Month: June 2023

Schools face summer crime spike

Schools in Scotland are being warned to take precautions amid fears of a rise in crime over the summer holidays.

As many schools across the country prepare to close their doors for the summer holidays, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical says schools will be an attractive target for criminals over the coming months.  

Ecclesiastical is encouraging residents in Scotland who live near local schools to be vigilant this summer and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.

Ecclesiastical reports schools have been targeted over the summer months including vandalism, arson, break-ins, smashed windows, theft of lead from roofs and stolen laptops.

Amid high inflation, soaring prices and more facing economic hardship, there are worries there will be a large spike in criminal activity.

Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Schools are far more vulnerable during the summer holidays when school buildings are closed and largely unoccupied, tempting opportunists.

“With high inflation and the cost of living crisis, it is more important than ever that schools take steps to protect their premises from offenders. There are a number of measures schools can take to better secure school property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection.

“Fencing around the perimeter can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera.

“Vigilance from the local community can be a huge help. We urge those who live near schools to be vigilant this summer and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.” 

How to protect schools in Scotland this summer

  • Ensure CCTV systems have remote 24/7 monitoring services. Monitoring and alerting the police is far more effective than tracing criminals after a crime has taken place.
  • Install remotely monitored intruder alarms and change alarm security codes and passwords on a regular basis.
  • Install security lighting systems that have motion sensors to detect body movements.
  • Restrict access to school premises. Well-designed perimeter security such as walls, fences and electric security gates, and anti-climb paint help to prevent people from getting onto school sites.
  • Restrict vehicular access to the school site. Locate any designated parking as far from the school building as possible. The further thieves have to travel on foot the greater the risk of detection.
  • Use security marking systems such as SmartWater which can help with successful prosecution of thieves.
  • Ask the local community near your school to be vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.
  • Inform neighbourhood watch schemes / police liaison officers of planned work over the holidays as thieves might pose as contractors.
  • Seek advice. Specialist insurers can offer advice and expertise to help schools manage security risks. Insurers can offer a combination of onsite and remote risk management services including security assessments and advice, alongside broader property protection and building valuation services.

Ecclesiastical Insurance offers a range of risk management support and guidance to help schools manage the risks they face.

For more information, visit the Hub for Education.

Fire service to change the way it responds to false fire alarm signals

IS YOUR WORKPLACE READY?

Firefighters across the East of Scotland responded to almost 10,000 unwanted fire alarm signals last year – the equivalent of around 27 a day.

The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals: 

From 1 July, 2023 an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as dutyholders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed.

This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, who require a confirmed fire before they send fire appliances

Fire Alarm Systems provide an early warning of fire and are one of the most effective ways to keep your business, staff and customers safe in the event of a fire.

Unfortunately, most signals from these systems are not actual fires – they are false alarms often caused by cooking fumes, dust or a lack of maintenance. These unwanted fire alarm signals (UFAS) mean our fire crews are called out unnecessarily.

From 1 July 2023, we will stop attending automatic fire alarm (AFA) call outs to commercial business and workplace premises, such as factories, offices, shops and leisure facilities – unless a fire has been confirmed.

Dutyholders with responsibility for workplace premises should safely investigate a fire alarm before calling 999, as our control room operators will now be asking for confirmation of an actual fire, or signs of fire, before sending the nearest resource.

SFRS will treat any fire alarm as a sign of fire, other than from a single smoke detector. Other signs of fire include: visual flame/smoke, smell of burning, or any other fire alarm signal. 

This change does not apply to sleeping premises, such as hospitals, care homes, hotels or domestic dwellings who will continue to get an emergency response.

This follows the SFRS public consultation in 2021 and is estimated to greatly reduce unnecessary call outs in order to free up our firefighters to attend real emergencies and to allow them to do more community safety prevention work.

What do I need to do next?

  • As a dutyholder you must ensure that your premises are safe for staff, visitors and occupants in the event of a fire. You have a responsibility under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 to maintain the facilities and equipment provided. Failure to do this could lead to prosecution.
  • Staff and occupants should be made aware of how to respond safely to AFA activations in each premises. It is recommended that you read the guidance Investigating Fire Alarms prepared by the Fire Industry Association.  Ignoring them or assuming the fire and rescue service has been notified could put people at risk. 
  • You should contact your insurance company to discuss the changes in response to AFA activations, but please note that SFRS will always attend a confirmed fire.
  • If there is a fire you should always call 999 immediately and follow other specific strategies, such as evacuation and assembly points.

How you can help to reduce false or unwanted alarms

As a dutyholder, you have a responsibility under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 to maintain the facilities and equipment provided. Failure to do this could lead to prosecution.

We fully support the installation of automatic fire alarm systems, but these systems must be fully managed and maintained to reduce false alarms and ensure that they activate at the right time and achieve the correct response.

You must work with your fire risk assessor and update your fire risk assessment with any changes.

We have two initiatives in place to assist with reducing instances of UFAS. ‘TAKE5’ and ‘BE AWARE’ are simple and effective ways of delivering key information to staff and guests, allowing them to consider their actions in buildings.

Other key steps include:

  • Reviewing your Fire Safety Risk Assessment and keeping a log of all false alarms to identify any trends which should be raised with your alarm engineers.
  • Creating an action plan to reduce the chance of any false alarm occurring
  • Check detector types and their locations – would moving detectors or changing the type used reduce activations? Seek advice from your alarm engineer.
  • Upgrading automatic fire detection (AFD) systems that are obsolete with more modern technology e.g. ‘multi-sensing’ detectors
  • Fitting manual call points with protective plastic covers in problem, vulnerable or high traffic areas
  • Ascertaining whether any false alarms are a result of activating the wrong call points such as green emergency door release points
  • Keeping AFD systems appropriately maintained
  • Considering whether a link to an Alarm Receiving Centre is necessary or if it is appropriate to suspend the automatic dialling function whilst buildings are occupied or at certain times of the day
  • Seeking further guidance and advice from their alarm system provider or servicing agent as well as their local legislative fire safety officer.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Stewart Nicholson is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Head of Service Delivery for the East of Scotland. He said: “We will continue to work with dutyholders to help them better understand their obligations, but I must stress the importance of having adequate training in place for staff and in ensuring appropriate fire safety provisions are in place within your premises. 

“By changing our response to these types of incidents, we can potentially free up 64,000 hours every year giving firefighters more time for other activities, such as training and fire safety prevention work.  

“However, there are benefits to businesses too by preventing these incidents from happening in the first place. On average, every unwanted fire alarm signal interrupts business for around 27 minutes each time.” 

Inaugural National Drowning Report launched today

The UK National Drowning Report from the Water Safety All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), authored by RLSS UK and supported by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), has launched today.

The report will be shared with MPs at Westminster this evening as representatives from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to launch the National Drowning Report during their annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign. 

The launch event, sponsored by TWF (The Wetsuit Factory), will see RLSS UK Charity Director, Lee Heard talk through the report findings, highlighting to MPs the recommendations of the report to move forwards with drowning prevention.

Former professional swimmer and Speedo ambassador, Michael Gunning will also be in attendance and is due to speak about his challenges within the aquatics community.

MPs will also have the opportunity to meet with organisations who contributed to the report such as RNLI, Speedo, Water Babies, RoSPA, the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD), the Maritime Coastal Agency (MCA), amongst other key organisations in the industry.

Water Safety APPG chair Giles Watling is due to open the launch event.

The report provides a real picture of accidental drownings in the UK and uses data from the Water Accident Incident Database (WAID) and other data sources to provide the UK Government with evidence backed data on why the approach to drowning prevention needs to be improved. 

National-Drowning-Report-UK-2022Download

Lee said: “We are looking forward to being at Westminster this evening to launch the inaugural National Drowning Report. The report demonstrates not only the great work which is already being done to combat accidental drowning, but provides a clear picture of where improvements can be made. 

“We are hoping to meet with many MPs this evening in a bid to highlight the importance of water safety education in the hope they return to their own constituencies with a plan to begin thinking of how they can improve education and awareness around the UK.”

“The report has been launched during RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, and therefore helps amplify the messages we have been sharing this week in a bid to reach even more children and their families than ever to provide them with free water safety education ahead of the summer holidays.”

To view the report visit www.rlss.org.uk/national-drowning-report-uk. 

Drowning Prevention Week provides free resources to families to provide education for all. Visit www.rlss.org.uk/DPW for further information.

Pride Month: Council shows support for LGBTQ+ communities

The City of Edinburgh Council, in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities, expresses its support for Pride Month.

The Pride Flag is flying from the City Chambers and the annual Pride March will take place this Saturday (24 March). 

Pride Month is an annual celebration that commemorates the progress made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and acknowledges the ongoing work that still needs to be done.

Council Leader Cammy Day yesterday met with Richard Denholm, Chair of STRIDE, the Council’s LGBTQ+ staff network, as the flag was raised at the City Chambers.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “This weekend our city will be filled with a bit more colour and love in the form of the annual Edinburgh Pride March and Festival. First established in 1994, Scotland’s longest running celebration of diversity, Pride Edinburgh will ensure the rainbow shines over the capital city. I’m looking forward to taking part. 

“Pride month is significant in the city’s calendar each year and a celebration of the diversity, history and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. We hope to help raise awareness of this important month and continue to progress and encourage inclusiveness.

“I’m proud that we will support our LGBTQ+ colleagues and citizens by flying the rainbow flag above the City Chambers once again. It’s also important to consider the heritage of the Pride movement, which came from protests to address deep rooted issues of discrimination, intolerance, injustice and prejudice that exists and sadly still exists in some places.

“Edinburgh has always been a welcoming and inclusive city – and we’re rightly proud of our thriving LGBTQ+ community.

“An attack on anyone because of their sexual orientation or transgender identity, or their race, religion or disability is abhorrent. On behalf of the Council, I repeat my call for tolerance, understanding and respect right across our city. I hope everyone who is taking part this year has a great time.”

Richard Denholm, Chair of STRIDE network, said: “STRIDE is the Council’s LGBTQ+ staff network. We welcome all colleagues who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as supportive allies.

“We are passionate about people being able to bring their whole selves to work, not just here at The City of Edinburgh Council, but across our entire capital city. I would like to thank STRIDE members and supportive allies for their continued contribution over the past year. This vital effort ensures that LGBTQ+ members of our workforce can feel respected and included.

“Council colleagues have been invited to join Edinburgh Pride march this weekend, in support of raising awareness that diversity is valued and celebrated across all our workplaces.

“I’m pleased to let you know that the Council have recently joined Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme.

This Programme will promote a more inclusive working environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues. We are committed to supporting the Programme, to embed it within all Council Directorates, in the months and years ahead.”

Find more information about equality and diversity at City of Edinburgh Council 

Named and Shamed

More than 200 companies named for failing to pay their staff the minimum wage

  • 202 businesses named for failing to pay the minimum wage to lowest paid workers.
  • Employers ordered to repay workers and face penalties of nearly £7 million after breaches left 63,000 workers out of pocket.
  • Follows on from 9.7% increase in National Living Wage and Minimum Wage paid to almost 3 million workers.

Over 200 employers are today (21 June 2023) being named by the UK government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

The 202 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a clear breach of National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.

Companies being named today range from major high street brands to small businesses and sole traders, in a clear message from government that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.

As well as the usual suspects – the nail bars, hairdressers and security companies, some of the UK’s major retailers including Argos, W H Smith and Marks and Spencer are among the guilty companies.

One Edinburgh firm appears on the list. Social Care Alba Ltd failed to pay £650.38 to 8 workers.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

“Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.”

The businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs concluded between 2017 and 2019.

The employers named today previously underpaid workers in the following ways:

  • 39% of employers deducted pay from workers’ wages.
  • 39% of employers failed to pay workers correctly for their working time.
  • 21% of employers paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate.

Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is no excuse for underpaying workers.

Guidance for employers on pay is available on GOV.UK, and today the government has published additional advice about breaches and the steps employers should take to make sure they pay their workers correctly.

Bryan Sanderson Chair of the Low Pay Commission said: “The minimum wage acts as a guarantee to ensure all workers without exception receive a decent minimum standard of pay. Where employers break the law, they not only do a disservice to their staff but also undermine fair competition between businesses.

“Regular naming rounds should be a useful tool in raising awareness of underpayment and helping to protect minimum wage workers.”

The government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that robust enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.

Since 2015, the budget for minimum wage enforcement has doubled with the government having ordered employers to repay over £100 million to 1 million workers.

The government is determined to ensure workers are paid for their hard work, having increased the National Living Wage by a record amount in April 2023.

This led to the lowest paid workers in the UK seeing a rise of 9.7%, keeping the UK government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.

List of employers named in Round 18

This is the full list of employers being named and shamed for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with fuller detail provided in the attached spreadsheet:

List of named employers (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 48.4 KB)

  1. WH Smith Retail Holdings Limited, Swindon, SN3, failed to pay £1,017,693.36 to 17,607 workers.
  2. Lloyds Pharmacy Limited, Coventry, CV2, failed to pay £903,307.47 to 7,916 workers.
  3. Marks and Spencer P.L.C., London, W2, failed to pay £578,390.79 to 5,363 workers.
  4. Argos Limited, Milton Keynes, MK9, failed to pay £480,093.58 to 10,399 workers.
  5. Buzz Group Limited – Voluntary Arrangement 3/8/20, Nottingham, NG7, failed to pay £319,297.21 to 3,448 workers.
  6. Baxterstorey Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £185,242.24 to 2,166 workers.
  7. McNicholas Construction Services Limited, Elstree, WD6, failed to pay £170,517.57 to 704 workers.
  8. Showsec International Limited, Leicester, LE1, failed to pay £107,835.49 to 5,574 workers.
  9. Brunning and Price Limited, Chester, CH3, failed to pay £98,675.37 to 1,500 workers.
  10. Chanel Limited, Croydon, CR9, failed to pay £70,413.59 to 250 workers.
  11. AAH Limited, Coventry, CV2, failed to pay £42,359.39 to 201 workers.
  12. Mr John Bowden & Mr Gary Bowden, trading as Dulhorn Farm Holiday Park, Weston-Super-Mare, BS24, failed to pay £37,880.77 to 13 workers.
  13. 4 Site Security Services Limited, Leeds, LS11, failed to pay £36,388.31 to 170 workers.
  14. UK Pharmaservices Ltd, Bradford, BD9, failed to pay £35,094.66 to 13 workers.
  15. Victor Foster Poultry Services Limited, Markethill, BT60, failed to pay £33,045.17 to 284 workers.
  16. Loganair Limited, Paisley, PA3, failed to pay £24,367 to 43 workers.
  17. Tudor Employment Agency Limited, Walsall, WS1, failed to pay £22,606.96 to 930 workers.
  18. Wellingstone Ltd, trading as East Orient Buffet Restaurant, Warrington, WA1, failed to pay £21,127.65 to 8 workers.
  19. Dune Group Limited, London, NW8, failed to pay £21,088.48 to 339 workers.
  20. OMI Facilities Limited, Glasgow, G4, failed to pay £20,622.77 to 9 workers.
  21. The Lion Hotel (Criccieth) Limited, trading as The Lion Hotel, Criccieth, LL52, failed to pay £20,322.27 to 9 workers.
  22. Executive Sport Limited, London, SW19, failed to pay £20,200.34 to 8 workers.
  23. Lemon Tree Manchester Ltd, Manchester, M12, failed to pay £18,976.19 to 17 workers.
  24. TFL Service Centre Limited – Liquidation 13/12/21, traded as Wimbledon Service Centre, London, SW19, failed to pay £18,377.98 to 7 workers.
  25. ALG Cognita Limited, Abingdon, OX14, failed to pay £17,364.51 to 318 workers.
  26. Twenty Four Seven Recruitment Services Limited, Wrexham, LL13, failed to pay £17,049.34 to 213 workers.
  27. Macdonald Hotels (Management) Limited, Bathgate, EH48, failed to pay £16,111.76 to 64 workers.
  28. Kuehne + Nagel Limited, Milton Keynes, MK14, failed to pay £14,589.92 to 173 workers.
  29. Hall & Woodhouse Limited, Blandford, DT11, failed to pay £14,354.5 to 23 workers.
  30. Hickory’s (ROS) Limited, trading as Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester, CH3, failed to pay £14,141.12 to 157 workers.
  31. Baxterstorey Scotland Limited, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £13,618.29 to 186 workers.
  32. Oulton Hall Hotel Trading Limited – Liquidation 29/12/20, Leeds, LS26, failed to pay £13,326.97 to 66 workers.
  33. Momentum Instore Limited, Macclesfield, SK10, failed to pay £12,501.51 to 434 workers.
  34. Arnold Clark Automobiles Limited, Glasgow, G52, failed to pay £12,215.56 to 48 workers.
  35. Park View Health Clubs Limited, London, N3, failed to pay £12,191.87 to 4 workers.
  36. Morleys Stores Limited, London, SW9, failed to pay £11,640.77 to 78 workers.
  37. Lex Legal (UK) Ltd, Bolton, BL3, failed to pay £11,559.42 to 10 workers.
  38. Oasis and Warehouse Limited – in administration 15/04/20, Witney, OX29, failed to pay £10,963.70 to 996 workers.
  39. Oxford United Football Club Limited, Oxford, OX4, failed to pay £10,826.74 to 31 workers.
  40. Elite Recruitment Agency Limited – Dissolved 22/11/2022, Norwich, NR5, failed to pay £10,554.39 to 1 worker.
  41. Holroyd Howe Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £10,302.15 to 129 workers.
  42. Mr Paul Wright, trading as Baccarat Hair Design, Beckenham, BR3, failed to pay £10,178.71 to 9 workers.
  43. Verve Personnel Limited, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £10,124.04 to 794 workers.
  44. Contemplation Homes Limited, Waterlooville, PO7, failed to pay £10,095.23 to 87 workers.
  45. The Park Hotel Ayrshire Limited, Kilmarnock, KA1, failed to pay £10,088.99 to 129 workers.
  46. Portway Crown Limited – Dissolved 11/05/21, traded as Rose and Crown, Birmingham, B48, failed to pay £9,809.24 to 3 workers.
  47. Thomas Commercial Cleaning Limited – under new ownership, Chipping Norton, OX7, failed to pay £9,762.56 to 6 workers.
  48. Delta Crewe Hall Op Co Limited, Crewe, CW1, failed to pay £9,626.89 to 29 workers.
  49. Top Nails Livingston Ltd. – Dissolved 28/9/21, Livingston, EH54, failed to pay £9,266.40 to 5 workers.
  50. Acropolis Corporate Limited – Liquidation 19/05/2022, traded as Cedar Court Hotels, Wakefield, WF2, failed to pay £9,150.60 to 56 workers.
  51. Avondale Foods (Craigavon) Limited, Craigavon, BT66, failed to pay £9,007.35 to 149 workers.
  52. Delta Telford Op Co Limited, Telford, TF7, failed to pay £8,871.76 to 12 workers.
  53. M1 Valet Centre Ltd – Dissolved 12/11/2019, Glasgow, G42, failed to pay £7,807.71 to 3 workers.
  54. Warrington Football Club Limited (The), trading as Warrington Wolves, Warrington, WA2, failed to pay £7,720.61 to 34 workers.
  55. Mr Faried Khan, trading as The News Shop, Manchester, M24, failed to pay £7,393.47 to 1 worker.
  56. Hudsons 23 Limited, trading as 23 Taxis, Hartlepool, TS24, failed to pay £7,190.46 to 83 workers.
  57. Dazzle Pristine Car Wash & Vehicle Servicing Ltd, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39, failed to pay £7,051.08 to 5 workers.
  58. Lucknam Park Hotels Limited, Colerne, SN14, failed to pay £6,990.12 to 33 workers.
  59. PFF Packaging (Sedgefield) Limited, Stockton-on -Tees, TS21, failed to pay £6,115.36 to 99 workers.
  60. Mr Harbhajan Singh Walia, trading as Parkside International Hotel, Reading, RG30, failed to pay £5,936.40 to 2 workers.
  61. D & F Trading Ltd – Dissolved 11/1/22, Huddersfield, HD4, failed to pay £5,920.22 to 7 workers.
  62. “Elvis Car Wash Ltd – Dissolved 3/11/20, London, SE6, failed to pay £5,768.98 to 3 workers.”
  63. Roka Mayfair Limited, London, W1K, failed to pay £5,741.87 to 16 workers.
  64. Mr Jangi Ismail Hamid, Doncaster, DN2, failed to pay £5,714.27 to 6 workers.
  65. The House of Bruar Limited, Perth, PH18, failed to pay £5,543.80 to 57 workers.
  66. Thanet Early Years Project, Broadstairs, CT10, failed to pay £5,487.97 to 27 workers.
  67. Delta Forest Pines Op Co Limited, trading as DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, Brigg, DN20, failed to pay £5,471.81 to 17 workers.
  68. Nurse 365 Limited, Whitchurch, SY13, failed to pay £5,238.01 to 8 workers.
  69. Ross Labels Limited, Ross-on-Wye, HR9, failed to pay £5,221.27 to 106 workers.
  70. Little Poppets Nurseries Limited, Leicester, LE5, failed to pay £5,214.88 to 19 workers.
  71. Tenpin (Scotland) Limited, trading as Pro Bowl Glenrothes, Glenrothes, KY7, failed to pay £5,174.65 to 1 worker.
  72. Virgin Active Limited, London, EC1A, failed to pay £5,074.96 to 80 workers.
  73. Dr Tyrone Castles, trading as The Royal Hotel, Penrith, CA11, failed to pay £4,974.72 to 9 workers.
  74. All Day Recruitment Limited, Rickmansworth, WD3, failed to pay £4,896.57 to 25 workers.
  75. Casual Dining Restaurants Group Limited – Dissolved 4/10/22, London, NW1, failed to pay £4,647.70 to 20 workers.
  76. Hatch Brothers Limited, trading as Genesis Crafty (now under new ownership), Magherafelt, BT45, failed to pay £4,439.53 to 7 workers.
  77. Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club, Helensburgh, G84, failed to pay £4,426.73 to 1 worker.
  78. Express Valeting Limited, Southport, PR9, failed to pay £4,338.3 to 3 workers.
  79. Cater Link Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £4,285.35 to 61 workers.
  80. Day of Sunshine (UK) Ltd, Lytham St Annes, FY8, failed to pay £4,275.19 to 2 workers.
  81. Tot Stop Pre School & Early Years Centre Ltd, Driffield, YO25, failed to pay £4,213.77 to 10 workers.
  82. H.S. Walia Limited, trading as Lawn & Parkside International Hotels, Reading, RG30, failed to pay £4,198.85 to 1 worker.
  83. Velocity Interactive Limited – Dissolved 13/7/2021, London, EC2A, failed to pay £3,868.40 to 2 workers.
  84. B H Live, Bournemouth, BH2, failed to pay £3,757.43 to 130 workers.
  85. Few Inns Limited, Bampton, OX18, failed to pay £3,756.10 to 6 workers.
  86. Hunter’s Moon UK Limited, trading as Margaret Kimber, Glastonbury, BA6, failed to pay £3,653.22 to 8 workers.
  87. The Organic Hair Company Limited, Moreton In Marsh, GL56, failed to pay £3,590.83 to 4 workers.
  88. Ms Dimitroulla Antoniou, trading as Montage, London, N1, failed to pay £3,579.72 to 2 workers.
  89. Little Sunbeams Pre-School (Portsmouth), Portsmouth, PO2, failed to pay £3,561.97 to 9 workers.
  90. Reahs Restaurant Ltd, trading as The Portmor, Blackwatertown, BT71, failed to pay £3,292 to 8 workers.
  91. Delta Park Op Co Limited, Leeds, LS27, failed to pay £3,242.59 to 26 workers.
  92. Landlet Limited – in administration 7/7/22, traded as Belgrave House Hotel and Comfort Hotel Luton, London, SW1V, failed to pay £3,224.06 to 9 workers.
  93. Toolstation Limited, Bridgwater, TA6, failed to pay £3,090.18 to 79 workers.
  94. USA Car Wash (Derby) Limited, Derby, DE21, failed to pay £3,005.10 to 9 workers.
  95. The Inveraray Inn Limited, trading as The George Hotel, Inveraray, PA32, failed to pay £2,933.93 to 25 workers.
  96. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Limited, Blackpool, FY4, failed to pay £2,866.95 to 12 workers.
  97. Eunoia Enterprises Limited, Nottingham, NG7, failed to pay £2,798.84 to 31 workers.
  98. Mrs Pauline Butfield, trading as Pauline’s Hair & Beauty, York, YO26, failed to pay £2,791.84 to 1 worker.
  99. Bubbles Sussex Services Limited, Eastbourne, BN23, failed to pay £2,654.37 to 9 workers.
  100. Ridgeway Private Day Nursery Limited – Dissolved 19/4/22, Richmond, DL10, failed to pay £2,600 to 3 workers.
  101. K&R Blue Bakery Limited – Dissolved 9/11/21, Bognor Regis, PO22, failed to pay £2,574.87 to 4 workers.
  102. Integra Accounting Limited, Hinkley, LE10, failed to pay £2,566.42 to 5 workers.
  103. Crofton Park Cars Ltd – Dissolved 23/7/19, London, SE4, failed to pay £2,549.48 to 1 worker.
  104. The Young Explorers Day Nursery Limited, Matlock, DE4, failed to pay £2,521.93 to 14 workers.
  105. Mr Kristopher George Shenton, trading as KGS Gas Services, Stoke on Trent, ST2, failed to pay £2,428.96 to 1 worker.
  106. O’Connor’s Restaurant Ltd, trading as O’Connor’s Bar and Restaurant, Omagh, BT78, failed to pay £2,413.89 to 1 worker.
  107. WGAB Limited, trading as Excel Clothing, Newtownards, BT23, failed to pay £2,369.12 to 18 workers.
  108. ITL (North East) Limited, Gateshead, NE10, failed to pay £2,346.53 to 2 workers.
  109. Mer Manor Operations Limited, London, W1G, failed to pay £2,332.78 to 98 workers.
  110. Arcadia Group Limited, London, W1T, failed to pay £2,233.19 to 109 workers.
  111. Curran Court Hotel 2017 Limited, Larne, BT40, failed to pay £2,003.07 to 63 workers.
  112. Copona Limited – Dissolved 06/04/21, traded as Exmouth Laundry Services, Exmouth, EX8, failed to pay £1,994.61 to 1 worker.
  113. OMI Management Ltd, Glasgow, G4, failed to pay £1,983.23 to 2 workers.
  114. MJ Services East Limited – Notice of move from Administration to Dissolution 28/12/22, Grimsby, DN32, failed to pay £1,977.97 to 2 workers.
  115. Careers Advice & Learning Centre Limited – Active proposal to strike off, Leicester, LE3, failed to pay £1,972.73 to 6 workers.
  116. Disha (Newcastle) Ltd, trading as Subway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £1,948.98 to 2 workers.
  117. “Core Assetz Ltd – Dissolved 26/11/19, Birmingham, B16, failed to pay £1,928.61 to 3 workers.”
  118. Phoenix Eye Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12, failed to pay £1,917.07 to 301 workers.
  119. Arla Foods Limited, Leeds, LS10, failed to pay £1,916.60 to 14 workers.
  120. Calmac Services Limited, trading as Riverside Vets Canvey, Canvey Island, SS8, failed to pay £1,912.81 to 1 worker.
  121. Central Fitness Limited, Accrington, BB5, failed to pay £1,909.17 to 1 worker.
  122. Jettco Plastering Limited, Colchester, CO2, failed to pay £1,905.95 to 1 worker.
  123. Mr Makudur Rahman, trading as Ghandi Indian Restaurant, Exeter, EX4, failed to pay £1,896.70 to 2 workers.
  124. Mack Daddys Gloucester Road Limited – Dissolved 18/10/2022, Bristol, BS7, failed to pay £1,863.80 to 2 workers.
  125. Mr Vinodrai Pranjivanbhai Tanna, trading as Tanna Pharmacy, Harrow, HA5, failed to pay £1,815.53 to 1 worker.
  126. Grimethorpe Hand Car Wash Ltd, Barnsley, S72, failed to pay £1,793.29 to 1 worker.
  127. George Day Nurseries Limited, trading as Orpington Day Nursery, Orpington, BR6, failed to pay £1,776.75 to 4 workers.
  128. Mrs Karen Wells, trading as Cream Hair Design, South Shields, NE33, failed to pay £1,776.15 to 2 workers.
  129. Mrs Patricia Jervis, trading as Bumble Beez, Dunfermline, KY12, failed to pay £1,768.87 to 7 workers.
  130. Wren Kitchens Limited, Barton on Humber, DN18, failed to pay £1,675.73 to 16 workers.
  131. Bendart Limited, trading as Blackwell Print, Great Yarmouth, NR30, failed to pay £1,585.08 to 2 workers.
  132. Uppal Convenience Stores Limited, trading as Spar, Runcorn, WA7, failed to pay £1,574.02 to 1 worker.
  133. Mrs Zara Emma Mason, trading as The Lamb Inn, Salisbury, SP5, failed to pay £1,567.39 to 3 workers.
  134. Checkpoint Car Care Ltd – Dissolved 1/12/20, Hebden Bridge, HX7, failed to pay £1,532.25 to 2 workers.
  135. Mr Richard Woodland, trading as Woodland Autos, Chard, TA20, failed to pay £1,530.42 to 1 worker.
  136. Westbourne Leisure Limited, trading as The Strawberry Bank Hotel, Coventry, CV7, failed to pay £1,513.44 to 31 workers.
  137. The Pit Stop (Colchester) Limited, Great Bentley Colchester, CO7, failed to pay £1,474.69 to 1 worker.
  138. Mrs Helen Wilson, trading as The Hygiene Machine, Hexham, NE46, failed to pay £1,462.26 to 2 workers.
  139. Delta Ashford Op Co Limited, trading as Ashford International Hotel, Ashford, TN24, failed to pay £1,435.91 to 12 workers.
  140. Version Limited, trading as La Coupe Studio, Sheffield, S1, failed to pay £1,428.01 to 1 worker.
  141. M R Academy Limited – Dissolved 24/12/19, traded as Sugarcoat Nails, London, E15, failed to pay £1,391.42 to 3 workers.
  142. Ms Joanne Sarabia, trading as Secrets Hair & Beauty, Selby, YO8, failed to pay £1,373.90 to 1 worker.
  143. Springvale Leather Limited, Rossendale, BB4, failed to pay £1,373.23 to 1 worker.
  144. The Trading Mill Limited – Dissolved 17/03/20, Wakefield, WF1, failed to pay £1,336.33 to 4 workers.
  145. Dudley Taylor Pharmacies Limited, Warwick, CV34, failed to pay £1,276.45 to 174 workers.
  146. St. Nicholas House Ltd, Powys, SY15, failed to pay £1,178.53 to 2 workers.
  147. Whitbread Group PLC, Dunstable, LU5, failed to pay £1,118.37 to 1 worker.
  148. Glowing Global Advertising Limited – Dissolved 12/10/2021, Manchester, M1, failed to pay £1,116.99 to 4 workers.
  149. Sahara Global Ltd, trading as A1 Hand Car Wash, Dundee, DD1, failed to pay £1,087.87 to 4 workers.
  150. Delta Chesford Grange OP CO Limited, trading as Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwick, CV8, failed to pay £1,066.21 to 6 workers.
  151. Vue Cinemas (UK) Limited, London, W4, failed to pay £1,029.13 to 8 workers.
  152. Heritage Hotels Blackpool Limited – Liquidation 16/11/22, traded as Melville Hotel, Blackpool, FY1, failed to pay £1,027.65 to 2 workers.
  153. Nail Retreat London Limited – Dissolved 25/06/19, London, NW10, failed to pay £1,015.23 to 2 workers.
  154. D&M Middleton Limited, Cleckheaton, BD19, failed to pay £960.64 to 4 workers.
  155. Bar Lounge Limited, Chester, CH1, failed to pay £951.17 to 23 workers.
  156. BNP Paribas Real Estate Advisory & Property Management UK Limited, London, EC2V, failed to pay £933.12 to 3 workers.
  157. Portal Security Ltd, Glasgow, G67, failed to pay £927.61 to 55 workers.
  158. North Norfolk Hospitality Limited, trading as The Cliftonville Hotel, Cromer, NR27, failed to pay £908.56 to 3 workers.
  159. Serenity Health Care (Team) Ltd – active proposal to strike off, County Durham, TS29, failed to pay £904.09 to 2 workers.
  160. The Rides Motor Services Limited, Waltham Cross, EN8, failed to pay £877.42 to 3 workers.
  161. St. Mark’s Pre-School, Salisbury, SP1, failed to pay £870.55 to 6 workers.
  162. Little Treasures Nurseries Kirton Ltd, Kirton, PE20, failed to pay £866.01 to 2 workers.
  163. Mr Rassul Kadir, trading as Talbot Road Car Wash, Blackpool, FY1, failed to pay £864.80 to 5 workers.
  164. Mr Thomas O’Brien & Mr Lee Taylor, trading as Chambers Hair Design, Manchester, M3, failed to pay £858.90 to 1 worker.
  165. Elmhurst School Limited, South Croydon, CR2, failed to pay £829.32 to 1 worker.
  166. Amira G Foods Limited, London, W1J, failed to pay £796.43 to 1 worker.
  167. Mr R.E. Blair and Mrs June Victoria Blair, trading as Higher Trenoweth Farm, St. Austell, PL28, failed to pay £776.76 to 1 worker.
  168. Comptons 2000 Limited, Birmingham, B12, failed to pay £772.36 to 3 workers.
  169. LDH Hotels Limited, trading as The Tongue Hotel, Lairg, IV27, failed to pay £771.48 to 11 workers.
  170. Pizza & Co West Road Limited – Dissolved 15/12/20, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4, failed to pay £757.62 to 1 worker.
  171. Tangerine Properties Ltd – Dissolved 15/12/20, Cambridge, CB22, failed to pay £743.21 to 5 workers.
  172. Ms Claire Frances, trading as Claire Frances Hairdressing, Glasgow, G3, failed to pay £739.02 to 1 worker.
  173. Delta Hampshire Court Op Co Limited, trading as Hampshire Court Hotel, Basingstoke, RG24, failed to pay £737.96 to 10 workers.
  174. Delta Stratford Manor Op Co Limited, Leeds, LS27, failed to pay £728.77 to 8 workers.
  175. Fintax UK Limited, Birmingham, B8, failed to pay £727.79 to 3 workers.
  176. Forza GB (Great Britain) Ltd, Caldicot, NP26, failed to pay £721.34 to 2 workers.
  177. Benugo Limited, Reading, RG6, failed to pay £717.80 to 12 workers.
  178. AMYU Limited – Dissolved 20/10/20, traded as Golden Spice Kebab House, Derby, DE11, failed to pay £710.20 to 4 workers.
  179. Old Plaza Ltd, Manchester, M34, failed to pay £692.60 to 15 workers.
  180. The Governors, trading as Pheasey Park Farm Primary School and Children’s Centre, Pheasey Park Farm School, Birmingham, B43, failed to pay £683.58 to 8 workers.
  181. You Me Thai Ltd – Dissolved 28/1/20, Hastings, TN34, failed to pay £667.70 to 2 workers.
  182. The Network (Field Marketing & Promotions) Company Limited, trading as JYL Hand to Hand, London, E3, failed to pay £661.37 to 14 workers.
  183. Ripon Spa Hotel Limited, Ripon, HG4, failed to pay £654.85 to 8 workers.
  184. Social Care Alba Ltd, Edinburgh, EH8, failed to pay £650.38 to 8 workers.
  185. The H Room Limited – Active proposal to strike off, Reading, RG1, failed to pay £639.67 to 4 workers.
  186. Eurotherm Limited, Telford, TF3, failed to pay £639.67 to 7 workers.
  187. Mr Henry Gornall, Mrs Joesphine Gornall, Mrs Lisa Gornall and Mr Richard Gornall, trading as The Hideaway at Windermere, Windermere, LA23, failed to pay £620.75 to 3 workers.
  188. Anthony John Salons Limited, Lichfield, WS14, failed to pay £615.46 to 1 worker.
  189. The Learning Mill Ltd, Leek, ST13, failed to pay £612.69 to 1 worker.
  190. Moses Basket Ltd, trading as Happi Feet, Bexley, DA17, failed to pay £610.65 to 10 workers.
  191. Super Noodles Catering Limited – Dissolved 8/3/22, Canterbury, CT1, failed to pay £601.24 to 1 worker.
  192. Al-Haqq UK Ltd, trading as Heavenly Desserts, Northampton, NN1, failed to pay £594.62 to 3 workers.
  193. Delta Belton Woods Op Co Limited, Grantham, NG32, failed to pay £587.56 to 3 workers.
  194. 727 Your Store Limited, Craigavon, BT62, failed to pay £580.37 to 1 worker.
  195. The Green Courier Limited, trading as Churchill Express, London, W3, failed to pay £576.08 to 1 worker.
  196. Tyre Torque Doncaster Limited, Doncaster, DN3, failed to pay £566.16 to 6 workers.
  197. United Church Schools Trust, Peterborough, PE3, failed to pay £554.82 to 2 workers.
  198. Global Education Management Systems Limited, trading as GEMS Education, London, SW1Y, failed to pay £530.42 to 1 worker.
  199. Mr Shobuz Ali, trading as Khalisa Indian Restaurant, Liverpool, L16, failed to pay £526.07 to 2 workers.
  200. JJJ-D Corporation Ltd – Liquidation 7/7/22, Bury, BL9, failed to pay £509.20 to 10 workers.
  201. Edenmore Golf & Country Club Ltd, Magheralin, BT67, failed to pay £506.52 to 11 workers.
  202. Mr Patrick Ginnelly, Nuneaton, CV11, failed to pay £502.37 to 1 worker.

Douglas Ross visits Sight Scotland’s Hawkhead Centre

The Scottish Conservative Party leader, Douglas Ross MP MSP, has praised Sight Scotland Veterans for all the outstanding help and support it provides to veterans living with sight loss across the country.

Douglas Ross, MP for Moray and MSP for Highlands and Islands, recently visited Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkhead Centre in Paisley to see first-hand the great help and support the charity provides.

He was joined on the visit by local Scottish Conservative MSP for West Scotland Russell Findlay. Sight Scotland Veterans provides free support to armed forces veterans affected by sight loss throughout Scotland to help them regain confidence, restore independence, and make new connections.

During his visit, Douglas Ross was given a tour of the Hawkhead Centre and met many of the staff and volunteers who work there. He also spent time and chatted with some of the veterans the charity helps, discussing the issues they have and what support they require.

Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross said: “I was delighted to visit Hawkhead Centre in Paisley and learn more about the fantastic work they are doing to support veterans.

“It was truly inspiring to meet many of veterans and hear directly from them about how Sight Scotland is helping them cope with feelings of isolation and loneliness. Many of those being supported at the Hawkhead Centre have overcome many challenges thanks to Sight Scotland and I applaud them for bettering the lives of many.”

Scottish Conservative West Scotland MSP Russell Findlay said: “We must always go the extra mile to support our veterans and those at the Hawkhead Centre in Paisley doing exactly that by empowering veterans to live as independently as possible.

“The spirit of comradeship is uplifting and it’s fantastic to see such a wide range of activities. It was great to join Douglas Ross at the centre and I hope to return soon for another chat with the incredible veterans.”

Davina Shiell, Director of Communications at Sight Scotland, comments: “We were delighted to welcome Douglas Ross MSP to our Hawkhead Centre in Paisley.

“As a society we need to look after our vulnerable veterans and Sight Scotland Veterans plays such an important role in combatting social isolation, seclusion, and loneliness.

“We are hoping that having such a high-profile visitor to one of our centres can shine a brighter spotlight on the charity and all great things it does, plus provide a platform to discuss many of the issues facing the vision impaired community, such as increased ophthalmology waiting times, public transport cuts and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

“In simple terms, people living with sight loss across Scotland need more help.”

Sight Scotland Veterans provides support to all veterans in Scotland who are experiencing changes to their sight.

The Hawkhead Centre in Renfrewshire is an activity hub for ex-servicemen and women with sight loss. It’s a warm, welcoming place that brings veterans together. With a variety of activities and outings, the activity hub offers the means and support to adapt to life with sight loss and try new things.

Many veterans who attend the centre say the things they do there and the connections they have made have transformed their lives.

For more information on Sight Scotland Veterans please visit 

sightscotlandveterans.org.uk 

or call our support line on 0800 035 6409.

Tackling criminal exploitation

Safeguarding the most vulnerable

Frontline workers, including in schools and the NHS, are being given new guidance to help prevent children and vulnerable adults from being drawn into organised crime.

The first document of its kind in Scotland, the ‘Practitioner Guidance on Criminal Exploitation’ stems from work commissioned last year by the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce. 

It aims to support a shared understanding of criminal exploitation and to help professionals identify those at risk from serious organised crime.

This includes watching out for signs such as: individuals travelling to different areas or locations they would not usually visit; changes in peer groups; and individuals who may have been groomed by crime gangs appearing agitated and nervous about answering calls, or texts and going out.

The guidance will be made available to all front-line workers – including in social work, policing, the NHS, education settings and the third-sector – who come into regular contact with children and vulnerable adults.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Criminal exploitation of anyone, and particularly the vulnerable is truly abhorrent and can leave victims feeling trapped with nowhere to turn while experiencing violence, intimidation, and threats.

“This new guidance seeks to help end that cycle, giving people who work with children and vulnerable adults the confidence to act, enabling help to be more quickly delivered to those that need it.

“Scotland’s organised crime gangs are not confined to the big cities, and they seek to exploit people across the country, impacting everyone. Understanding this and how this despicable practice can finally be ended is crucial in supporting the strong partnerships we have created to tackle these illegal groups.

“We all pay the price for their callous disregard for the law. This guidance is an important step towards better helping victims of exploitation and stifling the organised criminals of the lifeblood they need to keep operating.”

Paul Carberry, Chair of Serious Organised Crime Taskforce Divert strand, said: “This guidance will give professionals from across multiple agencies more comprehensive knowledge, understanding and develop a wider perspective about criminal exploitation.

“It is essential frontline public professionals, such as NHS, Social Work, and school staff, as well as Police Scotland, recognise the signs and have a shared knowledge of criminal exploitation.

“The work of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce will help Scotland realise a vision where all individuals are free from criminal exploitation. This guidance will take us one step further in that aim.”

Scotland Loves Local Awards: nominations are now open

Nominations open for Scotland Loves Local Awards to recognise those whose dedication and innovation is making life better and shaping a stronger future

People in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are being urged to celebrate the remarkable work to make the region a better place to live in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Nominations have opened for the 2023 Scotland Loves Local Awards, which will see heroics on the high street rewarded, along with responses to the climate crisis.

Artistic flair, work to create new town centre homes, encourage enterprise, make streets more attractive and digital innovation will also be recognised.

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards celebrate all that’s great about local towns and neighbourhoods and tireless work taking place to secure a stronger future in them.

Among the winners last year was SOLE (Supporting Our Local Community) which took the Digital Towns category.

Scotland Loves Local Awards 2022, organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership. The Digital Award was won by SOLE / Scottish Tech Army. Pictured at the awards are the Scottish Tech Army’s Kirsty McIntosh and Alistair Forbes. Wednesday November 16th 2022. Picture: Jamie Simpson / Scotland’s Towns Partnership

Led by social enterprise Scottish Tech Army, the place-based app and website had provided a platform for local businesses to trade online, supporting enterprises in Dunbar and East Linton, Fa’side, Haddington, Musselburgh, North Berwick and Preston/Seton/Gosford.

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, said: “In many ways, the challenges facing our communities have never been greater as we face up to the climate emergency, cost of living and the legacy of coronavirus.

“But many people and organisations in Edinburgh and across the Lothians are stepping up to those challenges. In so many ways, this has brought out the best in our people and places.

“It’s unleashed a desire to make a difference, to create a new future – one which has localism at its heart, with better places in which to live and work.

“The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on all of this and so much more.

“To do that, we need you to tell us about the inspiring people and projects whose dedication and innovation is making a real difference in your community.”

The award categories are:

  • High Street Hero (an individual or organisation making an exceptional difference in their community)
  • Place Leader Award
  • Climate and Netzero 
  • Creative Town
  • Streets and Spaces
  • Digital Town
  • Town Centre Living
  • Enterprising Community

Spearheaded by Scottish Towns Partnership and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the third year in which the awards have been held. 

Nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday, September 4th 2023. Winners will be announced at a celebration being held in November.

A quarter of adults would panic if they saw someone struggling in the water

Research from a national charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), shows that one in four adults in the UK would panic if they saw a stranger had fallen into open water, was having difficulty and might drown. 

The charity is asking the public if they would know what to do if they saw someone in difficulty in the water. With a number of high-profile drowning cases hitting the media in the last year, the charity is looking to educate more people on the Water Safety Code to ensure everyone can stay safe around the water. 

With the summer holidays just around the corner, the charity’s annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign (17-24 June) will be sharing vital messages with the public to ensure that people understand how to stay safe, and if they do see someone in difficulty, that they know what to do.

The research from the Royal Life Saving Society UK also showed that one in four UK adults would enter the water to try and help a stranger who has fallen into open water and was having difficulty. The charity also noted that a further 25% would not be sure whether to enter the water or not.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “With June, July, and August proving to be the months with the most fatalities, it is vitally important that everyone has an understanding of water safety, especially during the summer months. 

“We might see people heading to the various waterways in the UK and Ireland on warm summer days and entering the water to cool off. We want people to enjoy the waters that the UK and Ireland has to offer but to do so with the right knowledge and to do so safely. 

“We often see that people see someone else in difficulty in the water and they try to help by entering the water themselves, this often results in them getting into difficulty too. The best thing to do when you see someone in difficulty in the water is not to panic, call 999 and try to throw them something that floats that they can hold on to. We would then advise to keep talking to the person in the water, keep watching them, and wait for the emergency services to arrive.” 

In 2022, 105 people drowned during June, July and August and the charity’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign aims to reduce this figure significantly. 

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has a range of free educational resources available on its website for children, young people and parents and are holding their annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign between 17-24 June to equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety. 

Lee Heard continued: “This year for Drowning Prevention Week we are aiming to educate more people than ever about water safety and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water. 

“We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents, as well as a brand-new animation to allow families to start the conversation about water safety by learning the Water Safety Code.” 

Drowning Prevention Week takes place 17-24 June and free resources can be downloaded from www.rlss.org.uk/dpw.

Adventurer set to break records kayaking 2000 miles in the Arctic

  • Edinburgh man Mark Agnew is part of an international crew kayaking across the Arctic’s Northwest Passage
  • Mark and his team of four will follow the route sought by Franklin’s doomed Northwest Passage voyage in 1845
  • Mark suffered a mental health crisis in 2018 and credits kayaking with helping him to overcome it
  • Mark plans to raise over £25,000 for Wilderness Foundation UK
  • This will be the first time the entire Northwest Passage has ever been kayaked, all the way from Baffin Bay to the Beaufort Sea

British adventurer and motivational speaker, Mark Agnew, is attempting a record-breaking Arctic voyage to kayak the 2000-mile Northwest Passage, an expedition that comes after a prolonged mental health crisis.

On July 1, Mark and a team of three others will set off from Bylot Island, Nunavut,      Canada, and hope to finish 90 days later at Tuktoyaktuk, an Inuit hamlet in Canada, as they follow the historic Arctic route that links the Atlantic and the Pacific.

This will be the first time the entire route has ever been kayaked. It will also be the first time it is completed with just human power alone – no motors or sails – in any type of craft in a single summer.

Mark, who is from Edinburgh and lives in London, has been preparing for his expedition by kayaking on the Thames with the Putney Bridge Canoe Club and training with polar region expedition paddler, Jeff Allen, who has been helping him to build his stamina and hone his kayaking skills at sea.  Yoga is also an important aspect of Mark’s training and helps him prevent injuries.

Mark attempted to set the world record for rowing across the Atlantic twice, but didn’t successfully cross the ocean, let alone set a world record.

After two failed attempts to row across the Atlantic, Mark suffered a mental health spiral, with the devastation of failure making him feel worthless and unmotivated. 

After 12 months of feeling wretched, Mark researched resilience and realised that it can be trained and learned, so he began to set himself challenges and gradually his mindset began to change.

Mark explained, “After failing to row the Atlantic twice, I felt utterly worthless. I was overcome with feelings of humiliation and failure. It began to seep into every aspect of my life, and I became lethargic. I wasn’t clinically depressed but the feeling of being pathetic became overwhelming.

“Eventually, I decided I needed to drag myself out of my hole by going on adventures again. I realised I had to focus on the experience and not the outcome. I began to focus on camaraderie, discovery of beautiful landscapes and being at one with nature and not just on the aspect of winning or of gaining the world record.

“That said, I’m still motivated by the world first. In the Northwest Passage, pushing ourselves as a team for the common goal of the world first is important to facilitate our camaraderie and experience. These intrinsic goals are far more fulfilling than focusing on a single outcome.”

Mark hopes to raise over £25,000 for Wilderness Foundation UK, a charity offering education and therapy programmes for young people and adults to help them reconnect to society and to themselves through outdoor facilitation adventures, therapy and mentoring.

Mark said, “Getting out into nature and exercising was fundamental to re-finding my self-worth.

“I’ve been lucky my whole life to be able to get into nature. Wilderness Foundation UK helps countless people, particularly people from backgrounds that might not typically have easy access to the outdoors, re-connect to nature and feel empowered through their experience.”    

The route Mark and his team will follow is the same route sought by the British Arctic exploration voyage led by Sir John Franklin in 1845 aboard two ships, the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.  The expedition met with disaster as both ships became icebound and the crew of 129 men was lost. Mark’s team may even pass directly over the wreck of HMS Terror.

Now, 178 years later, the Arctic’s ice conditions have changed with the region at the forefront of global warming, making this world first only possible as the sea ice melts and disappears.

Mark continued, “This is really the ‘voyage that shouldn’t happen’.  One hundred years ago the Northwest Passage would have been frozen almost all year-round, but now we are going to be able to kayak the 2000 miles in a single season – a rather devastating example of how much climate change has affected the planet.”

Mark will be joined on the expedition by three Americans – expedition leader West Hansen,  Jeff Wueste and Eileen Visser.  The team will each consume between 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day and re-supply halfway in Cambridge Bay. Each night they will camp on shore. They will set up a tripwire to let off a bang if they are approached by polar bears as they sleep. 

Wilderness Foundation UK’s CEO Jo Roberts, said, “Wilderness Foundation UK has a history of patrons who have been iconic explorers and adventurers.

“Mark is no different to them in the challenges and hardships they endured and survived. His passion to challenge himself and the ocean links him to the greats of this world. By taking on the Northwest Passage, paddling into an unknown both within himself and the environment, he will be inspiring others to face their fears and embrace their inner strengths.

“As a charity we work with children, teens and adults whose fears hold them back from trying, failing and succeeding – and they get stuck. 

“Mark will be setting them an example of what it looks like to give life ‘a go’ and we will be following his paddle strokes and courage as he braves one of the most challenging and magnificent passages.

“Please follow and support him on his journey as he supports others who will undoubtedly take inspiration from his spirit of adventure.”

The expedition can be followed online and with updates on social media at https://www.thearcticcowboys.com and @adventureagnew on Twitter and Instagram.

To donate to Mark’s cause for Wilderness Foundation UK please visit: 

https://rb.gy/fufog