THE 49th Division continued it’s advance, overcoming strong resistance in the area of the town of Poppel. Dates, days and times usually meant very little at the time, but the date of Sunday 18th September cannot be forgotten as the sky was filled with planes and gliders.
Each of these was filled with paratroopers on their way to capture the bridges across the major obstacles of the River Waal at Nijmegan, the River Neder Rein at Arnhem and the town of Arnhem itself. This was to ecome known as Operation Market Garden (made famous in the film A Bridge Too Far – Ed.).
The main allied land forces were to launch a huge simultaneous attack to link up with the paratroppers by going through the twons of Valkenswaard, Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem and then on to the industrial area of the Ruhr in Germany. Things did not go to plan and the attack was practically halted after some miles by the enemy holding the very few approach roads and bridge crossings of the numerous small rivers and canals. Allied attack movement then became West and East as well as North; all being hampered by the very wet weather and approaching winter.
When Brussels was liberated some troops were given a short peiod of leave; usually two days and staying in an Army hostel. One day I had to pick up one of our men returning from Brussels at a nearby railway station and take him back to his unit; the next day he was killed. this particular death still haunts me. His name was Arthur Brown; he is buried at Bergen op Zoom in Holland and I have visited there a few times, post war.
The Germans were still resisting strongly in many areas. In one village we came under a good deal of shelling by their heavy artillery; the dreaded 88mm gun.
the 88 could fire shells at speeds far greater than the speed of sound so that the firing and explosion of the shell almost occurred together, giving no time to take cover.
One one occassion an 88mm shell landed about 23 feet from me, crouching behind my motorcycle; fortunately the blast did not come in my direction,
Soon after this I was given two days leave in Brussels. The city didn’t appeared damaged and I was able to get into the Palais des Beaux Arts and liten to the Scottish National Orchestra. It was so good to hear music again!
With inflation sitting at over 9%, the traditional Burns Supper is set to cost consumers more this year, impacting everything from the cost of essential ingredients to energy to cook Scotland’s most famous meal.
To help families enjoy a cost-effective and energy-efficient Burns Supper, on 25 January 2023, Scotland’s no.1 ready meal brand McIntosh has an inflation-busting homemade Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ‘heat and eat’ chilled meal for just £1.25 (RRP: £1.70).
Ready to eat after just 4½ minutes in the microwave, McIntosh believes theirs is one of the cheapest, fastest and most energy-efficient chilled Burns Suppers on the planet! Perfect for those watching their wallets as well as the time-poor.
Throughout January, McIntosh’s popular haggis meal will be available for the special price of £1.25 from leading retailers. At this cost, a family of four can enjoy a Burns Supper for less than a fiver or a single person can ‘hae meat’ and eat for less than a standard single bus fare in Scotland!
Not only that, with meat and plant-based variations available, McIntosh’s single serve haggis ready meals make it easy for everyone to enjoy a Burns Supper this January, including vegetarians and those partaking in Veganuary!
McIntosh has been making family-favourites to traditional Scottish recipes for 50 years in Forfar using locally sourced and home-grown ingredients as much as possible. With every meal cooked and chilled within one hour to lock in vital nutrients, consumers can be assured they pack a nutritious punch to boot! Each haggis meal packs in 15.6g of protein and 9.3g of fibre.
Julie Nisbet, Managing Director of McIntosh says:“With inflation skyrocketing at over 9%, McIntosh wanted to ensure as many families as possible can enjoy a traditional Burns Supper and take part in the annual celebration of our beloved bard, Rabbie Burns.
“Throughout January our popular Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ready meal is available for a budget-busting £1.25 making it perfect for the many trying to keep costs down amid rising food and energy costs.
“You won’t find a cheaper, faster, tastier and more energy-efficient chilled haggis supper this January with a cooking time of just over four minutes!”
McIntosh homemade chilled Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ready meals comprise homemade haggis, British neeps (AKA swede) and Scottish potato mash. Throughout January and ahead of Burns 2023, the haggis meal carries a special price of £1.25 (RRP: £1.70) while stocks last.
This and other McIntosh family favourites are available at all major supermarkets and convenience stores across Scotland including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and SPAR.
McIntosh Chilled Haggis, Neeps & Tatties just £1.25 for Burns Night 2023
Range of house types with quick move-in provide “something for everyone”
SEVEN properties are now available to families looking for a quick move-in date at a popular development located just outside Livingston.
Uphall Station Village by Dundas features a range of three, four and five bedroom semi-detached or stand-alone homes which are available at varying price points suitable for first-time buyers, to growing families looking to upsize.
The seven available homes – which range from £248,995 to £436,495 – mark a new record-high for the developer, which is eager to satisfy the demand for family homes in the commuter paradise parish.
Craig Fairfoull, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dundas, said: “At our Uphall Station Village development, there really is something for everyone – a range of house types at various price points that suit individual family needs and circumstances.
“For those looking to kick-start their new property journey as soon as possible, buyers are able to move into the available four-bedroom Crawford house type at the development as early as Spring this year.
“The three-bedroom Elliot house type – which is at the lower end of the price range – is a great option for first-time buyers, whereas the semi-detached Gilroy is perfect for growing families.”
Uphall Station Village is the perfect location for busy, working families and its location provides the ideal mix of idyllic, peaceful living with the hustle and bustle of urban city life approximately 15-minutes away.
Partners Sophie Bell and Lewis Alexander, who recently purchased their first home at Dundas’ Uphall Station Village development, were drawn to the spacious three-bedroom Gilroy house-type – of which there is still one remaining – and purchased the property late last year.
Sophie, 25, said: “Having grown up in the area and currently working in South Gyle, I was keen to live in Uphall Station.
“When we first went to view the development, we really liked the size of the Gilroy house. It was perfect for two people and would give us plenty of room to host friends and family. As Lewis works from home, it also meant that we were able to turn the third bedroom into an office space.
“Although we only moved into Uphall Station Village a few months ago, we are already loving our Gilroy house-type. There is so much space, which means there is lots that we can customise.”
All homes benefit from high-efficiency gas central heating with high-spec thermal insulation, integrated solar panels and high-performance double glazing.
The development’s recently refurbished show home showcases its versatility, with buyers having the space to design their home in a unique way that is ideal for individual needs.
Craig continued: “We have never had so many properties available at one site before at the same time – and so it is the perfect opportunity to build a happy, thriving and tight-knit community at the development.
“We are keen to encourage as many people as possible to come and visit the site so they can witness the benefits of its location and the array of house types which cater to individual preferences.”
Uphall Station Village is close to a wide range of shops and schools including Uphall Primary School, as well as Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School. Uphall train station is less than 10 minutes away from the development.
Dundas has a mission to create homes that make people feel great. Headquartered in Livingston and proudly Scottish, it has a track record of building well-designed homes that are higher spec than a vast majority of competitor properties.
The independently-owned developer is focused on building welcoming, integrated communities and making the journey of buying a home more straightforward, inspiring and fun.
To find out more about Uphall Station Village, visit:
R&D tax relief reform set to simplify the system and help grow the economy Clearer information about how much relief business will receive to be offered up front, helping them budget for R&D
Follows £20 billion investment in R&D from government at Autumn Statement and the Chancellor’s pledge to understand how to provide further support for R&D intensive SMEs
The Government has launched a consultation to simplify the UK’s R&D tax relief system, drive innovation and grow the economy.
The 8-week consultation, which runs from 13 January to 13 March 2023, sets out proposals on how a single scheme could be designed and implemented. This would replace the two R&D tax relief schemes currently in place – the Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) and the small and medium enterprises (SME) R&D relief.
A scheme modelled on the current RDEC for SMEs would also give decision makers in smaller companies clearer information, which will help them set budgets for R&D. In contrast, for those claiming SME tax relief in the current setup, the exact amount of money their firm will receive can only be known with certainty at the end of accounting period.
This is part of the government’s ongoing R&D tax reliefs review, and follows changes announced at Autumn Statement 2022 where the generosities of the two R&D tax schemes were broadly aligned, with the Chancellor pledging to work with industry to understand how to provide further support for R&D intensive SMEs.
The UK’s R&D tax reliefs have an important role to play in encouraging more businesses to invest in R&D, helping them to grow and create the technologies, products and services which reshape lives and livelihoods.
Government spending on R&D plays a crucial role in stimulating private sector investment which is why it is increasing investment to £20 billion a year by 2024-25 – the largest ever increase in a Spending Review period.
Victoria Atkins MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We are focussed on growing the economy – with thriving businesses bringing more jobs, higher pay and more tax revenue to fund our precious public services.
“Getting R&D tax relief right and fit for the future sits at the heart of making sure the UK remains a competitive location for cutting edge research – helping new firms grow.
“I welcome views on the option to simplify the scheme, especially from those who have experience of the existing tax reliefs.”
The UK is unusual in having two schemes and moving to a single measure would simplify the R&D tax system in line with the government’s overall plans for tax simplification.
The government would like to hear from a wide range of sources including individuals, companies, representative and professional bodies, and especially invites comments from research and development intensive businesses and those representing them.
The government recognises the reform to the rates creates challenges for some R&D intensive SMEs and those in the life sciences sector in particular and believes there is merit to the case for further support. Any further changes will be announced in the usual way, at a future fiscal event.
If implemented, the new scheme is expected to be in place from 1 April 2024.
In partnership with North Edinburgh Arts, North Edinburgh Community Festival, and West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, Screen Education Edinburgh are running a free workshop for young people as part of North Edinburgh Film Festival.
There will also be screenings, exhibitions, and talks about the films.
While Europe’s ski resorts remain snowless, Scotland provides plentiful icy white peaks
Snowy peaks await in Scotland this new year with small-group tour specialist Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com). Snow is in rare supply across Europe, but on the stunning peaks across Scotland’s iconic mountain ranges, the white stuff is in good supply!
Europe’s snowless ski resorts have hit the headlines in recent weeks, but unbeknownst to many, snow can be found closer to home. Scotland enjoys the most snow in the UK and the nation’s mountain ranges are seasonally coated in snow, with the nation’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, covered all year round. Scotland’s secret snowy peaks are waiting to be discovered this year with Rabbie’s.
Highlights include:
2-day Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands Tour
On this 2-day tour, visitors will wander through the valleys and spy the icy heights of Scotland’s most beautiful mountain passages.
The majestic mountains at the wild heart of the Highlands are synonymous with Scotland and visitors will witness this wild beauty at Cairngorms National Park – here, snow-covered mountain tops await. After, warm up with a strong brew, or an even stronger whisky while exploring the streets of the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness.
Join Rabbie’s Two-Day Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands tour departing from Edinburgh from £115 per person.
3-day The Isle of Skye Tour
On this 3-day tour, visitors will visit Scotland’s most beautiful sights, oldest castles, and most iconic island.
The spectacular views of Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and Ben Nevis are the perfect introduction to this unforgettable tour, and this is all before the majestic Eilean Donan Castle.
You’ll also have the chance to explore the stunning Isle of Skye; the wonders of the Old Man of Storr and the pass of the Quiraing which come alive during winter, when Scotland’s mist and colder weather bring the myths and legends alive.
Join Rabbie’s Three-Day The Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh from £199 per person.
4-day Isle of Skye & West Highlands
On this 4-day tour, visitors will venture into a rich land of mountains, lochs, and legends. Learn the fascinating myths and tragic bloody past at Glencoe before admiring the impressive Glenfinnan viaduct, the famed route of the Hogwart’s Express.
During January, the snow-capped Cullin Mountains of Elgol are bound to take your breath away. Take in the beauty of Skye before visiting the famous stronghold, Eilean Donan castle.
Join Rabbie’s Four-Day 4-day Isle of Skye & West Highlands from £259 per person.
For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.
Would you like to learn how to cook some new recipes and learn about food, nutrition and looking after your oral health? Sign up for our new cooking course at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre in partnership with LINKnet Mentoring.
We will be delivering a FREE 6 week course starting Thursday 2nd February from 1pm to 3pm. Come and join us for some fun activities, food and meet new people!
This week always feels like a bit of a transition every year – it starts to feel a bit late to say “Happy New Year”, and the start of the week is dubbed “Blue Monday” as people realise that those well-meaning new year resolutions have already been broken (writes Fraser of Allander Director MAIRI SPOWAGE).
One of mine was to think hard to find the optimistic news in what can sometimes feel like the unrelentingly negative economic situation we are in, which is likely to remain tricky throughout the year. I was tested hard this week as new inflation data was released on Wednesday.
Inflation falls to 10.5% – but let’s not get too excited
The ONS released the official inflation data for December, which showed CPI inflation had fallen from 10.7% in November to 10.5% in December.
The main items driving the fall in inflation are petrol and diesel prices, and prices for clothing in footwear. Prices at the pump have been falling since their peak in July, and in December they were back to roughly the levels they were at before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Clothing and footwear has fallen really due to a lack of discounting in December 2021, so when compared to December 2022 it appears that prices have fallen.
Obviously, energy prices are still contributing hugely to this very high inflation rate (which, let’s not forget represents a 40 year high of inflation apart from the preceding three months in 2022). That increase is currently stable in the figures due to the UK Government’s Energy Price Guarantee – but this cap on unit prices is only in place until end March, when it increases to £3,000 for a household with typical use. The ONS estimate that this will add 1 percentage point to inflation when it comes into effect.
Worryingly for those on the lowest incomes, food prices continue to increase faster than the headline rate. The inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased to 16.9% in December from 16.5% in November.
We were asked two main questions when the data came out on Wednesday.
The first was, of course – what is the outlook for inflation for the rest of 2023? The expectation by the OBR is that inflation is likely to fall to under 4% by the end of the year. But remember, this does not mean that prices will start to fall at this point – just that they will grow less quickly.
This is somewhat simply due to the definition of inflation – it compares prices now to prices a year earlier, so as we move into October, we will be comparing to the much higher energy costs from October 2022. It was therefore inevitable that growth was likely to slow down – a point to bear in mind when some try to take credit for the fall in inflation.
The second is whether we are likely to see further increases in the Bank of England’s base rate at their next meeting on 2nd February – especially given that inflation has come down a bit. Unfortunately for mortgage payers, it is still very likely that we will see further increases in the base rate.
Why? Because inflation is not just been driven by food and energy costs. CPI excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco (often referred to as core CPI) is at 6.3%, and has been around this level since July 2022. This is being generated by domestic factors, including the tight labour market, which means the Bank is likely to take the view that they need to continue to cool demand in the economy.
Scottish unemployment remains at 3.3%
We also got updated figures on the labour market on Tuesday, covering the three months to November. Scottish unemployment remained at 3.3%, slightly below the UK rate of 3.7%. Employment remains high, at 76.1%, with inactivity at 21.3%.
Changes in inactivity over the period of the pandemic have been a focus of much analysis – because although the level is now similar to before the pandemic, the underlying reasons why people are inactive seem to have changed – with an increasing number saying that they are not in work or seeking work because of ill health or disability.
See a great Twitter thread on this by our colleague Professor Stuart Mcintyre – as part of his monthly analysis of the labour market.
Alongside the headline labour market numbers, there is also information ONS publishes monthly on earnings and vacancies.
The vacancy level alongside the labour market data helps us understand how tight the labour market continues to be. The total number of vacancies has been falling in recent months, since the record highs in Q2 2022. However, the number of vacancies remains historically very high, with 1.0 unemployed people for each vacancy – a rate which remains indicative of a tight labour market.
Earnings (ex bonuses) grew by 6.4% in the year to the three-month period Sept-Nov. Given the inflation rate over this period, this means that earnings are continuing to fall in real terms. In the face of continuing public sector pay disputes across the UK, the split between the public and private sectors is particularly interesting. Private sector pay grew by 7.2% compared to 3.3% for the public sector.
Health Foundation publishes important research into health and health inequalities in Scotland
This week the Health Foundation published a report to provide a picture of health and health inequalities in Scotland, in order to inform future efforts to improve both.
An independent review underpins their report, and we were delighted to work with the Health Foundation on this programme of work, as one of four independent organisations to carry out supporting research. See our research here.
And finally, I don’t care if it’s too late – Happy New Year everyone! But that is the last time I’ll say it this year.
‘Dentistry in Scotland is still light years away from business as usual‘
The British Dental Association has responded to new figures showing the number of claims for payment made to dentists for NHS treatments have fallen by more than 50% in some health boards since 2019.
It stresses the Scottish Government must rapidly move forward to fix the broken payment system at the heart of the service.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats analysed the number of NHS dental claims in all 14 health boards between 2019 and 2022. The analysis revealed that:
Across Scotland the number of NHS dental claims fell from 5,583,137 in 2019 to 3,184,858 between January and November of 2022
NHS Dumfries and Galloway saw a 55% drop in NHS dental claims, with claims falling from 139,988 in 2019 to 62,481 between January and November of 2022.
NHS Orkney saw a 64% drop in NHS dental claims, with claims falling from 20,149 in 2019 to 7,175 between January and November 2022.
NHS Shetland saw a 53% drop in NHS dental claims, with claims falling from 15,873 in 2019 to 7,510 between January and November 2022.
All 14 health boards saw a decrease in the number of claims submitted between 2019 and the first eleven months of 2022.
The BDA say that while COVID emergency measures have been withdrawn, practices continue to face of an historic backlog, with many patients requiring more extensive treatment having bottled up problems during the pandemic.
On 1 October the Scottish Government cut the ‘multiplier’ designed to support the pandemic recovery, that increased NHS fees by 1.3. A lower bridging payment’ took effect uplifting NHS fees at a rate of 1.2 for the next three months, falling to 1.1 for the period up to April 2023.
Dentist leaders stress that in the months ahead progress must be made to deliver needed change to the broken high volume/low margin model NHS dentistry is based on. Without reform, this package will simply delay an inevitable exodus of dentists from the NHS that is already evident in other UK nations.
Facing surging practice running costs, the BDA says that without an adequate interim funding package several key treatments, and anything – like dentures – that requires laboratory work, risk being delivered at a financial loss.
Robert Donald, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Council said:“Dentistry in Scotland is still lightyears away from business as usual.
“Ministers pledged free NHS dentistry for all, but to keep that promise they need to fix a broken system.
“Dentists are struggling, facing demand that can’t be met, with some NHS treatments already being delivered at a loss. They need to know that come April they will see real change, not just see the last safety net pulled away.”
Millions of people across the country and the Commonwealth are invited to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over a weekend of special events.
The Nation and the Commonwealth will have the opportunity to join a weekend of celebrations to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort
Coronation Big Lunches, thousands of street parties, and The Big Help Out will bring communities together over special Bank Holiday Coronation weekend
The Coronation will take place on the morning of Saturday May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit the capital city to experience this unique and historic occasion, with millions more watching from home, across the UK and around the globe.
Coronation Big Lunches, thousands of street parties, and a day dedicated to good causes will bring communities together throughout the UK over the special Coronation Bank Holiday weekend.
On Sunday May 7 a spectacular Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle will showcase the country’s diverse cultural heritage in music, theatre and dance.
One of the highlights of the concert will be “Lighting up the Nation”, in which iconic locations across the UK will be lit up with projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.
Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort is a huge milestone in the history of the UK and Commonwealth.
“The weekend of events will bring people together to celebrate our Monarchy and the mixture of tradition and modernity, culture and community that makes our country great.
“Everyone is invited to join in, on any day, whether that is by hosting a special street party, watching the Coronation ceremony or spectacular concert on TV, or stepping forward during The Big Help Out to help causes that matter to them.”
Tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches and street parties will be held in the UK and Commonwealth on Sunday and across the weekend. Big Lunches take place across the UK annually and last year they raised more than £22 million for local charities.
The activities on Sunday will culminate in a fantastic evening of song and dance at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, staged and broadcast by the BBC in front of an audience of several thousand members of the public, selected for free tickets via a public ballot.
The weekend of celebrations will end with the Big Help Out on Monday May 8 – a special Bank Holiday proclaimed by the Prime Minister in honour of the Coronation.
Created by Britain’s best loved charities and organised by The Together Coalition, it will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation.
In tribute to His Majesty The King’s lifetime of public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to come out and support the causes that matter to them.
Hundreds of activities are planned for the day by local community groups, organisations and charities including The Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI. Further details and ways to take part will be announced shortly.
Peter Stewart LVO, Chief Purpose Officer at the Eden Project (who are behind The Coronation Big Lunch) said: “We’re so excited about The Coronation Big Lunch on May 7, it is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the celebrations and something for us all to look forward to!
“The Big Lunch has always been about community – last year almost two thirds of people who took part said The Big Lunch had encouraged more people to get involved in voluntary work. Sharing friendship, food and fun together gives people more than just a good time – people feel less lonely, make friends and go on to get more involved with their community, all as a result of sharing a sarnie and a chat in their neighbourhood.
“The Coronation Big Lunch helps you bring the celebration right into your own street or back yard so that anyone and everyone, across the UK and beyond, can be part of this amazing moment in our history. Get yourself an organiser pack, knock next door and get planning – this is going to be an event to remember!”
Jon Knight, Chief Executive of the Together Coalition, said: “The Big Help Out is going to be a festival of volunteering.
“A day when people up and down the country will roll up their sleeves and do their bit. In the run up to the day we’ll also be launching new ways of getting involved in volunteering in your community. The aim is to create a legacy of better-connected communities long beyond the Coronation itself.
“If you’re a voluntary group who wants to be part of it, please reach out now so we can make this the start of the biggest volunteering effort in our country’s history.”
0131 467 7326 or sign up online at 
