Month: August 2023

theSpaceUK welcomes over 50 new shows

Get ready for an exhilarating ride as theSpaceUK welcomes Fringe Week Two!

With over 50 BRAND NEW exciting shows, there’s no shortage of new experiences to indulge in. The stage is set for an incredible lineup, and this is your chance to catch some truly remarkable performances.

As Week 2 unfolds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an array of talented artists at theSpaceUK are just embarking on their Fringe journey.

From pop-rock musicals to queer cabaret icons, cult classics to murder mysteries, and even Ghanian acrobatics alongside a cappella anthems. With over 50 new shows gracing the stages this week, seize the opportunity to take a chance and discover something that will entice, excite, and thoroughly entertain you at theSpaceUK.

Here’s a small taste of the new shows that you can catch in Week 2 at theSpaceUK: 

Fringe First Winners Return
What If They Ate The Baby? (theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-26)
From Fringe First 2022 winners Chloe Rice and Natasha Roland. There are three rules every housewife knows: never return a dish empty, always have dinner ready by the time he gets home, and some things are best kept under the table.

Do You Hear the People Sing?
Les Millénniables (theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-26)
Very loosely based on Les Misérables, Les Millénniables is a pop parody about the plight of the generation deemed “millennials”. Written by two established (but sad) Hollywood female comedy writers of colour and featuring hit songs from our yesteryears,

Pop-Rock Brand New Musical
Palindrome: The Musical (theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-26)
Heartfelt, funny and set to an original pop-rock score, ‘Palindrome’ is a story of connection, communication, opening up and writing things down. From the company that brought you SiX, the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society. 

Grief, Love and Hope
Pieces of Us (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 14-26)
Life in the 21st century: isolated, polarised. The divide between us sometimes impassable. But how different are we, really? Explore the grief, love and hope of different American characters to appreciate what makes us all the same.

Ahoy There Mateys!
Pirates: You Wouldn’t Steal a Boat (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 14-26)
After being betrayed by his captain, Sharkbait Mulligan finds himself with just the clothes on his chest and the rum on his chest. Spruce Moose Comedy – a group of ex-Cambridge Footlights regulars with a high-energy, low-brow style – bring you their brand-new pirate voyage.

Cannibalistic Comedy
All is Pink in West Berkshire County (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 14-26)
‘What would it take for you to eat a real-life human being?’ It’s dinner time in the Abbey stately home. From award-winning playwright, Harry Daisley, comes a new, deliciously twisted comedy showcasing Berkshire’s finest family.

Queer Cabaret Icon
Aidan Sadler: Melody (theSpace on the Mile, 14-26)
Join award-winning queer cabaret icon Aidan Sadler as they take you on a journey to the end of the world! Here you’ll experience belting original synth-pop tunes punctuated by world-class stand-up comedy.

Comedy of Manners
The School for Scandal (theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-19)


Gossip is rife in 18th-century London’s fashionable society. Two brothers are tested by their uncle to prove who is most virtuous, whilst battling vicious rumours and salacious scandal. Who’ll be rewarded with happiness and love?

Alan Bennett meets Fleabg
Violets and Vinegar (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall St., 14-19)
A neglected housewife, a determined party girl and a clueless teacher shamelessly expose their sexual exploits. This character comedy is sure to make you laugh out loud. Think Alan Bennett meets Fleabag.

Last Night a DJ Saved my Life
Cola Boy (theSpace @ Syymposium, 14-19)
The 1990s, when house music exploded! Drama, suspense, comedy and music as a young Scottish journalist and DJ gets sucked into Dubai’s criminal underworld. A gripping and immersive stage adaptation of excerpts from cult book Cola Boy.

Just One More Thing!
It’s a Mystery! (theSpace @ Symposium, 14-19)
Tim Benzie, the acclaimed creator/host of Solve Along A Murder She Wrote presents a new one-man show: a hilarious and moving exploration of the compelling and enduring appeal of murder mysteries, from Poirot to Fletcher and beyond.

Powerful New Play
97+ (theSpace on the Mile, 14-19)


97+ is based on the Hillsborough Disaster which resulted in 97 people losing their lives. Set in 2012, survivors John and Steve, now middle-aged men, deal differently with the trauma they suffered from the tragedy in 1989.

Multi-layered Choreography and Ecstatic Rhythms
Tandava (theSpace @ Niddry St, 18-26)
Primal rhythmic energy and the impossible union of opposites: Tandava sees the coalescence of Scottish guitarist Simon Thacker’s startlingly passionate sound-worlds with the infinitely expressive physicality of three gifted dancers from India’s Piah Dance Company. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com

Contortion,Jjuggling Limbo and More
Fanti Acrobats International (theSpaceTriplex, 16-26)
Come and watch the hottest and most unique African traditional acrobatics and cultural show from Ghana, west Africa. An award-winning acrobatics and cultural group in Africa. Great tradition! Great show!

Fringe-Goers Rrefer Blondes
Norma (theSpace on the Mile, 15-19)
Norma Jeane Mortenson (Marilyn Monroe) once said, ‘it takes a smart brunette to play a dumb blonde’. This one-woman show aims to challenge the way Monroe has been portrayed by the media and celebrate her strength.

A cappella Anthems
Aca-ting Out (theSpace @ Niddry St., 14-19)
Oxford’s leading all-female and non-binary a cappella group return to Fringe with a riotous hour of feminist anthems. Using their voices to rebel against sexist stereotypes, the Belles are aca-ting out and you don’t want to miss it.

New inserts in cigarette packs to help smokers quit?

UK Government seeks views on adding pack inserts to tobacco products to encourage smokers to quit

  • Pack inserts are used internationally including in Canada and Israel, and proven to encourage people to give up smoking
  • Initial report on the Major Conditions Strategy to be published today

The UK government will seek views on adding pack inserts into tobacco products to encourage more smokers to quit as it launches a new consultation today.

Placed inside the packaging of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, they would contain positive messages to encourage people to quit and signpost them to advice and support.

The messages set out the health benefits of quitting – for example, improvements to breathing within a matter of days and a 50% reduction in the risk of heart attack within a year – as well as showing smokers how much money they stand to save by giving up, with the average person likely to save over £2,000 per year if they quit.

Smoking remains the single leading preventable cause of illness and mortality in the UK. It results in nearly 4% of all hospital admissions each year – equivalent to almost 450,000 admissions. Tobacco-related harms are also estimated to cost taxpayers an estimated £21 billion every year, including over £2 billion in costs to the NHS.

Although smoking rates in the UK are at an all-time low, by taking further action, the government will seek to cut waiting lists and reduce the burden on the NHS. Introducing pack inserts into all tobacco products in the UK could lead to an additional 30,000 smokers giving up their habit – delivering health benefits worth £1.6 billion.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Smoking places a huge burden on the NHS, economy and individuals. It directly causes a whole host of health problems – including cancers and cardiovascular disease – and costs the economy billions every year in lost productivity.

By taking action to reduce smoking rates and pursuing our ambition to be smokefree by 2030, we will reduce the pressure on the NHS and help people to live healthier lives.”

The consultation – which opens today – will seek views on the introduction and design of pack inserts.

Pack inserts are already used in other countries – including Canada and Israel, with Australia also announcing its intention to introduce them – and there is evidence that they can be an effective means of encouraging smokers to quit.

An evaluation of the policy’s impact in Canada found that almost 1 in 3 smokers had read the inserts at least once in the past month, and that those who were exposed to the inserts multiple times were significantly more likely to try to give up smoking.

The consultation builds on a recent package of measures designed to drive the government’s ambition to be smokefree by 2030 – which means reducing smoking rates to 5% or less.

These measures include:

  • Funding a new national ‘swap to stop’ scheme – the first of its kind in the world – to offer a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit, alongside expert support
  • Launching a financial incentive scheme – in the form of vouchers alongside behavioural support – to support pregnant women to stop smoking, with an aim to reach all pregnant smokers by the end of next year
  • A new strategy to combat illicit tobacco, which will outline efforts to catch and punish those involved in the illegal market

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “Smoking is very addictive, and it takes smokers on average thirty attempts before they succeed in stopping, so encouraging them to keep on trying is vital.

“Pack inserts do this by backing up the grim messages about death and disease on the outside with the best advice about how to quit on the inside.

“They will help deliver not just the Smokefree 2030 ambition, but also the Major Conditions Strategy, as smoking is responsible for all six major conditions from cancer to cardiovascular and respiratory disease, as well as dementia, mental ill health and musculoskeletal disorders.”

The consultation launch comes as the government publishes an initial report on its Major Conditions Strategy – which covers the six groups of conditions accounting for 60% of all ill-health and early death in England.

One in four people in England live with two or more major long-term conditions, and the initial report sets out the direction for the strategy to tackle these groups of conditions – cancers, cardiovascular diseases (including stroke and diabetes), musculoskeletal disorders, mental ill health, dementia and chronic respiratory conditions.

This includes by addressing key risk factors and lifestyle drivers of ill-health and disease, including smoking, which is a direct contributor to all six groups of conditions covered by the strategy. For example, it is the biggest cause of cancer, with one in every five cancer deaths in England connected to smoking.

A world leader in reducing smoking rates, UK levels are currently at their lowest on record at 13.3%. But across the UK, 1 in 7 adults still smoke – around 6.6 million people – and the impacts on the NHS and economy are significant.

Tobacco also costs the economy in England an estimated £14 billion in lost productivity every year, due to lost earnings, unemployment and early deaths. The average smoker stands to save approximately £2,000 per year from giving up their habit.

Tonight: Stories and Scran at Edinburgh International Book Festival

CITIZEN: A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY

Returning for its fourth year, Stories and Scran celebrates the dynamic and thought-provoking work created by Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen participants.

This year’s event showcases the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups across the city including the Tollcross Writing Group, North Edinburgh Drama Group and WHALE Writers plus the Book Festival’s own Adult Writing Group and Citizen Collective. 

With sumptuous snacks provided by Scran Academy, what’s not to like?

Stories and Scran

  •  Monday 14 Aug 19:30 – 20:45
  •  Baillie Gifford West Court
  •  Captioned
  • Attend in person
  • Baillie Gifford West Court
  • £ What you can

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Record crowds attend biggest cycling event ever 

Inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships come to a close

  • Women Elite Road Race brings the curtain down on inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships with Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky claiming the final medal and rainbow jersey
  • A preliminary estimate of 1 million fans turned out to watch the various competitions taking place in Glasgow and in host regions across Scotland
  • 653 medals were awarded across the competition

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have been declared a huge success after a preliminary estimate of 1 million spectators turned out to watch the festival of cycling, while millions more tuned in around the world to see the 11 days of cycling action taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland.

The final event of the programme, the Women Elite Road Race, brought the curtain down on the inaugural event that has seen 13 UCI World Championships combined into one mega event for the first time ever.

Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky claimed the top spot following a thrilling finish to the race that saw tens of thousands line the route between Balloch and Glasgow. It was the first time the women’s elite road race has closed a UCI World Championship, with 207 riders (including Women Under 23) taking on the 154.1km course. This is up on the 129 riders that took to the start line at the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia.

A total of 653 medals were awarded and 220 UCI Rainbow jerseys races have been raced as fans of all ages flocked to venues across the country to witness cycling history being made, with sold out crowds at events across the programme.

Additionally, spectators lined roads, ramps, and routes at locations including Glasgow Green, Stirling, Edinburgh, Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Angus, Fife, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, and Dumfries and Galloway, to cheer on riders at free events up and down the country.

Across all competitions, almost 8,00 elite and amateur athletes took part with Great Britain topping both the cycling and para-cycling medal table with 56 and 44 medals, respectively. A full list of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships medal winners and results is available here. 
  
Such numbers demonstrate how the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have undoubtedly inspired new fans of the sport and created new experiences for thousands of spectators at home and abroad.

In addition, EY (Ernst & Young) have been commissioned to conduct a qualitative social and economic impact assessment for the event to detail the value that it has brought to Scotland.  

The delivery of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships would not have been possible without the support of the 4,000 volunteers who have supported in key roles across every venue, from making sure spectators have the best experience possible, to assisting with media operations and supporting elite cyclists.

UCI President David Lappartient said: “The inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships have taken our sport to new heights.

“The 13 UCI World Championships that took place in Glasgow and across Scotland united all members of the wide cycling family, bringing together different disciplines, an unprecedented number of nations and a record number of television viewers worldwide.

“The fantastic welcome from Scotland and the excellent organisation created a clear benchmark for future editions of this magnificent cycling show, that will take place every four years, before the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.” 

Paul Bush OBE, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Chair, said: ““The 2023 Cycling World Championships have brought together around 8000 athletes from over 130 countries, in what has been an unprecedented celebration of cycling.  

“It is testament to Scotland’s reputation as a world leading events destination that we were handed this opportunity by the UCI, and I just want to thank everyone who has played a role, from our funding partners to our host regions, the athletes, the spectators and of course the volunteers. Everyone has contributed to a memorable event that has further boosted the nation’s reputation as a major event destination.  

“Our host venues have thrived, making history in staging world class sporting events and welcoming thousands of visitors over the course of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

“Signing off with huge crowds of spectators lining the streets of Glasgow to watch the women’s elite road race has been very special, providing a fitting finale to an event which has inspired new fans of the sport and showcased Scotland in the best light to the millions watching around the world.”  

Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com – 13/08/2023 – Road Cycling – 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships – Loch Lomond to Glasgow, Scotland – Women’s Elite Road Race – The roll out

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “I would like to thank all the athletes, volunteers, and staff, including those from the emergency services and other partner organisations, who played such important roles in delivering this unique and hugely successful event which showed Glasgow and Scotland at their very best. 

“I am immensely proud of how the UCI Cycling World Championships showcased our welcoming and inclusive country and have been delighted to see the huge crowds turning out to watch the action. The Championships have undoubtedly been yet another vote of confidence in Scotland as a destination of choice for staging major global events.  

“We will work now to ensure this event leaves a lasting legacy that benefits our economy and environment, and that inspires people from all walks of life to be more active and healthier through the power of the bike.” 

Leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken said:  “From the first race to the last; riders, fans and officials have been telling us that 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will go down in history as not only the biggest, but one of the greatest ever held. 

“The UCI approached Glasgow to pioneer this new ‘super’ UCI World Championships because they understood what a great events city this is; what an amazing passion for sport it has – and they knew we were the safest pair of safe hands when it came to making it all work. 

“The faith they showed in Glasgow to host a truly global event was remarkable and I’m delighted the city has been able to repay that faith so emphatically – surpassing their expectations and even our own. 

“The sport has been fiercely competitive, with racers needing to be at the very peak of their powers to be in contention for medals – and it has drawn huge audiences, on the road, in venues and across the world on television. 

“There is nowhere quite like Glasgow when it comes to creating an atmosphere and people who are ready to throw themselves into an event, heart, and soul. 

“One of the big themes of this event has been ‘The Power of the Bike’ – and I think these UCI Worlds have also resonated because they have given people an opportunity to rethink their ambitions for what our city can be.   

“For Glasgow, the last eleven days have demonstrated that The Power of the Bike is making an already great city more vibrant and healthier; accessible, active and connected.”  

Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has been a wonderful showcase for why the UK hosts brilliant major sporting events.

“Over the past 11 days of competition, we’ve seen some incredible performances, including from a British team who have turned out numerous extraordinary sporting moments, all against a backdrop of passionate and knowledgeable fans who have created a fantastic atmosphere at all the venues.  

“Bringing events like the UCI Cycling World Championships to British shores is only made possible through the support of The National Lottery, so we owe a big thank you to everyone who buys a lottery ticket.” 

British Cycling CEO, Jon Dutton, said: “Like so many people I leave the UCI Cycling World Championships feeling incredibly proud of our British riders, whose bold, brave, and brilliant performances have taken this event into the hearts and homes of fans across the country. 

“New stars have been born, our household names have delivered in spades, and we now have an amazing opportunity to harness all of that inspiration to ensure that more people ride, race and enjoy our sport in the future.” 

PICTURES:

Start at Loch Lomond: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

Lotte Kopecky crossing the finish line: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

Peloton: Pauline Ballet/SWpix.com

Podium: Thomas Maheux/SWpix.com

TODAY: Free sewing class at Granton Parish Church

Granton Goes Greener’s FREE sewing class is on every Monday between 10 am and 12 noon at the East Hall of Granton Parish Church, Edinburgh and we would happily welcome any new participants regardless their sewing skills.

Our class is designed to support individuals working on their individual projects and help more advanced ones to develop their sewing skills or learn sewing from scratch.

Any questions-email: anna@grantongoesgreener.org.uk

Independent Age: “Struggling older people can’t wait any longer”

The upcoming Programme for Government must include plans for a pensioner poverty strategy, says older people’s financial hardship charity Independent Age. 

1 in 7 pensioners in Scotland are in poverty, a number that has risen by a quarter in the last decade, and the current cost of living crisis means that many more are at risk of being pulled into financial hardship.

Polling by Independent Age shows that almost half (45%) of over 65s living on a low income (£15,000 per year or less) in Scotland are cutting back on their food spending. Well over a third (42%) of the same group are concerned about covering their food bills for the next 6 months.

With energy prices remaining high, Independent Age polling found that in Scotland, over half (54%) of over 65s on a low income are worried about how they will afford the cost of heating their home.

The charity also found that inadequate incomes coupled with rising costs is causing some older people to disconnect from digital technology. Without this it’s often harder to access information, stay in touch with friends and family and save money by shopping around for the best deals.

Polling showed that 39% of older people on a low income are already cutting back on their phone usage to save money. Over a third (35%) of the same group are fearful of not being able to afford their broadband bill during the next 6 months.

Independent Age is calling on the Scottish Government to urgently produce a pensioner poverty strategy. Whilst the charity continues to call on the UK Government to do more to support older people facing financial hardship across the country, there are actions the Scottish Government can take to support older people living in poverty in Scotland.

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “Older people struggling financially can’t wait any longer for the Government to step in. The First Minister must include a pensioner poverty strategy in next month’s Programme for Government.

“Every day, we hear from older people across Scotland who are cutting back to dangerous levels. We’ve heard stories of those in later life risking falls by not turning on the lights at night, terminally ill older people not using the heating during winter and those who only eat one meal a day, all to save money. They are crying out for a plan to help them.

“If the Scottish Government wants to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old, they can start now by committing to introducing a pensioner poverty strategy. We’ve heard positive words on the Government’s commitment to tackling poverty, but now older people need to see action.

“The Programme for Government must include a strategy to tackle pensioner poverty, or we risk seeing thousands more fall into financial hardship.”

Scotland_Poverty_Report_Independent_Age_0Download

Independent Age launched its powerful report “Not enough to live on”: Pensioner poverty in Scotland in February this year. It set out the devastating experience of poverty for those aged over 65.

The charity interviewed 38 people across the nation and these in-depth conversations uncovered struggles around managing on a low, fixed income, battling high costs and living in unaffordable and inadequate housing.

June, 67, Glasgow, is currently struggling financially. She said: “I’m very cautious with money. I’m careful to make sure I’ve got enough to get my food. You’ve got to be careful because you can still run out at the end of the month, then you end up needing to go to the food bank.

“If something big was to come up that was needed, say my fridge, God forbid, or my cooker or washing machine, it would be a worry. I would have to get help. I can’t go out and buy big things. I cannot go for a cup of tea or buy a wee meal for my friends, it’s irritating because you want to do more. But I’m restricted, I’ve not got the money for that. So you just forget it. I live a quiet life.”

Sir Jackie Stewart takes the salute at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Motor-racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart attended The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on Friday night to take on the prestigious role of Salute Taker for the Show at Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade.

The Tattoo will be making a financial contribution to Race Against Dementia, a charity established by the three-time Formula 1 World Champion, to identify, fund, and guide pioneering scientists from across the world to find a cure for dementia, a disease which will affect one in three people in the United Kingdom.    

Sir Jackie was met by Buster Howes, Chief Executive of the Tattoo, before taking his seat in the Royal Gallery to enjoy this year’s Show Stories, which is a celebration of sagas, myths and legends and transports the audience on a journey of ideas, from campfire stories through to the world stage.

To donate to Race Against Dementia, visit raceagainstdementia.com. Stories will run until Saturday 26 August 2023, with tickets still available from edintattoo.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)131 225 1188.

New building requirements for separate male and female toilets

UK Government confirms measures to reverse the rise of gender-neutral toilets as part of wider efforts to protect single sex spaces in England

  • Government accelerates plans for separate male and female toilets in new non-domestic private and public buildings;
  • Builds upon action to protect and enhance single sex spaces;
  • Changes will also encourage the provision of self-contained, private toilets to ensure there are appropriate facilities for all.

The UK Government has announced today it is acting to bring forward changes to regulations that will mean all new non-domestic public and private buildings will be required to provide separate single-sex toilets for women and men and/or a self-contained, private toilet as a minimum.

The change comes amid dignity and privacy concerns from women and elderly people who feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged as publicly accessible toilets are increasingly being converted into gender neutral facilities.

Concerns over the rise of neutral gender facilities has meant that public have been forced to share cubicle and hand-washing facilities, leading to increasing waiting in shared queues, decreased choice and a limitation on privacy and dignity for all.

New regulations and guidance will mean women, who may need to use facilities more often because of pregnancy or sanitary needs, will now be guaranteed appropriate facilities either through a separate single-sex space or through a self-contained, private toilet.

The action taken today builds upon the Government’s commitment and wider approach to the protection of single sex spaces.

In addition to single sex toilets becoming the default and minimum for new non-residential buildings and places undertaking major refurbishment, the guidelines will encourage the consideration of self-contained toilets, which are a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.

This new approach will help to maximise privacy and dignity for of all, which will be explicit in the guidance.

A new short technical consultation to shape the changes will open tomorrow.

Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “It is important that everybody has privacy and dignity when using public facilities. Yet the move towards ‘gender neutral’ toilets has removed this fundamental right for women and girls.

“These proposals will ensure every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities, and publish guidance to explain the difference, protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of all.”

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Faith & Communities, Baroness Scott, said: “It is extremely important women can feel comfortable when using public facilities, so we are taking action to restore dignity and privacy at the centre of all future provision.

“These proposals will mean separate toilets for men and women, as well as self-contained toilets for those that need them, become a requirement for every new building across England.”

A previous call for evidence on increasing the accessibility of toilets for men and women gathered over 17,000 responses and represented a full range of views – generally calling for greater consideration in the range of toilets to preserve dignity, access, equality, and privacy for all.

The changes will be made through building regulations and guidance. The aim of the new requirements will ensure that:

  • Separate single-sex toilets facilities are provided for men and women; and/or
  • Self-contained, private toilets are provided where space allows to ensure privacy and safety;
  • Mixed sex shared facilities are not an option, except when lack of space allows only a single toilet

Changing the rules for single sex and/or universal toilets to be required would have positive equality outcomes for those who may not currently feel safe while using toilet facilities.

TUC: Time to talk about tax

  • TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak declares “now is the time to start a national conversation about taxing wealth”  

The TUC has called for a national conversation on taxing wealth, as it publishes new analysis which shows a modest wealth tax on the richest 140,000 individuals – which is around 0.3% of the UK population – could deliver a £10.4 bn boost for the public purse. 

The analysis sets out options for taxing the small number of individuals with wealth over £3 million, £5 million and £10 million, excluding pensions.  

The TUC says these options are illustrative examples of what a wealth tax could look like, using Spain’s existing policy as a potential model. 

“It’s time for a national conversation” 

The TUC says it is publishing the analysis to “kickstart a conversation” about tax – with the TUC general secretary Paul Nowak declaring “now is the time to start a national conversation about taxing wealth”. 

According to analysis commissioned by the TUC, conducted by Landman Economics, a cumulative one-off wealth tax (excluding pensions wealth) on: 

  • A wealth threshold of £3 million with a marginal tax rate of 1.7% would yield £2.7 billion (with the tax payable on wealth above £3 million by 142,000 individuals or 0.27% of adults in the UK) 
  • A further wealth threshold of £5 million with a marginal tax rate of 2.1% would yield an additional £3.2 billion (with the tax payable on wealth above £5 million by 48,000 individuals or 0.09% of adults in the UK)  
  • A further wealth threshold of £10 million with a marginal tax rate of 3.5 % would yield an additional £4.6 billion (with the tax payable on wealth above £10 million by 17,000 individuals or 0.02% of adults in the UK). 

Together this could raise more than £10 billion for the exchequer. 

The tax would apply as a marginal rate on wealth and assets above each threshold – in the same way income tax works. For example: 

  • Someone with £3 million wealth would pay nothing. 
  • Someone with £4m wealth would pay tax on £1m of their wealth – paying £17,000.  
  • Someone with £9m would pay tax on £6m of their wealth – paying £118,000 

Analysis reveals that of those with wealth over £3 million (excluding pensions), three quarters derives from wealth other than their primary residence, and over half comes from financial wealth: 

  • Net financial (non-pension) wealth: 53.3%  
  • Primary residence: 23.6% 
  • Other residences: 18.7% 
  • Physical wealth: 4.4% 

The TUC says further debate is needed on what type of wealth is included in this kind of tax.  

The union body has already called on the government to equalise capital gains tax with income tax which could raise around £14 billion. 

The union body says it is inherently “unfair and unjust” that people who get income from assets or property get off more lightly than someone who relies on work.   

Tale of two Britains 

The TUC says increasing wealth inequality is resulting in a “tale of two Britains”. 

While working people have been “hit by a pay loss of historic proportions” after the longest wage squeeze in modern history, the wealth of multimillionaires and billionaires has boomed. 

Financial wealth over the decade from 2008-10 to 2018-20 increased by around £0.9tn (80 per cent) from £1.1tn to £1.9tn. 

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s time to start a national conversation about how we tax wealth in this country. 

“It is absurd that a nurse pays a bigger share of their income in tax than a city trader does on profits from their investment portfolio. 

“That’s not only fundamentally unfair and unjust – it’s bad for our economy too. 

“Our broken tax system means those at the top are hoarding wealth and getting richer and richer, while working people struggle to get by.  

“That is starving our economy of spending – as it’s working people who spend their money on our high streets – and it’s starving our public services of much-needed funds. 

“This research sets out potential options for getting those with the broadest shoulders to pay a fairer share.  

“This is a debate we should not be afraid of having. The Chancellor should use his autumn statement to make sure the wealthiest pay their fair share of tax.” 

Commenting on widening inequality over the past decade, Paul added: “Widening wealth inequality means we are seeing a tale of two Britains.  

“While working people are suffering the longest pay squeeze in modern history, the super-rich are coining it in.  

“Porsche sales are at record highs, bankers’ bonuses are at eyewatering levels, and CEO pay is surging.  

“Enough is enough. We need an economy that rewards work – not just wealth.  

“Fair tax must play a central role in rewiring our economy to work for working people.” 

Record numbers tune in to watch UCI Cycling World Championships

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland is set to become the one of the most watched cycling events ever, with broadcast figures from the first four days of action showing record numbers of viewers are tuning in at home and abroad. 

In the first four days, more than two million viewers in the UK alone watched the action unfold live on the BBC with more than one million watching Austrian Valentina Höll and Great Britain’s Charlie Hatton become the Women’s and Men’s Elite Mountain Bike Downhill UCI World Champions in the stunning surroundings of Fort William. 

A further peak of 800,000 viewers tuned into the dramatic men’s road race on Sunday 6 August, as Mathieu Van der Poel clinched the rainbow jersey, in front of a further 300,000 people who lined the route between Edinburgh and Glasgow and during the 10 laps of Glasgow’s tough city circuit. 

With an average of 600,000 viewers, it was the highest UK television audience for a UCI World Championship Men Elite road race in recent years: an average of 350,000 viewers in 2020 (in Imola, Italy), 220,000 viewers in 2021 (in Flanders, Belgium) and 188,000 last year (in Wollongong, Australia).

The Track and Para-cycling Track competitions, held jointly for the first time, had an average of 500,000 viewers tuning in to watch the competition at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome.

The total number of spectators to watch the cycling in person now exceeds more than 500,000, whether it’s witnessing the action on Scottish roads, at the BMX Freestyle Park at Glasgow Green, the Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William, the Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon in Glentress or Track and Para-cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, while millions more have tuned into the action from overseas. 

The statistics on 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships official social media reflect the interest worldwide, with a reach of 4.6 million and more than 193,000 engagements with people liking, sharing and commenting on posts in the first four days of the event across the first four days. The 2023 UCI Cycling World Champs website has also had 400,000 unique users since the start of the event, with the schedule page being the most popular.

The numbers will no doubt be boosted by what is set to become a record-breaking women’s road race on Sunday, with thousands of fans expected to create a wall of noise around Glasgow once again, as the world’s leading female cyclists have the honour of closing the biggest event in the history of the sport. 

Paul Bush OBE, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Chair, said: “After the many months and years of planning, it really has been special to see the number of fans making their way to the roadside, or into venues to watch the world’s best cyclists compete across all disciplines. 

“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase to a global audience the stunning landscape and iconic locations Scotland has on offer across the length and breadth of the country.

 “I want to say thank you to all our host regions for their contribution to shaping the goodwill and positive atmosphere across all our venues, but I also want to pay tribute to the incredible number of local fans who are showing the world why Scotland is the perfect stage for major events. 

“I hope the crowds keep coming along in person and tuning into the excellent coverage being provided by the BBC, especially as we head into a huge occasion on Sunday as the women road racers compete to give these UCI Cycling World Championships the finale they deserve.”

UCI President David Lappartient said: “I have been visiting different competition venues since the beginning of the UCI Cycling World Championships so have experienced first-hand the fervor of on-site spectators.

“The television viewing figures from the first four days of competition demonstrate that the same passion and excitement are shared by cycling fans who cannot be present but are able to witness the action thanks to the event’s record television coverage. It is far from over, and I am convinced that the remaining competitions will be every bit as popular.”