Month: October 2023

Gaza crisis: The UK’s position

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on Gaza yesterday:

Thank you, President.

I’d like to thank Commissioner-General Lazzarini, Executive Director Russell and Director Doughten for your stark and clear briefings.

Let me start by recognising the courage, commitment and sacrifice of UN employees and humanitarian workers in Gaza, and in particular the 103 aid workers – including the 64 UNRWA staff – who have been killed in Gaza in the last 22 days.  

We also offer our sincere condolences to all Palestinians and Israelis who have suffered or lost loved ones.

Since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October, the United Kingdom has underscored Israel’s right to self-defence against terrorism. We continue to be clear that this must be done in accordance with international humanitarian law. 

Our efforts, with our international partners, have focussed on the protection of civilians, securing and scaling up humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. Sadly, despite these efforts the situation in Gaza deteriorates daily. Hamas bears sole responsibility for starting this conflict.

President, I would like to highlight three priorities.

First, we call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and necessity. This requires all parties to take every possible step to avoid the harming of civilians and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

Second, we must urgently co-operate to scale up aid into Gaza, and to ensure sufficient access points are open.

For this to happen successfully there needs to be a safer environment, which necessitates humanitarian pauses. We support UN-led efforts in this regard.

Since the latest escalation in Gaza, the UK has committed over $36 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. An RAF flight arrived in Egypt on 25 October carrying 21 tonnes of UK aid for Gaza. But the access environment needs to improve immediately so that these and other lifesaving resources can reach the people who desperately need them. 

Third, we cannot allow this conflict to spread. We call on all countries in the region to help avoid escalation and warn non-state actors not to exploit the current situation.

President, the Palestinian Authority has a key role as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. We call on Israel and other states to support the PA. We call on Israeli authorities to tackle the rising number of settler attacks and killings in the occupied West Bank, recalling that it is their responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians there.

The UK retains the long-term goal of a Two State Solution with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully.

To reach that goal, we have a responsibility to ensure a plan for Gaza that offers the population hope, security, stability, prosperity, and effective governance so that their political wishes can be fulfilled. In this regard, some fundamental principles apply. 

There should be no mass displacement of Gazans to neighbouring countries. The Palestinian Authority should play a central role. And nothing should be done that cuts across progress towards a Two State Solution, with Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian state.

Pharmacies expand access to naloxone kits

Lifesaving overdose-reversal scheme expanded

Access to potentially life-saving naloxone kits, which reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is being expanded to community pharmacies across Scotland.

All community pharmacies will now hold at least two naloxone kits – either a nasal spray or injectable.  

The Emergency Access Naloxone Scheme, which is backed by £300,000 of Scottish Government funding, began yesterday (Monday).

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: “Through our National Mission to reduce drug deaths and harms, we have invested more than £3 million in widening access to Naloxone, including through our emergency services.

“Police Scotland recently completed a force-wide rollout to 12,500 officers who have used the kits more than 300 times and, according to the most recent statistics, 70% of those who are at risk of opioid overdose are being provided with a lifesaving kit.

“However, we want to do even more. This new nationwide service is a welcome addition to existing services. It provides a substantial increase life-saving emergency access and I’m grateful to all those in community pharmacies who are supporting our £250 million National Mission to reduce drug deaths.

“We’ll also continue to focus on getting more people into the form of treatment and support they need, expand access to residential rehabilitation and drive the rollout of life-saving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards where we are making significant progress.”

Community Pharmacy Scotland incoming CEO Matt Barclay said: “CPS is pleased to have community pharmacy participating in delivering this key role to support a reduction in drug deaths across Scotland.

“It once again sees community pharmacy at the heart of the community, delivering care for the citizens of Scotland.”

More support for families with cost of living ahead of winter

Millions of people across the country are set to receive significant cost of living support ahead of winter, with the second instalment of the cost-of-living payment – worth £900 in total – landing directly in bank accounts from today

  • Significant cost of living support to come into effect from today as millions of households set to receive second £300 payment
  • Comes as £2 bus fare cap in England extended with millions of people also set to benefit from lower travel costs
  • Prime Minister continues to support families with the cost of living ahead of winter as we are on track to halve inflation

Millions of people across the country are set to receive significant cost of living support ahead of winter, with the government freezing bus fares in England and the second cost-of-living payment – worth £900 in total – landing directly in bank accounts from today.

The bus fare cap had been due to rise to £2.50 but the government is keeping the fares down at £2 until the end of next year to help millions of people make significant savings on their travel costs. The fare cap has helped cut bus fares in England outside London by 7.4% between June 2022 and June 2023, with even bigger savings in rural areas where fares have dropped by almost 11%. 

This government says the extension is only possible due to the redirected HS2 funding as part of the Network North plan and takes the total government investment to keep bus fares down to nearly £600 million – with over 140 operators signing up to continue offering the cap across more than 5,000 routes.

Over 8 million households across the UK will also receive the second of up to three payments from today, totalling up to £900 through 2023/24 with a further cost of living payment due to be made to eligible households by next Spring.

These payments are entirely tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards. Those who are eligible will be paid automatically and do not need to apply for the payment or do anything to receive it.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I know that winter can be a particularly challenging period for many families across the country. That’s why we have put in place a package of immediate support for vulnerable households over the coming months. 

“We are lowering travel costs through the bus fare cap, which we are able to do because of our long-term decision to cancel phase 2 of HS2. We are also providing an extra top up to help pay energy bills and direct payments to cover the cost of day-to-day essentials. 

“But the best way to put more money in the pockets of hardworking people is to focus on the long-term decisions that will help not only them, but future generations too. We’re on track to halve inflation which will help people’s wages go further, and we’re growing the economy to create better paid jobs and opportunities across the country.”

The government is also committed to helping vulnerable households across the UK with their energy bills over winter. Winter Fuel Payments – boosted again this year by an additional £300 per household Pensioner Cost of Living payment – will provide pensioners with up to £600 to help with heating costs over the colder months. 

On top of this, nearly three million low-income households are also eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount. From tomorrow (1st November) Cold Weather Payments will also come into effect to provide eligible households £25 extra a week when the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days across the UK.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Buses are the most popular form of public transport and help people across the country get to work, attend medical appointments, and see loved ones – that’s why we are extending the ‘Get Around for £2’ scheme all the way to 31 December 2024.

“Extending the £2 bus fare cap has only been possible with the redirected HS2 funding secured by this Government making the right long-term decisions for a brighter future, delivering immediate benefits and helping people save money.” 

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest Cost of Living payment.

“Thousands of Work Coaches based in Jobcentres across the country are on hand to help people find work or enhance their skills, and I encourage anyone wanting to strengthen their finances and unleash the benefits of work to contact their local Jobcentre to see what help is available.”

Taken together, these measures build on the significant cost of living support already provided to eligible households throughout last year – now worth an average of £3,300 per household over this year and last. 

The government says it has also gone further by:

  • Increasing benefits in line with inflation, meaning more than 10 million working age families will see an average increase of around £600.
  • Maintaining the Triple Lock earlier this year to give around 12 million pensioners the largest ever cash increase to the State Pension.
  • Extending the Household Support Fund for another year in England to help families with essential costs with £1 billion of extra funding. 
  • Increasing the National Living Wage by its largest ever cash amount for 2 million workers – worth over £1,600 to the annual earnings of a full-time worker – and committing to increase it to over £11 an hour from April 2024. 
  • Cutting fuel duty by 5 pence and freezing the increase, worth £100 to the average driver this year.
  • Covering up to 85% of childcare costs for working households on Universal Credit, up from 70% under the legacy system – currently worth over £19,500-a-year for families with two or more children.

The government says it has ‘a strong record on supporting the most vulnerable and lifting households out of poverty’, with the latest data showing there were nearly 1 million fewer workless households since 2010 and 1.7 million fewer people in absolute poverty after housing costs over the last decade. 

They maintain the best route out of poverty is through work, ‘which is why we’ve introduced a package of measures worth £3.5 billion to break down the barriers for people to find jobs and fulfil their potential. This includes our flagship Universal Support scheme which will get thousands more people into jobs with a personal adviser providing wraparound support for up to a year while they find their feet.

‘We encourage people in need of additional support over winter to check their eligibility through our Help for Households website for the various cost of living schemes that are place.’

Dispersal Zones information

Dispersal Zones for #OpCrackle have been set up across Edinburgh and will be enforceable from 3rd – 5th November.

These zones are set up to help prevent anti-social behaviour and to keep the community safe.

Additional officers will be deployed over the weekend across the city and they have the grounds to take action should people be involved in such conduct, as detailed in the below poster.

Keep yourself and others safe by attending organised events only, which can be found here:

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/…/organised…/…

#KeepingPeopleSafe

“I’m a vet and these 5 tips will keep pets stress-free during firework season”

One unusual household item can work wonders in desensitising your pet

With almost half (5.4 million) of dogs in the UK scared of fireworks, according to the RSPCA, Bonfire Night on 5 November is not always a cause for celebration for pet owners. Firework season can be filled with anxiety as people struggle to keep their beloved pets feeling safe and secure.

Pets can develop a negative association with loud noises at any time, so it’s essential to be aware of the signs of firework anxiety. If your pet is acting unusual, being disruptive, hiding, excessively licking their lips or pacing, this could signify they’re feeling stressed about Bonfire Night.

To help anxious pet owners this firework season, experts at TrustedHousesitters have teamed up with Veterinary Surgeon Dr Lily Richards to share the best advice they’ve learnt over the years.

You can keep your furry friends feeling safe and sound during firework season with these five top tips: 

  1. Use spaghetti to desensitise your pets to firework sounds

Dr Richards explains, “If your pet is anxious or noise-phobic and historically gets stressed at fireworks, consider starting desensitisation training as soon as possible. Desensitisation audio is available online for free. Initially, the sound is barely audible background noise, and gradually increases in volume to reduce your pet’s reaction to anxious stimuli over time”. 

Alternatively, look for items you have around the house to stimulate the sudden pop of fireworks. Snapping spaghetti is a good place to start if your pet is extremely anxious. You can then build up to louder noises, such as popping bubble wrap. Positive reinforcement is key here, so make sure you’re rewarding your pet with pats and treats after each loud noise. Soon, they’ll stop associating sudden noises with fear (and probably start sniffing around you for treats instead!). 

2.                   Consider swaddling

If your dog is experiencing firework anxiety, swaddling can help. Dr Richards says, “Anti-anxiety wraps (Thunder shirts/ tightly fitting T-shirts) can be considered. They’re designed to touch pressure points and calm your pet in the same way as swaddling a baby. However, some pets may not tolerate this, so try it out ahead of bonfire night to see whether it’ll work for your pet.”

You can buy purpose-made swaddles online or in pet shops, but you can also make a DIY swaddle with a tea towel, scarf, or other fabric secured with an elastic band or hair tie. Make sure there’s not too much pressure, and you’re not tightly fastening anything close to your pet’s neck, as this could be dangerous. If you make a DIY swaddle, monitor your pet at all times to make sure they’re safe and comfortable. 

A dog lying on its back Description automatically generated with medium confidence

3.                   Adjust your walk and meal times

While routines are great for pets, consider altering your walk and meal times during firework season. Dr Richards suggests you “Walk dogs and feed them earlier in the evening, bringing them into the house before fireworks are expected to start. Keep cats inside and consider bringing outdoor hutched animals inside or covering the hutch with a thick blanket if this isn’t possible.” 

Amending your walk and meal times ensures your pet is home, fed, walked and settled before fireworks begin, and their anxiety won’t negatively affect their appetite. 

If you have no choice but to be outdoors with your dog whilst there are fireworks, make sure they stay on a short lead and that their tag and microchip are up to date in case they panic and bolt.

4.                   Create a safe space

Dr Richards explains, “Create a calm, quiet environment for your pet to relax in. Include toys, a comfy bed, and their favourite treat in their “safe space”. Consider closing the curtains to limit any flashes that may startle them and reduce stimulation. Familiar background noise such as the TV or radio can be useful in disguising the unfamiliar pops, bangs and whizzes that overstimulate and upset our pets.” 

Crate training can be useful for dogs – for many, the space becomes their own safe haven, especially if covered by a blanket to make it feel even more private. 

5.                   Try natural remedies 

“Natural remedies, such as Zylkene or Calmaid containing natural biological products like L-tryptophan (a precursor to the mood stabilising hormone serotonin) can be helpful if started a few days before the stressful event and continued until a few days after”, explains Dr Richards. These can be bought from online retailers such as Amazon, at Pets at Home, or local pet stores.

Pheromones can also work wonders: “Calming Pheromone plug-ins such as Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats, which contain a synthetic copy of the natural appeasing pheromone created by a lactating mother to calm their young, can be comforting and reassuring during stressful times, such as Bonfire Night.” 

For more top tips for pet owners to help keep pets stress free this Bonfire Night, visit https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/owners/top-tips-to-keep-your-pet-stress-free-during-firework-season 

Warm Up for Winter event

4th NOVEMBER from 1 – 4pm at McDONALD ROAD LIBRARY

Don’t miss out on our Warm Up for Winter event where energy-saving hacks and money-saving tips will be provided.

We will share advice on housing and benefits too.

Best part? It’s a totally free event, and everyone’s invited!

📅 Save the Date: November 4, 2023

🕐Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Where: McDonald Library, The Nelson Hall

🏠 Address: 2-8 McDonald Rd, Edinburgh EH7 4LU

This is a joint event delivered by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), The Welcoming Edinburgh, Home Energy Scotland, Changeworks, Citizens Advice Scotland, VoiceAbility and Right There

See you there!

Holyrood launches inquiry into Additional Support for Learning

The services that schools and local authorities provide to children and young people with additional support needs will be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.

More than a third of children and young people in Scotland’s public and grant-maintained schools have an identified additional support need. Working under the direction of the Scottish Government’s policies, local authorities are responsible for identifying, providing and reviewing the additional support needs of children and young people.

The Committee is launching its inquiry with a call for people to share their experiences of how services are provided to people with additional support needs. The Committee is keen to hear from parents, teachers, support staff, carers, pupils themselves and support organisations.

The inquiry will consider how Scottish legislation that aimed to support children and young people, including 2004’s Additional Support for Learning Act, has been implemented and is working in practice.

The Committee is particularly interested in hearing views about the presumption that children and young people should receive a ‘mainstream education’, which aims to ensure they could be included alongside their peers; the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of additional support; and what happens when people are in dispute with their local authority over the services provided to a child or young person.



Sue Webber MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, said: “Earlier this year, the Additional Support for Learning Project Board told us about its role in improving the support that is available for children with additional support needs, but it acknowledged that there is not a quick fix to the recommendations laid out by the Morgan Review.

“We would like to hear what people with additional support needs, parents and carers, teachers and support organisations make of the current system and the services that local authorities and schools provide.

“If you have experience of accessing additional support for learning in mainstream education or a specialist unit, views on the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of additional support for learning, or have been involved in discussions about the support a child or young person receives, please get in touch.”

The Committee’s call for views, which is now open, will close on 31 December 2023. Variations of the call for views are available in an Easy Read format and British Sign Language.

Boyack slams Government over Eye Pavilion ‘flip-flop’

A meeting organised by Sarah Boyack MSP with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Michael Matheson, to discuss the delayed Edinburgh Eye Pavilion has left patients and campaigners even more concerned about its future.

At the meeting it was confirmed that all previous work on designing and building the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion will be wasted as a new full business case will have to be written, costing many more millions of pounds.

Michael Matheson also failed to provide clarity on the timescales expected for the new building, confirming it may not even come in this funding cycle.

Commenting Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said, “This flip flopping has been going on for too long. One minute the Scottish Government are committed to a new Eye Pavilion, next they are not.

“Michael Matheson’s failure to provide clarity today will leave patients worried, confused and angry.

“It did not have to be this way, if it had been built on time we would have saved many millions of pounds and patients would not be left in the dark.”

Also commenting Sylvia Paton, chair of KEEP said, “While Mr Matheson assured us that a new Eye Hospital would be built at some point, we are very disappointed about the lack of clarity over when.

“The prospect of further delays raise serious concerns about the Scottish Government’s future commitment to the project.”

NSPCC staff join vital discussion at Scottish Games Week on how to keep children safe in gaming

NSPCC staff will join a panel of experts for a crucial conversation today in a Roundtable discussion at the start of Scottish Games Week.

Patrick Weaver, NSPCC Assistant Director of Fundraising and Engagement (Communities), and NSPCC Scotland Local Campaigns Officer Euan Graham will join Simon Monkman, the Lead for Gaming and Extremism at Ofcom, and lawyer Kirk Dailly to talk about child protection in the gaming industry.

The discussion will cover the legal frameworks now in place following the Online Safety Act receiving Royal Assent last week and ethical considerations for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young players.

They will also discuss potential opportunities to collaborate with some of the key players within the gaming industry to fundraise for the charity.

Patrick Weaver, Assistant Director of Fundraising and Engagement (Communities) at NSPCC, said: “We’re delighted to be joining this very important discussion about how we can help to keep young players safe in the gaming industry.

“We are also very excited about potential collaboration with some of the key players in the industry to help raise funds for the charity in the future.

“The NSPCC has a wealth of insight, knowledge and expertise on safeguarding children and suggestions for ways to keep young people safe online, and we are excited to get the opportunity to share this with the gaming world.

“In the long run we’d love to support companies to incorporate safeguarding when they design games and help to build a safer industry for children and young people.”

Using voluntary donations, which make up around 90 per cent of its funding, the NSPCC works tirelessly to protect children and prevent abuse from happening and to help children who have been abused, including online, to rebuild their lives.

The NSPCC’s free Childline counselling service provides a safe, confidential place for children when they have nowhere else to turn, whatever their worry, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The charity also has a helpline open every day of the year for any adult who is worried about a child. The helpline has trained practitioners who provide advice and support, listen to concerns about a child, and offer general information about child protection.

Our Helpline responded to over 59,000 contacts last year from adults who were concerned about a child, with the most common reasons concerns about neglect, physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse and/or exploitation. *

Since 2018 the NSPCC has also campaigned for a robust Online Safety Bill to be introduced, working closely with four different prime ministers, ministers, MPs and members of the House of Lords to make the Bill stronger for children. The charity also continues to call on tech companies to take the necessary action to ensure children are safe on their platforms.

NSPCC Scotland Local Campaigns Officer Euan Graham, who leads a campaign called ‘Let’s Chat Online Safety’ in Moray, said: “Childline hears from many young people who have been bullied or experienced abuse online. For example, more than 3,500 online grooming crimes have been reported in Scotland since 2017, with under-13s representing over half of those affected.*.

“Our ‘Let’s Chat Online Safety’ campaign helps keep children safe by providing useful tips and resources to parents, carers and teachers to make it easier for them to talk about this topic with young people.

“Many parents and carers worry about their child’s safety online, whether they are playing games, browsing the internet or on social media. And it can be quite daunting for those who aren’t particularly tech savvy, because they may not know how to put parental controls in place or how to talk about it without causing hostility, especially with teenagers who don’t want their privacy to be invaded.

“We encourage families to have regular, positive conversations about their children’s experience being online and make sure children know they can talk to them, another trusted adult or Childline if anything is worrying them.”

Patrick Weaver and Euan Graham will join the Roundtable discussion on Monday, October 30 at 2.30pm in the Salisbury Suite at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh.

Scottish Games Week, which runs from Monday, October 30, to Friday, November 3, is a Scotland-wide series of events creating a global platform for Scotland’s rapidly evolving games ecosystem.