Day: November 6, 2022

The second Golden Age of Cocktails: New cocktail list launched at Hawksmoor Edinburgh

Hawksmoor Edinburgh is launching the latest edition of their multi-award-winning cocktail list, which has been in the making for three years. The menu has been designed to celebrate the second golden age of cocktails, 1995-2005, a period credited with the revival of cocktail culture around the world. 

From modern takes on classic steakhouse cocktails, to sub-zero martinis, all the way through to digestifs and dessert-inspired night caps, this menu combines the comfort of recognisable drinks mixed with the tongue in cheek irreverence, artistry and skill that Hawksmoor is known for.  

Head of Bars, Liam Davy, has overseen a list which, as ever, is replete with deceptively simple drinks that belie the hours of research and technique that have gone into them. 

Credited with creating the ‘Coldest Martini in the World’ (Punch), Hawksmoor’s Martini section is dedicated to honouring the king of the cocktail, each one chilled to a bracing -12c. 

The Pink Gibson is a tantalising mix of sweet and savoury, with Boatyard Vodka, Audemus Umami Gin, Aperitivo Co. Dry Vermouth and pink pickled onion whilst the The Ultimate Gin Martini, made with Hepple gin, Aperitivo Co. Dry Vermouth and Filicudi lemon oil, is bright and punchy,  

Steakhouse Sharpeners is a deep dive into the classic aperitifs of the American steakhouse, with drinks such as the Classic Champagne Cocktail made with champagne, cognac, verjus, pineau de charente, all poured over a sugar cube saturated with bitters. The Ranch Water pays homage to a popular US drink originating from West Texas; mineral and fresh with a gentle agave hum, it’s a carbonated mix of tequila, mezcal, pineapple soda, hopped kombucha, jalapeño salt and agave syrup. 

Second Golden Age is a tribute to the era that resurrected cocktail craft, with much loved favourites tweaked after hundreds of tiny iterations across Hawksmoor’s bars.  Tommy Verde, which uses tequila, mezcal, cucumber agave, olive brine, green tabasco, and green tomato juice, is complex and vegetal, with a hint of smoke. 

The Sacred Six section of the menu, where the MVPs of the Hawksmoor cocktail list sit. These timeless classics include Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew, the Reformed Pornstar, and the rich and buttery Fuller Fat Old Fashioned.  

Nightcaps are the ultimate after-dinner drinks, a silly and serious mix of sweet pudding-style cocktails and sultry dark and bitter digestifs. For a sweeter treat, The Spiced Plum Sazerac is neat and subtle with a bright bitterness, with plum distillate, Calvados, plum syrup with star anise and Absinthe. 

For those looking for drinks with all the flair and flavour but none of the alcohol, the Temperates section of the menu has a delicious range of 0% ABV drinks, from non-alcoholic cocktails to a selection of brewed and fermented delights. The menu includes L.A Brewery Kombucha and Saicho Sparkling Teas, and to harness the luxury of sparkling wines and champagnes, try Blurred Vines 0% Wine – effervescent and sharp with bright floral and fruity notes. 

About Hawksmoor Edinburgh  

A short walk from Waverley station, Princes Street and just off St. Andrew Square, Hawksmoor Edinburgh is located in the beautiful former National Bank of Scotland Banking Hall, a Grade A listed ‘building of national importance’. 

The restaurant has been sensitively refurbished to celebrate the building’s original features, and boasts two private dining rooms, seating up to 12 guests and up to 48 guests, serving our sharing style menus to ensure you get a taste of our wide range of cuts and sides 

In Edinburgh, Hawksmoor draws on the amazing produce that Scotland has to offer, featuring seafood from around the Scottish coast and beef from grass-fed native breed cattle from both sides of the border. Hawksmoor serves some of the best steak in Edinburgh, as well as snacks at the bar alongside cocktails created by our award-winning bartenders.  

Hawksmoor has always taken its bars and cocktails every bit as seriously as its restaurants and steaks, believing as they do that a night out at Hawksmoor should be fun as well as special.  They have developed a reputation over the years for being amongst the best bars in the world (having won multiple awards at the Oscars of the cocktail world, Tales of the Cocktail, including taking home the Best International Restaurant Bar twice), with some of the great British bartenders currently or previously working for the group. 

One staple of the Hawksmoor cocktail menu is the signature Bloody Mary, a smoky-yet-spicy amalgamation, blending lemon juice, vodka, Tongue in Peat tomato juice, and expertly paired with our bespoke Bloody Mary Paste.

Paired alongside The Hawksmoor Sunday Roast, this is more than a hangover cure or Sunday staple but a delightful end of week treat. And the Roast is famous for good reason: two-time winner of ‘Best Sunday Roast in the UK’, this iconic dish proves why a classic done right will never go out of style.  

On Mondays, corkage is £5 all day and on Sundays, there are roasts that Observer Food Monthly named amongst the best in the UK. Our Express menu is available lunch and early evenings every Monday – Saturday. 

Heriot-Watt ranks as Scotland’s best university for landing a Big Four Accounting job

These Scottish universities give you the best chance of working for a Big Four Accounting Firm

  • Heriot-Watt University ranks as the best Scottish university for landing a job at a Big Four Accountancy Firm, with 991 graduates working for PwC, Deloitte, EY or KPMG.
  • University of St. Andrews and The University of Edinburgh rank second and third respectively in Scotland.
  • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) ranks as the best university in the UK for landing a Big Four job.

Heriot-Watt University ranks as the best Scottish university for landing a role at a Big Four Accounting Firm (PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG) according to a new analysis of LinkedIn data.

As undergraduates return for their final year of university this Autumn, many will have their mind set on a career with some of the UK’s largest and most reputable graduate employers.

However, as places for these graduate roles become more competitive, many will be wondering how their university stacks up in terms of career prospects.

Online trading platform and broker CMC Markets, analysed LinkedIn data for the Big Four Accounting Firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY) and KPMG, to see where their current employees most commonly attended university.

The analysis looked at the UK’s top 60 universities, including all 24 that are members of the Russell Group, to see which universities have the most graduates working for a Big Four Accounting Firm. The figures were also calculated as a proportion of each university’s enrolment size, based on student enrolment for the 2020/21 academic year according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Scotland Universities ranked for Big Four Accounting Jobs

1. Heriot-Watt University – 991 graduates (8.8% of enrolment size)

Heriot-Watt University ranks as the best Scottish university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four, with a total of 991 university graduates currently employed across these firms. When accounting for the number of students enrolled in a typical academic year at Heriot-Watt, this works out at 8.8% of the total enrolment size placing it top of any Scottish university in the list and 10th overall in the UK.

2. University of St. Andrews – 927 graduates (8.1% of enrolment size)

University of St. Andrews ranks the second-best Scottish university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a total of 927 graduates currently employed across these firms, which works out at 8.1% of the total enrolment size. St. Andrews ranks 12th overall in the UK in terms of graduates in Big Four Accounting roles.

3. The University of Edinburgh – 1,983 graduates (5.2% of enrolment size)

The University of Edinburgh ranks as Scotland’s third best university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a larger total of 1,983 graduates currently employed across these firms, which works out at 5.2% of the total enrolment size. Edinburgh ranks 33rd overall in the UK in terms of graduates in Big Four Accounting roles.

4. University of Strathclyde – 1,202 graduates (4.9% of enrolment size)

University of Strathclyde ranks as Scotland’s fourth best university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a total of 1,202 graduates currently employed across these firms, working out at 4.9% of the total enrolment size. Strathclyde ranks three spots behind at 36th overall in the UK.

5. University of Aberdeen – 580 graduates (3.6% of enrolment size)

University of Aberdeen ranks as Scotland’s fifth best university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a total of 580 graduates currently employed across these firms, working out at 3.6% of the total enrolment size. Aberdeen ranks 40th overall in the UK.

6. University of Glasgow – 1,339 graduates (3.6% of enrolment size)

University of Glasgow ranks as Scotland’s sixth best university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a total of 1,339 graduates currently employed across these firms, also working out at 3.6% of the total enrolment size. Glasgow ranks 41st overall in the UK.

7. University of Stirling – 293 graduates (2.0% of enrolment size)

University of Stirling ranks as Scotland’s seventh best university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a total of 293 graduates currently employed across these firms, working out at 2.0% of the total enrolment size. Stirling ranks 51st overall in the UK.

8. University of Dundee – 279 graduates (1.7% of enrolment size)

University of Dundee ranks as Scotland’s eight best university to attend if you want to pursue a career at the Big Four. The university has a total of 279 graduates currently employed across these firms, working out at 1.7% of the total enrolment size. Dundee ranks 53rd overall in the UK, nearing the bottom of the list.

Top UK Universities for Big Four Accounting Jobs

1. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – 5,776 graduates (42.9% of enrolment size)

2. University of Cambridge – 3,401 graduates (15.4% of enrolment size)

3. Oxford Brookes University – 2,355 graduates (13.2% of enrolment size)

4. Durham University – 2,702 graduates (13.1% of enrolment size)

5. University of Lancaster – 1,732 graduates (9.9% of enrolment size)

University ranking by percentage of alumni who list themselves on LinkedIn as working for a Big Four firm

RankUK UniversityPwC EmployeesDeloitte EmployeesEY EmployeesKPMG EmployeesTotalTotal student enrolment (for the 20/21 academic year)Number of alumni working at The Big Four as a percentage of current enrolment size
1.London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)1,4941,7981,4771,0075,77613,45542.9%
2.University of Cambridge8931,0578446073,40122,15515.4%
3.Oxford Brookes University5635598094242,35517,79513.2%
4.Durham University7547945885662,70220,64513.1%
5.University of Lancaster4664354973341,73217,4709.9%
6.University of Warwick7618106145272,71228,1109.6%
7.University of Oxford6618565465042,56727,1509.5%
8.Queen’s University Belfast1,1494884162862,33925,3659.2%
9.University of Bath4805004063221,70818,5559.2%
10.Heriot-Watt University25527327019399111,2008.8%
11.University of Nottingham9198496256503,04335,7858.5%
12.University of St. Andrews28327620216692711,4858.1%
13.Imperial College London4575453713321,70521,3708.0%
14.University of Bristol7176555154762,36329,7857.9%
15.The University of Manchester9871,0017707293,48744,6357.8%
16.University of Birmingham8587965766672,89737,7507.7%
17.SOAS University of London116138951014505,8657.7%
18.University of Southampton4235293373081,59721,3957.5%
19.University of Leeds8817175685442,71036,8407.4%
20.Loughborough University4113792902601,34018,3357.3%
21.University of Exeter6206324674722,19130,2507.2%
22.Queen Mary University of London4155263763481,66523,8707.0%
23.University College London (UCL)8619997035443,10745,7156.8%
24.Newcastle University6604763663111,81327,7756.5%
25.University of Leicester2723252341811,01216,1006.3%
26.Royal Holloway, University of London21023716512773912,2956.0%
27.King’s College London5766995544702,29938,4456.0%
28.Ulster University

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Morrisons brings back festive hero ‘Farmer Christmas’ in TV ad

-Morrisons festive TV ad puts food, farmers and its own foodmakers at the heart of Christmas-

-Stars real Morrisons colleagues alongside Farmer Christmas who swaps sleigh for tractor-

-Launches ‘Officially Approved By Farmer Christmas’ stamp-

-Debuts on Good Morning Britain on 7th November-

Morrisons is bringing back Farmer Christmas for the second year running as part of its latest Christmas campaign.

The character was so well received by customers last year*, that Morrisons is building on that success.  Farmer Christmas has been integrated throughout the whole of this year’s campaign to highlight the great quality and value of Morrisons festive range, with his ‘seal of approval’ the common thread throughout.

The 60 second TV ad, created with Publicis•Poke showcases the other hero of Christmas as Morrisons once again illustrates the work British farmers do to help make Christmas so special.

The spotlight is also on Morrisons own colleagues – many of whom feature in the ad – who are the “real life elves” who help make more than half the fresh food that Morrisons sells.

The ad follows Farmer Christmas, who we hear speak for the first time in his rich Welsh brogue, as he travels across his fields on a tractor to his festive workshop.

There we see Morrisons ‘elves’ hard at work preparing festive dishes made by Morrisons. Farmer Christmas introduces a Morrisons baker creating puff pastry mince pies in “magic ovens” (or normal ovens, as the baker clarifies), a fishmonger showing off smoked Scottish salmon, and a butcher who passes Farmer Christmas a traditionally glazed gammon joint, which he describes as being “like a big edible Christmas present”. 

Viewers then follow Farmer Christmas as he travels on his tractor to deliver a festive feast to a family, before cheekily inviting himself to sit down and join them.

The ad finishes with Farmer Christmas proudly explaining that Morrisons is the “only supermarket to be officially approved by me” because of its commitment to British farming, its food makers and its great value Christmas products.  The ‘Officially Approved By Farmer Christmas’ stamp will be seen throughout the festive campaign in store and across paid media.

While the ad kicks off the festive season in Morrisons, some Christmas products have been on the shelves since mid-September to help customers spread the cost of this year’s festivities. 

Other recent activities that have been introduced to help customers with the cost of living include cutting and then freezing the prices of 150 of the most popular products, the introduction of exclusive offers to My Morrisons members and the continuation of the Kids Eat Free All Day initiative in Morrisons cafés. 

In the coming days, Morrisons Christmas Collector scheme will go live for eligible My Morrisons members enabling them to receive a significant money-off voucher to spend at Christmas if they meet the criteria and shop in the relevant weeks. 

Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: “We know that customers are having to manage their budgets closely at the moment but they have told us they don’t want to compromise on the Christmas meal. 

“We’ve brought Farmer Christmas back this year to show them the food and great prices that, thanks to Morrisons foodmakers and farmers, will be available throughout the festive period, all stamped with his seal of approval.”

Dave Monk, Publicis•Poke Executive Creative Director, said: “Farmer Christmas is back. This year with a twinkle in his eye and a tractor to match.

“As the authority on Christmas food, with a mouth full of his own wisdom and a sack full of Morrisons mince pies, he’s here to remind us all that the most precious moments at Christmas are the ones we spend around the table with our family, and that the presents on our tables make Christmas just as special as the presents under the tree.”

The ad was directed by Frank Todaro of Moxie Pictures and will launch on TV during Good Morning Britain on Monday 7th November, followed by network TV spots that include Coronation Street, Bake Off, I’m a Celebrity and Goggle Box. It will also be shown in cinemas throughout the festive period. 

The wider campaign will run across radio, press, digital display, social media and out of home bringing Farmer Christmas to streets, as well as screens, across the UK.

This ad is the first in a series of ten Christmas TV ads showcasing Morrisons fresh food and festive deals to tie in with the World Cup as well as the Christmas period.

Difficult budget decisions needed to balance the books, warns Holyrood’s Finance Committee

A Holyrood committee has warned of difficult tax and spending decisions in the budget if the Scottish Government is to balance the books and address both the cost of living crisis and the lasting impact of Covid.

In a report published today, the Finance and Public Administration Committee’s says an ‘open and honest debate’ with the public needs to be fostered on how to balance spending priorities and taxation.

In its report, the Committee notes that public sector pay rises will be funded, at least in part, through a headcount reduction in the public sector, but calls on the Scottish Government to ensure this is done in a co-ordinated way that minimises the impact on public services.

The report adds it is also now time for the UK Government to concentrate on putting in place measures to bring more stability to the UK economy and recognise the impact of inflation on the Scottish block grant.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Our Committee accepts that the Scottish Government faces difficult choices in balancing its approaches to spending and taxation – especially if it’s to maintain financial sustainability and support households and businesses through the cost of living crisis.

“An open and honest debate with the public about how services and priorities are funded is now needed, including on the role of taxation in funding wider policy benefits for society.”

On the challenges facing the public sector, Mr Gibson said: “We acknowledge the challenge the Scottish Government faces in identifying additional money to fund public sector pay rises which respond to inflation.

“The UK Government should also recognise the impact of inflation on the Scottish block grant.

“We ask for assurances from the Scottish Government that it will approach reducing the public sector headcount in a systematic, transparent, and co-ordinated way.  This should be done in tandem with the public service reform agenda, with a view to minimising any impact on the delivery of public services.

“As we say in our report, it is now time for the UK Government to concentrate on putting in place measures to bring more stability to the UK economy.”

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Cardiac arrest survivor shares his story at Holyrood reception for St Andrew’s First Aid

Last week, cardiac arrest survivor John McCann, 62, whose life was saved by a first aid trained First Bus driver, shared his experiences with party leaders, ministers and MSPs at a parliamentary reception on behalf of St Andrew’s First Aid, Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity. 

John, who lives in the West End of Glasgow, spoke of the great importance of first aid and emphasised the vital need to ensure more people are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to intervene in any emergency. He underlined how his life – and ability to tell his story at the event – was entirely down to the actions of one man.

The reception was attended by Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar, Minister for Public Health, Woman’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd and Collette Stevenson as sponsoring MSP, amongst others.

The event was held to mark the 140th anniversary of the charity and provided an opportunity for political and wider stakeholders to find out more about St Andrew’s First Aid’s mission to transform Scotland into a nation of live savers by providing vital first aid training to everyone. 

The reception also included a speech from Molly Jansen, 17, a St Andrew’s First Aid volunteer. Molly spoke about the valuable experiences of being a volunteer and the importance of St. Andrew’s First Aid’s school projects such as the Ready for Life programme which teaches a certificated emergency and mental health first aid course to secondary school pupils.

Stuart Callison, Chief executive at St Andrew’s First Aid said: “We’re delighted that the vital work being completed at St. Andrew’s First Aid is being recognised and celebrated.

“We are very grateful to everyone who attended our event and helped us to celebrate these 140 years of providing essential first aid training and support to Scotland.

“As Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity, we have a responsibility to train as many people in lifesaving skills and raise awareness of the important campaigns and initiatives we have in place to achieve this.”

UK kept 1.5 degrees alive, new COP26 Presidency Report shows

  • UK government launches COP26 Presidency outcomes document, celebrating the successes of the Glasgow summit and the UK’s COP Presidency year
  • The report details the progress made to tackle emissions, mobilise finance and help those impacted by climate change and calls for further action ahead of COP27 in Egypt next week
  • The launch took place at Lancaster House with COP26 President Alok Sharma and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

COP26 President Alok Sharma has launched the UK’s COP26 Presidency Outcomes Document. He joined the Prime Minister to host around 80 global business CEOs at an event at Lancaster House on Friday.

The new report, which comes as the UK prepares to hand over to Egypt next week, highlights progress made over the three years since the UK took on the Presidency of the COP. It also acknowledges that more needs to be done at COP27 and beyond to implement the commitments made at COP26.

Under the UK’s stewardship and during a global pandemic, COP26 brought together nearly 200 countries to forge the historic Glasgow Climate Pact. The Glasgow Climate Pact remains the blueprint for accelerating climate action this critical decade to keep 1.5°C in reach.

The report details key achievements across the UK Presidency’s four overarching goals of mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and finance and collaboration.

Highlights include:

  • Keeping 1.5 degrees alive: Over 90% of the world’s GDP, up from 30% when the UK took on the COP Presidency, is now covered by net zero commitments. More than 153 countries have now put forward new 2030 climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions.
  • Increasing funding and launching UN work for dealing with climate impacts: record levels of finance to help countries adapt to the effects of climate change have been pledged to the Adaptation Fund and the Least Developed Country Fund under the UK Presidency. In addition at COP26, countries agreed to double 2019 levels of adaptation finance by 2025, the first quantified adaptation finance target.
  • Accelerating unprecedented low-carbon transitions of industries such as transport and energy, with commitments covering power, coal, methane, fossil fuel financing, forests and land, transport and sectors, including the first ever agreement to coal phase down in a UN climate decision.
  • Finalising the Paris Rulebook after 6 years of negotiations, which sets out the instructions and products needed to fully implement the Paris Agreement on climate change. These guidelines build confidence and transparency as countries deliver on their commitments to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This progress has been achieved against the backdrop of an incredibly challenging geopolitical context, driven by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine which has demonstrated the integral link between climate change, energy security and the vulnerability caused by our dependence on fossil fuels.

The UK’s Presidency has continued to drive action throughout this, working with countries, civil society organisations, and local communities to ensure that the commitments made in Glasgow are delivered to keep 1.5 alive.

Alok Sharma, COP26 President, said: “The last three years have been a unique privilege and I have been inspired by the urgency and the ambition I have heard around the world.

“The decade ahead can be one where we pull back from the precipice of climate catastrophe and unlock a just and sustainable path to prosperity for billions of people around the world.

“To do this we must fully deliver on the promises made at COP26 and in the Glasgow Climate Pact.”

Mr Sharma hosted members of the UN-backed international campaign Race to Zero at Lancaster House to consider how global business take forward the legacy of the COP26 UK Presidency and deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact, in his final engagement as COP President before COP27.

Before the reception at Lancaster House, the COP President joined His Majesty The King and the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace to mark the end of the UK’s COP26 Presidency and the beginning of Egypt’s Presidency of COP27.

Fraser of Allander Institute: Sentiment goes down as interest rates go up

There’s been another busy week of economic and fiscal news to cover. The main headline is of course that the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to raise interest rates for the eighth successive time, to 3%.

Also grabbing the headlines was the forecast that, if interest rates follow market expectations and go up to 5.25% by Q3 2023, the economy is likely to contract for 2 years, only returning to growth in Q3 2024.

The Governor of the Bank, Andrew Bailey, made clear that it was possible that the markets has over done the likely pathway for rates, implying that they may not end up getting above 5%.

But, as the chart below shows, their view is that the economy is in for a rough time over the next 2-3 years, whatever the specific pathway for rates. Whatever happens, their expectation is that we will not be above pre-pandemic levels of output by the end of 2025.

Chart: Outlook for UK GDP Growth, 2019 Q4=100

Source: BoE

On Wednesday, we published our latest Scottish Business Monitor, covering Q3 2022, which showed that business sentiment is now in negative territory for the first since the end of 2020.

Chart: Net balance (%) of firms expecting an increase in their volume of business over the next six months, Q1 1998 – Q3 2022

*Net balance of firms is defined as the share of firms reporting higher minus the share of firms reporting lower

With the price of goods, energy, and borrowing on the rise, the majority of Scottish firms that we surveyed are expecting to wind down their operations or pass on costs to their consumers over the next year.

However, there is some good news from our latest survey. Supply chain issues continue to ease, which may dampen inflationary pressures, and the ongoing energy crisis has motivated Scottish businesses to consider making energy-efficient improvements to their processes.

Additionally, In the most recent quarter, half of responding businesses reported that they had vacancies to hire new members of staff, down from 56% reported in the previous quarter.

Of those firms with vacancies, 90% were finding them difficult to fill – up 3 percentage points since the last survey. A lack of skills and applications continue to be the main barriers to filling job posts, and, increasingly, wage expectations are making it difficult for Scottish firms to hire the staff that they need.

Unsurprisingly, Scottish firms expect energy bills and wages to be their main cost pressures in the coming 6 months.

Scottish Economy contracts in August

Somewhat lost in the other news on Wednesday (see below) was new GDP data from the Scottish Government for August.

This showed that GDP fell by 0.3% in August, taking the Scottish economy below pre-pandemic levels of output – very consistent with the messages we saw from the Bank about a likely contraction overall in Q3.

The contraction was driven mainly by a fall in services output. In a sign of things to come, consumer facing services fell by 2.4%, chiming with what we are hearing from businesses.

Scottish Government cuts health funding to fund pay deals

On Wednesday, we had the Scottish Government’s Emergency Budget Review. We gave our initial reactions here, and the coverage since the publication on Wednesday has focussed very much on the cuts made to health spending to fund pay deals for health workers.

What is clear is that this may not be the end of the story for the 2022-23 budget. John Swinney in the Chamber made it clear that there could be further implications for the Scottish Budget from the UKG’s Autumn Budget on 17th November, perhaps even for 2022-23. And it is also clear that many pay deals are far from settled.

Only 12 more sleeps until the next fiscal event!!

Tenants urged to give their views in housing rent consultation

The City of Edinburgh Council is encouraging its housing tenants to take part in a housing rent consultation. This annual consultation helps influence how the Council spends the money it raises from rental income.

The cost-of-living crisis is also impacting on our costs to run housing services.  It is now more expensive to ensure our Council homes meet statutory energy efficiency standards and to build new affordable homes.

Over the next eight weeks we’re seeking tenants’ views on their priorities on how we spend the rent money we collect, what their views are on rent increases, and the financial challenges they face.

We recognise that this year will be particularly challenging for all residents with rising inflation, spiralling prices, and the wider cost-of-living crisis.

However, costs of providing landlord and housing services are increasing, and tenants previously told us they want us to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and that they need more affordable homes. We have frozen rents for two years, now we need to know what tenants think about what we do next year.

The Scottish Government has recently announced that council rents will remain frozen across Scotland until at least March 2023.  At this stage it is unclear whether this will be extended beyond the spring.

Depending on the outcome of this we will consider options for a rent increase in 2023-24. However, any change in rents must take into consideration tenant’s views and input.

We would use any increase in rent to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and help tenants save money, as well as improving the landlord service that we provide.

We are looking forward to hearing from our tenants on housing and how the Council can further support them through the cost-of-living crisis.

The consultation closes on 23 December 2022.

Make your voice heard by taking part in the consultation.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Tenants and their views are at the heart of our housing priorities and goals. With the current cost-of living-crisis and rising economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever that our tenants have a say in how the Council goes forward with housing.

“I hope that this year’s consultation will allow the Council an informative and insightful view into how tenants would like rental income spent.

“We want to make sure rents are affordable for tenants whilst also being able to sustainably invest in the standard and quality of council homes for the future.

“I would urge all council tenants to participate in the consultation and make their voices heard.”

Additional bank holiday to mark King’s Coronation

The Prime Minister has decided to proclaim an additional bank holiday to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III next year. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8 May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6 May.

In line with the bank holiday to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, this will be an opportunity for families and communities across the country to come together to celebrate.

The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country. In recognition of this historic occasion, I am pleased to announce an additional bank holiday for the whole United Kingdom next year.

“I look forward to seeing people come together to celebrate and pay tribute to King Charles III by taking part in local and national events across the country in his honour.”

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “The Coronation combines the sacred and the solemn but it is also celebratory.”

“This bank holiday will once again give people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to come together as families and communities to welcome His Majesty to the throne as we mark this important day in our nation’s long history.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Coronation will be an historic moment for Scotland, and the Scottish Government wants to give as many people as possible the opportunity to join the celebrations.

“Scotland will want to send its best wishes to His Majesty, King Charles III, and The Queen Consort.”

Firefighters attend 356 bonfires

SERIOUS INCIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received 1,025 calls during an eight-hour period this Bonfire Night with Operations Control staff mobilising crews to 356 bonfires. 

The 5 November is typically one of the busiest nights of the year for firefighters.

Five attacks on crews have been recorded, however no injuries have been reported at this time.

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is director of service delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He said: “It’s been another busy and challenging evening for our crews and Operations Control staff around Scotland and I thank them for their dedication.

“We are disappointed to report five attacks on our firefighters. In the run up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken out about this kind of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which sadly happens year after year.

“Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.

“Crews only attend bonfire related incidents when people contact us about concerns over public safety and we extinguish fires that are unsafe.

“We put a huge amount of planning and preparation into this evening with local partners and other emergency services as we work together to protect communities, which is always our top priority.”

Police Scotland’s Public Order trained officers supported local policing colleagues in what proved to be a challenging Bonfire Night for emergency services.

In total, 483 calls were received relating to fireworks offences night. This is a reduction on the 581 incidents recorded the previous year and reflects the positive downward trend in crimes that have occurred over the past five years. Nevertheless, there were still a number of significant crimes arising over the course of the evening.

Twelve people were arrested, and a further 15 were dispersed from Dispersal Zones. Further inquiry to identify more suspects will be taking place over the coming days and weeks.

The majority of serious incidents took place in Edinburgh, where members of the public, firefighters and police officers were all targeted by youths in possession of fireworks.

During a call-out to an illegal bonfire at Langside Street, Clydebank, however, members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were attacked by twenty youths using fireworks. Police Public Order Officers attended and the group dispersed. One police vehicle sustained very minor damage and one male was arrested for assault and culpable and reckless conduct.

Just before 7pm, approximately 100 youths threw fireworks at members of the public and vehicles at Marischal Road in Niddrie. Public Order Officers attended to support local policing teams and were also targeted. A fire engine that was in attendance sustained a smashed window as a result of the disorder, though, thankfully, no one was injured.

While on patrol at around 7.35pm on Ferry Road Drive, Edinburgh, officers were attacked by a number of individuals throwing bricks at their vehicle. Public Order Officers were called to the scene to support and a Public Order vehicle was subsequently damaged when a brick was thrown at the windscreen.

Further incidents in the Drylaw area were reported between 9 and 10pm when the fire service were initially attacked with fireworks while attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire on Ferry Road Drive, and had to withdraw.

Once again, Public Order resources were deployed to support but were subjected to threats and fireworks being thrown by a number of youths, who were also armed with scaffolding poles and a baseball bat.

Further incidents were then reported in the area, after youths began throwing fireworks at members of the public and at Drylaw Police Station. No injuries were reported and no damage was sustained to the building.

Around 8.40pm, a police vehicle was attacked with bricks in the Niddrie area resulting in a window being smashed and an officer sustaining a minor cut to their lip. 

Around the same time within Sighthill, Edinburgh, local officers were within their vehicle when it was targeted by youths with bricks who smashed the vehicle’s windows. This resulted in both officers being injured. They were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. One sustained a head injury that required stitches, while the other needed treatment for glass in their eye.

An hour later, within the Duddingston area, a number of police vehicles had petrol bombs thrown at them by a number of youths. There were also incidents of roads being barricaded by the suspects, which required police to attend and deal with. There were no injuries reported during these incidents.

Around the same time in Glasgow, a male was outside the OVO Hydro, and threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was detained by security staff at the scene. Following police enquiries, two people were arrested in connection with this matter.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.

“However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.

“I would ask anyone who has information relating to the offences observed last night to contact police via 101 so we can investigate appropriately.

“What the events of last night demonstrate to me is the importance of having a robust frontline policing service that can be readily supported by national and specialist colleagues when required. Similarly, working in partnership with other emergency colleagues and local authorities is equally important to ensuring we are deploying the correct level of resource to the right areas at the right time.

“All of those who were on duty during Bonfire Night showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to protecting communities from harm during extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. I am grateful for all of their efforts.”