Month: July 2023

Our survival depends on people choosing local, say Edinburgh businesses

Survey by Scotland Loves Local highlights critical need for Edinburgh residents to get behind people and enterprises in the city

Nine-in-ten businesses in Edinburgh and the Lothians say the support of local people is critical to their survival as they battle continued unprecedented challenges.

The statistic has been revealed by the Scotland Loves Local campaign as it issues a rallying cry for people to choose local this summer and support enterprises – and protect jobs – in their community, unlocking millions of pounds worth of spending.

Research was carried out by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local, among its members and stakeholders, which include the country’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) – with the findings reinforcing the importance of grassroots action in fuelling a fairer, stronger, more sustainable national economy.

It found: 

  • 93% of businesses in Edinburgh and the Lothians said the support of the local community was important, of which 85% said it was “extremely important”.
  • 93% also said it was important that people “love local” and get behind businesses in their communities this summer.
  • And the circular impact of businesses boosting their local economy was reinforced by the survey responses, with nine-in-ten (93%) who took part saying they buy from and sell to other local enterprises across the region.

Born as the nation emerged from the first Covid-19 lockdown in summer 2020, Scotland Loves Local has evolved into a campaign for longer-term good – encouraging people to make the places they live better by supporting the people and businesses around them.

That synergy between business and community was demonstrated in STP’s survey findings, with nearly three-quarters (73%) of survey respondents involved in wider community initiatives across Edinburgh city and the Lothians – such as skills development, volunteering and charity fundraising. 

Businesses and communities mutually supporting one another is a philosophy close to the heart of Fin Clarkson, Food Services Manager at Space, a community Hub in Broomhouse, that operates a community café on site and Outta Space Pizza across the city.

Fin Clarkson said: “It’s hard out there at the moment – both for local businesses and the communities they serve.

“At Space, we are working hard to support local people through regular community meals, cooking classes and food education as well as an employability pathway from our Training Academy courses to paid employment within our social enterprises. Coming up we have our Kids Go Free no-questions-asked free school holiday meal provision which is a key part of our community focus.

“Keeping money in the local community is really important, and local businesses and social enterprises play a massive part in this. Our growing working lunch event catering and Outta Space Pizza create fantastic produce in Broomhouse that has the dual benefit of raising the profile of social enterprise and enabling us to reinvest the money into our services in Edinburgh’s south west. 

“We couldn’t deliver these services without the support of the community around us and, in these challenging times, that support is more important than ever before. By loving local this summer, people can discover all the amazing experiences that we have on our doorstep – while supporting local enterprises that keep millions of pounds-worth of spending in local communities.

“That support will allow us to make Edinburgh an even better place to live, work and visit.

STP Chair Professor Leigh Sparks, the leading retail academic who’s also the University of Stirling’s deputy principal, said: “Towns, villages and local places across Scotland – and the businesses that operate at their heart – are the economic and social glue of the country and our communities.

“The cost of living and the cost of doing business, though, continue to challenge both consumers and businesses.

“Local support is the common thread that helps everyone weather this and build sustainable places and communities. By choosing local – and getting behind the businesses in our communities – we will ensure the survival of shops and services. Local consumer spending generates local business spending and protects the jobs of family, friends and neighbours.

“By loving local, we will also ensure that our high streets and town centres build a fairer, more sustainable Scotland – creating even better places to live, work and visit.”

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, added: “We need to begin a permanent behaviour change in thinking local first this summer, whether for shopping, days out or simply local businesses trading with each other. Choosing local is not only good for our economy and environment, but the communities these fantastic local businesses serve too.”

People across the region are also being urged to spend using the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, ensuring the money they spend stays local for longer by directly supporting shops, attractions and jobs in the area. Businesses and charities are also being encouraged to use them as rewards.

A new deal with local government

Verity House Agreement signed by First Minister and COSLA President

A landmark agreement to forge a stronger partnership between local and national government has been signed by First Minister Humza Yousaf and COSLA President Shona Morrison.

The Verity House Agreement sets out principles for working together to empower local communities, tackle poverty, transform the economy and provide high-quality public services.

It includes commitments to:

  • agree a new Fiscal Framework governing how local authorities’ funding is allocated, reducing ring-fencing and giving them greater control over their budgets to meet local needs
  • regularly review councils’ powers and funding, with the expectation that services will be delivered at a local level unless agreed otherwise
  • incorporate the European Charter of Local Self-Government into Scots Law
  • reform public services, building on the partnership working established during the pandemic recovery
  • develop a framework for collecting and sharing evidence to ensure progress is maintained

The First Minister said: “Today we have committed to build a stronger relationship with local government, with mutual trust and respect at its core.

“The Verity House Agreement is based on the idea that councils know best how to serve the people in their communities. By giving them greater flexibility over how they use their budgets and regularly reviewing their powers and funding, we can empower them to put that knowledge into practice – whether that’s to tackle poverty, transform our economy to deliver net zero, or to provide the high quality public services on which we all rely.  

“This is just the start of the process, and we look forward to working further with COSLA and councils in the interests of the people of Scotland.”

Councillor Morrison said: “Signing the Verity House Agreement today at COSLA’s offices is a clear signal that both parties want to reset the relationship between central and local government in Scotland. 

“This agreement is about creating a new way of working as a partnership of equals – discussing key issues as early as possible and using our collective expertise to deliver for communities across Scotland.

“Scottish local government is the sphere of government closest to the people of Scotland and delivers a range of essential services that impact on people’s everyday lives and livelihoods – from education to improving health; from social care to the fabric of our communities.

“When national and local government work together to tackle shared priorities, the result will be better outcomes for the people of Scotland. This is ultimately what councils seek to achieve every day of every year – better local outcomes for the people we serve, enabling everyone to live well locally.”

NHS Lothian’s LEAP programme hires ‘peer bridgers’ to ease access to rehab services

The Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) has become the first rehabilitation service in Scotland to hire people with lived experience to bridge the gap between community treatment and rehab.

LEAP, run by NHS Lothian and partners, is the only therapeutic community rehabilitation for alcohol and other drug dependencies offered by the NHS in Scotland.

Before the launch of this programme, the service was supported by volunteers with addiction and recovery experience but now officially employees six Peer Bridgers.

Peer Bridgers are people with lived experience of addiction and recovery whose role is to support others through rehabilitation and help improve outcomes. 

Recruitment began earlier this year, with the most recent bridger joining in June 2023.

Phil Hayes (above, right) is one of the new Peer Bridgers now employed by LEAP.

Phil suffered from substance misuse issues earlier in his life but, thanks to a community programme, moved into recovery over 20 years ago.

Since then, he spent several years learning about the behaviours that led to his own issues around addiction.

Phil said: “I think society in general views recovery as either unattainable or a continual hard slog of fighting your inner demons day in, day out. I want to be able to show people that isn’t the case.

“With the right support and guidance, as well as some honest hard work, anyone can move completely into recovery and be both happy and of value within their wider community.

“The peer bridging project allows me, and the rest of the team, to engage with people from the moment they decide to change their lives.

“We can provide continuity of support and guidance for them to build a life for themselves outside of addiction.”

Recently published research has shown that residential rehabilitation programmes, like LEAP, are effective in reducing the use of substances and have a positive impact on the overall health and quality of life of those with substance use issues.

Research also shows that positive changes in behaviour after residential rehabilitation can be maintained over time.

David McCartney, Clinical Lead for LEAP, said: “Tackling Scotland’s drug and alcohol-related deaths and improving outcomes from substance misuse treatments, including residential rehabilitation, is a national priority.

“LEAP is a unique programme in Scotland. In other areas, the road to rehab can be much more complicated so we’re very lucky in Lothian to have this service.

“There are few people in Scotland whose lives are untouched by the harms of addiction, whether experienced by individuals, their families, friends or colleagues – addiction affects us all.

“We support our service- users through medical and psychosocial interventions within a therapeutic community setting, giving individuals an opportunity to heal from trauma and addiction and continuing to support them after treatment.”

LEAP is part of the services provided by the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Care Directorate in NHS Lothian and is delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, the Cyrenians, Encompass and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

The service is funded thanks to both Scottish Government as well as the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.

999 Anniversary: Strachan House says thanks to local emergency services

Residents from Strachan House care home in Blackhall hit the road and made some surprise visits to its local emergency service responders this week, armed with goodie boxes and letters of appreciation for everything they do.

It comes as the 999 emergency number reached its 86th birthday on the 30th June. 

The care home staff and residents took to the roads and visited police, fire and ambulance in the Blackhall area to show their appreciation for everything our heroes do in our hour of need when the well-known number is dialled.

Drylaw police officers, Telford Road fire station and paramedics at the Western General were all very surprised when they received our hampers of thanks!

Mandy Burgen, Head of Wellbeing and Lifestyle for Strachan House, said: “Behind every emergency number dialled it’s important to know there is a team of people who respond without hesitation. It has been an honour for staff and residents to deliver these boxes of goodies to say thank you.

“Our local emergency services do so much, so to surprise them with a little gift of kindness was amazing. Our residents loved being able to say thank you, as well as meet and chat with local police, fire personnel and paramedics”

Louise Abraham, a resident at the home, said: “It was lovely to be able to meet so many of our emergency services and show our appreciation for all their hard work they do.” 

Strachan House has built up excellent reputations within its local community, regularly holding community events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours.  

Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to our local services and 999 day was the perfect day to demonstrate how much appreciate all their hard work and dedication”. 

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Transformed Granton walking and cycling path named after explorer

A newly upgraded walking, wheeling and cycling path, which provides a vital link in the north of Edinburgh, has been officially named after a famous explorer who once studied in the area.

Speirs Bruce Way was formally opened yesterday (Friday, 30 June) and celebrates the accomplishments of William Speirs Bruce, a late 19th/early 20th century scientist known for his expeditions to Antarctica and who studied at the Scottish Marine Station for Scientific Research in Granton.

The core path in Edinburgh’s Granton Waterfront connects the heart of the neighbourhood with public transport links and shops along with Granton Beach, the future cultural and leisure offering at West Shore Studios, the promenade and a planned coastal park. Speirs Bruce Way will also serve a future housing development to the west of the path.

The project forms part of the wider £1.3bn Granton Waterfront Regeneration programme and has been supported by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme.

Plans for the wider regeneration of the area to make Granton Waterfront a new sustainable coastal town for Edinburgh include 3,500 net zero homes, a new primary school and lots of green and open spaces.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “This major upgrade has not only brought a key walking, wheeling and cycling route back into use, but has created a much more accessible and safe space for people to spend time, whether travelling with a wheelchair, using a buggy or out for a jog.

“Today I was delighted to help officially open the path, which recognises the area’s former student and pioneering explorer, scientist and oceanographer William Speirs Bruce.

“Our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront is one of the largest and most ambitious projects of its kind in Scotland. Improving connectivity and strengthening active travel links is central to this, and our wider ambitions to achieve net zero by 2030, reduce kms travelled by car and to create a safer, more sustainable and pleasant transport future for Edinburgh.”

Simon Strain, Head of Places for Everyone Programme at Sustrans Scotland, said: “This upgraded route is an important achievement for Granton Waterfront.

“The Speirs Bruce Way greatly improves the link between Waterfront Avenue and West Shore Road with a path that is suitable for all to use, whilst also enhancing connections to the nearest bus stops and the Waterfront Broadway local centre.

“By making it safer and easier for residents and visitors to the area to walk, wheel and cycle we hope that many more people will have the confidence to leave the car at home when making their everyday journeys.

“We’re grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council and local community members for their hard work and considered input which has helped make this project a success.”

Upgrades include widening the path to provide space for both pedestrians and cyclists, the installation of new lighting and path access improvements at the north end where it meets West Shore Road.

As well as providing a key north-south link, Speirs Bruce Way passes by the 17th century Caroline Park House, the remnants of Granton Castle to the east and the boundary wall of the former Granton Gasworks to the west.

A Historic Environment Scotland plaque has been installed to commemorate Sir Thomas Hope (Lord Advocate to King Charles I) who lived at Granton Castle. 

Granton Castle Walled Garden is also accessed directly from the path and is managed by the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden.

Through Places for Everyone, the Scottish Government has granted Stage 0-2 funding for further projects in relation to Phase 1 of the Granton Waterfront Regeneration, on which an initial planning consultation is currently underway.

Designs for the upgraded path were produced by WSP, with construction carried out by Mackenzie Construction.

Find out more about Granton Waterfront regeneration.

Prepayment meter customers to pay less for energy from today

Prepayment meter households will no longer pay more on average for their energy than direct debit customers, as the UK Government scraps unfair charge

  • Unfair charge on prepayment meter customers scrapped
  • change will help around three million households and save on average £21 a year
  • together with the new energy price cap taking effect today, households will save hundreds of pounds on their bills

Fairness will be delivered for households today as the government scraps the unfair charge on prepayment meter customers.

The change, taking effect from today, will help around three million households using prepayment meters across Great Britain – bringing their bills in line with those who pay by direct debit, with the government stepping in to cover the difference.

Currently, households on the pay-as-you-go meters pay more on average than direct debit customers, as it costs suppliers more to service their homes – such as collecting payments or giving out vouchers – with the charges passed onto consumers.

Removing the prepayment meter premium means these households will save around £21 a year on their bills, making sure the system is fair and providing extra support to consumers who are typically on low incomes.

Scrapping the prepayment meter premium comes as Ofgem’s latest price cap takes effect today – which thanks to improvements in the wholesale market, will bring the typical annual energy bill down from £2,500 under the Energy Price Guarantee to around £2,074. This will help lower inflation – one of the Prime Minister’s five promises – as high energy prices drive up prices across the economy.

The fall in energy bills will save the average household around £426, or 17%, and means for every £100 previously spent on energy bills, consumers will now pay £83.

Energy Consumers and Affordability Minister Amanda Solloway said: “No one should be charged more for having a prepayment meter – today, we’re putting an end to this historic injustice.

“With households on prepayment meters typically on some of the lowest incomes, this is a vital change.

“Alongside the hundreds of pounds coming off energy bills from today, thanks to the fall in the price cap – this will offer extra help to ensure families stop being unfairly penalised.”

To ensure the prepayment premium comes to an end as quickly as possible, the Government will be funding the change up to April 2024. Ofgem as the energy regulator will be devising a plan that will eradicate it permanently after that date.

Earlier this year the government took steps to crack down on the abuse of prepayment meters by energy suppliers. The Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps demanded action from Ofgem and suppliers to put an end to wrongful prepayment meter installations in vulnerable households.

The government is clear moving customers to prepayment meters must always be the very last resort and has asked for regular updates from Ofgem and consumer groups to make sure all suppliers adhere to the regulator’s new Code of Practice – which puts measures in place to protect against them being installed in homes where they shouldn’t be.

Recent figures showed nearly £40 billion was spent by government between October 2022 and March 2023 to help keep household and business energy bills down, the most ever provided to subsidise household bills in UK history.

Over winter, the government covered nearly half a typical household’s energy bill and saved the average home roughly £1,500 by the end of June. That included providing £650 million to households on traditional prepayment meters through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The scheme saw vouchers totalling £400 issued over six months from October with latest figures showing 85% had been redeemed by the end of May.

While the deadline for applications has passed, that number is expected to rise with the last applications and reflected in figures due over the Summer.