Month: March 2023

Holyrood approves 3% rent cap

Emergency protections for tenants extended

Private rent increases will be capped at 3% and restrictions will remain on enforcement of evictions under measures approved today by MSPs.

The changes to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act will mean that from 1 April 2023:

  • If a private landlord chooses to increase a tenant’s rent mid-tenancy, the increase will be capped at 3%
  • Private landlords will alternatively be able to apply for a rent increase of up to 6% to help cover certain increases in costs in defined and limited circumstances
  • Enforcement of evictions will continue to be paused for up to six months except in a number of specified circumstances
  • Increased damages for unlawful evictions of up to 36 months’ worth of rent will continue to apply

These measures will be extended to 30 September, provided they remain necessary, with the option to extend for another six-month period if required.

As previously announced, the social sector rent freeze has been replaced with agreements from landlords to keep any rent increase for 2023-24 well below inflation. The rent cap for student accommodation is to be suspended, recognising its limited impact on annual rents set on the basis of an academic year.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Our emergency legislation has given tenants across the rented sector additional protection as we continue to live through these challenging and uncertain economic times.

“It is clear that many households in the private rented sector in particular continue to struggle, which is why we are capping in-tenancy rent increases in the private sector at 3% from next month, with safeguards in place recognising the effects the cost of living crisis may have on some landlords. Our restrictions on evictions will continue across all sectors, with the social sector rent cap having been replaced with voluntary agreements from landlords to keep rents affordable.

“We will continue to keep these measures under review, ensuring they remain necessary and proportionate to the challenges at hand.”

The evictions moratorium pauses enforcement of eviction actions resulting from the cost of living crisis except in a number of specified circumstances. Evictions can be delayed for a maximum of 6 months while the measures are in force.

Landlords can apply to Rent Service Scotland (RSS) to increase rent to partially cover specific costs including increased mortgage interest payments on the property they are letting, an increase in landlords’ insurance or increases in service charges paid as part of a tenancy, subject to an overall limit. This limit is currently set at 3% of total rent. From 1 April the limit will be increased to 6%. In effect this retains the ability for landlords to raise rents at a level of 3% above the cap.

Under the agreement on social rents for 2023-24, COSLA has committed to keeping local authority rent increases to an average of no more than £5 a week. Members of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Glasgow West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations have reported planned increases averaging 6.1%.

EIS members overwhelmingly vote to accept teacher pay offer

Members of the EIS have voted overwhelmingly to accept the current pay offer proposed by local authority employers and the Scottish Government.

In an online ballot that closed today, 90%  of those voting opted to accept the pay offer. Turnout in the ballot was 82% . The EIS represents over 80% of Scotland’s teachers at all grades and in all sectors of education.

Speaking after the ballot result was announced at a meeting of the EIS national Council in Edinburgh yesterday, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “EIS members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the current pay offer, with 90% of those voting opting to accept in an online ballot.

“Turnout in the ballot was also high, confirming that Scotland’s teachers believe that it is now time to accept the offer and bring an end to the programme of industrial action in our schools.”

Ms Bradley added, “The acceptance of this offer will mean that, for most teachers, their pay will increase by 12.3% by next month in comparison to current pay levels. This includes a backdated 7% increase from April 2022, and a 5% increase from this April.

“Teachers will also receive a further 2% increase in pay from January next year, with the next pay settlement then scheduled to be negotiated and payable from August 2024 onwards. The total current package will amount to a 14.6% increase in pay for most teachers by January 2024.”

Ms Bradley continued, “EIS members have taken a pragmatic decision in voting to accept the current pay offer. While it does not meet our aspirations in respect of a restorative pay settlement for Scotland’s teachers, it is the best deal that can realistically be achieved in the current political and financial climate without further prolonged industrial action.

“It compares favourably with recent pay settlements across the public sector, and does provide pay certainty for Scotland’s teachers for the next 16 months until the next pay settlement is scheduled to be delivered in August 2024.”

Ms Bradley concluded, “It is deeply regrettable that it took a sustained industrial dispute, and the first programme of national strike action on pay by teachers in forty years, for the Scottish Government and COSLA to finally come up with an acceptable pay offer for Scotland’s hard-working teaching professionals.

“Scotland’s pupils, parents and teachers deserve better, and the Scottish Government and Scotland’s local authorities must commit to ensuring that education is properly funded, and that teachers are fairly paid, in all future years in order that Scottish Education can provide as it should for our young people and for the good of our whole society.”

Spey Lounge serious assault: Do you know this woman?

POLICE in Edinburgh have issued images of a woman they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault that took place in Leith on Monday, 5 December, 2022.

The serious assault took place around 1.25am within the Spey Lounge on Leith Walk.

The woman is described as white, 40-50 years-old, around 5 ft 6ins in height and of slim build with long, dark-coloured hair that was tied in a ponytail. She was wearing a black padded coat and white trousers.

Detective Constable Lyndsey Singer of Gayfield Police Station said: “We are keen to talk to the woman in these images in connection with this incident and would urge anyone who may recognise her to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Any witnesses to the incident can contact officers via 101. Please quote incident number 0143 of 5 December 2022. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Royal seal of approval for Edinburgh’s support for Ukrainian refugees

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a reception at the City Chambers yesterday to recognise and celebrate the city of Edinburgh’s work in supporting Ukrainians.

Their Royal Highnesses Edward and Sophie were also attending to thank the diverse range of volunteers who are supporting them across the Capital.

During the reception Their Royal Highnesses met the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, Council Leader Cammy Day, Consul of Ukraine Andrii Kuslii, Hannah Beaton Hawryluk, Chair of the AUGB (Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain) Edinburgh Branch, Paul Wilson, Chief Officer for Volunteer Edinburgh, alongside senior Council officers involved in the Ukraine effort. 

Friday marked exactly one year to the day since the City of Edinburgh’s formal response to the war against Ukraine began.  

In that time over 10,000 Ukrainians have passed through our Welcome Hub as the primary entry point to Scotland, with over 3000 Ukrainians making their new lives here in the Capital. Over 500 Ukrainian children are in education across the city and receiving the full support of our services.

Last month, the city marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine with a programme of events across the Capital.

The Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “I am hugely proud of the efforts by colleagues, partners, residents, and businesses in welcoming Ukrainians making their new home here in Edinburgh over the past year. Whilst this past year has brought significant challenges, the city of Edinburgh has shown its resilience, compassion, and character.  

“On this momentous day when the Dukedom of Edinburgh has been conferred on Their Royal Highnesses, it is fantastic to have The Duke and Duchess in attendance to meet some of these individuals and groups. This visit is testament to the selfless and dedicated work that has gone on across the city since the start of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

“We must continue to recognise the extraordinary sacrifice made by the Ukrainian people over the past year and reiterate our continuing solidarity with all Ukrainians.  

“I would also like to make it clear to the Ukrainians who are building their new lives in Edinburgh that this is your home, and we are incredibly proud to support you.

“We are grateful for the enormous contribution our new Ukrainian community to making Edinburgh the modern, diverse and vibrant capital city it is today.”

Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, Branch Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh, said: “It was a privilege to meet with the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and on the occasion of the Duke’s 59th birthday, today to showcase the contribution of AUGB Edinburgh and the wider partnership to Edinburgh’s response to supporting newly arrived Ukrainians in the city. 

“The city’s response has only been possible by partners working together and supporting each other, thank you in particular to the City of Edinburgh Council and third sector partners who we have worked closely with over the last year. We hope the Duke and Duchesses visit today has demonstrated the continuing work across the city and the work of the Association here in Edinburgh.”

Paul Wilson, Chief Officer at Volunteer Edinburgh said: “Since the start of the war against Ukraine, volunteers in Edinburgh have been giving their time to help. Edinburgh has been at the forefront of Scotland’s response to the Ukraine crisis and volunteers too have been there from the start.

“Whether it be collecting, sorting and dispatching much needed aid, supporting the community activities of the AUGB, providing cultural and welcome activities, supporting English’s language learning or the nearly 7000 hours of volunteering done by Welcome Volunteers at the Airport, it is these volunteers that have enabled our city to give such an amazing welcome and their kindness and generosity has shown the very best of Edinburgh.”

AUGB pics courtesy of Getty Images

Match of the Day to go ahead without presenters or pundits tonight

PRESENTERS AND COMMENTATORS SHOW SUPPORT FOR GARY LINEKER

BBC’s flagship football show Match of the Day will air tonight without a studio presenter, pundits, or its regular commentators, after the BBC told Gary Lineker to step back in a row over impartiality.

The BBC said it it had asked Lineker to step back from presenting after “extensive discussions” with him following the presnter’s criticism of government asylum policy on Twitter, where he compared the language used by the government to unveil its new plans as “not dissimilar to” 1930s Germany.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.

“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”

Gary Lineker has made no further public comment.

Izzy Judd is swept off her feet by charity Mary’s Meals

The celebrity mum is supporting the international aid charity this Mother’s Day 

Musician and celebrity mum Izzy Judd says she has been swept off her feet by international aid charity Mary’s Meals.

The mother-of-three – who is married to McFly star Harry – is encouraging families across the UK to support the charity by giving a Mother’s Day gift that will help to feed children living in the world’s poorest countries.

She says: “As a mother to Lola, Kit and Lockie, I know how important it is for children to be happy, healthy, and well-educated. And that’s what Mary’s Meals is all about. Its life-changing school meals attract little ones into the classroom, where they can learn their way to a better future.

“I have been swept off my feet by this incredible charity – and you should be too!”

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education that that can be their ladder out of poverty.

The charity feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day – and it says this simply wouldn’t be possible without the love and dedication of mothers all around the world.

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, explains: “Here in the UK, we are lucky to be supported by amazing women, like Izzy, who fundraise and volunteer so that we can feed desperately hungry children.

“And in the countries where we work, it is most often mothers who volunteer to prepare, cook, and serve the food. They do this so that their children, and the children in their communities, can have the chance of a better life.”

To mark Mother’s Day [Sunday, 19 March], Mary’s Meals is offering a range of beautiful gift cards. Priced from just £19.15, each of these special cards will feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals every day for a school year.

Izzy continues: “I will be dropping some hints to my children for a Mary’s Meals gift, and I will also be giving one of these lovely cards to my own mum, Gill.

“I think she will be thrilled to know that, together, we are ensuring that a child is in school, with a full belly, ready to learn.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a full school year.

To find out more and to purchase a Mother’s Day gift card, please visit:

marysmeals.org.uk/shop

Vets raise concerns as 1 in 5 pets not receiving veterinary treatment in time due to cost-of-living crisis

As Crufts, the annual international dog show, kicks off this weekend, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is highlighting the importance of taking simple and affordable preventive steps to keep dogs and other pets healthy, to help minimise medical problems from escalating.

The advice comes as BVA’s latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey reveals that almost all (99%) of vets across the UK have seen pets in the last 12 months who should have been brought to them for treatment earlier. This represents a significant increase of almost 20% since 2018 and equates to an estimated 1 in 5 pets not receiving timely treatment.

When asked about the main reasons for the delay, 91% vets reported financial reasons as a key factor. More than half of vets (52%) said the number of clients reporting difficulty covering the cost of preventative veterinary care for their animal had increased compared to 2021. This figure rose to 70% when it came to covering the cost of diagnostic care and treatment.

Responding to these findings, British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley said: “In a week when the national spotlight turns towards Crufts, it’s important to acknowledge that many pet owners are finding it difficult to meet the basic costs of caring for their animals.

“It’s particularly concerning that vets in practice are seeing increasing numbers of animals with issues that could have been prevented or minimised if treatment had been sought sooner.

“Regular vet check-ups and preventative care may seem costly for many families in the current financial climate, but taking steps now rather than later is the best way to catch any health issues early and keep medical costs to a minimum.

“We urge all pet owners to talk to their vet for advice on simple and affordable steps they can take to keep their animals healthy. These include neutering, keeping up to date on vaccinations, daily teeth cleaning, keeping weight in check, and plenty of exercise.

“The British Veterinary Association encourages pet owners to speak to their vet sooner rather than later if you’re struggling to cover the costs. Vets will always prioritise the welfare of your animal and work closely with clients to make treatment plans tailored to individual circumstances.”

Harbour Homes receives lottery award to help tenants experiencing fuel poverty

Harbour Homes has received an award from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, to help tenants of seven housing associations with fuel poverty and energy efficiency during the cost of living crisis.

Harbour Homes, along with six other landlords that make up the ARCHIE alliance, own and manage 6,000 socially rented properties in Edinburgh.

A recent tenant survey from one of the ARCHIE members found that 40% of tenants had not put their heating on as they could not afford to heat their homes.

The funding allows Harbour Homes to hire two Energy Advice Officers who will:

  • Provide support to reduce fuel poverty, including support to deal with energy debt and avoiding future, energy debt, by proactively identifying households at risk and responding to referrals from ARCHIE members
  • Promote the service to external agencies supporting tenants and work in partnership with local organisations and wider fuel poverty initiatives to better support tenants directly
  • Deliver energy advice workshops and drop in events at local community venues supporting local people with free information and advice
  • Develop materials to share advice and information on energy efficiency for tenants, staff and the wider community
  • Help tenants adjust to net zero energy improvements such as solar panel installation or new heating systems

Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of Harbour, said: “It is vital that we support our tenants at such a challenging time. I’m glad we can offer this service to our tenants and those of the six other members of the ARCHIE alliance.

“With the removal of energy price caps on the horizon and other funding sources and organisations being oversubscribed, this will be a real lifeline for people experiencing the horrendous consequences of fuel poverty.”

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “This project, delivered by Harbour Homes Scotland Limited, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.

“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we can help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during challenging times.”

Criminal Justice Committee publish report on Bail and Release Bill

Despite members agreeing that there are some useful provisions in the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill, the Criminal Justice Committee has been unable to form a majority view on whether to agree to its general principles.

A lack of sufficient explanation about the bill’s intended purpose, its effects and detail about how some of the provisions will be delivered meant some Committee members could not agree to its general principles.

As part of its scrutiny of the Bill, the Committee looked into the issue of remand in Scotland and why Scotland’s remand population has increased in recent years to one of the highest in the UK and EU.

While acknowledging the impact of COVID on increasing overall remand numbers, they say they have not been provided with data which properly quantifies what the Bill’s impact may be on the efforts to reduce the number of individuals on remand.

All Members identified the need for adequate resourcing if the Bill is to meet its policy objectives.  While the Committee welcome the opportunity for justice social workers to input into each bail decision by a judge, concerns are raised around the resources being provided to meet this potential change.

Provisions in the Bill on prisoner throughcare on release from prison are welcomed by the Committee, but they warn that unless sufficient resources are made available, the policy objective of reducing reoffending and supporting reintegration into the community will not be achieved.

The Committee also scrutinised a potential change to the bail test, highlighting evidence from witnesses who said it isn’t clear if the proposed change is intended to be a minor reframing of the rules, or a more fundamental reform.

The Committee recognise the good intentions behind this change but conclude that it fails to address the concerns of Lord Carloway (Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General of Scotland) that the legislation will “introduce an unnecessary, cumbersome and artificial process” without changing outcomes in bail decision making.

Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: “Our Committee see the merits of many aspects of this Bill, however concerns from some Members over its overall purpose, its impact and around adequate resourcing mean we have not been able to reach a consensus on its general principles at Stage 1.

“The Bill would make a number of changes to the bail and release system in Scotland and it is fundamental that the rationale for these changes is made clear, and that detail of how these changes will be delivered and resourced is outlined.

“It’s now up to Parliament as a whole to decide whether this Bill proceeds to Stage 2.

“We’d like to thank everyone who contributed their views and have helped inform our scrutiny of this Bill.”

Other conclusions in the report include:

  • Releasing a prisoner on a Friday should be avoided until adequate public and third sector services can be provided to support prisoners, as there is a risk that access to housing, healthcare and benefits support is challenging on this day of the week. People released on a Friday may need to wait until the following Monday for support, increasing the risk of reoffending or making them more vulnerable to others.
  • Highlighting deficiencies in the current victim engagement system and calling on the Scottish Government to consider whether further information can be provided to victims to give them confidence that bail conditions are being policed and necessary action taken in the case of a reported breach.
  • The Committee say they are not wholly persuaded of the necessity to permanently enshrine the power to release prisoners early in the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill as this power is already included in the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Act 2022.
  • The Committee say more must be done by the Scottish Government to convince victims of crime of the merits of repealing section 23D of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. Section 23D sets out a presumption against bail for those accused of violent/sexual/domestic abuse offences or drug trafficking offences in solemn proceedings, where they have a previous conviction of a similar nature.

Grayson Perry: Smash Hits, the largest exhibition by the celebrated artist, to be presented in Edinburgh

Grayson Perry: Smash Hits  

Royal Scottish Academy (presented by National Galleries of Scotland)  

22 July – 12 November 2023  

Grayson Perry | National Galleries of Scotland 

This summer, the biggest ever exhibition of Sir Grayson Perry’s work will take place at the National Galleries of Scotland.

Covering his 40-year career, Grayson Perry: Smash Hits will take over the Upper Galleries of the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh from 22 July until 12 November. This will be the only opportunity to see this exhibition, which offers an exclusive look at the celebrated artist’s lifetime of creation. 

Perry has gone from taking evening classes in pottery to winning the Turner Prize, presenting television programmes on Channel 4 and writing acclaimed books. Always keen to do the unexpected, pottery allowed him the opportunity to indulge his fascination with sex, punk, and counterculture amongst other things, in the most unlikely and polite of art forms. 

Today, he is one of Britain’s most celebrated artists and cultural figures. Grayson Perry: Smash Hits not only includes his most famous works, but also the first pieces he made as a student in Portsmouth. One such treasure is Perry’s earliest plate, made during his first week at evening class, Kinky Sex (1983).  

This comprehensive exhibition, which encompasses more than eighty works, has been developed in close collaboration with the artist and Victoria Miro gallery. Instead of being presented chronologically, the show offers a journey through the main themes of Perry’s provocative art, including masculinity, sexuality, class, religion, politics and identity. 

Grayson Perry: Smash Hits will display subversive pots, intricate prints, elaborate sculpt sculptures, and huge, captivating tapestries – all imbued with Perry’s sharp wit and social commentary. 

Grayson Perry: Smash Hits will bring together all the artist’s meticulously detailed prints and imaginary maps. The exhibition will feature many of his tapestries, such as the rarely shown Walthamstow Tapestry (2009) which, at 15-metres in length, presents a birth-to-death journey through shopping and brand names.

Visitors will also encounter the intricate cast-iron ship, Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman (2011) which was the centrepiece of Perry’s 2011 exhibition of the same name at the British Museum. The tomb is a memorial to all the anonymous craftsmen of history.

Two rooms centre on the monumental tapestry series: Vanity of Small Differences (2012), which focus on class and are loosely based on William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress, as well as House for Essex tapestries (2015), which explore the life of a fictional Essex woman Julie Cope. 

The final room will exhibit new works made in the past few months especially for the exhibition. These include a richly detailed tapestry, a large woodcut print, and pots and plates which explore themes of national identity.

Perry’s latest pots, in the form of medieval beer flagons, are decorated with traditional slipware techniques and reference subjects ranging from the polarising effect of internet debate to heraldic iconography.

This room will also include objects chosen from his recent Channel 4 docuseries Grayson Perry’s Full English. Perry travelled around the country to try and uncover what Englishness means today. He invited interviewees to select personal items which to them represented Englishness.

Piqued by the opportunity to show some of these items, alongside his new works on Englishness in Scotland, Perry has included various objects from a pub sign to a football flag, and a teacup to a letter from the Queen. 

Grayson Perry said: ‘I feel honoured, excited and also daunted by the thought of seeing the largest ever exhibition of my work this summer in Edinburgh.

“Honoured to be given such an opportunity in such a fine gallery, excited to share my smash hits with the Scottish audience and the festival crowds. Daunted because whenever I walk amongst a substantial show of my art the same thought floods into my head, ‘oh my god the man hours!’

“Just one of the grand rooms like those of the Royal Scottish Academy could easily hold two, three, four years of my studio life such is the density of my works. These objects contain so much for me, my hopes, my ideas, my lusts, my laughter, my pride, my love. What they contain more than anything is my time. Forty smashing years.’ 

John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘This exhibition, the biggest Grayson Perry show ever held anywhere in the world, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to discover the scope of the artist’s practice.

“It has been forty years since Perry first started making his pots and plates, and twenty years since he gained international acclaim when he won the Turner Prize; it is the ideal moment to celebrate Perry’s achievements to date.’