The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, is celebrating mother figures in Edinburgh with its Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store.
Show your love and appreciation for the mother figure in your life by treating her to an array of delicious bites, complete with a complimentary gift that can be taken away and planted at home.
From delicious sandwiches to buttery scones with Cornish clotted cream and a melt-in-your-mouth blackberry delice, Dobbies’ traditional Afternoon Tea will certainly impress.
Customers in Edinburgh can enjoy refillable tea or coffee and even upgrade with a 200ml bottle of Prosecco for £6.35 per person. The Children’s Afternoon Tea is also available for families looking to celebrate Mother’s Day together.
Adam Veysey, Dobbies’ Development Chef, said: “We are looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day this year with a fantastic Afternoon Tea experience which features three tiers of treats to enjoy.
“On the first tier there are freshly made finger sandwiches; the second has our famous Dobbies’ scones; while the third tier has a carefully selected range of delicious cakes, tarts and a mini macaroon. We hope mums enjoy the gift, which comes with care tips to support a successful bloom.”
The Adult Afternoon Tea starts at £13.50 per person and the Children’s Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed for £8.50 per child.
For more information about Dobbies’ Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea experience in Edinburgh visit, Events | Dobbies Garden Centres
Chancellor arrives in India for G20 meetings one year after Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine
He will attend meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors alongside Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, showing shared focus on tackling global economic issues.
He will also attend a meeting of the G7 on Thursday
The Chancellor will meet with the Indian Finance Minister and a range of senior Indian business leaders to strengthen ties and help the UK on its way to becoming the next Silicon Valley
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is today in Bengaluru, India to attend the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in his first visit overseas since taking office.
The meeting comes one year after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – where the Chancellor will reaffirm the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and discuss with other G20 members ways to address issues such as elevated global inflationary pressures and the instability in energy and food prices that are being exacerbated by the war.
It follows the latest move on behalf of the G7, the European Union and Australia, who via a Price Cap Coalition, set caps on the price of seaborne Russian oil products effective from 5 February 2023. High-value Russian exports such as diesel and gasoline are capped at $100 while lower-value products such as fuel oil are capped at $45. The UK phased out the import of Russian oil and oil products last year.
The Chancellor is attending the G20 alongside the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey. Both are focused on tackling inflationary pressures in the UK. Inflation is the first of 5 Prime Minister priorities, with the Prime Minister looking to see inflation halve this year on its way back to the target.
The Chancellor and Bank of England Governor will also join a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers on Thursday.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “The UK continues to stand firm in our support for Ukraine with significant military and humanitarian assistance. The sooner there is sustainable peace in Ukraine and an end to this horrific war, the sooner we can address the global economic fallout – diminishing Putin’s leverage over the UK and our friends.”
The trip also aims to strengthen the already productive UK/India economic relationship and deepen ties to increase new investment and bringing new jobs to the UK. With its rich reputation for a cutting-edge tech industry, the Chancellor will be meeting Indian tech CEOs and founders in Bengaluru to explore investment opportunities and how links with India can help the UK become the world’s next Silicon Valley, building on our existing $1 trillion (£827 billion) tech industry.
The Chancellor added: “I want the UK to be the world’s next Silicon Valley – this is an ambition within reach thanks to our status as a global financial powerhouse and home to world class universities and research institutions.
“We already have a $1 trillion tech industry, but we want to go further to create jobs and wealth across the UK. To help us get there, we need to deepen investment connections with like-minded countries around the world – starting with our Indian friends who are fast becoming an economic superpower in their own right.”
India is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050, with a tech industry that generated US$227 billion (£188 billion) in revenue in FY2022. It is already a significant economic partner for the UK, and the Chancellor is seeking to promote greater collaboration between the two countries.
The Chancellor’s work at the G20 will also contribute to the government’s priorities to halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security; grow the economy, create better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country; and make sure our national debt is falling so that we can secure the future our of public services.
The Scottish Government needs to be clearer about how long it will take the NHS to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and to reform services, says public spending watchdog Audit Scotland.
The government’s NHS recovery plan aims to reduce the healthcare backlog and change how services are delivered. But the plan does not contain the detailed actions that would allow progress to be accurately measured. It also lacks robust modelling to understand demand and capacity. The backlog has continued to increase in the 18 months since the plan was published as the NHS deals with a range of pressures.
Workforce capacity remains the biggest risk to the recovery of NHS services. Health boards are continuing to find it hard to recruit the doctors, nurses and other health professionals needed to make sure NHS services are sustainable in the long-term. Key recruitment targets, such as recruiting 800 GPs by 2027, are unlikely to be met. The NHS workforce remains under severe pressure and there are concerns over staffing levels, wellbeing, and retention.
The Scottish Government is moving ahead with the innovation and reform essential to NHS sustainability. But it is too early to gauge the impact of this work. In the meantime, every NHS board is facing significant financial challenges which could limit how much they can invest in recovery. And the Scottish Government also needs to make information on how long people will have to wait for treatment clear and meaningful.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “NHS staff remain under severe pressure and the Scottish Government is facing tough choices.
“Money is tight but investment is needed in recovery. That means ministers have to prioritise which NHS aims can realistically be delivered. And they need to be more transparent about the progress they’re making.
“The Scottish Government has set out the big challenges facing the NHS. But it also needs to clearly explain to the public what those challenges mean for the level of service they can expect, including waiting times.”
Help with heating costs is on its way to around 400,000 people on low incomes through a new Scottish Government benefit, with the first payments processed this week.
More than £20m will be paid out over the course of February and March in Winter Heating Payments.
Winter Heating Payment replaces the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Cold Weather Payment. Unlike the DWP benefit it replaces, Winter Heating Payment is not paid only to people when there is a sustained period of cold weather in a specific location, but is a reliable annual £50 payment.
Those eligible for Winter Heating Payment will receive it automatically, with no need to apply. It is paid through Social Security Scotland and people will get a letter to let them know they are eligible.
Minister for Social Security Scotland Ben Macpherson said: “Our new Winter Heating Payment is the thirteenth Scottish Government benefit. This year it will provide 400,000 people most in need with a reliable, automatic £50 payment to help towards their heating costs.
“The Payment will reach significantly more people than the benefit it has replaced. On average only 185,000 people received the equivalent Cold Weather Payments from the UK Government over the last seven years – whereas we will pay everyone eligible every year.
“The Scottish Government is investing around £20 million per year compared with an average of £8.3 million annually paid out through Cold Weather Payment. We will also uprate the next Winter Heating Payment by 10.1%, to £55.05.”
The funds were raised by the McDonald’s in the Community Foundation – utilising proceeds from the 10p carrier bag charge across Scotland
McDonald’s restaurants in Newbridge and Corstorphine have made a significant contribution to local charity, Neil’s Hugs Foundation. The charity received a total of £15,000, from the McDonald’s teams.
Neil’s Hugs Foundation run support groups across West Lothian and Clackmannanshire to help, understand and support families and friends affected by suicide. The funds given will go towards continuing to provide face-to-face and telephone support services for the local community.
The donation was made possible by the ‘McDonald’s in the Community Foundation’, set up by 16 Scottish McDonald’s Franchisees, and the 20 McDonald’s-owned restaurants in Scotland. The foundation provides a central hub to help distribute funds, raised by the 10p carrier bag charge, to different charities and organisations across Scotland.
McDonald’s franchisee Elliot Jardine, who owns and operates the Newbridge and Corstorphine restaurants, said:“Supporting our local community is of upmost importance to my team and me, which is why I was so pleased to see the McDonald’s in the Community Foundation officially launched last year.
“It means that each restaurant group can make meaningful contributions to charities in the communities that we operate in. Neil’s Hugs provides a wonderful service to people in the local area and we hope this money will help them to continue this terrific work.
“We’re so proud to be able to work with charities such as Neil’s Hugs and look forward to continuing to do so.”
To date, the proceeds from the 10p carrier bag charge across Scotland McDonald’s restaurants, has been donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. Donations totalled £3.9m by 2021, and went towards building the brand new RMHC House in Edinburgh.
Eat Out Edinburgh has announced a new charity partnership for its 2023 campaign with the Scottish charity Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) – an organisation that installs colourful, child-friendly operating theatres in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Since 2018, KidsOR has installed 59 paediatric operating rooms across 23 countries, providing over 75,000 lifesaving operations. Eat Out Edinburgh’s partnership with the organisation aims to support KidsOR in their 2023 goal of providing vital operations to 100,000 children.
At a cost of only £75 to provide operations to one child, the partnership allows restaurants participating in the Eat Out Edinburgh campaign to engage their customers in efforts to support the charity.
Participating venues can give guests the option to donate through venues by adding £1 to each bill, QR donation codes, tap-to-donate options or through bespoke drinks or menu items with proceeds going to KidsOR.
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive & Director, Essential Edinburgh, said: “Partnering with such an impactful organisation as KidsOR means that Eat Out Edinburgh can create an impact far beyond the city centre.
“KidsOR has changed the lives of children and families across the globe. Our hope is that – through the generosity of Edinburgh residents and visitors – we can help make that impact just a bit stronger.”
Frances Irvine, Director of Campaigns at Kids Operating Room said: “We’re honoured to be chosen as charity partner for Eat Out Edinburgh.
“As an Edinburgh-based charity, we really benefit from the generosity of our city and love the idea that eating out in some of Edinburgh’s best bars and restaurants will support children’s life changing operations around the world.
“We would like to thank Eat Out Edinburgh and everyone who contributes throughout the event – your kindness and support allows us to expand our life-saving work”.
The Eat Out Edinburgh 2023 campaign will run for two weeks from 13th to 26th March within the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID).
A list of participating Edinburgh venues will be announced in the coming weeks, promoting special tasting menus, set menus, events and exclusive offers to attract bookings and increased footfall throughout the campaign period.
KidsOR is a Scottish registered charity with offices in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Nairobi, working with governments and health organisations to solve the global surgical crisis for children worldwide.
For more information and to keep up to date with the campaign, visit:
Hear the stories of Edinburgh’s most influential women
The Real Mary King’s Close is celebrating Women’s History Month this March with specially curated Herstory Tours. The underground experience is inviting you to journey underneath The Royal Mile and learn all about the incredible lives of the women who once lived, worked and died on the now hidden streets of Edinburgh.
The one-hour tour will include fascinating revelations about some of the most famous women in Scottish history. The tour is guided by residents of The Close, including Jonet Nimmo, the youngest daughter of Mary King, and Janet Chesney, a member of the last family to leave the historic street behind.
Guests will even get to meet Mary King herself, and find out how she obtained voting rights nearly 300 years ahead of her time. Also hear about the revolutionary Edinburgh Seven who fought for women’s education and the right to practice medicine, and more.
The Herstory Tour shares stories of the women who faced suppression and persecution over the centuries but also of how the City’s most influential women pioneered gender equality, shaped the city’s history and impacted our lives today.
Mary King’s Close is known for having been “a haven for independent women” with 45% of properties having a female head of the household. The Close is the perfect place to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, learning about the achievements of the women of the Close.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “We’re so excited to be celebrating International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month here at The Real Mary King’s Close by shining a light on all the remarkable and powerful women who once occupied the Close.
Telling stories of the past and educating people about Edinburgh’s history and those who came before us are things we are extremely passionate about. We can’t wait to welcome everyone on the Herstory Tours and explore a hidden world together.”
Tours will be running throughout March, every Friday and Saturday at 17.30 and 19.00. Prices are £25 per adult / £19 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed). There will also be an additional tour on Wednesday 8th March (International Women’s Day) with tours starting at 17.15 and 17.30
Local pupils in finals of contest to find the next generation of female investors
Pupils from schools in Edinburgh and East Lothian are among the finalists in a hotly contested competition to find Scotland’s next generation of female investors.
The Growing Future Assets contest, which encourages young women to consider a career in the world of investment management, has attracted record entries this year but teams from Preston Lodge High School (Prestonpans, East Lothian), North Berwick High School (East Lothian) and George Watson’s College (Edinburgh), have beaten off stiff competition from across the country to be in the running for top spots.
They have already presented their case in a research report and three-minute elevator pitch video and will face the judges next month (March) to deliver an extended pitch in a live final.
Competition organisers and educators Future Asset believes that being female should never be a barrier to progressing in a chosen career and the contest introduces senior schoolgirls to potential careers in investment, showing how working in the sector can change the world for the better and give young women valuable, transferable skills.
During the competition, youngsters must prove their ability to spot the next big investment prospect by researching, analysing and pitching a company they think will be a lucrative long-term bet.
During the process, all students were assisted by their teachers and through mentoring from investment management professionals who shared their experience and provided career insights, advice and inspiration.
George Watson’s College paired with investment management experts Baillie Gifford, Preston Lodge High School with Nikko Asset Management, and North Berwick High School with specialist fund manager firm Artemis.
Preston Lodge High School has two teams contesting the senior 16-18 year category and Business Education Teacher , Kate Gascoigne, says: “I am delighted that both of the Preston Lodge senior teams have reached the finals of the Future Assets competition.
“The high quality of their submissions illustrates how hardworking, dedicated and creative the students are. The whole school community is proud of their success and will be rooting for them in the final.”
A team from George Watson’s College is also competing in the senior category while girls from North Berwick High are contesting the junior 14-16 year age group.
Future Asset has had a tough task whittling down the contestants from 660 participants in a total of 144 teams – a 90% increase on last year’s numbers.
Sally Greig, Investment Manager at Baillie Gifford and Senior School judge for the Growing Future Assets competition, commented: “The competition sees groups of young women from schools across Scotland doing the kind of work that is an investor’s day job: analysing a company and presenting on it.
“I was hugely impressed by the quality and creativity of the entries – in particular, the importance they placed on how companies are dealing with Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) and the ability to identify what might drive a company’s success in the future – and hope to see some of them applying to Baillie Gifford in the future!
“Future Asset plays an important role in demystifying the fund management industry for young women and helping to plant those seeds of interest early on. Diversity of thought is core to successful investing and a career in investment management is a great option for both women and men from all backgrounds.”
The finals take place on 9 March with the winners announced on 10 March.
The top teams will receive £1000 for the top senior school and £200-worth of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member; £800 for the best junior school and £150-worth of vouchers each. Senior and junior runners-up receive £500 and £100 of vouchers and £400 and £75 of vouchers, respectively.
Helen Bradley, Future Asset Programme Manager, says: “This year’s competition is the most hotly contested yet. It’s been enormously gratifying to see the surge in interest from the youngsters and the commitment and dedication of their teachers and mentors.
“The popularity of the contest, particularly in state schools, means that youngsters who may not otherwise have had contacts in the industry are now plugged in to the potential that a career in investment management holds.”
A company which charged taxpayers significant sums to make claims for tax refunds has been stopped from operating.
Tax Credits Ltd (TCL) can no longer trade as a repayment agent after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found they had committed serious anti-money laundering breaches.
As a result of breaching the regulations, which are predominately designed to prevent businesses being exploited by criminals to launder money, it is now a criminal offence for TCL to trade as a tax repayment agent.
The move comes weeks after HMRC outlined greater protections for customers using repayment agents.
Taxpayers can use repayment agents to make claims for repayment of tax, and while many customers are happy with the service they receive, a large number of taxpayers have complained about the lack of transparency in agents’ processes for signing up clients and high charges for using their services.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: “TCL have ignored their responsibilities under the anti-money laundering measures designed to protect us all from financial crime.
“We will not allow a small number of bad actors to tarnish the reputation of the whole tax agent sector.
“It is crucial taxpayers understand the entitlements they can claim directly from HMRC and are properly protected from the misleading tactics used by some repayment agents. The greater protections we’re bringing in will help to stop people unwittingly losing their hard-earned money to misleading agents.”
Around 11,000 TCL clients, whose claims had been paused during investigations into TCL, will now receive their tax refund directly from HMRC.
HMRC will contact all affected clients by the end of March to explain their refund. The refunds will be made automatically – customers do not need to contact HMRC to receive their payment.
In response to public concern, HMRC recently consulted on how to protect taxpayers using repayment agents and unveiled a package of measures last month, which included stopping the use of legally-binding ‘assignments’ as part of claiming an Income Tax repayment, improving agent standards and a requirement for repayment agents to register with HMRC.
HMRC urges anyone thinking of using a tax repayment agent to carefully consider their options when appointing a tax adviser to act on their behalf. Taxpayers are urged to do their research before committing to anything, and are reminded that they, not the tax agent, are ultimately responsible for their own tax affairs.
Taxpayers are advised to be particularly careful when clicking on online ads as some unscrupulous repayment agents have made their customer sign-up pages appear to be mere requests for more information.
Anyone who thinks they are owed a tax rebate can make claims direct with HMRC via GOV.UK; they can do this for free and will receive 100% of any refund.
If a taxpayer can show a tax repayment agent has made an invalid claim with HMRC on their behalf, they can contact HMRC.
