Month: September 2022

Temporary road closures and travel info: public urged to plan ahead

Temporary road closures have come into force across Edinburgh’s city centre, as the city prepares to host major ceremonial events to mark the passing of Her Majesty The Queen over the coming days.

Further closures are planned and significant disruption is expected as full details are confirmed by the Royal Household in due course.

The City of Edinburgh Council is working with Scottish Government and Police Scotland to safely accommodate the thousands of people expected to line the city’s streets as people pay their respects.

The general public are being advised to plan ahead and avoid any non-essential travel through the city centre (particularly the Old Town) during this period. People should regularly check the City of Edinburgh Council website, which is being updated with details of which roads will be closed and other public transport information.

People can also follow the relevant transport agencies, Scottish Government and Royal Household for up-to-date advice.

Mourners wishing to take part in events are being advised to plan ahead and take account of the weather conditions, limited facilities and the likelihood of spending long periods at the roadside. 

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “On behalf of the whole city of Edinburgh, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all the members of the royal family at this time of sadness and sorrow.

“Our city is highly experienced in handling major events, and we are working closely with Scottish Government, Police Scotland and transport providers to safely accommodate the large crowds of visitors who will wish to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family over the next few days.

“Given the scale and significance of these ceremonial events, we have to be prepared for significant disruption across the city, but particularly in the city centre. We’re closely with our partners to manage this as best we can and to keep residents, businesses and visitors updated on all plans.  

“We are also urging everyone to consider their travel needs and avoid any journeys through the city centre where possible. If they do need to travel, we’re asking them to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the very latest travel advice.

Sarah Boyd, Lothian, Managing Director said: “Following the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen, teams across our business are working together with external partners to plan for further road closures which are expected across the city in the coming days.

“We would ask customers to plan ahead where possible and continue to check our website and social media channels for the latest travel information.

For the most up-to-date information, visit:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk, www.gov.scot and www.royal.uk.

The @edintravel traffic information team will be carefully monitoring the city’s roads, sharing the latest information on disruption and diversions on Twitter.

Users should also follow Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams to keep people informed about their services.

Harvest Festival Weekend: two events go ahead in North Edinburgh

but OLD KIRK & MUIRHOUSE Community BBQ has been CANCELLED

We would like to inform everyone that in line with the sad news of the Queen’s sudden passing, The Old Kirk and Muirhouse Parish Church has CANCELLED the community BBQ planned for today (Saturday). 

King Charles III addresses the nation

‘May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest‘

The new King’s address to the nation:

‘I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.

‘Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.

‘Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where The Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my Mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.

‘In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples.

‘That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty.

‘Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.

‘In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.

‘And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.

‘I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honour her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.

‘When The Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times.

‘In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths.

‘The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms – of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.

‘The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.

‘In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.

‘As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.

‘And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.

‘My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.

‘It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.

‘This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla.

‘In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.

‘As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades.

‘Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty.

‘With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.

‘I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.

‘In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.

‘On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express.

‘And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.

‘May “flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest”.’

King Charles III will be officially proclaimed monarch during an ancient Accession Council ceremony which will be televised for the first time this morning.

Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council, attended by Privy Counsellors, will confirm his new role at 10am today. 

Lifesaving Summer with RLSS UK and B.O.S.S

To mark the end of a lifesaving summer, the Black Owned Swim School (B.O.S.S) has held two events to give young people the opportunity to enjoy water safely by having their first dip in open water. 

The events were held at lakes in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and Stoke Newington, London and the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) was proud to help support by offering open water coaching and safety tips ahead of the swims. 

National charity RLSS UK aims to reach as many people as possible to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy water safely, no matter their background. The charity has partnered with charitable organisation B.O.S.S who aim to work to prevent drowning in the most vulnerable, at risk communities in aquatics. 

During the summer months, young people from Birmingham and London were able to head to their local pools to take part in swimming and lifesaving sessions to give them the skills needed to enjoy water safely thanks to B.O.S.S and RLSS UK.

Annalize Butler is the owner and founder of B.O.S.S and has been teaching swimming for 15 years, and was the driving force behind the lifesaving summer events. 

Annalize said: “I work in an environment where I might be the only black person on the poolside within the whole city. Sources show that in England only 2% of regular swimmers are from the black community.

“By working with organisations such as RLSS UK, we can actively change the way people think about swimming. B.O.S.S is about reconnecting people with the water in an effortless and exciting way, bringing new opportunities to engage an under-represented audience and level up in the aquatics industry. 

“It is scary how many people are affected by drowning in the black community, and it is my mission to make my community water safe.”

The lifesaving summer events have been a great success, involving many young people and equipping them with skills and knowledge around the water. 

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “Providing young people with the opportunity to get into a swimming pool and not only to learn to swim, but to learn vital lifesaving skills is something that should be available to all children. 

“We work with organisations such as B.O.S.S to reach and build communities from under-represented groups with limited access and opportunities in swimming. Events like lifesaving summer are a fantastic way to get young people involved with swimming and lifesaving, and change attitudes to water to ensure they can safely enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.” 

“The long term goal is to light the pathway for young people to represent their communities through the aquatics workforce. We want more young people from ethnically diverse communities taking up the personal opportunity to lifeguard our water, creating spaces where our diverse communities feel they can be safe and welcomed.”

The lifesaving summer sessions were delivered by experts in water safety and targeted those aged 10 and over and their families to educate them on how to stay safe in the water and in turn reduce the number of drownings that are usually seen during the summer months. 

The sessions were also delivered in tribute to 15 year old Thandolwethu Ndlovu, who drowned in Derbyshire in 2021.

The first event was held at West Reservoir in Stoke Newington, London on 1st September and targeted local residents as well as young teenagers who are unlikely to have access to swimming lessons in their local leisure centres, and their parents. 

Many of the swimmers had taken part in the sessions during the summer and during the event at West Reservoir they were able to take on a 50m challenge and put the skills they had learnt over the summer to the test. They were also able to try their hand at kayaking. 

The second event was held in Tamworth, Staffordshire on 3rd September at Cliff Lakes Aquapark which has a number of outdoor swimming lanes, open water swimming opportunities, as well as the aqua park. The event saw a number of young people in attendance and they were able to make exclusive use of the 50m lanes for their open water swimming challenge. 

B.O.S.S has been working with the young Birmingham swimmers throughout the summer, teaching them to swim as well as teaching them vital lifesaving skills and the event was a perfect opportunity for them to put their new skills to the test. 

All attendees were able to learn more about water safety from an RLSS UK qualified trainer, to ensure they had the right knowledge before getting in the water. Whilst the children were in the water, parents and supervisors were able to proudly watch whilst also learning about lifesaving themselves. 

Both events were enjoyed by all involved with young children, teenagers and adults taking part who now have the skills and knowledge to stay safe in, on and around water.

Potential of Scotch whisky tourism for Scotland hailed as Johnnie Walker Princes Street marks first anniversary

Edinburgh whisky visitor experience celebrates figures showing diverse range of consumers switching on to Scotch whisky in growing numbers

The positive impact Scotch whisky tourism can have for Scotland has been celebrated as the country’s leading new visitor attraction marks its first year of business.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh opened its doors to the public in September last year, and despite pandemic lockdowns and major travel restrictions, it succeeded in welcoming more than 300,000 visitors from 97 different countries around the world.

A key part of the mission of Johnnie Walker Princes Street is to introduce Scotch whisky to new consumers and to challenge traditional perceptions of Scotland’s national drink.

Encouragingly, 50% of visitors to the venue were women, 56% were not regular Scotch whisky drinkers. Domestic guests noted a 26% increase in likelihood to drink whisky within four weeks of visiting the experience, rising to 29% for international visitors.

Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “It has been a tough year for everyone in tourism and hospitality, and we are under no illusion that many serious difficulties remain as we try to rebuild Scotland’s visitor sector.

“But it is also important to celebrate positive achievement, and I am incredibly proud of what the team at Johnnie Walker Princes Street have managed to deliver in the first year of operation.

“I am particularly encouraged by the diversity of our guests, with half of all visitors being women, and with an international spread of 97 countries. Our aim at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is to challenge perceptions, bust myths, and show that whisky really is for everyone.

“So, it’s good to see the diversity in our guests and to be able to look at the figures and see we’re helping people find their perfect way to enjoy Scotland’s best loved export.”

Johnnie Walker Princes Street is the centrepiece of Diageo’s £185million investment in Scotch whisky tourism in Scotland, which also includes the transformation of the company’s distillery visitor experiences the length and breadth of Scotland.

Ewan Andrew, Diageo President of Supply Chain & Procurement, who has led the Scotland investment programme, said: “Scotch whisky is in great demand around the world, as Johnnie Walker’s record global sales figures over the past year has shown.

“We want to bring those consumers from all around the world to Scotland and give them an unforgettable experience. The first year of operation at Johnnie Walker Princes Street gives us great confidence that we can achieve that and continue to build the reputation of Scotch whisky as the world’s best loved distilled spirit.”

Scotch whisky tourism recorded its record year in 2019 before the pandemic, with a total of 2.1 million visitors to distilleries. While the pandemic has been a major setback, the figures from Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s first year, were welcomed by the industry as a positive sign of recovery.

Graeme Littlejohn, Director of Strategy at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “Scotch Whisky is enjoyed around the world – famous for its quality, heritage and unique history.

“What the industry has missed over the course of the Covid pandemic is welcoming visitors from home and abroad to discover more about the story of Scotch. It is fantastic to see people returning to Scotland and visiting our world-class tourist attractions dedicated to sharing Scotland’s world-renowned spirit.”

VisitScotland Regional Director, Neil Christison said: “Congratulations to the team at Johnnie Walker Princes Street on their first anniversary and reaching 300,000 visitor milestone, a fantastic achievement as our industry begins to recover from the pandemic. 

“We know that Scotland’s world-famous heritage including whisky is an important part of our visitor appeal, especially among international visitors with one in five visiting a distillery before the pandemic. We are also seeing growing interest for artisanal food and drink experiences as visitors look to connect with the people and processes behind our iconic products. 

“It is fantastic to see visitors returning from across the world and closer to home, supporting the recovery of our vital industry and the wider economy.”

Johnnie Walker Princes Street takes visitors on an immersive journey through the 200-year-old history behind the world’s best-selling Scotch whisky.

From personalised tours and rooftop bars serving seriously creative cocktails paired with world class food, to state of the art experiential retail and much more besides, there’s plenty for tourist to be excited about across the eight floor, 71,500 square foot venue.

Advance pre-booking of experiences is highly recommended. Tickets for the Johnnie Walker Princes Street tours start from £28, which includes a 90-minute tour and three personalised Scotch whisky drinks.

To book an experience, sign up to the Johnnie Walker Princes Street mailing list or for more information, please visit  www.johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com.

Holyrood Committee to visit Linlithgow climate change projects

The role of local government in helping to reach Scotland’s net zero targets will be the focus for the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee as it visits Linlithgow. 

During the visit on Monday (12 September), Deputy Convener, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Monica Lennon MSP and Mark Ruskell MSP will visit projects which are at the heart of tackling climate change.  – POSTPONED – SEE BELOW –

These will include for example a tour of the Linlithgow Community Development Trust; an introduction to the Linlith-Go-Solar’ solar energy project; and a visit to the proposed site for the newly approved community driven project – West Lothian Cycle Circuit. 

The visit is part of the Committee’s work exploring the role of local government and its partners in achieving the challenging commitment of making Scotland net zero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Now the Committee are seeing this work in action by visiting projects and communities across Scotland. 

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Committee’s Deputy Convener, Fiona Hyslop MSP, said: “So many of the key responsibilities in helping Scotland reach its net zero targets sit with local government. Issues such as travel, housing, recycling and the circular economy have a huge impact on Scotland’s environment. 

“But we know that local government can’t make this huge change alone. That is why we want to see how councils across Scotland are working with their communities and building relationships with business, public agencies and the voluntary sector to embed these changes and make a difference to addressing climate change. 

“The Parliamentary Committee’s visit to Linlithgow will help us see first-hand the positive work happening in our communities.” 

VISIT POSTPONED

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, all parliamentary business has been suspended. This committee visit has therefore been postponed.

NSPCC: Talk PANTS next week!

NSPCC will host a virtual event next week to celebrate success of campaign to help keep children safe from sexual abuse

  • NSPCC will host a virtual event on Wednesday, September 14 to celebrate the positive impact and legacy of Talk PANTS! Campaign
  • Event will coincide with Pantosaurus’ birthday

Almost 300 carers and professionals in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have been trained to communicate important messages to parents and children that will help prevent sexual abuse.

They have been trained as part of the Inter Islands Talk PANTS! campaign, which was launched almost a year ago by the NSPCC and the islands’ protection committees.

The NSPCC’s Talk PANTS! resources give parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children about sexual abuse. With the help of a colourful animated character, a friendly dinosaur called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them and to recognise when something is not okay, and how to tell someone if they are upset or worried.

As part of this campaign, the resources were translated into Scottish Gaelic and Pantosaurus toured the islands, visiting the HebCelt Festival in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, the Cunningsburgh Show in Shetland and the Orkney Agricultural Show. In Orkney, 200 children coloured in Pantosaurus’ pants on the show day alone, and NSPCC staff and volunteers distributed thousands of parents guides and talked to families about the Talk PANTS! resources.

During the past year, campaign activities and events have included soft play sessions in the Western Isles run by the Rape Crisis team and the colourful and entertaining Pantosaurus music video being shown at cinemas on Orkney and in Stornoway.

Over a thousand Pantosaurus and the Power of PANTS books have been delivered to local libraries, and health visitors have handed out the paperback version to families, childminders and teachers to encourage them to read the book to as many children as possible.

The NSPCC also recently created Talk PANTS! resources in partnership with the Makaton Charity, which use symbols and signs to help communicate the messages to people with communications difficulties.

These resources will enable parents and teachers of children with a range of educational needs to share the Talk PANTS! message so they can understand the PANTS rules. Talk PANTS! resources are also available in British Sign Language and can be downloaded for free on the NSPCC website.

Many members of the islands Protection Committees have been instrumental in the campaign’s success including Police Scotland, Rape Crisis, Early Learning and Childcare in Orkney and the army cadets in Shetland to name just a few.

To thank everyone involved and celebrate the campaign’s achievements to date and its legacy, the NSPCC is hosting a virtual event on Wednesday, September 14, with fellow members of its steering group and protection committees.

Guest speaker Rachel Wallace, NSPCC Local Campaigns manager for the Midlands, in England, will explain more about the Talk PANTS! Makaton resources and participants will be shown a selection of stunning photos from NSPCC Scotland’s tour of the islands on the day, which also falls on Pantosaurus’ birthday.  

Tam Baillie, Chair of Public Protection Committees in Orkney and Shetland and the Western Isles, said: “It has been great to see how each of the islands has embraced the PANTS campaign, working in partnership with the NSPCC. 

“The enthusiasm and inventiveness of different island approaches has brought a wide range of activities all targeted at getting simple messages across in a fun way to young children about the importance of keeping themselves safe. 

“The use of cartoons, dance and song has made it engaging with children, parents and professionals, and it has been an inspiration to be part of the joint efforts. We are all looking forward to celebrating the work done and hearing about how it will endure through ongoing legacy work.”    

Mubashar Khaliq, Local Campaigns Manager at the NSPCC, said: “Each year in Scotland, Police record more than 5,000 sexual offences committed against children. We started this campaign because it’s crucial that we do all we can to help prevent abuse from happening in the first place.

“Talk PANTS is about helping start difficult, but vital, conversations with children from a young age about sexual abuse and their right to be safe. We don’t talk about sex or use scary words but focus on keeping safe and rules that help children understand important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.”

Gail Sayles, Local Campaigns Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “It has been so wonderful to see our Talk PANTS messaging reaching people in some of the most remote parts of the UK. It was great to chat with families at the events who already knew about our campaign, either from school or their local nursery. Many of the children would sing the song at us and give Pantosaurus a high five!

“The Power of Pants book is already a firm bedtime favourite with many families, and parents told us they were so pleased to be given a copy. Everyone also valued the Gaelic resources and I felt so proud that we had been able to deliver on a need that was prized so highly. 

“This campaign has made a real difference and we hope that continues in the future too. It feels like we have lit a spark on the islands, for sure.”

Professionals and volunteers working with children and families who would like to attend this free event on Wednesday, September 14 from 3-5pm can book a place, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inter-island-pants-campaign-celebration-legacy-event-tickets-388530684737

To find out more about Talk PANTS and  access resources and tools to help keep children safe from abuse, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

To watch the Pantosaurus video visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lL07JOGU5o

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.

Picture book ‘Slug in a Mug’ aims to raise funds and promote confidence

  • A slug-inspired picture book promoting confidence aims to raise money for free children’s activities held at creative hub Made in Stirling.
  • Scottish speechwriter Laura Westring began writing children’s stories inspired by her family’s use of play and storytelling during pandemic lockdowns. 
  • Westring’s first picture book, Slug in a Mug, produced by Whitefox publishing services, is illustrated by Perthshire greetings card illustrator Jon Bishop. 
  • Available to purchase online and in selected independent stores from October 2022. 

A children’s picture book promoting confidence, and inspired by cottage life in Stirlingshire, aims to raise money for children’s activities as the cost of living continues to rise for families.

Slug in a Mug, written by Scottish speechwriter Laura Westring and illustrated by greetings card creator Jon Bishop (The Grey Earl), is the tale of a slug whose taste for sweet treats leads him to unexpected places.

The “almost true” story was inspired by Westring’s move to an empty cottage in 2020. Having woken one morning to find a slug in her mug, Westring began inventing stories with her young son to relieve the stress and social isolation of pandemic lockdowns. 

Westring believes imagining and reciting stories can be a beneficial activity for the whole family and increase the confidence of young children as they learn to speak and empathise.

Through Creative Stirling, a social enterprise supporting local artists and makers, Laura contacted Perthshire-based illustrator Jon Bishop and both set out on an almost two-year, self-funded project to bring their slug to life. Collaborating with Gerald Richard, CEO of Scottish charity Super Power Agency, the book also includes an activity to help children with writing skills.

Illustrator Jon Bishop said of receiving the manuscript for Slug in a Mug in January 2021, “It was the first children’s story I wanted to illustrate from the first reading. From the subtly sick sense of humour to the message that it’s okay to be bold and think differently to those around you, everything told me this slug had legs.”

Laura Westring is keen to ensure that the cost of living doesn’t remove opportunities from diverse and under-resourced communities, and so both Westring and Bishop hope to support a variety of community workshops and children’s activities run by Creative Stirling through sales of the book.

Commenting on the book Laura Westring said, “Families with young children have gone through the lonely trial of providing care while working in pandemic conditions only to see the cost of living rise astronomically as they begin to tackle the longer-term emotional and developmental consequences of those difficult years.

“I hope people enjoy reading Slug in a Mug as much as we’ve enjoyed making it, so that we can fulfil our ambition to reach revenue and pay it forward.”

Scotland’s students warned to watch out for these common online scams

As university students around Scotland enrol on their undergraduate courses this September, scammers continue to employ new and creative methods to defraud unsuspecting students out of thousands of pounds online.

With this in mind, David Janssen, a cybersecurity expert and founder of VPNOverview, has put together a list of the most common online student scams, including what to look out for and how to avoid them.

1. Student Loans Company (SLC) phishing scam

If your course is starting in September this year, then your government student loan will be paid to you in three instalments, which you should receive during September, January and April.

Scammers will choose to send ‘phishing’ emails or texts to students during these months, in which they falsely pose as the Student Loans Company asking you to verify personal banking information. These texts or emails often ask the user to log into their account and confirm their banking details via a ‘secure link’ in order to receive their first loan payment. This link will then direct the user to a copycat webpage that replicates the SLC website, which then steals your personal and banking details.

While these emails can be quite convincing, giveaways you have received an SLC scam email include; spelling or grammatical errors in the body of text, pixelated or stretched images of SLC logos and generic greetings such as ‘Dear Sir/Madam/Student.’

Remember, SLC will never ask you to confirm your bank details via email or text message. Only ever log into your student finance account through the government login portal to check or update your loan payment details. If you suspect you have received a phishing text or email, forward it to phishing@slc.co.uk or your university IT department before deleting it.

2. HMRC tax rebate scam

University students often choose to take on a part-time job in order to provide an additional source of income to help cover their cost of living. For some this may be their first time in employment, meaning they haven’t paid tax before and are unfamiliar with genuine contact from HMRC, making them more vulnerable to online scammers.

Cybercriminals will send text messages and emails to students, claiming to be from HMRC, stating that the individual is owed a tax refund. The message will then prompt the person to first confirm their details through the link provided in order to receive this money.

Much like Student Loan Company scams, these texts and emails can be quite convincing and will use images and formal language to make the user believe it is legitimate. The link will either lead to a fake website, where the user unknowingly hands over their personal details, or it will download malware onto the user’s device which then harvests their personal information.

It’s important to note that HMRC will never ask you to click through on any links in their communication with you. If you are genuinely entitled to a tax refund, HMRC will send you a letter stating so. If you are unsure whether you have received a scam HMRC email, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk where they will confirm whether or not it is a legitimate correspondence. Scam texts can be forwarded for free to 60599.

3. Freshers Week ticket scam

As a new student, you are likely going to worry about missing out on key social events such as Freshers Week, where you can mix with other students during your first week of university.

Scammers will try to exploit students by posting fake student or freshers’ events on Instagram or Facebook, with the aim of pocketing your money. These events will often imply they are the only ‘official’ event and may include phrases such as ‘Limited availability’ or ‘Final Release’ in the event title, creating a sense of urgency to buy tickets so that you don’t miss out.

In reality, Freshers’ Week tickets rarely sell out, and some universities will even allow you to buy them throughout your first week of university. Even when buying a genuine Fresher’s Week ticket or wristband online, you may be required to purchase it through a separate designated website.

The best way to ensure that you are buying from the correct site is to visit your university’s official website and click through to the ticket page from there, rather than searching online or clicking through from Facebook or Instagram pages.

4. Facebook Marketplace scam

The majority of university courses require students to complete some form of additional reading outside of their lecture hours. However, as brand-new course textbooks can be expensive, many students opt for second-hand books from Facebook Marketplace or Facebook resale groups.

Scammers will often set up fake accounts, posing as a Facebook Marketplace seller promising to post the textbooks once you have bank transferred the money. Warning signs that you are dealing with a fraudulent seller include; their profile has only recently joined Facebook, they have limited or no profile pictures or there is little engagement from other users on their profile.

Even if the Facebook user appears authentic and trustworthy, avoid bank transferring money to people you do not know. Suggest meeting up on campus or in a public place, and offer to pay in cash rather than via bank transfer. Alternatively, Amazon sells used copies of textbooks through verified sellers, where you will have a level of buyer protection.

5. Student accommodation rental scam

A few months into your university experience you may begin looking for accommodation for your second year of study, which is often based off campus. Unfortunately, fraudulent landlords will be looking to make a quick buck from unsuspecting students looking to rent shared student accommodation.

One common rental scam involves the would-be ‘landlord’ listing a non-existent property online and then requesting for a holding deposit to be made in order to take the property off the market. The listing is then taken offline, and the landlord is no longer contactable.

Remember, if the price looks too good to be true then it probably is. Make sure you view the property in person before placing any kind of deposit and aim to use a trusted student letting agent to avoid falling victim to this type of scam.

Your university website or student union may also offer a list of verified and trusted letting agents located within your area.

Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs

Permanent staff hires fall for first time in 20 months

  • Permanent placements fall for the first time since December 2020
  • Temp billings growth softens to seven-month low
  • Sustained pressure on pay amid candidate shortages 

August data revealed a renewed fall in permanent staff hires across Scotland, according to the latest Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs survey.

The seasonally adjusted Permanent Placements Index fell below the 50.0 no-change mark, to signal a modest drop in permanent staff appointments that ended a 19-month period of expansion. Growth in temp billings meanwhile moderated to a seven-month low in August. According to panellists, skills and candidate shortages weighed on hiring activity.

However, some recruiters also noted that an economic slowdown and rising market uncertainty added to the loss of momentum across the Scottish labour market. At the same time, demand for staff continued to rise, which drove further increases in both starting salaries and hourly wages. 

Permanent placements fall for first time since December 2020

Scottish recruiters reported a fall in permanent staff appointments during August, thereby ending a 19-month period of expansion. Anecdotal evidence suggested that the contraction stemmed from a slowdown in market conditions and candidate shortages.

Though only modest, the reduction in Scotland contrasted with the trend seen across the UK as a whole, which saw a slightly quicker increase in permanent placements in August.

Temporary staff billings across Scotland increased for the twenty-fourth successive month during August. Though solid, the rate of expansion eased to the slowest since January and was below its long-run average. The uptick in temp billings was in part attributed to increased activity at clients. Where a reduction was reported, panellists cited, lingering COVID-19 impacts and rising economic uncertainty.

Moreover, the rate of increase in Scotland was weaker than that seen across the UK as a whole.

Decline in permanent candidate availability weakest since March

August data highlighted a further reduction in the supply of permanent candidates across Scotland. The respective seasonally adjusted index has now posted below the neutral 50.0 threshold for the nineteenth month running. Acute skill and candidate shortages were linked to the latest decline.

However, though the extent to which permanent staff availability contracted was the slowest in five months, it remained sharper than the UK-wide trend.

The availability of candidates to fill temporary roles in Scotland continued to decline during August, stretching the current run of contraction that began in March 2021. However, the rate of deterioration eased for the third month running and was the slowest since March.

Compared to the UK-wide average, Scotland registered a faster fall in temp candidate availability for the fifth successive month.

Starting salary inflation remains elevated in August

Recruitment agencies across Scotland reported a twenty-first consecutive monthly rise in salaries awarded to new permanent joiners during August. The rate of starting salary inflation quickened fractionally from July and was sharp, albeit the second-softest in 13 months. According to Scottish recruiters, labour shortages drove up salaries.

However, Scotland continued to record a softer rate of increase in starting salaries than that seen at the UK level.

August data revealed yet another sharp increase in average hourly pay for short-term staff across Scotland. The latest uptick extended the current run of expansion to 21 months. Moreover, the rate of growth picked up from July and was the second-fastest since December 2021. According to anecdotal evidence, firms continued to raise wages to attract workers amid labour and skill shortages.

Temp pay also increased at a quickened rate at the UK level during August, albeit one that remained weaker than that seen in Scotland.

Softest increase in demand for permanent staff for 17 months

Adjusted for seasonal variation, the Permanent Vacancies Index posted above the neutral 50.0 level to signal a nineteenth successive monthly increase in demand for permanent workers across Scotland during August. Though sharp and well above the series average, the rate of growth was the weakest since March 2021.

Of the eight monitored sectors, Nursing/Medical/Care saw the strongest upturn in permanent staff vacancies, followed by IT & Computing.

Demand for temporary staff in Scotland rose for the twenty-third month in a row during August. The respective index indicated a strong increase demand overall that was unchanged from July. Notably, the rate of expansion continued to outpace that seen across the UK as a whole.

Engineering & Construction recorded the fastest rise in temp vacancies across the monitored sectors, followed by IT & Computing.

Sebastian Burnside, Chief Economist at Royal Bank of Scotland, commented: “Since April, growth in permanent placements had softened, and now the latest data finally recorded the first fall in permanent staff hires in 20 months during August.

“A loss of momentum was also observed for temp billings, which rose at the softest pace since January. The weaker trends were accompanied by reports that rising economic uncertainty had limited recruitment activity.

“Moreover, labour supply and demand imbalances persisted. Acute skill and labour shortages weighed on the availability of candidates, while demand for labour continued to rise, albeit not as quickly as earlier in the year.

“With firms competing for labour, this resulted in further steep increases in starting salaries and temp wages during August.”

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