Since the election of a Tory Government there has been such a severe reduction in living standards all over the country that poverty is being seen as normal.
This Tory attack on working people is deliberate policy. How else could these people be so incompetent and so wicked at the same time?
They are responsible for the continuing rise in prices daily. This autumn there has been a massive government-sponsored rise in the cost of living; the rise in electricity prices was a devastating blow to most people in the country; the price of fuel for cars, etc. has rocketed, giving the fuel suppliers millions of pounds in profits which was promptly given to shareholders while the price of heating and food rose.
The Tories now intend to show how much they don’t care as they have already announced a 10% increases later on this winter.
Yes, this is what the Tories will do and continue to do. All workers must do all they can to resist the Tories.
Services for secondary breast cancer patients have received an unexpected boost after a surprise donation of more than £12,000.
The cash will be used to further the work of Make 2nds Count, which campaigns to raise awareness of the little-known form of the disease, support patients and their families and fund education and research into secondary breast cancer.
Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, secondary breast cancer is an incurable cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It can be treated, but around 35,000 patients in the UK are living with the disease and the death toll here is, on average, a shocking 1,000 women each month.
This significant donation comes from Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland, which has recently decided to close its operations and wanted the funds to continue to serve secondary breast cancer patients through Make 2nds Count.
Moira Adams, Trustee of Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland, said: “It was a bittersweet moment to donate all of our funds to Make 2nds Count as we finally wind up our organisation, but we are confident that the money will be sympathetically and efficiently utilised for the benefit of breast cancer patients in Scotland.
“Our thanks must go to all our friends and supporters who have generously donated to our charity over the past 30 years. We wish Make 2nds Count every success.”
Make 2nds Count was founded by mum Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, who had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, warning signs or lump when she was told she had primary and secondary breast cancer.
Her aim is to support patients and families, educate and raise funds for research into the disease. So far her charity has raised more than £1million.
Lisa said: “While we’re incredibly sad to see the end of Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland, we’re happy to carry the torch on their behalf and to continue the great work being done to support people diagnosed with this form of the disease.
“Our lifeline comes from donations and we are committed to doing everything we can to raise awareness, fund research and improve the lives of those living with secondary breast cancer.
“This is an important and much-needed boost for our work.”
Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) has launched its’ autumn campaign to recruit new Panel Members to support infants, children and young people in their local communities.
Across Scotland, the organisation are looking to recruit volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds aged 18 and over who can listen, show empathy, build trust and show compassion to support this group of young people.
Panel Members are volunteers from local communities who take part in children’s hearings. Their role is to listen and make legal decisions with and for infants, children and young people. They are there to ensure that the young person is at the heart of every decision made – because every decision, no matter how big or small, has an impact on the life of the child or young person in the hearing.
All Panel Members, once selected, all take part in the CHS dedicated Learning Academy, in partnership with West Lothian College. In addition to the training the Panel Member will also gain a Professional Development Award for ‘Children’s Hearings in Scotland: Panel Members’, a verified award by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Children’s Hearings Scotland National Convener and Chief Executive, Elliot Jackson, says: “Scotland has an ambition to be the best place in the world to grow up, to make sure all children are loved, safe, respected and able to fulfil their full potential.
“For some children and families, the Children’s Hearings System has a significant role to play in this ambition. Children’s Hearings couldn’t operate without volunteer Panel Members making decisions with and for children and young people.
“To do this, we are committed to having children at the heart of everything we do – including recruitment.
“This campaign comes at an exciting time of growth and change at CHS and is totally centred on what young people who have experience of children’s hearings, are telling us they want to see in their Panel Members.
“Qualities like being caring, compassionate, open minded, empathetic and a good listener. If you want to make a difference in your local community, I encourage you to take the opportunity this year to apply to join our unique volunteer community.”
Clare Haughey MSP, Minister for Children and Young People, said: “Panel Members play a critical role in ensuring children and young people’s views are heard by placing them at the heart of their hearing and, in the current challenging climate, it is vital now more than ever that we recruit new volunteers to continue this.
“This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, empathetic, caring panel who will listen to children and young people.”
Children’s Hearings Scotland is the organisation responsible for recruiting, training and supporting volunteer Panel Members.
There are 2,500 volunteer Panel Members across Scotland who take part in children’s hearings and make decisions with and for infants, children and young people in their local community.
In 2020/21 16,2481 children’s hearings were held across Scotland supporting 8,9771 children and young people. The majority of hearings during the pandemic have been held virtually which was a massive undertaking for our volunteers who managed to continue providing their support throughout.
There are a range of reasons that a child or young person may be referred to attend a children’s hearing; in the last year, approximately 85%¹ of all referrals were on care and protection grounds.
Applications for new Panel Members open on 01 September to midnight 6th October 2022 and you can apply by going online to: https://chscotland.gov.uk/
HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Edinburgh Regional Centre and UK Government hub was formally opened yesterday (1 September 2022) by Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack MP.
Mr Jack unveiled a plaque at the flagship office, named Queen Elizabeth House, alongside HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, Jim Harra. Among those also attending the event were Scotland Office Director, Laurence Rockey, and the Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Stewart of Dirleton QC.
The state-of-the-art building at 1 Sibbald Walk is home to around 2,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) HMRC staff and around 640 civil servants from 24 other UK Government departments and agencies. Departments sharing the building with HMRC include the Scotland Office, Office of the Advocate General for Scotland and Department for International Trade.
The seven-storey UK Government Hub initially opened its doors to some civil servants during the pandemic on 1 September 2020 and on its second anniversary, the building has now formally been declared open.
Staff working from the site have already made a huge contribution to the country by working on the on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which helped protect more than 910,000 jobs in Scotland, including 87,500 jobs in Edinburgh.
Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said:“It’s a privilege to officially open Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government’s state-of-the-art hub in the heart of Edinburgh.
“This flagship building will provide a base for more than a dozen UK Government departments which all have a key role in Scotland.
“It is a fantastic facility and a huge asset as we engage with stakeholders, invest in communities and serve the people of Scotland.”
Jim Harra, HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, said:“It has been fantastic to finally celebrate the official opening of our Edinburgh Regional Centre and UK Government hub today.
“This modern development promotes an inclusive working environment and is an important part of HMRC’s transformation into a digitally-advanced tax authority.
“Queen Elizabeth House provides HMRC a greater opportunity to work closely with other UK Government departments to deliver our priorities such as supporting families through the cost-of-living crisis.”
HMRC also has a regional centre in Glasgow and a specialist site at Gartcosh. Earlier this year, the department announced they would retain a long-term presence in East Kilbride, which will become Phase 2 of the Glasgow Regional Centre.
Preparations under way as vessel arrives to host displaced people
The second cruise ship chartered to offer displaced people safe accommodation has arrived in Glasgow.
The M/S Ambition has been chartered for six months and will be located at King George V docks on the River Clyde. The ship has capacity to host up to 1,750 people in 714 cabins, and, as with the arrangements for the M/S Victoria I at Leith, families will be accommodated according to their needs.
People on board the vessel will have access to restaurants, child play facilities, shops, cleaning and communal spaces. They will be free to come and go from the ship, as with any other temporary accommodation.
Partners will now work to put in place measures around safeguarding, health and safety, public protection and waste management to ensure that the ship is ready to welcome people. This will also include work to provide guests on board with access to appropriate support services, including healthcare and benefits support.
Minister with Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is providing accommodation that is safe and sustainable while people are waiting to be matched to suitable longer term accommodation.
“The arrival of the M/S Ambition in Glasgow is a key part of that provision which means we are providing sanctuary to more displaced people per head of population than any other part of the UK.
“We are working closely with the council and other local partners to finalise plans for how the ship will be used, with safeguarding of the people on board being the absolute priority.
“Now that the M/S Ambition has arrived, this work will begin at pace and people will move on board once the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council are satisfied that the necessary preparations, including health and safety checks, have been satisfied.
“We do not want people spending more time in temporary accommodation, such as the cruise ships, for any longer than is absolutely necessary. We continue to take significant action to increase our temporary accommodation capacity as well as boosting our matching system to maximise the number of people who can be placed with volunteer hosts who have completed the necessary safeguarding checks.”
The latest published data on the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, including the Scottish Government’s super sponsor scheme, shows that on 30 August there were:
15,757 total arrivals with a sponsor located in Scotland (18% of all UK arrivals), of which 12,390 have come under the super sponsor scheme
35,931 applications under the super sponsor scheme
29,992 visas issued under the super sponsor scheme
*** UPDATE – STRIKES SUSPENDED FOLLOWING NEW PAY OFFER ***
UNITE members in Waste and Cleansing will walk out again from Tuesday 6th to Tuesday 13th September as the dispute over local government pay in Scotland continues.
Schools workers in Edinburgh are not on strike.
Unite is adamant that until COSLA obtains funding from the Scottish Government to offer a proper pay rise, action will continue with the mandates we have in waste and schools.
The First Minister held talks with both Cosla and the striking trade unions yesterday in an attempt to break the deadlock. There has been some progress and a deal is inching closer. Talks will continue today.
UPDATE: 3.30pm UNITE has suspended next week’s strike action as members consider an improved pay offer
TWO Edinburgh dental practices have become the latest to join the network of the nation’s leading dental group.
Clyde Munro has struck a deal with married dentists, Duncan Sandland and Suzanne Seaton, to acquire their Colinton Dental and Riccarton Dental practices after nearly two decades in charge.
The Glasgow-based firm will take the reins of running the business and the administration involved in caring for more than 13,000 patients; while Duncan and Suzanne, both 52, will continue to work at the practices concentrating on what they love doing most, looking after patients.
With patients coming from as far as Kingussie to the Colinton practice, and the Riccarton site catering for a large cohort of students and staff from Heriot Watt University; Duncan, Suzanne and their 11 staff have reassured their patients that both practices will continue to run as normal.
Duncan said: “We have been filtering into our new roles this past month, and solely focusing on what we love doing, being dentists. It has brought Suzanne and I great joy.
“It has been no secret that the pandemic has induced a lot of stress on the dental sector, and Brexit has made recruitment difficult in finding qualified workers. Everyone at both practices has worked hard to pull through, and it felt like this was the next natural step for the business.
“Clyde Munro offered what Suzanne and I wanted, we also had good feedback from colleagues in the sector who opted to go with Clyde Munro.”
Duncan joined the Colinton Dental Practice in 1994 as an associate, and was followed by his wife Suzanne in 2003.
In 2006, Duncan and Suzanne decided to buy the practice from founders Robbie Richards and Tom Wishart.
From there the duo took on the Riccarton Dental Practice which currently has 60% of its patients enrolled from Heriot Watt University, under their stewardship the practice grew from one part-time surgery to three full-time surgeries culminating in a move to a new premises.
Duncan and Suzanne believe patients will see improvements on the high levels of service they currently receive.
Duncan added: “We expect there to be very little change in how the business is run day-to-day. Clyde Munro is likely to improve the business functions and systems to make life easier for the staff.
“Suzanne and I will still be there as well as the other members of staff and in fact it should improve the business as a whole.
“There are a lot of benefits for us dentists in being part of a group, and for the patients I think it will create a better environment.”
This comes after Clyde Munro last month announced it has exceeded 500,000 patients under its care. It now has 70 practices, more than 200 dentists and 500 members of staff.
Having launched in 2015 with just seven practices, approximately one in 11 Scots are now patients within its network.
Kirsty Dace, Chief Development Officer at Clyde Munro, said: “Duncan and Suzanne have been tremendously easy to work with and we are delighted that they are staying to focus on their passion for dentistry.
“We want to see independent practices thrive with little impact on the front of house operations when they join the group, and both Colinton Dental Practice and Riccarton Dental Practice are no exceptions.
“We look forward to a productive relationship with Duncan, Suzanne and everyone involved at the practices.”
Practices which join the group benefit from help with business functions including HR, accounts, marketing, compliance and facilities management – relieving many dentists from gruelling and distracting administration duties.
The specialist running retailer in Edinburgh has teamed up with well-known running sock brand, Balega to donate socks to the local homeless charity, Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland.
Throughout September, for every pair of socks sold by Up & Running, Balega will donate a pair to Streetwork, in a bid to provide warmth and comfort to those forced to sleep on the streets.
This is the fourth year that Up & Running and Balega have joined forces, which has seen the campaign donate a substantial number of socks to help homeless charities throughout the UK. The campaign also aims to raise awareness of homelessness and the fantastic work the charities do ahead of World Homeless Day on October 10th.
Talking about the campaign, Co-Managing Director for Up & Running, George Cunningham said, “We are happy to once again be supporting local homeless shelters and projects, and are grateful to customers, staff and Balega for the contributions to the sock donation.
“The issue of homelessness is heart-breaking and serious, and affects all communities. We hope that the sock donation will help in a small way to bring some comfort and dignity to those in need.”
Jon Dennis, UK Balega representative said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Up & Running again to deliver our homeless support campaign.
“Balega has a long tradition of supporting communities and charities and our partnership with Up & Running continues this tradition.”
If you would like to support the campaign please head down to Up & Running Edinburgh and purchase a pair of socks or visit www.upandrunning.co.uk
Edinburgh Napier University has been shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2022.ENU is the only Scottish university to get a nod in the marquee category and the first one to be included since 2020.
Widely dubbed the ‘Oscars of higher education’, the industry publication’s prizes draw hundreds of entries from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and recognise the full range of academic and professional services.
Edinburgh Napier’s submission, which covered the 2020/21 academic year, was based around the themes of ‘wellbeing and sustainability’. It included highlights such as leading research on the construction of major cities, the development of the world’s first community-based mangrove and seagrass conservation projects, the award-winning period poverty campaign Bleedin’ Saor, and a pioneering lab plastics recycling programme.
“Wellbeing and sustainability underpin our academic strategies, our support strategies and indeed all that we do for the communities we serve. The success of our entry, which describes how we have maintained our commitment, is recognition of our approach and impact.
“The 2020/21 academic year presented all universities with formidable challenges, and I am proud of the way everyone at ENU went above and beyond to deliver for our students in Edinburgh and internationally, and for our many stakeholders.
“What is remarkable is that, in addition to navigating through the most challenging of times, the staff continued to innovate and deliver to our strategy. The university continued to grow in the broadest terms and make a difference.
“I would like to congratulate our fellow nominees and look forward to the ceremony in November.”
Edinburgh Napier University has also been shortlisted in two other categories: Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team and ENU’s Russell Wilson in Outstanding Technician of the Year.
Pic Greg Macvean 29/11/2021 – Edinburgh Napier University
Lisa McMillan and Russell Wilson from Edinburgh Napier University who have become pioneers in lab plastic recycling
THE editor John Gill said: “This is the 18th year that the THE Awards will celebrate the best that UK higher education has to offer, across 20 categories covering all aspects of university activity.
“Once again, the shortlists reflect universities doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times, during the 2020/21 academic year, when the pandemic continued to force higher education and all who work in it to respond to an unprecedented challenge.
“That universities did so with alacrity and creativity is clear from the truly exceptional stories told in the awards submissions, and we had over 550 in all – among the highest number ever.
“All of us at THE are looking forward to celebrating with those shortlisted when we get together for the ‘Oscars of higher education’ in November.”
The nominations follow several other recent accolades in support of the work being done at Edinburgh Napier.
This year Edinburgh Napier University has been named the number one modern university in Scotland by the 2022 Sunday Times Good University Guide, while it has ranked first in in Edinburgh for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey in each of the last three years.
The Research Excellence Framework results, published in May, assessed 68% of the university’s research as either “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”, up 15% since 2014. This makes Edinburgh Napier the top ranking Scottish modern university for both research power and research impact.
The ‘Napier Names’ campaign, which celebrated the achievements of 2020/21 graduates by displaying their names all over Edinburgh, also won gold at The Heist Awards for education marketing, as well as prizes at the Edinburgh Business Awards and Herald Higher Education Awards.
The winners of the 18th annual THE Awards will be revealed will be revealed at a ceremony in London on 17 November 2022.
Scotland’s finest bars and pubs have been revealed at a glitzy awards ceremony for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 in Glasgow on Tuesday (30 August).
Hundreds of Scotland’s licenced trade gathered together to celebrate their achievements, enjoying entertainment from Abba MANIA.
Crowning the nation’s most loved pubs, the prestigious event saw over 27 venues and individuals pick up the coveted awards from up and down the country including Glasgow’s Ga Ga, Troon’s The Fox and Edinburgh’s Black Ivy and Virgin Hotels.
Organiser Susan Youngsaid, “It’s been another incredible year for the annual Scottish Bar and Pub Awards as we’ve recognised some of the most creative, hard-working and beloved venues in the country.
“Following a difficult few years for the licensed trade, it’s fantastic to see so many venues dedicate their time to staff training, inventive menus and new initiatives.
“From Inverness to Dundee, Troon to Uddingston, this year’s winners have gone above and beyond to provide exemplary customer service, create new cocktails or champion their local live music scene.
“I’d like to give a special mention and warmest congratulations to our DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award winner Colin Blair from Buzzworks and Inspirational Woman of the Year, Giovanna Eusebi from Eusebi Deli – they are two worthy winners and a credit to our industry.
Congratulations everyone and thanks for once again helping us shine a spotlight on Scotland’s best venues!”
Full Winners List:
DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award
Colin Blair (Buzzworks)
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
Black Ivy, Edinburgh (above)
Aro Procurement Customer Service Award
The Huxley, Edinburgh
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
Deanston Whisky Guru 2022
Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room, Inverness
William Grant Bar Apprentice 2022
Gavin Lidbury, The Finnieston
Contribution to the Industry Award 2022
Jim Hamilton
Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue 2022
Box Bar & Club, Glasgow
Hospo TalentManager of the Year 2022
Matt Colligan, Bier Halle
Hungrrr Technology Adopter 2022
Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow
Inspirational Woman of the Year 2022
Giovanna Eusebi, Eusebi Deli
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year
Ga Ga, Glasgow
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year
The Fox, Troon
Licensee of the Year
John Black, The Fort, Dundee
Award for Success
Paul Stevenson, Paesano
Molinari Casual Dining Award 2022
Caffe Parma, Glasgow
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year
Kelvingrove Café, Glasgow
Buzzworks & Montpeliers
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year
Virgin Hotels, The Commons Club, Edinburgh
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue
Why Not Nightclub, Edinburgh
Scottish Bar & Pub Awards Community Pub of the Year
Clippens Inn, Linwood
Stoli Sustainability Award
Eusebi, Glasgow
Independent Operator of the Year
Jonathan MacDonald
Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year
Lido, Troon
Scottish Hospitality Group Special Recognition Award 2022
David Cochrane, HIT
Scottish Bar & Pub Awards Team of the Year
Lisini, Uddingston
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
The Palais, Glasgow
In their 27th year the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, dubbed the hospitality Oscars, spotlight Scotland’s licensed trade and independent operators, rewarding the country’s most loved venues.
Finalists are shortlisted from an online vote open to the public, with over 3500 votes cast this year and visited by an esteemed panel of judges to crown the final winners.
The awards recognise everything from Kopparberg’s New Pub of the Year, Hi Spirits Best Live Music Venue and even Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year. The winners were announced from amongst 75 finalists at last night’s glittering awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hilton Glasgow Central, as Scotland’s finest bar and pub operators came together to celebrate a bumper year.
Glasgow’s bar and pub scene cleaned up at the awards, with local institutions like The Piper Whisky Bar taking home Benromach’s Whisky Bar of the Year, and the East End’s Palais Bar claiming the coveted prize of the night, the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year. West End mainstays Eusebi Deli won the Stoli Sustainability Award while Scoop Restaurants, operators of world-renowned venues Ka Pao and Ox and Finch, won Independent Operator of the Year.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s winners included Black Ivy for Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year (above), and beloved bar and restaurant The Huxley was recognised for exemplary service with the Aro Procurement Customer Service Award.
Newcomer The Commons Club at Virgin Hotels claimed the Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year, holding off competition from Gleneagles Hotel, Fonab Castle and Rusacks Hotel.
Outwith the central belt, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards recognised some of the nation’s finest venues including Inverness’ The Malt Room.
Inverness native and bar manager of the venue Matt MacPherson took home two awards, crowned Deanston Whisky Guru 2022 and Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
In Dundee, John Black of The Fort won Licensee of the Year, whilst The Fox in Troon was named Kopparberg’s New Bar of the Year, coming out top ahead of stiff competition from Jimmy Badgers, Giddy Goose and The Albyn.
The awards are Scotland’s longest running licensed trade awards, and celebrate the industry’s rising stars, community led initiatives and creative forces which drive the nation’s best venues.
