Day: November 10, 2023

The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego to make its mark at the National Galleries of Scotland this winter

The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego 

National Galleries Scotland: National (Royal Scottish Academy)  

2 December 2023 – 25 February 2024 

The Printmaker’s Art | Rembrandt to Rego | National Galleries of Scotland 

Woodblock print Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji; Thunderstorm Below the Summit Katsushika Hokusai Japan ca.1831 Colour print from woodblocks

This winter, discover five hundred years of boundary-pushing artwork in The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) in Edinburgh.

Visitors can explore four galleries packed with around 100 artworks by some of the world’s most iconic artists, including Rembrandt, Hokusai, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley and Paula Rego. The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego opens on 2 December 2023 till 25 February 2024, with tickets on sale now from the National Galleries of Scotland. 

Bringing together the very best examples of fine art printmaking from Scotland’s national collection; The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego includes early woodcuts, such as Albrecht Dürer’s incredible Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, through to bold, punchy pop-art idols such as Roy Lichtenstein’s Reverie and Andy Warhol’s The Cow. The exhibition also looks to the future, with a range of new artworks acquired through the Iain Paul Fund on display together for the first time.

These acquisitions include work from contemporary printmakers such as Tessa Lynch, Lucy Skaer, Lucy McKenzie and Christian Noelle Charles. Visitors will also have a unique opportunity to see art on loan from public and private collections, including exceptional prints by Katsushika Hokusai, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Yinka Shonibare and Cornelia Parker, which will grace the walls of the National (Royal Scottish Academy) especially for this exhibition. 

The Printmakers Art: Rembrandt to Rego takes a striking visual journey through a fascinating spectrum of printmaking techniques.

From historic trailblazers to contemporary movements, old traditions to new visions, revered artists to the creatively curious, printmaking achieves an array of distinct visual effects which would not be possible in other mediums.

It is also one of the most widely accessible forms of artistic expression; starting with a basic handprint on a page, printmaking has the power to evolve into something daring, bold, provocative and new. 

At the heart of The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego is a celebration of the skills and processes which form an integral part of this traditional yet ever evolving and much-loved artform.

See films of printmakers at work and get up close to discover how you can spot an etching from a lithograph, or woodcut from wood engraving. The fundamental processes developed in the 15th century printing press are ever-present in the bustling print workshops of today.

Artworks on show will demonstrate how this has evolved, including the ingenious ways contemporary artists are developing new and sustainable processes, alongside utilising digital technologies, to secure the future of printmaking for generations to come.  

Scotland’s printmaking story is key to the exhibition, not only through the artworks on display, but through a series of films from print studios across the country at the forefront of contemporary printmaking. There is also a unique opportunity for visitors to see the tools and working materials used to make prints featured in the exhibition, on loan from the artists themselves. 

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Printmaking is an enduring art form that continues to capture the imagination and ignite a spark of inspiration.

“The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) offers an exciting opportunity to see some of the most popular works from Scotland’s national collection alongside several important loans.

“The exhibition gives visitors a chance to come face to face with many revered artists from the last five hundred years, all while discovering more about this beloved practice.

“This is also a chance to put our homegrown printmakers in the spotlight, proudly displaying work by contemporary artists who are consistently pushing the boundaries of creativity in Scotland and beyond.” 

The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego opens at the National on Saturday 2 December 2023.  

Tickets are on sale now. 

Ticket sales up for this year’s Storytelling Festival

Multiple sell-outs and thunderous applause were enjoyed by the organisers and performers at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival (13-29 Oct).

The festival’s two week programme of live storytelling, music, art and song enjoyed a 20% increase in ticket sales from its events at the Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, online and in pubs, gardens and other venues across the city. 

Including the Festival’s Go Local programme, which runs until the end of November bringing storytelling events to village halls and parks all across Scotland, from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, the festival’s 2023 programme included over 125 events, with 64 taking place in Edinburgh compared to 75 during Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

This year’s festival theme was our ‘Right To Be Human’ chosen to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Storytellers both local and international embraced this theme and presented tales of war, gender inequality, censorship; ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious prejudices; and other threats and challenges that impact us daily as we live in the midst of so many humanitarian crises across the world.

Donald Smith, Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival said: “Right To Be Human, the theme of this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival has evoked powerful and eloquent creative responses, and drawn capacity audiences.

“Inspired by the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Festival theme gained tragic resonance as Middle Eastern conflict – added to war in Ukraine, the Yemen and Sudan – produced appalling, large-scale breaches of fundamental rights. 

“At the same time the Festival drew strength from growing worldwide advocacy which is advancing human values and experiences through legal, social and cultural frameworks. We were also encouraged by the Scottish Government’s plans to incorporate more recent international conventions on environmental, cultural, children’s and other rights into domestic law in recognition of the 75th Anniversary.

 “In a myriad of storytelling performances, eloquently married with music and dance, themed workshops, and podcasts, the Festival programme embraces the highs and lows of humanity’s existential planetary struggles, while keeping the frailty and humour of human life in close focus.

“Artistic inspiration remains vital to confronting the horrors of abuse while invigorating hope and its constructive outcomes.”

Steve Byrne, Director of TRACS, the festival’s parent organisation, said: “The festival is a flagship event for TRACS and we are delighted to see its success in connecting with new audiences this year on such a profound theme of our collective human rights, so often under great challenge in many parts of the world.

“The Festival is a superb advert for the humanity and empathy of our storytellers and traditional artists, upholding TRACS’ mission of celebrating the diversity of local cultural traditions from around the globe.”

For those who couldn’t attend in person, Global Lab – a daily programme of online lively workshops discussing this year’s festival theme ‘Right To Be Human’ led by nationally and internationally renowned guest speakers was available.

Chaired by Festival Director Donald Smith, Global Lab talked about our human rights, our cultural rights, our place in nature, and the empowerment of children, exploring how it is often better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness in the world.

Dates for 2024 are to be announced.

Another Story, the festival’s newpodcast series hosted by Daniel Abercrombie, Associate Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, is still available online – listen on spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/another-story

www.sisf.org.uk

Sustainability success stories celebrated at 2023 VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards

Businesses from across Scotland have been recognised at the 24th annual VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards.

Teaching sustainable survival skills to children, producing craft beers with sustainability at their core, and designing and manufacturing thermal storage batteries are just some of the efforts from organisations across Scotland recognised at the 2023 VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards.

Climate change remains top of the agenda for Scottish businesses, particularly food and drink producers who experienced another challenging summer due to water scarcity. VIBES recognises the drive for positive and radical environmental action as well as setting the bar high for other businesses to follow. 

There were 11 winners and 4 commendations, which included three new awards categories: the Just Transition Scotland Award, the Vision in Business Scotland Award and the STV Green Fund Award at the annual awards which took place in Glasgow on Wednesday 8th November.

The winners and commendations from VIBES 2023 – Scottish Environment Business Awards are:

Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best Large Business

Sponsor – Chivas Brothers, Pernod Ricard

Winner = Tennent Caledonian Breweries UK Limited

Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best Medium Business

Sponsor – NDA

Winner = Scotmas Group

Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best Small Business

Sponsor – University of Stirling Management School

Winner = Windswept Brewing Co

Commendation = Dear Green Coffee Roasters

Vision in Business Scotland Award – Best New Business

Sponsor – NetRegs

Winner = ReBlade

Product Scotland Award

Sponsor – The Glenmorangie Company  

Winner = Sunamp

Service Scotland Award

Sponsor – Zero Waste Scotland

Winner = The Alba Explorers Ltd

Commendation = Changeworks

Nature Rich Scotland Award

Sponsor – The Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Commendation = Nairn Dunbar Golf Club

Circular Scotland Award

Sponsor – Optimum Eco Group

Winner = Brewster Brothers

Commendation = The Furniture Project (Stranraer) Ltd

Just Transition Scotland Award

Sponsor – The University of Edinburgh

Winner = RI Cruden Ltd

Sustainable Transport Scotland Award

Sponsor – HARRIS MAXUS

Winner = Ember

Energy Transition Scotland Award

Sponsor – SSE Energy Solutions

Winner = RSE (Ross-shire Engineering)

Green Fund Award

Sponsor – STV

Winner = Ember

Ember, an Edinburgh based fully electric intercity bus travel company, grabbed two awards on the night, including a £30K campaign partnership with STV. Harvey Logan, Founders Associate, said:

“We are pleased to have won the VIBES Sustainable Transport Scotland award. Decarbonisation is at the heart of Ember and drives every aspect of our work. VIBES provides recognition of everything we’ve achieved so far, and the showcase of sustainable practices from all across Scottish business only inspires us to continue building and further grow our positive impact.”

“Winning the STV Green Fund Award is a fantastic added bonus. We are looking forward to using this airtime to share how we have embraced sustainability and inspire others to join us as we forge a path to net zero transport in Scotland.”

Gillian Bruce, Chair of VIBES, added: “Year on year, we see more businesses and organisations working towards net zero carbon emissions and reducing their impact on nature.

“It is a challenging journey but a necessary one if we are to stay below the global warming limit. Once again, this year’s VIBES winners are clearly demonstrating business cases for reducing their environmental footprint – highlighting the social benefits, as well as the positive economic impacts.

“Our hope is the efforts of our winners will encourage and inspire others to develop their environmental practices.” 

Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said: “The VIBES Awards highlight the significant steps many of our businesses are taking to help Scotland tackle the major challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

“It was fantastic to see five businesses and community groups from the South make it to the final stage, displaying the commitment of our region to sustainability and the Just Transition to Net Zero.

“There is great work going on in the South of Scotland and we look forward to more local businesses being acknowledged for their outstanding Net Zero efforts in the coming years by the VIBES Awards.”

You can find out more information about all the winners and commendations on the VIBES website. 

Sight Scotland Edinburgh office site set for redevelopment

Yup, it’s more student housing, folks!

National charity Sight Scotland and property developer, S Harrison Developments, have jointly submitted a planning application to redevelop the site of the charity’s former HQ on Gillespie Crescent in Edinburgh, into student homes.

The funds released by the sale of the site will enable Sight Scotland, a charity dedicated to meeting the challenges of visual impairment, to further expand its reach, and support even more people living with sight loss within existing services such as the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh. It will also provide future services for the city as well as expanding its ability to fund medical research to tackle the root causes of sight loss.

Sight Scotland occupied the building for nearly a century and continue to repair and maintain it, despite vacating the building early in 2021 as it was no longer fit for purpose prior to taking the decision to sell it.

Staff were relocated to modern, open plan offices in Gorgie, suited to current working requirements, allowing them to work alongside the Scottish Braille Press Service.

Proposals include demolition of the existing vacant building and erection of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and associated amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure. A total of 145 bedrooms are proposed, with additional amenities including a cinema/multimedia room and gym. There will 100% cycle parking provision.

The development makes best use of the site and will deliver a high quality, well-designed, sustainable development, including green roofs, solar panels, air source heat pumps (ASHP), a rain garden and permeable paving.

A shared, publicly accessible amenity green space, will offer an area in front of the building for people to walk, sit and rest and provides the opportunity for social interaction of different groups within the community. The existing trees will also be retained.

Development will serve to address a well-recognised shortfall in student accommodation in the city, with a student homelessness crisis recognised by the Council in June 2023.

Between 2016/17 and 2021/22, student numbers in the city have increased by over 25%, from 53,845 to 67,355. Included in this, the University of Edinburgh saw numbers increase by 27% and Napier University by 29% over this period.1

Demand for student accommodation greatly outstrips supply, and places significant pressure on traditional family housing stock, with students occupying homes that would in many cases have previously been occupied by families.

The delivery of PBSA has the potential to free up such housing, or at the minimum provide accommodation for students who would have gone into these homes. This approach is supported by the Council’s planning guidance.

 A spokesperson for S Harrison Developments commented: “We are in a housing crisis, with a need for all types of housing.

“Demand for student accommodation greatly outstrips supply, and this is placing significant pressure on traditional family housing stock, with students occupying homes that would in many cases have previously been occupied by families.

“This proposed development on a brownfield site, if approved, will respond to this increasing demand, housing students in a central location with easy access by active travel and public transport to universities and delivering significant investment into the local community.”

Davina Shiell, Director of Marketing, Communications and Engagement for Sight Scotland said: “The funds released by the sale of the site, if consented, will enable us to further expand our reach, and support even more people living with visual impairments within existing services such as the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh.

“It will also allow us to provide new future services for the city, as well as expanding our ability to fund medical research to tackle the root causes of sight loss.”

NSPCC urges people to Walk for Children

Scottish landmarks illuminated in support of the charity this Christmas

As landmarks across Scotland and the UK are set to light up green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC, the charity is calling on the public to rally friends and family to take part in a Walk for Children.

Buildings and landmarks, including the Falkirk Wheel, Glasgow Science Centre and Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura will be going green on the night of December 22 in support of the children’s charity and the help it provides young people in their darkest hours.

Other sites in Scotland lighting up for the NSPCC include Dalkeith Country Park, West Lothian Civic Centre, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Dundee Science Centre and the Titan Crane in Clydebank.

The NSPCC is calling on families and friends across the country to get together and sign up to walk 5km that night to raise vital funds for the charity and its Childline service, which will have counsellors on hand to answer life-changing calls throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day.

Caroline Renton, NPSCC Scotland Supporter Fundraising Manager, said: “Our Childline service is expecting a child to contact them every 45 seconds this Christmas, and while it’s free for them to contact the service over the phone or internet, every counselling session costs the charity around £4.

“For children facing abuse, the winter nights can be  long and lonely, and we want all children  to know that Childline is here for them, even on the darkest nights. We rely on public donations for around 90% of our funding, and by joining us on December 22 you can help Childline answer more life-changing calls.

“Whether you’re enjoying mulled wine and mince pies on the way around, wearing reindeer antlers, Santa hats or light-up accessories, or just pulling on your warmest coats and hats and enjoying the view, you’ll be helping Childline be a lifeline for children this Christmas.”

While children are at home for the holidays, they are cut off from other support systems, which means the Childline service is vitally important at Christmas.

Last Christmas, Childline delivered more than 1,000 high-risk counselling sessions, with 64% of high-risk calls and web chats during that period coming in after dark. Childline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Last year, hundreds of people walked 5k on the longest night of the year and raised over £100,000 to help fund vital NSPCC services, like Childline.

It costs £10 to sign up for Walk for Children and participants are asked to try and raise £100 to help fund the charity’s vital work and keep more children safe this Christmas. Everyone who signs up will receive a fundraising pack with everything needed to plan a walk, resources to use on the day, and an NSPCC t-shirt.

To find out more or sign up for this year’s Walk for Children, click here or go to www.nspcc.org.uk and search ‘WALK FOR CHILDREN’ – anyone who uses the promo code WALK25 will get a 25% discount on their registration fee.

NSPCC Scotland also needs volunteers to help at collections in December. If you can spare a few hours to assist, email: Sandra.Jones2@nspcc.org.uk (Glasgow) or Fiona.Milne@nspcc.org.uk (Aberdeen).

Platforms for Creative Excellence: Edinburgh festivals receive £633,396

Recognised the world over as platforms of creative excellence, festivals in Edinburgh have received a total of £633,396 of additional funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland to support continued strategic development activity. 

Launched in 2018 and ending in December 2023, the Platforms for Creative Excellence (PlaCE) was developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and Festivals Edinburgh and was designed to help festivals to: 

  • diversify their year-round partnerships with the culture sector across the city and Scotland 
  • drive transformation and creative innovation through long-term programming approaches 
  • increase career and skills development capacity for creatives and young people 
  • build new and lasting relationships with less engaged communities. 

An independent evaluation report from BOP Consulting has found that PlaCE funding played a significant role in festival resilience through the pandemic and 97% of community partners reported high levels of satisfaction from engagement with the festivals.  

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “The Scottish Government’s commitment to investing in arts and culture remains strong, which is why we have continued to provide support, through Creative Scotland, to Edinburgh’s festivals.  

“Communities right across the city will benefit from almost £640,000 in PLaCE funding. We hope this will allow Festivals to continue their development and deliver more fantastic work in our schools and with our local communities.” 

This additional funding on top of the transformative PlaCE programme will allow festivals in Edinburgh to continue delivery of this strategic development activity into the next year and beyond.  

The following festivals have received this funding: 

Festival Funding amount 
Edinburgh Art Festival £50,000 
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society £75,000 
Edinburgh International Book Festival £53,450 
Edinburgh International Festival £75,000 
Edinburgh International Film Festival £75,000 
Edinburgh International Science Festival £60,000 
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival £75,000 
Festivals Edinburgh £19,946 
Imaginate £75,000 
Scottish International Storytelling Festival £75,000 
TOTAL £633,396 

Exciting new venue for this years’ Edinburgh Macmillan Art show

 The much-loved Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show is back this month with a live show (25th & 26th November) plus an online exhibition (25th November – 3rd December) hoping to add to the £550,000 they’ve already raised for Macmillan Cancer Support spanning over two decades. 

For the first time the show will be held in the Cornerstone Centre, St John’s Church (on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road) on 25th and 26th November. It will then continue online until 3rd December. 

This limited time show is run purely by volunteers with a dedicated committee volunteering their time and expertise to orchestrate a highly professional art show for the 21st year. 

This year, over 300 pieces of art will feature, at an estimated value of over £100,000. At least 50% of each piece sold is donated to the cancer charity.

These include works by Rosalind Lawless, Ian Darling, Lynn McGregor RSW, Wendy Helliwell, Charity McArdle, Marion MacPhee, Catriona Millar and Lakshman Wimalasena.

ALAN ARMSTRONG

Artist, Alan Armstrong, is a 48 year old neurodivergent adult with a diagnosis of ADHD and Autism. Throughout the various lockdowns he used Art Therapy for himself, but has also brought his creativity to artists with sight impairment and other additional needs. This experience has led to the development of ‘elevated abstract skills’.

He has collaborated with The Wee Hub (Living Memory Association) on Creative ADHD 2022, Remakery Refashion Edinburgh, ArtSquat, Edinburgh Stories with Sally Richardson, Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, Make Plastic Magic 2023 with Pianodrome and Hannah Evans, Out Of Sight Out Of Mind and REVOLUTION 2023.

Alan has two paintings in this years’ Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show and says he’s always had admiration for Macmillan and the work they do. “My family lost our Nana Morag and Uncle Jim to this horrible disease and the impact of watching them become ill was awful because we could not stop the hold it had on them.

“I want to support Macmillan to keep helping others who are amazingly courageous to keep fighting to live and live well. I hope you enjoy my Art as much as I do! I really thrive from giving back to my community.”

EVELYN MCEWAN

Artist, Evelyn McEwan, is a retired Biomedical scientist who, after a career working in Clinical Laboratories, has now taken to painting as a second career.

She started in 2004 with a class on watercolours but now paints in all mediums. She is a member of Veronica Liddell’s Corra Linn Artists Group in New Lanark and Sharon Bradley’s Biggar Botanical Artists Group and has three paintings in this years’ art show.

“I worked in NHS Clinical laboratories for 44 years helping to provide results for diagnosis, quick turn-around testing for patients waiting for chemotherapy and blood transfusion support for those who needed it. So, I saw at first hand the number of people affected by cancer.

“But it isn’t until your own family and friends are touched by the disease that you realise the amazing job Macmillan do for families and individuals. Art is a hobby for me, and I’m honoured to be able to use that gift to give something back and to support Macmillan.” 

Matt Smith, Macmillan Fundraising Manager in Edinburgh said “I’m delighted to be working alongside the committee on the annual Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show.

“They are an incredible group full of talented, committed, and passionate individuals who come together to create one of the most exciting events in Macmillan’s Scottish calendar. 

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone on the Art Show committee for their support, for raising vital funds and helping raise awareness. It is thanks to the incredible dedication of volunteers such as these that we can continue to provide services to support people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer experience.”

The true value of the money raised, and the artwork donated is recognised in the services that Macmillan provides for cancer patients across Scotland.

In supporting the event, artists and art lovers are helping people to live their best possible life with cancer. 

Macmillan’s Art Show is available to view online here:

http://www.macmillanartshow.org.uk

Thousands of Edinburgh employees benefit from fair pay after Living Wage campaign

“Everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.“

A campaign to boost the number of businesses which become real Living Wage accredited has led to 12,000 Edinburgh workers receiving a direct, guaranteed uplift in pay over the past decade.

Since the Scottish Real Living Wage campaign was first launched in 2013, over 700 Edinburgh businesses have made the voluntary commitment to pay the only wage rate designed to rise in line with the cost of living in the UK. 

Those commitments have meant total pay increases to the value of almost £100m over the last 10 years for the lowest paid workers in Scotland’s capital city.

Speaking at an event in Edinburgh on Wednesday to mark Living Wage Week Scotland, Councillor Jane Meagher welcomed the achievement but said fair pay must go further.

As Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group and Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, she said: “We’ve had a record-breaking few years in Edinburgh for Living Wage sign ups and it feels like we’re witnessing a real movement.

“This year alone we have seen more than 100 businesses sign up as real Living Wage employers, and eight Edinburgh employers committing to the new Living Hours standard. This needs to be celebrated, but we cannot be complacent.

“The next few months and years will be critical because we know that poverty in Edinburgh is rising. Just last week, we declared a housing emergency because we simply do not have enough adequate affordable housing in the city to meet demand. With households facing financial insecurity and Edinburgh’s rents some of the highest in the UK, secure wages are as important as ever.

“We know Edinburgh-based businesses want to help tackle low pay and insecure work, but we know that employers are under increasing pressure. They too face a cost of living crisis, high bills and recruitment challenges.

“As the rate of the Real Living Wage rises to £12 an hour, Living Wage Week and the events hosted here in Edinburgh and across the country provide an opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come, while acknowledging that more work is needed. We need to help employers to make the Real Living Wage the norm.

“Everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”

Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group, said: “To any employer who is not there yet but wants to sign up to the Real Living Wage, now has never been a more crucial time. The cost of living – particularly in Edinburgh – remains high.

“As a powerful advocate for Living Wage businesses, our Action Group can provide advice and guide you towards becoming a Real Living Wage employer. It will benefit your team, your business and Edinburgh as a thriving city which offers a fair experience for all.

“The Real Living Wage is a crucial element of ‘Real Living’ – a happy, healthy, fulfilling life – and it’s so important to highlight its importance this Living Wage Week.”

Earlier this year, over 70 delegates from 16 UK towns, boroughs and cities joined the City of Edinburgh Council to call for employers to offer ‘a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work’ at Scotland’s first Living Wage Places Network event. Edinburgh’s selection followed the Scottish Capital’s recognition as a Living Wage City in 2021. 

Christine McCaig, Projects Coordinator at Living Wage Scotland, added: “We are celebrating the continued progress toward ‘Making Edinburgh a Living Wage City’ this Living Wage Week.

“Around one fifth of the 3400 accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland are based in Edinburgh, signalling Scotland’s capital city as a significant contributor to the continued growth of the Living Wage employer movement.

“Despite the challenges facing many businesses, more employers are showing their commitment to tackling in-work poverty and demonstrating leadership and resilience at a time when workers need it most.”

The Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group was established in 2021 with the aim of building the living wage movement in Scotland’s capital city. 

Employers who would like to know more about the group, or would like information and advice on becoming accredited can contact policyandinsight@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Citizen Winter Warmer events: Stories and Scran

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has announced Stories and Scran will take place on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December as part of the third season of Citizen Winter Warmer events: a community celebration bringing together local voices and authors and artists. 

Audiences are invited to savour a sumptuous 3-course meal provided by the Scran Academy (included in the price of the ticket) and hear new writing from local people who have taken part in the Citizen project.

This year’s first event will take place at Fisherrow Centre in Musselburgh and will showcase the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including illustrations from students at Edinburgh College of Art and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group and The Citizen Collective. Special guests include Chitra Ramaswamy. 

This will be followed on Saturday 2nd November with another Stories and Scran Winter Warmer event in North Edinburgh.

Join us at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre for tasty food and brilliant storytelling in a heart warming event at the heart of the community.

Savour a sumptuous afternoon-tea provided by Scran Academy (included with your ticket) and hear new writing from local people alongside special guests including including Kate Foster and Doug Johnstone.

This year’s North Edinburgh event showcases the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including a film from the North Edinburgh Drama Group and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group.

For more information visit: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/stories-and-scran-2 

Tax credits recipients to receive Cost of Living Payment from today

Around 840,000 families, who receive tax credits and no other qualifying benefits, will receive their £300 autumn Cost of Living Payment from today, to help with everyday costs.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is making the payments to eligible tax credits customers across the UK between 10 and 19 November 2023.  

In addition, more than 7 million eligible UK households are receiving £300 directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 31 October and 19 November 2023.

This is the second of three payments totalling up to £900 for those eligible and on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, in 2023 to 2024.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, said: “I know Christmas can be a difficult time, which is why this £300 payment will come as a welcome boost for hundreds of thousands of families.

“But the best help we can give is halving inflation this year.”  

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: “The £300 Cost of Living Payment will deliver further financial support to eligible tax credits customers across the UK. Another payment will be made by spring 2024 to those entitled to receive it.

“HMRC customers will receive the payment automatically, with no action required from them, to make this as simple as possible.”

The payment from HMRC to tax credits customers will appear on bank statements as ‘HMRC COLS’, referencing Cost of Living Support. Those receiving the payment from DWP will see the payment reference as their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

If customers have not received the Cost of Living Payment from HMRC between the published payment dates, but believe they are eligible, they should wait until after 20 November to contact us. This is to allow time for their bank, building society or credit union to process the payment. 

Receiving a previous Cost of Living Payment does not guarantee customers will get a future one. Customers must meet the individual eligibility criteria for each payment, as published on GOV.UK.

Payment from HMRC will be made automatically into the bank account where eligible customers receive their tax credits. They do not need to do anything to receive a payment. They do not need to contact HMRC or apply for the payment. 

Pensioner households will also receive £300 which will be paid as a top up to those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in November and December. Combined with the one-off Cost of Living Disability Payment earlier this year, some households will receive £1,350 in total.

Customers should beware of scams targeting Cost of Living Payments. If someone contacts them about this payment saying they are from HMRC or DWP, it might be a scam. People can check advice on spotting scams by visiting GOV.UK and searching ‘HMRC phishing and scams’. They can also check on GOV.UK that any contact is genuinely from HMRC.