an air ambulance with the UK’s largest regional airline Loganair. 

40 years ago, on 13 August, twins Lynsey and David Henderson were uniquely born almost 40 miles apart. The eldest of the two, Lynsey was delivered by Dr. Freshwater on the special Britten-Norman Islander air ambulance flight as it flew over the sea enroute from Tingwall Airport to Aberdeen.

Younger brother David waited until wheels-down on the runway at Aberdeen Airport to make his special appearance. 

Twins Lynsey and David, who had arrived four weeks earlier than their due date, were then whisked to Aberdeen Hospital for review, alongside first-time mum Mandy Henderson and dad Adrian Henderson.

Ten days later, after a short stay in hospital, Mandy and Adrian returned home to Shetland, this time with planned company from their new-born baby twins. 

Earlier this week, Lynsey and David were both welcomed back to Shetland by Loganair to be presented with a birthday gift of flight tickets from Captain Eddie Watt at Sumburgh Airport.

It was an extra-special meeting as Eddie Watt gifted birthday treats from the airline to David and Lynsey some 19 years ago for their 21st birthday.

Still flying Loganair to this day, coincidentally the twins landed in Sumburgh on a Loganair flight from Bergen to be greeted by the airline staff.

Lynsey had recently competed in the gruelling Norseman Triathlon with encouragement from her support team, which included brother David. Lynsey, a chemist at The Sullom Voe Terminal in Shetland, secured her place at the Norseman following success at the Celtman Extreme Triathlon in the Scottish Highlands and has previously competed for Shetland at the Island Games. 

The special delivery on board back in 1982 welcomed just two of over 20 airborne childbirths that Loganair has supported throughout its 60-year history. As the UK’s largest regional airline and one that flies to more island destinations across Britain than any other airline, it still plays a significant role in transporting patients to mainland hospital appointments today.

More recently, Loganair renovated its regular DHC-6 Twin Otter and Saab 340 aircraft into air ambulances to support the Scottish Ambulance Service with transfers during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

David Henderson, a civil servant based in Lerwick, said: “It’s nice for a couple of ageing twins that our birth, on an ambulance flight 40 years ago, has become a small part of the history of the important Shetland to Aberdeen route.

“Our thanks to Loganair for marking the occasion.”

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s Chief Executive, said: “We have a long history of connecting communities for all kinds of travel requirements, including the unexpected ones.

“David and Lynsey are part of a small but elite club of babies born on board with Loganair and it was great to present them with a small token to mark their 40th birthday celebrations. We’re very proud to still play an important role today in connecting remote communities to the mainland for NHS treatment.”

Water’s Worth Saving

When considering your impact on the environment, people often think about pollution, emissions, and energy, but not water. Water saving isn’t always top of the agenda in environmental discussions, yet water is one of our most precious resources and it’s increasingly at risk.

Join our water-saving campaign and check where you could be wasting water. If every household made even slight changes to their daily habits, it would seriously reduce our water footprint. Simple steps such as washing up in a bowl, switching off running taps, and using eco settings on the washing machine all help.

Discover ways you can reduce your carbon footprint at home and in the garden 

#WatersWorthSaving

#WWS22

#OnlyOneEarth

UNISON confirms strike dates

UNISON, the largest trade union in local government, yesterday served notice of strike action in eight local authorities.

The notices of action were served on Friday to Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Stirling and South Lanarkshire councils for the first wave of strike action to take place on 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th August and 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th September.

Edinburgh will be the first city tobe hit by industrial action when the capital’s waste teams strike on Thursday.

These latest strike dates are part of a wider co-ordinated plan of industrial action by the three trade unions across local government following the recent conclusion of successful industrial action ballots. The dates that UNISON members in waste and recycling will walk out are the same as those chosen by the GMB for the same groups of workers. UNISON will provide strike dates for schools and early years workers in due course.

The move comes on the day that COSLA Leaders meet to discuss the pay for local government workers again following additional funding provided by the Scottish Government last week.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON Scotland head of local government said: “This is the first wave of strike action which will only escalate if a significantly improved pay offer is not forthcoming. Strike dates for schools and early years workers will be confirmed in the coming days.

“The responsibility for this action lies squarely with the Scottish Government and COSLA, neither of whom seem to have grasped the gravity of this situation. Inflation is projected to be as high as 13%, the cost of living crises is hitting people’s pockets now and yet local government workers still only have a 2% offer on the table, the lowest offer in the public sector. They have had months to sort this out but all we seem to get is dither and delay.

“Our understanding is that the money provided by the Scottish Government is half of what COSLA asked for and goes nowhere near matching the pay offer provided to council workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“If this is true then the Scottish Government and COSLA need to get back round the table and come up with a better plan or services will stop. The last thing UNISON members want is a strike but they have simply been left with no other option.”

Following a Special Meeting of council leaders convened on Friday, COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor @KatieHagmannSNP, said:

COSLA offer is here

Trade union pay claim is here

National Employers for local government services (UK) LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAY 2022 – pay offer is here

FRINGE 2022: Scary Biscuits! Edinburgh Fringe’s Best of Scottish music showcase season

Introducing Scary Biscuits’ music season at Pleasance at EICC.

Some of Edinburgh’s best musicians showcasing at state of the art venue EICC – great sound, comfy seats… and air con! (And an ice cream stand and deckchairs for chilling out after!)

A genre-busting bunch of tunes, songs and performers: award winning singer songwriters, folk, rootsy blues rock, insurgent country, punk, Afrobeats, americana and a hint of mariachi.  

Dive into a world of music and stories with a diverse group of performers, with a wide range of ages and experience, including two female fronted bands. 

 Be transported for a short while into a world of Scottish folk, a backstreet rock joint with a hint of Memphis, a west African Friday night party, or a New Mexico cantina with a whiff of tequila and desert dust. 

One stop link for more info and tickets here:

http://www.scarybiscuits.com/clients/edinburgh-fringe-2022/

Super Sponsor Scheme assists more than 10,000 Ukrainians

Second passenger ship to provide additional accommodation

The Scottish Government’s Super Sponsor Scheme has now offered sanctuary to 10,056 displaced people from Ukraine to travel to safety in Scotland, far exceeding the original commitment to host 3,000 people.

The total number of people from Ukraine offered a place in Scotland through the Super Sponsor Scheme and the UK Government Homes for Ukraine scheme with individual sponsors is more than 13,000 – representing 16.5% of the total UK population share to date.

To accommodate more displaced Ukrainians whose visas have been approved under the Super Sponsor Scheme, the Scottish Government has chartered a second passenger ship, M/S Ambition, to be located in Glasgow. The ship, which is due to be fully operational by September, will provide accommodation for up to 1,750 people with the same level of facilities and support currently available to those in Edinburgh.

Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government’s Super Sponsor Scheme has now enabled more than 10,000 people to come to Scotland following the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, there is currently no end to the war in sight. We are firmly focused on supporting displaced people from Ukraine who are seeking sanctuary in Scotland as they flee the war in their homeland.

“Following the arrival of the M/S Victoria I – which has been well received by people on board – the Scottish Government is chartering a second passenger ship – the M/S Ambition – which will be located in Glasgow from early September. This will further enhance our ability to provide safe and secure accommodation for those who need it.

“We are getting close to capacity for the temporary accommodation currently available, particularly across the Central Belt. While areas like Glasgow and Edinburgh are more familiar to Ukrainians, we are encouraging everyone arriving here to consider other areas across Scotland, especially as we see more visas being issued. We can guarantee that anyone arriving here will receive a warm welcome from communities across the country, keen to provide support and open their homes.

“As a humanitarian crisis requiring a whole-of-Scotland response, the Scottish Government continues to work closely with local councils and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to ensure those displaced people who are already here, and those who have applied and are granted permission to travel, will be safe, secure and supported for as long as they need.”