The Prime Minister’s response to the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon MSP, regarding her letter of Monday 8 August 2022:
Dear Nicola, Cost of living crisis support? You’ve had it.
Month: August 2022
Scotsman Fringe First Award for Sonya Kelly’s comedy The Last Return
Druid today announced that their world premiere production of Sonya Kelly’s new comedy The Last Return has won a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Scotsman Fringe First Awards celebrate the best new writing at the festival.
As part of their commitment to new Irish writing, Sonya Kelly’s comedy was produced by Druid in Galway, had its world premiere at the 2022 Galway International Arts Festival in July, and is now running at the Traverse Theatre in the heart of Edinburgh. Following this international run, the production returns to Ireland for dates at Dublin’s Gate Theatre as part of Dublin Theatre Festival in October and November.
News of the Scotsman Fringe First Award follows rave reviews by critics including five-star ratings from What’s On Stage, The Arts Desk and The Wee Review, and praise such as ‘pitch black comic mayhem’ from The Guardian, ‘wonderful’ from The New York Times, and ‘shocking and very funny’ from The Irish Times.
This is the second Scotsman Fringe First Award for playwright Sonya Kelly who previously won in 2012 for her play The Wheelchair on My Face.
Druid has won numerous awards at Edinburgh Festival Fringe over the years including in 1980 for two plays, Island Protected by a Bridge of Glass and The Pursuit of Pleasure (both written by Garry Hynes), in 2007 for The Walworth Farce by Enda Walsh, and in 2008 for another Enda Walsh play, The New Electric Ballroom.
Directed by Sara Joyce, The Last Return is a thrilling comedy about conflict, peace and the pursuit of territory at any cost. One final night. One last chance. Five people queue for a ticket to the hottest show in town. All they must do is simply wait in line. But what in life is ever simple? Who will triumph, who will fail, and who will walk away with… The Last Return?
Following the success of Furniture (2018) and Once Upon a Bridge (2021), The Last Return marks the third time Druid has premiered a new work by Sonya Kelly. The Last Return has already earned the acclaimed playwright a nomination for The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, while Once Upon a Bridge was nominated for Best New Play at the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards in 2021, and Furniture won the Stewart Parker Trust Award in 2019.
Playwright Sonya Kelly: ‘I am thrilled and humbled to receive a Scotsman Fringe First Award for The Last Return at Traverse Theatre.
“It has been an unforgettable journey getting this play from page to stage with Druid and director Sara Joyce. Here’s to the return of live theatre and welcome back Edinburgh Fringe. We missed you.’
Garry Hynes, Druid’s Artistic Director: ‘I am so thrilled for Sonya, for everyone in The Last Return company, and my colleagues in Druid. It’s an honour for us to share Sonya’s work with audiences at home and abroad.
“I’m also very grateful to our Edinburgh hosts, Traverse Theatre, and to our funders and supporters, including our core funder, the Arts Council of Ireland, and Culture Ireland, who made our Edinburgh run possible.’
Wagathon is back!
Dog owners are preparing to walk 9K with their K9s and make charitable donations go through the ‘woof’!
Tails and tongues are set to wag this August with the return of pawsome annual fundraising event, Wagathon™, initiated by leading fundraising platform, Give as you Live Donate.
Dog owners across the UK are being encouraged to put on their walking boots and join their four-legged friends in walking 9K any day they like throughout August and raise vital charity funds.
Participants can choose to raise money for a charity close to their heart, whether it’s a local dog rescue centre or a well-known national charity — they all need support!
When dog owners sign up, they will receive a special welcome pack, including a Wagathon™ tag for their dog’s collar — plus, they will be in with the chance of winning some top prizes from Yappy and Scruffs.
It’s super-simple to get involved in the Wagathon™ challenge. All people need to do is:
1) Pick a charity to support
2) Create a Wagathon™ fundraising page
3) Share the page with friends, family and colleagues
4) Complete 9K with your K9s
Participants are encouraged to tag @thewagathonpack on Instagram and share their fundraising journey to be in the chance of winning a pawsome prize bundle!
For further information, and to kickstart your challenge, visit:
donate.giveasyoulive.com/pages/wagathon
Charlotte’s story
In memory of her beloved dog, Freddie, who passed away in June 2022, Charlotte Jones from Lapworth, Warwickshire, will be walking and running 9km every day during the month of August. She’ll be walking 279km in total to raise money for Fetcher Dog Charity.
Fetcher Dog was founded because thousands of dogs are born on the streets of Bosnia every year, condemned to starvation, disease and brutal, inhumane deaths.
Fetcher Dog aims to rescue as many of these dogs as possible and find them forever homes.
So far, Charlotte has reached 50% of her fundraising target.
To donate, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/freddies-walk
Bobby’s story
Lynn Carr, from Seaham, County Durham, owns beautiful spaniels, Willow and Bobby. This August, the trio will be walking 9K in the Lake District for a charity close to all their hearts, Spaniel Aid.
Back in 2017, when Bobby was only 8 months old, he was given to Spaniel Aid by owners who couldn’t look after him. He spent time in foster carer where he was taught simple things like walking on a lead. After seeing his picture on the charity’s Facebook page, Lynn applied to meet him.
Lynn says: “We visited Bobby with Willow to see if they got on and, a week later, Bobby came to join our family. Without this charity, we would never have come across our boy. For that, we are entirely grateful.”
Unfortunately, Bobby was one of dozens of spaniels up for adoption or needing foster carers. Spaniel Aid is funded entirely by donations and the generosity of the public and people who adopt dogs from them.
To find out more, and to donate, visit:
donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/spaniels-by-the-sea
Follow the trio on their Instagram page, @spanielsbythesea, here: www.instagram.com/spanielsbythesea/
Harris and Bracken’s story
Fiona Reid, from Musselburgh, Scotland, and her gorgeous Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, Harris and Bracken, are on a mission to walk 9K and raise as much money as possible to support a fellow Dachshund called Daphne.
Daphne was recently rescued by DMT Dachshund Rescue and Support Group, a charity that rescues Dachshunds from the meat trade in China and Korea with the clear mission that no Dachshund gets left behind.
Daphne has a broken leg, and someone sadly cut off her tail, leaving her with an infected stump. The charity wasn’t sure whether her leg could be saved at first; but, after examination, Daphne’s leg can be healed at a heavy cost of £3,700.
To support the charity and Daphne with this bill, Fiona, Harris and Bracken will be walking a 9k coastal walk this August in East Lothian.
To offer them suppawt, and to donate, visit:
donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/fundraising-for-dmt-dachshund-rescue-and-support-group
Follow the trio on their Instagram page, @theworldaccordingtoharris, here:
www.instagram.com/theworldaccordingtoharris/
Buddy’s tail
Daniel Hoole, from Chesterfield, is walking with his spaniel, Buddy, for Phoenix Heroes — a charity that supports veterans.
As a veteran himself, Daniel used Phoenix Heroes when he was suffering from PTSD and, through their support, he was able to get his life back on track by socialising with others, fishing and reflecting on the past.
Daniel says: “The charity is so special to me; they have helped me more than I could put into words. Completing Wagathon with Buddy is great as we are both doing what we love and helping others with similar situations to myself. I recommend this challenge to any dog owners as it’s a fantastic challenge to enjoy with your best friend.”
Instead of completing the 9km in August, Daniel and Buddy will be doing Wagathon around Remembrance Day in Snowdon.
Edinburgh is most expensive city for students
- Edinburgh is the only UK city where student spend outweighs their income
- Cardiff tops the Royal Bank Student Living Index as most affordable
- Canterbury University most likely to be picked for subject choice, followed by Glasgow University
- Glasgow University students report the highest levels of stress
- Average student incomes have increased by 65% compared to 2021
- Outgoing costs for students are 29% higher than last year
Edinburgh is now the most expensive place in the UK for students to live as revealed in the Royal Bank of Scotland Student Living Index. The index takes account of student spending and income to calculate a score for university towns and cities across the UK.
This year has shown that household bills have more than doubled for students with an average cost of £56.45 per month, with supermarket spending accounting for the single biggest monthly outlay at £76.29 each month.
Edinburgh has the highest cost of student living. Students in the Scottish capital have a monthly term-time income of £934, the lowest of all the cities ranked, whilst their total monthly spending is at £949. Edinburgh students are the least likely to combine studying and working during the academic term.
In contrast, Cardiff tops the list of UK cities for the best value for money. Below average rent prices combined with higher-than-average term-time incomes contributed to Cardiff being named the most affordable student city.
Term time income for Cardiff students averages at £2241.65 and is the fifth highest of all the cities surveyed. They spend an average of £1,041 in total – the fourth lowest of all the cities in the Student Living Index.
The Royal Bank Student Living Index surveyed 2,964 students across the UK to determine the most affordable place to study. The survey accounts for factors such as how much students spend on going out to income through part-time work.
Oxford is now the most expensive place for a pint, with students expecting to pay £5.50 per drink, closely followed by London with an expected cost of £4.90. In comparison to Durham where students can expect to pay just £3.20 and Coventry at £3.40.
Students studying in London and Manchester were the most likely to rely on parents or family for income. London students received £295.10 more from this source than the UK average of £334.40 and those in Manchester £193.10. Compared to 2021, Oxbridge students are relying less on parents and family to pay rent and more so on bursaries and scholarships in 2022.
When it came to budgeting, over a third (35%) of students have found themselves running out of money by the end of term – 8% higher than in 2021. Just under one in five students said that they find managing their money stressful, and this the most pronounced in Coventry. Students in Cambridge are the most likely to put away month each month, 82% higher than the UK average.
Perhaps in response to Covid-19 restrictions ending, compared to 2021 students are spending an average of 63% more on going out than the previous year.
A quarter of students felt that their universities do nothing to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis. Durham had the highest number of students who felt they had no support from their university at 56%.
Addressing the cost of living challenges, almost nine in ten (88%) students have made lifestyle changes to live within their budgets, with reducing the number of items bought online the most widely adopted change.
Changes to how students shop in the supermarket have also been a factor, with 46% saying they’ve swapped to own-brands. Meanwhile, 43% said they were buying fewer takeaways.
Laura Behan, Head of Royal Bank Student Accounts said: “Despite the cost of living increasing dramatically, we’ve not seen that hit students quite as hard as may have been expected this year. Rents were set well in advance of the academic year and inflation increased much later into the academic year.
“However, with the cost of living increasing, especially as we look towards the start of the new university year in September, it is vital that students properly manage their finances. We offer a range of tools to help, including spend categorisation in our mobile app so students can see exactly where their money is going every month and a Round Ups tool to help develop a strong savings habit.”
The Royal Bank of Scotland student account offers a £80 cash incentive within the first 30 days of opening the account, a four-year tastecard membership and a £2000 interest free overdraft.
Royal Bank also offers free Financial Health checks to help students to organise their finances.
Find out more at www.rbs.co.uk/students
The Fringe 2022 Half Price Hut is open
The Half Price Hut is a great place to discover something new at the Fringe, by trying a show that starts that day (or the next morning) for half the usual price.
This year’s Half Price Hut offers are located in the Fringe Box Office (180 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QS) from 10:00 till 18:00, Monday to Sunday – and, to make things a little easier, we’ve made the daily Half Price Hut listings available on our website so you can see what’s on before heading into town.
Be quick though, as ticket allocations are limited – once they’re gone, they’re gone!
All Half Price Hut purchases have to be made in person – and remember to say the words “Half Price Hut” to make sure you get the discount!
BROWSE HALF PRICE HUT SHOWS ➤
Fringing this weekend?
Here are a few helpful tips to bear in mind …
The weather forecast is pretty toasty over the next few days (by Edinburgh standards, at least!) so remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Our access tickets service is available to help anyone with an access requirement make the most of the Fringe – if this could be of use to someone you know, please feel free to pass it on.
Drop in on the street events taster stage at Cathedral Square to enjoy free outdoor snippets of full-length Fringe shows –you can find the daily street events line-up on edfringe.com.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street lights up the city during the Festival
Show-stopping projection unveiled on one of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings
Official Partner Destination of The Fringe, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, has kicked off its partnership with the world’s most famous arts festival, by unveiling a show stopping projection illuminating the entire eight floor building.
The projection, created by Scottish projection specialists, Double Take, uses the iconic cantilever clock that sits on the outside of the Johnnie Walker Princes Street building, as a recurring theme.
The 2D/3D projection features a series of bold and colourful scenes that reimagine the facade of the visitor experience with dancers, acrobats and musicians, the idea being that performers are housed within the inner workings of the magical clock – allowing the cogs and clockwork elements to be woven throughout the piece.
The eight floor building is also a proud Fringe venue with ‘Pick of the Fringe’ which is a line-up of the best performances from across the festival. Set in the venue’s purpose built event space, Label Studio, two must-see shows will run daily every Thursday – Sunday at 4.30pm and 10.15pm.
Each day, three acts have been hand-picked from The Fringe’s unrivalled talent pool, for exclusive performances overlooking the Edinburgh cityscape.
The line-up includes performances from: Grammy and Emmy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Magical Bones, Australian drag and circus act Briefs Factory, America’s Got Talent semi finalist Dom Chambers, and many more.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street has also created ‘Tropical Time Out’ on Victoria Street, an experiential space giving festival goers the opportunity to step out of the busy city and into a world of flavour, showcasing just a hint of what’s in store at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. From here, guests can get a taste of what to expect on the Journey of Flavour tour, before heading down to the newly lit building for their own multi-sensory whisky adventure.
Barbara Smith, Managing Director for Diageo’s Scotland brand homes said: “It’s wonderful to see Edinburgh’s festival season in full swing once more and we’re delighted to be part of the action.
“Johnnie Walker Princes Street is looking fabulous both inside and out, especially with the unveiling of our exciting new projection which will illuminate Princes Street with some fabulous story-telling and images.
“This is our first summer in the city and our team are delighted to welcome visitors to our Journey of Flavour tour, Pick of the Fringe performances, rooftop bar and retail space. We know a thing or two about making the perfect blend and our festival line-up is no different, so head along and see us for an exciting festival experience.”
The Journey of Flavour is a 90 minute tour with 3 whisky drinks tailored to your flavour preference (non alcholic options avaible). Complete with a unique flavour-based quiz and personalised cocktails, the full-sensory adventure culminates in a flavour-filled celebration with three whisky drinks.
Ticketholders for any ‘Pick of the Fringe’ event receive 30% off their Journey of Flavour experience along with 20% off in the venue’s state-of-the-art retail store, subject to terms and conditions.
The projection will feature every night of the festival from 10pm.
For tickets, head to www.johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com
Scottish Government announces extra support for mental health at work
Employers given tools to understand and improve mental health of workers
Businesses now have access to a free online platform offering practical ways to boost mental health in the workplace.
Face-to-face training opportunities, clear guidance on the legal duties of businesses, and specialist third-party contacts will be in one place for the first time – making it easier than ever for employers to access the means of creating a culture of support and wellbeing at work.
This initiative comes as research shows the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of people up and down the country. As more people continue to return to the workplace, the Scottish Government is encouraging employers to support the mental wellbeing of staff so that businesses can continue to recover from COVID-19.
Recent research shows poor mental health costs Scottish employers over £2 billion every year and that, for every £1 spent on mental health interventions, employers get back £5 in reduced sick days and increased productivity.
Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Happier workforces create successful businesses – it’s a win-win for all involved.
“The pandemic has impacted the mental health of us all and employers need the tools to protect and support the mental health of their staff.
“This platform makes it easier than ever to achieve this, and I encourage companies across Scotland to get involved for the benefit of their staff and productivity.”
Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland Angela Leitch said: “These last few years have been difficult for many people across Scotland and has had an impact on the mental health of many.
“Returning to our workplaces could also be a further challenge because of changes in personal circumstances. It is widely recognised that being amongst colleagues can be beneficial to our mental health and being back in the workplace can also be a more positive and productive experience.
“This toolkit will therefore be of considerable benefit to employers and to their staff as we move out of the restrictions we’ve lived with for two years.”
It comes as See Me –Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination – has launched a complementary digital portal that gives employers access to a one-size-fits-all framework for workplaces. This will help companies make continuous improvements to directly tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.
Wendy Halliday, director of See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, said: “Mental health stigma and discrimination in the workplace often comes from a lack of knowledge. People can find that genuine problems are either belittled, or not believed in the first place.
“We’re calling on organisations to be real leaders in creating positive change, making their workplaces the best they can be, by joining the See Me in Work programme.
“The new digital portal supports employers to take action to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination at work and create workplaces that are open in talking about mental health and where discriminatory behaviour is challenged.”
Supporting a mentally healthy workplace is the new online platform.
“We are seeing the sharp demise of the health service”
30,000 patients wait more than 12 hours in A&Es in England in July
Responding to the latest Emergency Department performance figures published by NHS England for July 2022, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Adrian Boyle said: “These performance figures are worse than we could have ever expected for a summer month.
“There were nearly 30,000 12-hour waits (measured from decision to admit to admission) in July 2022, that is more than 3.5 times the total number of 12-hour waits for the whole of 2019.
“This is only the Tip of the Iceberg as the true number of 12-hour waits, measured from time of arrival, is much higher. We urgently need transparency for the scale of the crisis, only then will everyone recognise the reality of the situation and begin to take critical action. We urge NHS England to commit to publishing this data (which is already collected by all Trusts) monthly with immediate effect.
“The crisis is escalating quickly, and health workers are seriously concerned about the quality of care being provided, especially as we exit summer and head into winter. The system is struggling to perform its central function: to deliver care safely and effectively.
“This is a whole-system problem and requires a whole-system approach. There must be total focus on promoting flow throughout the hospital and priority around our ability to provide an NHS that helps patients in an emergency.
“We must ensure patients are discharged in a timely way, so beds are freed and patients in A&Es are able to move through the system and be treated. Flow and discharge rely heavily on an effective social care service that has sufficient workforce – the government must get to grips with this.
“Across the UK we urgently need 13,000 beds to drive meaningful improvement: in Emergency Medicine in England there is a shortfall of 2,000-2,500 Consultants as well as widespread shortages of nurses, trainees, SAS doctors and junior and supporting staff.
“The social care workforce must also be bolstered, which can be achieved by giving these core workers a fair wage that respects and recognises the value of their role. Retention of all health and social care workers is vital, staff are burned out and exhausted, and some are considering their careers.
“We are seeing the sharp demise of the health service and we are seeing little to no political will to act on or acknowledge the crisis – neither of the leadership candidates seem to recognise the scale of the crisis at hand.
“Winter is looming, which will bring a wave of flu and covid and increased footfall in Emergency Departments, with the data as dire as it is today and the scale of patient harm already occurring, we dread to think how much worse things could get for patients.
In winter four-hour performance typically decreases while the number of 12-hour waits significantly increases. We may reach a point where only half of patients are seen or treated within four-hours and see an even higher number of 12-hour waits.”
The latest Emergency Department performance figures published by NHS England for June 2022 for show:
- There were 1,385,080 attendances at major Emergency Departments
- There were 2,163,779 total attendances at all Emergency Care facilities
- 29,317 patients were delayed for 12 hours or more from decision to admit to admission, this is just over 3.5 times higher than the total number of 12-hour waits over the whole of 2019
- This is the highest number of 12-hour waits on record
- This is a one third increase compared to the previous month, June 2022, or an increase of over 7,000 12-hour waits
- There have now been 150,014 12-hour waits (from decision to admit to admission) so far this year
- Four-hour performance at major Emergency Departments was 57.0%, this is the worst four-hour performance on record
- More than 2 in 5 patients were delayed by four-hours or more
- Type 1 admissions stood at 358,284 (a daily average of 11,575
- 136,221patients spent more than four hours in an Emergency Department from decision to admit to admission (also referred to as ‘trolley waits’)
One more day before the 2022 Book Festival!
The 2022 Book Festival is almost here! The team is busily getting the very last few finishing touches perfect at the Book Festival Village at Edinburgh College of Art, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our charming, leafy home in the heart of the city’s Old Town.
Scroll down to see what’s on during the opening weekend, event inspiration for the week to come, and a highlight of the many free activities and events on at the Festival Village.
There is so much to enjoy during the opening weekend of this year’s hybrid Book Festival as we welcome over 550 authors from across the world to share their stories, ideas, and perspectives. Hear from award-winning authors, inspiring poets, rising stars, famed musicians, and renowned thinkers, whether joining in person or from the comfort of your own home.
SATURDAY 13 AUGUST
- Don’t miss award-winning Chilean author Nona Fernández as she appears at the Festival for the first time to discuss her novel The Twilight Zone. (12:15 – 13:15)
- Join game-changing cartoonist Nick Drnaso as he discusses his latest graphic novel Acting Class and presents a short film showing him at work in his Chicago studio, commissioned especially for this event. (13:30 – 14:30)
- Hear literary giant Ali Smith discuss her work, including her Seasonal Quartet and Companion Piece, with fellow Scottish favourite Val McDermid in an event sure to enrich and inspire. (17:30 – 18:30)
- Acclaimed singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright discusses her hilarious memoir, her life as the black sheep of a famous family, and her experiences with love, loss, motherhood, divorce and the music industry. (20:30 – 21:30)
- Hear all about David Keenan’s hallucinatory new novel Industry of Magic and Light : part oral history, part occult detective novel. (20:30 – 21:30)
Saturday’s stellar line-up also features Jazz Money and Andrés N Ordorica, Nihal Arthanayake, Abi Morgan, Travis Alabanza and Mohsin Hamid, amongst many others!
SUNDAY 14 AUGUST
- Join Sarah Smith for a production that uses a fusion of sign language, image and performance to tell the evocative story of a Deaf woman in Glasgow wrongfully accused of murdering her child – a turning point in the history of rights for Deaf people in Scotland. (13:00 – 14:00)
- Join Malika Booker, Kayo Chingonyi, Salena Godden and Lemn Sissay to celebrate More Fiya, an incredible anthology of work by 35 Black British poets in a Pay What You Can event chock-full of spectacular talent. (17:00 – 18:00)
- Author, artist and designer Osman Yousefzada takes a break from dressing the likes of Lady Gaga to speak candidly on his Pashtun upbringing and his teen years in London to raise the question: Can a person exist in the spaces in between? (18:15 – 19:15)
- Hear from award-winning author Pankaj Mishra as he discusses his second novel, a gripping account of a group of friends in an age of upheaval and breakdown, in an event that is not to be missed. (19:00 – 20:00)
- Join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Margo Jefferson as she examines how she shaped herself through jazz, seminal writers like W E B Du Bois and George Eliot, and fragments and words of those she loves and those she grieves. (20:15 – 21:15)
As well as Daniel Hahn, Merve Emre and Daniel Mulhall, Meg Mason, Kalynn Bayron and Renée Watson and Patricia Lockwood, to name a few.
The Book Festival Village at Edinburgh College of Art on Lauriston Place is open daily from 9.30am until late – and everyone is welcome, whether you have a ticket to see an event or simply want to grab a drink with friends, explore the brilliant Festival Bookshop, or watch free events on the big screen in the Courtyard.
There is much to see and do during your day at the Book Festival, with tons of free events to enjoy.
You can book tickets in advance – and, if spots for the day you were hoping to attend have sold out, we have it on good authority that it is worth it to ask our lovely Box Office staff on the day … You might just get lucky!
- Great events are live-streamed onto our large outdoor screen every day of the Festival. Curious to see what’s on? Have a look at the schedule of screened events for this year’s Festival, then come along to the Festival Village, find a spot in the sun or shade, and enjoy.
- Each day, a Festival author shares an unexpected inspiration or passion in Passion Projects, including Ali Smith,
SEPA: Water abstraction licences suspended in Fife to protect sustainability of local environments
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is suspending water abstractions for most licence holders in mid and north Fife as river and groundwater levels become critical in the east of Scotland.
The water environment in the River Eden catchment reached Significant Scarcity last week, the highest category for water scarcity defined by SEPA, and is getting worse with hot and dry weather continuing.
The Tweed catchment in the Borders is in a similar situation and has also now reached Significant Scarcity in the latest report published today, Friday 12 August.
A temporary suspension on water abstraction licences is being imposed from midnight on Saturday 13 August for the vast majority of farmers in the River Eden catchment to allow levels to recover. We’re working with Scottish Government to assess the options around soft fruit production, which is a perennial crop and typically has more efficient irrigation methods and a lower water impact.
Abstractors in the Tweed catchment are also being contacted to confirm next steps and any licence suspensions in this area will take effect early next week.
Suspensions are part of Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan, which is designed to ensure the correct balance is struck between protecting the environment and providing resource for human and economic activity during prolonged dry periods.
The Plan clearly sets out what actions SEPA and abstractors are required to take at each stage of water scarcity. Suspensions are predominantly within the agriculture sector, will be for the minimum time necessary and will be lifted as soon as possible.
Those abstractors affected will receive suspension notices. Continuing to abstract without a licence is an offence, and SEPA officers will be visiting abstractors to ensure compliance. As soon as conditions improve, we will lift the suspensions.
David Harley, Interim Chief Officer Circular Economy for SEPA, said: “Having to impose suspensions on water abstractions underlines the severity of the conditions being experienced in the east of Scotland this summer. It is not a step we take lightly, but the evidence is clear, and it is one we can no longer avoid.
“We’re working closely with Scottish farmers to ensure the sustainability of local water environments for all who rely on them. Without action, there is a substantial risk of impacts on fish populations, natural habitats and longer-term damage to watercourses.
“With climate change leading to water scarcity becoming a more regular occurrence, we are also working to help businesses plan longer-term for these conditions. We remain in continuous dialogue with sectors reliant on water and work with them all year round on ways to become more resilient, protecting the environment as well as their own operations.”
While SEPA focuses on managing abstractions from Scotland’s natural water resources for agriculture and other industrial uses, Scottish Water maintains public water supply.
Protecting our water environment
There is clear evidence for the need to suspend abstraction licenses to protect the sustainability of local water environments. The main stem of the River Eden in Fife is at the second lowest level on record; only 1989 was lower. Flows at Kemback have not been as low for this long since 2003 and Strathmiglo is also experiencing its most prolonged low flow period on record.
In the Tweed catchment in the Borders, Lyne Station recorded its fourth lowest flow in 53 years, only 2003 was lower. Mouthbridge at Blackadder Water also dropped to its lowest flow since records began in 1974.
The combination of very low flows and high temperatures in watercourses leads to mortality of fish, invertebrates and plants. While some parts of river ecology can recover quickly, others such as fish and plant populations can take years to recover. Some populations, such as pearl mussels, could be permanently lost.
The current conditions are a consequence of drier weather this year, with only four of the last 12 months recording above average rainfall. The east of Scotland also experienced the driest January in more than 80 years and groundwater levels are the lowest they have been since records began in 2009. Although there has been some recent rainfall in the east and an immediate increase in river flows, it has not been enough to recover the longer-term deficits.
Impacts of climate change
Scotland is already seeing the impacts of a changing climate with an increase in water scarcity events over last few years. Climate change is likely to bring more uncertainty and may exert pressure in areas that have not experienced water scarcity before.
The current dry conditions are not just affecting Scotland. According to the European Drought Observatory the area affecting several regions of Europe since the beginning of the year continues to expand. The conditions, which are related to lack of rainfall and early heatwaves mean that 45% of Europe and the UK was in Warning conditions, and 15% in Alert conditions during July.
While mitigation strategies are of the utmost importance now, so is tackling the root cause of the problem. We know that there is locked in climate change we cannot reverse and, as well as adapting to this, Scotland must play its part in a huge reduction in carbon emissions globally so future generations do not face further locked-in change.
Further advice and guidance
Abstractors may be able to switch to groundwater as their source and can apply to do so on our website. Applications from Significant Scarcity areas will be prioritised and fast-tracked.
Anyone concerned about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency measures are encouraged to contact SEPA by emailing waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk.
For more information on water scarcity and to view the latest report, visit www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity
DROUGHT EXPECTED TO BE DECLARED IN ENGLAND
A drought is expected to be declared in many parts of England following a meeting of the National Drought Group later today.