67% of Scotland’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) owners and managers have reported that skills shortages are impacting their business growth and profitability, according to new research by Censuswide, on behalf of The Open University (OU) in Scotland.
For businesses with 10-49 employees, this rocketed to 83%.
The survey, completed by 200 owners and senior managers of Scottish SMEs, identified people management (25%), finance (24%), digital technologies (22%) and project management (20%) as the top areas in which respondents were experiencing skills shortages.
Environmental concerns and their impact on business growth are also front and centre for Scottish SMEs, with 85% of organisations planning to invest in ‘green’ staff training. Priority training areas included developing innovative and sustainable ways of doing things (37%), making their business more sustainable (36%) and renewable energy (32%).
The survey also highlighted a lack of awareness among SMEs of the access they have to Scottish Government-funded employee training support. Less than a third of businesses had heard of the Scottish Funding Council Upskilling Fund (31%) and the Part-Time Fee Grant (29%).
32% of businesses surveyed also knew about the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF), which offers SMEs access to £5,000 of free and flexible online training with the OU in Scotland, supported by the Scottish Funding Council. However, more positively, 75% of respondents would be likely to consider accessing funds in the next 12 months.
David Allen – Partnerships Manager for Open University.
David Allen, Senior Partnerships Manager, The Open University in Scotland, said: “Despite two-thirds of businesses overwhelmingly reporting skill shortages, current financial and economic pressures mean training budgets are often squeezed at the expense of skills development.
“This does not need to be the case. Through the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, SMEs can access fully funded high quality, flexible online training that addresses many of the core skills shortages facing them.
“Two-thirds of SMEs surveyed were unfamiliar with the available Scottish Government funded support. This is a core reason why the Open University in Scotland is determined to raise awareness of initiatives such as FWDF.
“A positive outcome of our research is 75% of business owners surveyed are now likely to consider accessing Scottish Government-funded training in the next 12 months. It’s an opportunity for the taking.”
The survey findings also align with the experience of the Scottish charity Health in Mind, which recently undertook a training programme in partnership with the OU, utilising FWDF support.
Flora Henderson, Alliance Manager, Health in Mind commented: “The cost-of-living crisis, as well as the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in a tremendous increase in demand for our services. At the same time, staff are affected by workload and a continued impact on staff absence levels.
“It was a priority to continue to offer genuinely valuable development opportunities, intended to help staff feel supported to grow and develop in their role. The FWDF has allowed scarce resources to have more impact and encouraged wider participation than would otherwise be possible.”
For more information on the OU’s flexible online training and the Flexible Workforce Development Fund visit: https://www.open.ac.uk/business/fwdf
The Scottish Child Payment is now being received by the families of more than 300,000 children and young people, according to official statistics.
New figures published yesterday show that 303,000 children were receiving the payment at the end of March.
The total amount of the benefit paid out since its February 2021 launch now stands at £248.6 million.
Scottish Child Payment was extended to include all eligible children until their 16th birthday and increased to £25 per child per week in November last year.
First Minister Humza Yousaf, who yesterday visited Castlebrae High School to hear how the Scottish Child Payment is making a difference to families, said: “The game-changing Scottish Child Payment is designed to tackle child poverty head-on and lift families out of poverty.
“Families in Scotland are able to benefit from five family payments delivered by the Scottish Government which could be worth more than £10,000 by the time an eligible child turns six and over £20,000 by the time an eligible child turns 16.
“I am pleased at the take up of the Payment but we still want to get that money to all of those eligible. I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to find out more and apply.”
Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of three critical missions for the Scottish Government and it will continue to tackle child poverty via its second child poverty delivery plan for 2022-26, Best Start Bright Futures.
Earlier this month the First Minister convened a cross-party anti-poverty summit to listen to the views of people with lived experience of poverty, the third sector, academics, campaigners and other interested parties.
The First Minister added: “The Scottish Child Payment is one of an ambitious range of actions to support families immediately and in the long term.”
Polly Jones, Head of Scotland at the Trussell Trust, said: “Everyone in Scotland should be able to afford the essentials but we know that more families are struggling than ever before.
“We have long called for the Scottish Child Payment to be increased and extended to all children up to 16 and so it’s very encouraging to see the positive impact this is making, reaching more families and getting more cash into the pockets of people who need support the most.”
On Sunday 11th June, farmers across the country will once again open their gates for a national celebration of farming and all it delivers, inviting the public to join them and discover where their food comes from.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday is farming’s annual open day and has been the go-to event in the calendar since 2006, offering a wonderful opportunity for visitors to get closer to farming and the people that make it happen.
Each event is unique, each farm is different and every farmer too, but what they all share is a passion for farming, amazing expertise, and a commitment to caring for the countryside.
Some farms have been passed down through the generations, others are managed by those who have chosen farming as their career; each has its own special story to tell and LEAF Open Farm Sunday is the ideal chance to come and hear it. Farmers may have a host of activities planned such as guided farm walks and nature trails, bug hunts and soil pits, tractor and trailer rides, displays of modern, high tech farm machinery and more!
Come and meet the farmers, their families and other industry professionals, discover first-hand how farmers support our wellbeing through their care of the environment, the sustainable production of our food and how they manage the countryside to help work towards net zero and mitigating climate change.
Together they manage valuable resources like water and soil, and habitats for wildlife to thrive. Discover all that goes into producing the food we eat and the many other ways that farmers contribute to our daily lives.
LEAF Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic experience for all ages – visit www.farmsunday.org to find a farm opening near you.
‘You can 3D print one material through another, as if it were invisible’
Scientists have developed an advanced technique for 3D printing that is set to revolutionise the manufacturing industry.
The group, led by Dr Jose Marques-Hueso from the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, has created a new method of 3D printing that uses near-infrared (NIR) light to create complex structures containing multiple materials and colours.
They achieved this by modifying a well-established 3D printing process known as stereolithography to push the boundaries of multi-material integration. A conventional 3D printer would normally apply a blue or UV laser to a liquid resin that is then selectively solidified, layer by layer, to build a desired object. But a major drawback of this approach has been the limitations in intermixing materials.
What is different about this latest project is that the scientists use a NIR light source capable of printing at far greater depths into the resin vat, and without the need to print in layers.
The findings hold tremendous opportunities for industry, particularly those that rely on specialist parts such as in health and electrical sectors.
Dr Marques-Hueso explains: “The novelty of our new method, which has never been done before, is to use the NIR invisibility windows of materials to print at a depth of over 5 cm, whereas the conventional technology has a depth limit of around 0.1 mm. This means that you can print with one material and later add a second material, solidifying it at any position of the 3D space, and not only on top of the outer surfaces.
“For example, we can print a hollow cube that is mostly sealed on all sides. We can then come back later and print an object, made from an entirely different material, inside this box, because the NIR laser will penetrate through the previous material as if it were invisible, because in fact it is completely transparent at the NIR.”
Dr. Adilet Zhakeyev, a PhD researcher at Heriot-Watt University who has worked on the project for nearly three years, adds: “Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology was already able to intermix materials, but FDM has a low resolution, where the layers are visible, while light-based technologies, such as stereolithography, can provide smooth samples with resolutions under five micrometres.”
The scientists say a key component of their project has been the development of engineered resins that contain nanoparticles exhibiting the phenomenon of optical upconversion. These nanoparticles absorb the NIR photons and transform them into blue photons, which solidify the resin.
This phenomenon is ‘non-linear’, meaning it can obtain the blue photons mostly at the focus of the laser, and not on the way through it. For this reason, the NIR can penetrate deep into the material as if it were transparent and solidify only the material within.
Their new 3D printing method allows multiple materials with different properties to be printed in the same sample, for example flexible elastomers and rigid acrylic, useful for many businesses such as shoe production.
The technique opens a myriad of new possibilities, such as 3D printing objects inside cavities, restoration of broken objects, and even in-situ bioprinting through skin.
“In the same research project, we had previously developed a resin that can be selectively copper-plated,” continues Dr Marques-Hueso.
“Combining both technologies, we can now 3D print with two different resins and selectively cover just one of them in copper by using a simple plating solution bath. This way, we can create integrated circuitry in 3D, which is very useful for the electronics industry.”
Despite this technology offering an exciting glimpse into the future, the costs are surprisingly low.
Dr Marques-Hueso said: “A clear advantage of this technique is that the full machine can be built for less than £400. Some other advanced technologies that use lasers, such as Two-Photon Polymerisation (2PP), require expensive ultrafast lasers in the order of tens of thousands of pounds, but this is not our case because our specialist materials allow the use of inexpensive lasers.
“Now that we have results to support our claims, we hope to partner with businesses and develop this technology further.”
The project, entitled Multimaterial Stereolithography by Crosslinking through Luminescence Excitation, has received £280,000 of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Its findings have been published in the journals Applied Materials Today.
Amazon offers new term-time contracts, providing its operations employees in Dunfermline and across the UK guaranteed time off during Summer, Easter and Christmas holidays, enabling more time with their children
The innovative contract is part of a wider flexibility boost which also includes a part-time pick-your-shift option
Amazon has launched an innovative new contract that offers parents, grandparents and guardians of school-age children the choice to work term-time only.
The new contracts, available at the Dunfermline fulfilment centre, guarantee time off for the six-week Summer break, as well as the two-week Easter and Christmas holiday periods, without affecting the comprehensive range of benefits they receive, including private medical insurance and life assurance.
The contracts, aimed at better supporting family needs, were successfully trialed at three sites following employee feedback, and are now being phased in for employees in Dunfermline and across all Amazon’s fulfilment centres – the places where Amazon store, pick and pack items for sale. They will be rolled out to sort centres and delivery stations across the UK later this year.
Amazon also announced a new flexible part-time contract for a minimum of 80 hours a month which lets employees pick and mix the shifts which suit their needs; part-day or full-day, day or night, weekday or weekend. The contract will support people who are unable to find work due to family or other commitments that require flexibility, return to the workplace.
As with all roles at Amazon, a current employee could refer a friend or family member to this option, which could also provide similar, required flexibility to a partner at home. The part-time contract, piloted at five fulfilment centres and now being expanded to a further seven sites, was also introduced as a result of employee feedback.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said:“We’ve listened to our employees’ views on flexible working and I’m really proud that we’ve introduced new and innovative options based on their feedback.
“Both of these contracts put a really important emphasis on work-life balance and I’m certain they’re going to make a positive difference for many of our people.”
John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK Country Manager, said: “At Amazon, we’re always innovating for our employees and our customers. I’m delighted to announce these new flexible working initiatives that provide even more choice for current and future employees, enabling them to better manage their home and work commitments.
“Amazon already provides a four-day working week for our fulfilment centre employees in the UK, and term-time contracts are another great example of how we are using feedback from our people to support them with their childcare needs, giving families more time together.”
He added: “Providing a flexible part-time contract where people can pick the shifts that best suit their needs will support our employees’ partners and other job-seekers with family caring commitments a route back to the workplace, helping to boost household income.”
Amazon already offers multiple types of contract. A standard working week is 40 hours, with shift-swaps and part-time options.
Term-time contracts are now available to thousands of Amazon’s fulfilment centre employees. The part-time pick-your-shift option has been rolled out to seven fulfilment centres following a successful trial, with more sites soon to follow.
GRoW (Get Ready for Work) supports women back into the workplace. Director Liz Sewell is particularly interested in term-time contracts: “Term-time working has the potential to give a lot of people the support they need, so it’s an interesting and progressive change at Amazon.
“We know that many women want to work flexible hours and for those with younger children term-time working makes so much sense. We believe it’s a great way to support a widening of the workforce as well as providing valuable flexibility for parents.”
Edinburgh will embrace a kaleidoscope of international heritage next month when the city stages the Festival of Migration, an event celebrating the country’s multiplicity of cultures thanks to its history of welcoming migrants.
Organised by Art27 Scotland, it aims to change the narrative and challenge closed minds through championing diversity and affinity and will feature a keynote speech by a UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights plus an extraordinary range of events over three days.
The Festival of Migration marks the end of two years’ work by Art27 and the beginning of the Cultural Rights incorporation process.
“The Festival of Migration is a call to action,” says Helen Trew, co-director of Art27. “Migration has always been a part of our country’s reality and a driver of our nation’s economic, social and cultural wealth.
“At the heart of this festival is a desire to make our world and our city peaceful, to respect the dignity of every person and to celebrate all cultural expression as the glue that binds us together to face an ever-uncertain future.”
Running in Edinburgh over the weekend of June 16 – 18, the event will open with an address by Dr Quan Nguyen, a teaching fellow from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, who asks Are We New Scots?
It will be followed by an animated short film and soundscape, Kraina, – Land of the Edge by Art27 Artists-in-Residence Marta Adamowicz and Robert Motyka along with members of Edinburgh’s Polish community, plus a live performance by singing stars Davno.
The Friday evening also features the Sound of Southside, an immersive sound installation by Elaine Cheng in collaboration with Hong Kong and Chinese communities in Edinburgh.
On the Saturday, and at the festival’s heart, is a World Café TM which brings together members of the migrant communities to discuss what they might need to be able to exercise their right to participate freely in the cultural life of their communities.
The World Café TM is followed by the festival’s keynote speech from Prof Alexandra Xanthaki, the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights and a leading expert on indigenous rights in international law at Brunel University.
The evening closes with a unique concert, The Southside Symphony, which brings together the musicians Art27 worked with over the last two years in a unique collaboration in which each was asked to respond to the theme of migration. The musicians, traditional and classical players, draw on their musical heritage from Senegal, Ireland, Yemen, Highland Scotland, Hong Kong and the North of England.
On the Sunday two panel conversations consider migration from the perspective of post-Brexit, in particular the Central and Eastern European communities, and Climate Justice with Climate Carbon Scotland.
Also on the Sunday, Palestinian artist-in-residence Ghazi Hussein will present a new short play Fatima’s Promise, created in collaboration with and performed by recent refugees to Edinburgh from Syria, Iraq, and Sudan.
Their passionate appeal for safe routes is presented in Arabic with English surtitles and includes a short talk on the impact of the recent refugee bill on children by Just Right Scotland.
This is followed by the closing concert from the highly-acclaimed, The Other, which features musicians from Scotland alongside those who have experienced displacement from Iran, Chile, and Brazil.
Fatima’s Promise – Main Image
Over the three days, the festival will host a variety of other events including: the first Human Library in Scotland when readers – i.e. the public – can have a frank chat with a human book; a Paper Cutting workshop inspired by Polish folklore and based on templates from Warsaw’s National Museum of Ethnography; Chinese Calligraphy Workshop; a narrative photographic exhibition Family in Migration led by Laleh Sherkat and an international exchange installation Inherited Incantations led by Shatha Altowai communities in Edinburgh and Hadhramaut in Yemen. There will also be a craft fair with Open Mic slots.
Family in Migration -Inherited Incantations
Art27 Scotland is an arts and human rights organisation inspired by Article 27 of the Declaration of Human Rights which states that everyone had the right to participate in the culture of their community.
Its mission is to explore the meaning and implementation of cultural rights through local, national and international perspectives. The group aims to protect and fulfil cultural rights through artist-led, community-driven projects, recognising the complex intercultural nature of the diverse community in Edinburgh’s Southside.
“Scotland’s 2021 census identified that Edinburgh is officially the country’s most diverse city,” says Helen Trew.
“It also declared that this diversity should be encouraged, facilitated and celebrated and acknowledged that taking part in cultural and creative activities is a fundamental and integral part of the well-being of all of us.
“We wholeheartedly agree and are looking forward to welcoming as diverse an audience as possible to this unique weekend of celebration.”
Booking for the Festival of Migration is open now and for more information visit:
Sehar Mashiyat, a volunteer braille tutor with leading sight loss charity RNIB, has an impressive story to tell, this Volunteers Week [1st – 7th June].
Sehar volunteers as RNIB Scotland’s braille tutor, teaching the skill of reading and using braille- a system in which characters are represented by patterns of raised dots that are felt with the fingertips.
Sehar’s extraordinary journey of empathy and connection with visually impaired individuals began with her late father, Captain Mashiyat Ur Rehman Malik. The captain, who was blind and lost his hands while serving in the Pakistan Army, fostered a deep bond with his daughter and nurtured in her a profound appreciation for the visually impaired community.
Rooted in her family’s commitment to making a difference, Sehar wholeheartedly embraced the cause during her educational pursuits.
Alongside her family members, she volunteered at “Al-Faisal Markaz Nabina,” an institution founded by her late father in Faisalabad, Pakistan—a renowned industrial city in Punjab.
Capt. Malik, who also maintained a close connection with RNIB, served as a distinguished expert in special education and rehabilitation for the visually impaired community.
Inspired by her father’s passion, Sehar joined Bahira Special School in Islamabad as a braille teacher, dedicating a decade of her life to supporting and empowering visually impaired students.
In her relentless pursuit of creating positive change, Sehar recently relocated to Edinburgh. Armed with her profound knowledge and experience in the field, she wasted no time in seeking out organisations that shared her mission.
Sehar’s search led her straight to RNIB, a charity whose work she was already well acquainted with. Eager to make a difference, she reached out to RNIB expressing her enthusiasm to volunteer.
Sehar’s dedication to the teaching of braille, stems not only from her childhood experiences of regularly visiting her father’s institution but also from her academic accomplishments—a Master’s in Special Education, specialising in visually impaired and braille studies.
She firmly believes in the power of volunteering and its profound impact on both the volunteer and the community they serve. Her advocacy extends beyond her own efforts,
“I have a very strong belief in volunteering work,” Sehar says. “I have always encouraged my friends, family, and others to volunteer and serve. I feel proud to be a volunteer with RNIB Scotland.”
Awards have been handed out to celebrate School of Arts and Creative Industries students
A selection of outstanding projects from Edinburgh Napier University’s 2023 Degree Show have been recognised with a series of awards, including Best in Show for five different subjects.
The prizes were presented during the launch of Edinburgh Napier University’s annual celebration of work from the School of Arts and Creative Industries at its Merchiston campus, attended by students, guests and industry experts.
People have the chance to see the diverse projects – including the prize winners – until 1 June.
Dr Diane Maclean Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries said: “Our students should be proud of the work they have put in to prepare for this year’s Degree Show – which celebrates such a diverse range of creative skills.
“These Best in Show winners have shown outstanding talent to be recognised among an imaginative and innovative group of peers.”
Prizes were handed out to these winners across the following categories:
Cloé’s imagining of an immersive visitor experience at the Whaligoe Steps at Lybster, in the Scottish Highlands, features a cantilever waterfall walkway and suspended viewing platform. Judges at Form Design described the idea as ‘invigorating’.
Best in Show, sponsored by Bright – Jacqueline Borland, Future Moves
Future Moves is the vision of a careers, knowledge and learning hub in the heart of Glasgow’s West End. It drew praise from judges Bright for being a strong, confident submission.
Dedicated to keeping ancient Scottish folklore and folk tales alive through contemporary design and streetwear, Ben Polley created The Good People as a subscription-based community – which impressed judges at StudioLR.
Described as ‘fun’ and ‘playful’ by judges, Kiera McGrory’s project Retrojet satirises the excesses and hypocrisies of the travel industry with bright, eye-catching designs in the style of holiday marketing.
Product Design
Best in Show, sponsored by Bright Red Triangle – Anna Hardie, Tabs
Anna Hardie’s product Tabs is a wireless organisation system for refilled ingredients, encouraging shoppers to ditch packaging. Bright Red Triangle judges praised her consideration for customers and how best to take the idea to market.
Creative Advertising
Best in Show, sponsored by Studio Something (with Innis & Gunn) – Brianna Price and Mairi Macrae, Heineken Stim
Heineken Stim takes a brief from the brewing giant to create a campaign around a bottle to make socialising more fun for people with neurodiversity. Judges Studio Something hailed the teamwork shown by Brianna Price and Mairi Macrae to come up with the idea.
Inspired by stories such as those of the Brothers Grimm, The Death of a Princess subverts stereotypical depictions of women in fairy tales by eliminating their dependency to male figure.
Commercial Photography Award, sponsored by WEX Photo Video – Bethany Craig, Slow it Down
Slow It Down focuses on sustainable fashion – aiming to demonstrate the possibilities of a more ethically-conscious fashion industry which is less reliant on over-production and consumption.
Abi Avery’sportrait series Beyond the Sport combines audio and imagery to celebrate women and non-binary athletes. Judges praised the project for its intimacy and connection with the subjects.
The UK Government has stepped up action to tackle harmful plastics and clean up England’s waterways by challenging producers of wet wipes to address concerns over how they label their products.
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has written to wet wipes producers setting out her concerns about the number of wet wipes that are flushed down UK toilets – between 2.1 – 2.9 billion each year – and has asked them to reconsider the use of the word ‘flushable’ on packaging to help prevent sewer blockages and water pollution.
Wet wipes contribute to 94 percent of sewer blockages, which can lead to damage to properties and can result in sewage-related litter entering the environment.
It is estimated that water companies spend £100m each year dealing with this. The Environment Secretary has told producers that labels saying ‘flushable’ or ‘fine to flush’ may encourage consumers to dispose of wipes down the toilet, rather than disposing of them responsibly in the bin.
Wet wipes producers have now been asked to set out how they will address these concerns.
Lat week (26 May) Water Minister Rebecca Pow attended a summit in Paris, where the UK, alongside 52 other members of the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) to End Plastic Pollution (HAC), has signed a far-reaching Joint Ministerial Statement that calls for a range of mandatory provisions to be included in the global plastic pollution treaty, currently under negotiation.
Water Minister, Rebecca Pow said: “It is vital that producers are more transparent with their guidance on flushability, as ultimately wet wipes that are dumped down the toilet can cause damage to our environment and water quality.
“This is alongside the wider action we’re taking on water quality, including tougher enforcement for water companies, more investment and tighter regulation to stop pollution happening in the first place.”
This action follows on from commitments made in the UK government’s Plan for Water to write to producers and advertising authorities about using the word ‘flushable’ on wet wipes packaging.
The Plan for Water also committed to a public consultation on the proposal to ban wet wipes containing plastic, responding to public calls to tackle the blight of plastic in our waterways and building on recent action from major retailers including Boots and Tesco. The government will work with industry and making sure plastic-free alternatives are always available to the public.
These plans build on the Westminster Government’s previous efforts to eliminate avoidable plastic waste, including:
One of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products announced in 2018
Restrictions on the supply of single-use plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds in 2020.
Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022 – a tax of £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic.
Following the huge success of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, in May 2021 the UK Government also increased the minimum charge to 10p and extended it to all retailers, taking billions of bags out of circulation.
Earlier this month water and sewage companies in England apologised for sewage spills and launched a ‘massive transformation programme’ following growing public anger over polluted rivers and waterways while the water companies continue to enjoy massive profits.
£10 billion – more than triple current levels – ready to be invested in a new National Overflows Plan, enabling the biggest modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era, and the most ambitious programme on sewage spills in the world.
A new Environmental hub, launching next year, will for the first time give everyone near real-time information on overflows, as well as the state of our rivers and coastal waters.
Companies will also support up to 100 communities to create new protected waters for swimming and recreation.
Water and sewage companies in England have today (18 May) apologised for not acting quickly enough on sewage spills. To put things right, industry plans to make the largest ever investment in storm overflows as part of a major programme to reduce spills into rivers and seas.
In addition, a new national environmental hub with information on all 15,000 overflows in the country will increase transparency and allow the public to hold companies to account.
The industry’s plan includes the following three commitments:
1. Accelerating progress
We are today confirming companies’ readiness to invest what is needed to deliver the ambition set out in the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan. This could involve additional funding of £10 billion this decade, more than tripling (and adding to) current levels of investment of £3.1bn 2020-25. If approved by regulators, we expect that, by 2030, through this initial wave of investment will will aim to cut sewage overflows by up to 140,000 each year compared to the level in 2020. This will kick-off the first wave of a massive transformation programme across 350,000 miles of sewer (a length that would stretch 14 times round the world).
Water companies across the country will aim to:
Install the equivalent of thousands of new Olympic swimming pools to hold surges in rainwater that would otherwise overload the system;
Increase the capacity of sewage treatment works, allowing them to treat higher volumes of rainfall and sewage;
Replace concrete with grass and ponds to reduce rainfall run-off entering sewers, protecting them against the overloading that causes spills;
Treat overflow spills so they have much less impact on the river, including through reed beds, wetlands and other nature-friendly projects; and
Improve the sewer network by enlarging and improving pipes, allowing them to safely carry more sewage during peak times, and fixing misconnected pipes from properties.
A detailed National Overflows Plan will be published later this summer, explaining each companies’ approach to improving their overflows. This will include when improvements can be expected, and (as projects are developed) how improvements will be delivered and the expected results. For the first time, communities across the country will be able to find out exactly when overflows in their area will be improved and be able to hold their water and sewerage company to account.
2. More transparency to improve accountability
Water and sewage companies will collaborate on creating, by this time next year, a new independently-overseen National Environment Data Hub to provide the public with up-to-date information on the operation of all 15,000 sewage overflows in England. For the first time in the world, any member of the public will be able to get national ‘near real time’ (within the hour) information on what is happening, building on the requirement on individual companies set out in the Government’s world-leading Environment Act.
This will strengthen accountability, help the public to track progress and empower swimmers and others with the information they need. In addition, as thousands of new river quality monitors come online (planned to be installed from 2025 onwards), this additional data will also be added to the Hub to let people see the real-world impact on rivers.
3. Supporting new bathing rivers
Water and sewage companies will help up to 100 communities interested in protecting rivers and other outdoor areas of water (like lakes and reservoirs) for the purpose of swimming and recreation. Each water and sewage company in England will also support the roll-out of new river swimming areas, by providing help to up to 100 communities to test the water, draw up plans, apply for legal protection, and work with regulators to fix local sources of pollution.
Industry will also develop guidance and toolkits and support citizen scientists to help local groups navigate what can be a burdensome process.
Ruth Kelly, Chair of Water UK, said: “The message from the water and sewage industry today is clear: we are sorry. More should have been done to address the issue of spillages sooner and the public is right to be upset about the current quality of our rivers and beaches.
“We have listened and have an unprecedented plan to start to put it right. This problem cannot be fixed overnight, but we are determined to do everything we can to transform our rivers and seas in the way we all want to see.”
Unlike England, Scotland’s water remains in public ownership.
Prestigious event calls on racegoers to get suited and booted for dancing
A TRIO of popular bands will ensure excitement levels at one of Scotland’s most anticipated racedays are kept high once on-track competition comes to a close.
Musselburgh Racecourse has unveiled the musical line-up set to get the Edinburgh Cup crowd jumping, featuring popular local and Scottish talent.
Taking to the stage will be Edinburgh-based bands The Zebra Three and Chameleon Lady, who will help get racegoers moving and singing along at the After-Race Party. Completing the line-up will be The Soundtrax, one of Scotland’s most popular party bands.
Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “This year’s Edinburgh Cup is a real celebration of all things Edinburgh.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the racecourse, and with such great musical talent on display, The Edinburgh Cup promises to be full of entertainment and one not to miss.
“The bands offer a wide and entertaining range of music that we think those attending will love. We can’t wait to see the performers take to the stage for an hour after the last race takes place and provide some excellent music.”
Edinburgh Gin’s long-term partnership with the East Lothian course features again this year – with the upcoming 2023 event providing many an experience for gin and cocktail fans to match the high-quality racing on display.
Along with tasty refreshments, those attending can expect a celebration of Edinburgh’s best culinary delights to go with the 7 thrilling races, with a total of £139,000 up for grabs in prize money.
Revellers are also being encouraged to dress to impress as a host of photo opportunities are located around the racecourse, with prizes up for grabs for people who share their images on social media.
Headlining the after-party will be folk rock band, Chameleon Lady, who is fronted by singer Cameron Middlemass.
Speaking on playing at the event, Cameron said: “To be asked to headline the After-Racing Party is a privilege, we’re excited and looking forward to performing.
“It’s our first proper headline gig at Musselburgh Racecourse and we’re excited, the punters are great so it will be a good Saturday.
Speaking on why people should come to the raceday, Cameron added: “Musselburgh Racecourse has more of a community vibe, so much is going on with food and bars, if you’re someone who isn’t that big on racing there is so much there anyway for you to be excited by.”
High-energy band The Soundtrax band members have also spoken about their excitement to play at The Edinburgh Cup. The band’s singer, Angus Johnston, said: “We are super excited to be performing for the Musselburgh crowd.
“Getting to perform for big crowds on big occasions is what every musician aspires to achieve. Couple that with what we are sure will be an electric atmosphere, thanks to some top-class racing, and it should be an amazing day.
“Our music is all energy, we are an out and out party band, and our goal is always to get people dancing. If you fancy a boogie today, then come and boogie with us!”
The Soundtrax guitarist Jim O’Neil added: “We’re going to get off the stage into the crowd, onto the dance floor and dance with people, we’ll get conga lines on the go, and it will be maximum party mode.
“Days like this at the races are the best kind of gigs, they are just the most fun.”
Returning to the stage will be Dalkeith based The Zebra Three, who will kick up some nostalgia as they play pop rock and rare cheese from the 60’s and 70’s.
Singer and guitarist James Mackintosh said: “We’re delighted to be performing at such a great scene, it’s always a great atmosphere, especially if the weather is good, which makes for a great day.
“It’s all about the atmosphere, when people come to the races, everyone is in a good mood.
The band also comprises of Kenny Hutchison on bass and vocals, along with his son Robbie Hutchison who plays on drums.
Speaking on the father-son duo playing together, James said: “Robbie is a very accomplished drummer, it’s just great that he wants to play with two older guys!”
The Zebra Three will be kicking off the day between 11:30 to 13:05, followed by The Soundtrax between races from 13:20 to 16:40 and Chameleon Lady headlining the After-Party following the last race, from between 16:55-18:00.
Revellers can benefit from £5 saving per person when tickets are purchased before 12pm on 2nd June, with gate admission costing £40 for adults and £25 for concessions. Children aged 17 and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Gates open at 11.30am, with provisional times for the first race at 1.15pm and the last race at 4:50pm.
Musselburgh Racecourse provides year-round racing action, with 27 race days across the flat and jump racing seasons, including weekend, midweek, and evening.
For further information on the Edinburgh Cup and to book tickets now, visit:
