Day: May 24, 2023

Almost 38,500 families in Scotland cut their childcare costs thanks to Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare has saved 38,495 families in Scotland on their childcare costs during the 2022 to 2023 tax year, an increase of more than 9,300 from the previous year according to the latest statistics released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today (24 May 2023). 

With thousands more families benefitting from the UK Government top up year on year, HMRC is reminding eligible working families of the financial support available to pay for approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries. Last year, £533 million in government cash was shared by families across the UK who saved money on their childcare bills. 

Working families, with children up to the age of 11, or 16 if their child has a disability, can save up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 a year if their child is disabled. 

For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive an additional government top up of £2. Families can save up to £500 every 3 months for each child or £1,000 if their child is disabled.  

This is one of many ways the UK Government is easing cost of living for people across the country, whilst taking action to halve inflation this year which is currently adding pressure to household budgets.

Victoria Atkins, The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “While thousands more working families are benefitting from Tax-Free Childcare, which is making a real difference to their childcare bills, many more are missing out on the help they’re entitled to.

“Parents should check their eligibility and apply online, the top-up could make a big difference to working families at a time they need it most.”

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: 

“Tax-Free Childcare is a flexible benefit for families, allowing them to save towards the cost of childcare throughout the year and use when they need it. It can be a real boost to the household budget of working families. Search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK and sign up today.”  

More than one million families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. Families who haven’t signed up should check their eligibility and sign up to start saving today.  

Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account is straightforward and can be done online in about 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time at any time of the year to be used straight away, or whenever it is needed. Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.  

Go to GOV.UK to register and get started.    

The UK Government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs.  

MSPs come together to help improve cat welfare in Scotland

Nearly 40 MSPs visited a Holyrood exhibition held by the charity Cats Protection to highlight how cats – and the people who care for them – can be better protected in law.

The exhibition, sponsored by Marie McNair MSP, was attended by 38 politicians and was a chance to discuss measures to improve feline welfare in Scotland, including the introduction of compulsory microchipping for pet cats and increasing the availability of cat-friendly rented housing.

Cats Protection’s Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland Alice Palombo said: “Scotland is a nation of pet lovers and cats are a particularly popular pet, with nearly one in four households owning one. So it was great to see so many politicians coming along to find out what they can do to ensure cats receive the protection in law that they deserve.

“Among the key measures we discussed was the need for compulsory microchipping of pet cats in Scotland. This is something which will soon be introduced for cats in England and it’s important that Scottish cats are not left behind.

“We also talked about what MSPs can do to ensure there is more cat-friendly housing available in the private and social rented sectors. So many people now rent their homes yet too many are being denied the chance to own a pet cat and we believe this must change.”

As well as discussing the charity’s campaigns, politicians also found out more about its hands-on work to support cats and the people who care about them, with staff from Cats Protection’s Veterinary, Behaviour and Community Engagement teams on hand to answer questions.

Cats Protection, the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, has a Scottish network of 24 volunteer-run branches, three adoption centres and nine charity shops, which also offer advice on cat care.

In 2022, the charity rehomed 2,500 cats in Scotland and helped neuter 11,100 cats and microchip 4,400 cats.

To find out more about Cats Protection, please visit www.cats.org.uk

‘Our Fete is in your hands!’

CORSTORPHINE COMMUNITY CENTRE APPEAL FOR DONATIONS

Can you support your local Community Centre?

Corstorphine Community Centre are looking for prizes for their raffle and tombola. Every little helps.

Prizes can be dropped off at the centre – 5 Kirk Loan – Monday to Friday, 9.30am- 3.30pm

BIG Thanks

Club 3000 Bingo to open at Ocean Terminal

Ocean Terminal has agreed a long-term lease with Club 3000 Bingo, the UK’s largest independent bingo operator, which will see a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art club open at the centre next year. 

Once the new club is built, Club 3000 Bingo will move from its current Edinburgh venue in Manderston Street to the new  27,500 sq ft unit on the ground floor of the Leith waterfront shopping centre.

The family-run business is investing an estimated £5m in the new club to create a modern and luxurious environment that will complement Ocean Terminal’s existing mix of retail, leisure and hospitality outlets. 

Following the extension of the Edinburgh Tram network to Newhaven, and at the heart of Leith’s regeneration, Club 3000 Bingo forms a part of Ocean Terminal’s major redevelopment as a ‘town centre’ for the local community.

The £250m masterplan will see the centre reconfigured, alongside new homes and public realm to maximise its unique waterfront location and fulfil local aspirations for 20-minute neighbourhoods.   

Brian Fraser, Founder of Fraser Capital Management Ltd/Club 3000 Bingo, which operate 23 bingo clubs across the UK said: “We are really excited to be involved in this new project and look forward to opening our new club next year to add to our growing portfolio.  

“It promises to be one of the best clubs ever developed in the UK.” 

Chris Richardson, Managing Director of Ambassador Investments Ltd, the Scottish owner of Ocean Terminal, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Club 3000 Bingo to Ocean Terminal.

“Its modern approach to creating an environment for a great night out fits seamlessly with our wider leisure offering and we look forward to the club opening its doors next year. We have ambitious plans for the centre and Club 3000’s long-term commitment to Ocean Terminal is a tremendous seal of approval for what lies ahead.” 

Donald Syme who acted for the landlord added: “Leith is undergoing a huge regeneration, with more housing, transport links and businesses opening up. In its new location at Ocean Terminal, Club 3000 Bingo will enjoy a growing and thriving community.

“We’re looking forward to working with Brian and his team to make this one of the best bingo clubs in Scotland.” 

Graham on ‘emotional’ Hawick Ambulance Station visit as Scottish Building Society make donation

Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland star Darcy Graham presented Hawick Ambulance Station with a donation of £500 and a signed match jersey to thank the hero Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff who saved his brother’s life after a horror crash.

Aged 17 at the time, Clark Graham was involved in an accident near the village of Ashkirk in the Borders, north of Hawick, which left him in a coma for three-and-a-half weeks.

Graham, who is now preparing for the Rugby World Cup in France, previously donated £500 to the Hawick station – donated on behalf of the club’s sponsors Scottish Building Society – after winning the team’s Player of The Month last September.

He was once again chosen as Edinburgh’s April’s Player of the Month this year and chose the ambulance service as the beneficiary.

Graham visited Hawick Ambulance Station on Thursday (May 18) to thank Gary Brown, Hawick-based Paramedic, and Jenny Braithwaite, Paramedic who is based in Melrose, who was working at Hawick at the time.

After the call was taken by Iona Walker, Gary and Jenny (pictured with Darcy) were the first crew on scene and rushed Clark to Borders General Hospital, fearing the worst.

Graham said: “It means so much to me and my family. Without the Scottish Ambulance Service and what they did that night at Clark’s accident, he wouldn’t be here, so it’s an easy one for us to give back to them to just kind of say thank you. The quick decisions they made that night thankfully saved Clark’s life.

“It was very emotional meeting the crew. It’s kind of hard to put into words what to say to them. It’s an easy one to for me to pick. It’s not just my family they’ve helped, it’s so many other people’s families and lives they’ve saved from them just doing their job.

“Day to day, it’s what they are here for and we kind of take it for granted almost. Having the ambulance service, having the NHS, everything, we are very lucky to have these services just on a phone call.”

Brown, who has been with the Scottish Ambulance Service for 14 years, said it was “fantastic” of Darcy to donate to SAS, and added: “It was great to meet Darcy and hopefully we can meet Clark soon. The money will be donated to the station, so it will stay in Hawick.”

He said the money will directly benefit the patients the ambulance service attends to.

Speaking of the accident, Brown said: “I remembered it had started snowing that night and there was a light covering over the road. We were the first crew on scene and quite clearly the car Clark had been driving had gone through two fences and into a tree.”

Brown was the first to inspect the vehicle, and after seeing the wreckage of the car – which had suffered “massive damage – feared the worst for who was inside. He added: “Clark was unconscious and obviously very, very ill.”

After assessing the scene, Gary and Jenny realised he needed to be transferred to hospital immediately. Clark was initially taken to Borders General Hospital, before being transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Gary said after he was handed into the care of hospital clinicians, he didn’t think would make it.

Two additional crews staffed by Susan Angus, Technician, and Lee Myers, Paramedic, both of Melrose Station, and Suzanne Little, Advanced Paramedic at Melrose, and Mark Neil, Practice Placement Educator. Malcolm Landells and Rhona Dunn from SAS’s SORT East team were also sent along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to the scene of the accident. A second passenger, less critical than Clark, also required medical treatment.

Scottish Building Society has donated over £7000 the past two seasons to a range of causes, and Graham said it was great to see first-hand the staff who will benefit and how it will help the community and patient care. The money will used for patient care and is determined by the staff on how it is best spent to help the community.

Paul Denton, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Building Society added: “We’re very proud to donate to Scottish Ambulance Service in Hawick for the second time.

“It’s a charity which we know is very close to Darcy’s heart, and we are very aware of the lifesaving work they do across the Borders. It’s great to have their work highlighted and supported in this way.”

To find out more about donating to the Scottish Ambulance Service visit Make a Donation (scottishambulance.com).

Local funding available for Book Week Scotland

Book Week Scotland has opened a fund for community groups to help them take part in the annual celebration with grants of £500 available to apply for. It is open to any local community group interested in taking part, from local colleges and charities to community radio and care homes.

Book Week Scotland (13–19 November 2023) is a week-long celebration of books and reading, with hundreds of events taking place online and in communities all over Scotland. This year’s theme is ‘adventure’.

The deadline to apply for the Book Week Scotland Fund is Friday 9 June at 5pm, and further info and the application form can be foundat bookweekscotland.com.

Examples of how the funding has been used previously include:

  • Sunny Govan Community Radio ran a series of in-person writing workshops with Scottish author Victoria McNulty in 2021. The workshops were designed to bolster the confidence of people within the community, after the pandemic increased the strain on those socially isolated. They attracted a range of participants, from people who had experience of writing, and were much more confident, to those who had never written before.
  • Orkney College placed 20 texts by Orcadian writers on to signs along the iconic St Magnus Way in 2020, and encouraged the local community to share creative responses to the pieces in purpose-built boxes along the route. The community responses were then used to inspire a new poem by local writer Yvonne Gray, who read the piece on BBC Radio Orkney during Book Week Scotland.
  • In 2022, Women’s Aid East and Midlothian ran a writing workshop for sufferers of domestic abuse who were living in refuge accommodation. Together with workshop facilitator and storyteller, Lorna Hill, Women’s Aid introduced the participants to creative writing processes that allowed them to produce their own work. They also curated a selection of books, short stories and poetry that the participants could enjoy in their own time. The response to the workshop was fantastic, with participants praising the supportive environment and how encouraging it was to have produced their own stories. 

HMRC: Help to Save extended to April 2025

Help to Save – the UK Government savings scheme for low-income earners, which offers a 50% bonus payment worth up to £1,200 over 4 years – has been extended to April 2025, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed. 

More than 359,200 customers have opened savings accounts since its launch in September 2018 and an additional 3 million individuals could still benefit from the savings scheme as a result of the extension.

Help to Save is a savings scheme for low-income earners. Savers can deposit between £1 and £50 a month into their account and will receive a government bonus– even if money has been withdrawn.

Savers will earn a 50 pence bonus for every £1 saved and the bonus payments are paid in the second and fourth years. This means that someone saving £2,400 – the maximum amount they could deposit over four years – would receive a £1,200 bonus from the government, paid directly into their bank account.

Setting up a Help to Save account online is quick and easy to do, and takes less than 5 minutes to sign up.

Eligible individuals can find out more and how to apply on GOV.UK or via the HMRC app.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Help to Save can encourage positive saving habits – no matter what you can afford to save – and the 50% government bonus payment can help savers when they need it most.

“It is quick and easy to apply online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘help to save’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

Andrew Griffith, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Millions of people could benefit from a boost to their savings through Help to Save and thanks to our Spring Budget reforms the scheme has been extended until 2025.

“Whatever amount you can save will trigger a top up from the Government, so take advantage and apply today.”

Individuals can open a Help to Save account if, when they apply, they are receiving:

  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit  and are entitled to Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit and they (with their partner, if it is a joint claim) had take-home pay of £722.45 or more in their last monthly assessment period.

HMRC has prepared a video on YouTube to help customers find out more about Help to Save.

Accounts are open for a maximum of 4 years and individuals can make deposits as many times as they like by debit card, bank transfer or standing order, without going over the monthly saving limit of £50. Individuals can also withdraw money at any time, although this may affect their 50% bonus payments.

The UK Government  published a consultation on the Help to Save scheme on 27 April 2023, seeking views on how the scheme can be reformed and simplified.

The government is offering Help for Households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support individuals could be eligible for.

Gail’s sights firmly set on her home city Marathon

A woman who has had two emergency eye operations is aiming to run her first 26.2 miles at the Edinburgh Marathon on May 28th.

Gail Burns, from Edinburgh, is running to fundraise for sight loss charity, RNIB Scotland, who supported her father in his diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration just two years ago. The condition, which affects over 300,000 people in Scotland, leaves him with limited central vision.

Gail was initially offered a charity place in the London Marathon in 2022, but was unaware that she faced sight issues herself:

“I had to have an emergency eye operation for a detached retina and then a second operation in 2023,” she says. “I sadly had to pull out of the London Marathon twice due to these operations and recovery.”

Gail has previously run a half marathon but due to pain in her hamstrings, was advised to stop running nine years ago. However, on finding a motivating Physio and Personal Trainer, Gail started training for her first marathon.

“I’ve met a lot of people with sight impairments- all very resilient and inspiring – from my Dad, other runners, to RNIB staff and advocates raising awareness of sight issues. I’m pleased to finally be running the Edinburgh Marathon on 28 May for RNIB and I also to have a place in London for April 2024!

“By the time May 28th comes around, I will have been marathon training for 1 year. This is due to stopping and starting during my training plan due to the eye issues and operation recovery times. Training has been tough at times but as it’s my first marathon, my goal is just to get around injury-free!”

* You can support Gail by donating via her JustGiving web-page at:

  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gailmburns

Public to help shape plans for a National Care Service

People across Scotland are being invited to have a say on how a new National Care Service should work.

A programme of meetings will take place over the summer, stretching from Dumfries and Galloway to Shetland. There will also be online meetings for anyone who would prefer to join discussions remotely.

There are NO events in Edinburgh or the Lothians.

During a visit to the Allied Health Professionals in Bonnyrigg, which includes the 14 health professions that make up the third largest workforce in the NHS Scotland, Social Care Minister Maree Todd spoke with staff about what they want to see from the co-design of the new national approach.

Details for all events are now available on the online booking page. The first event will take place in Stirling on 20 June.

Ms Todd said: “There are unique demands across the country, which is why we’re going to different areas, ensuring communities the length and breadth of Scotland are represented in designing a National Care Service tailored to local needs.

“Having listened to care providers, unions and the third sector during the Bill scrutiny process, these meetings will allow anyone who uses care services, has a loved one that relies on care or has worked in the sector to have their say. This will help inform future stages of the Bill as it progresses through the Parliamentary process. 

“There is general agreement that social care transformation will be of great benefit. This needs us all to have a shared understanding of what is working well and really focus on what’s needed to support people to thrive with the most suitable care for them. I would encourage everyone to be part of this conversation.

“To do this you can look to attend an event near you or join online, and be part of what will be the biggest social reform of our lifetimes.”

Alison Keir, Chair of the Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland said: “Rehabilitation is central to improving health and social care services in Scotland. Rehabilitation services are vital to people recovering from injury or supported through illness.

“When people get the rehabilitative care they need, they can be discharged from hospital sooner. Then they will need less health and social care, avoid being readmitted to hospital, and be able to regain their quality of life and their role as active citizens in Scotland.

“Allied Health Professionals, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists, are experts in delivering rehabilitation. It is vital we improve community provision. We will fully engage with the national care service process to ensure we have the right services and systems in place.”

To register online:

  • 20 June – Albert Halls, Stirling
  • 28 June – William Quarrier Conference Centre, Glasgow
  • 14 July – Hilltown Community Centre, Dundee
  • 18 July – Stranraer Millennium Centre, Dumfries and Galloway
  • 26 July – The Corran Hall, Oban
  • 1 August – An Crùbh Community Centre, Skye
  • 8 August – Strathpeffer Community Centre, Highland
  • 17 August – Isleburgh Community Centre, Shetland
  • 22 August – The Inkwell, Elgin
  • 24 August – National online event
  • 29 August – National online event
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Living Wage conference to call for ‘fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work’

MAKING LIVING WAGE THE NORM

Advocates for the real living wage will gather in Edinburgh today as the City Chambers hosts Scotland’s first Living Wage Places Network event.

Over 70 delegates from 16 UK towns, boroughs and cities will join the City of Edinburgh Council to call for employers to offer “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”.

Together, they hope to work towards making the Living Wage the norm in each of their local areas as part of the inaugural conference organised by the Living Wage Foundation and Living Wage Scotland.

Edinburgh’s selection as host city follows the Scottish Capital’s recognition as a Living Wage City in 2020. Over 630 Edinburgh-based employers have signed up to pay the living wage, building on a commitment made by the city to continue to boost the number of businesses which become accredited.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, is Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group and will open the event. She said: “We’ve had a record-breaking couple of years in Edinburgh for Living Wage sign ups and it feels like we’re witnessing a real movement.

“Edinburgh-based businesses want to help tackle low pay and insecure work, but we know that employers are under increasing pressure too. They are facing recruitment challenges and high energy bills.

“With the cost of living crisis serving as a stark reminder of what life on low pay means for workers, tackling in-work poverty together has never been more vital. We must work together to break down barriers and champion the true value of people’s jobs. Everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. 

“Hosting Living Wage Places in Edinburgh is our opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come, learn from each other and work towards a future where the Living Wage is the norm. Thank you to everybody who is coming to join us.”

Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group said: “The Real Living Wage is a crucial element of ‘Real Living’ – a happy, healthy, fulfilling life. 

“Our Action Group serves our LW aims in 3 ways. We celebrate LW employers who pay RLW and choose to go beyond, supporting Real Living more broadly in creative and practical ways that has real impact on their teams’ lives. 

“Where employers want to reach this goal, we’ll provide advice and guide them to becoming LW employers. This will benefit their team, their business and Edinburgh as a thriving city which offers a quality experience for all.

“As members of the LW community, employers’ views are presented to local and national Government by the Action Group, a powerful advocate on behalf of LW businesses.”

Clare Goff, Senior Project Manager, Living Wage Places for the Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to hold our inaugural Living Wage Places Network event in Edinburgh.

“Scotland is the birthplace of the Living Wage Places movement, with Dundee the first city to receive recognition in 2019. Since then, the Living Wage Foundation has recognised a further 15 cities, boroughs and city-regions for Making Living Wage Places.

“The Living Wage Places movement brings together the public sector, businesses and civil society to tackle in-work poverty and make the real Living Wage the norm in their place.  This event will bring our network together for the first time to share learning and expand our impact.”