Carol from Shelter Scotland advises Families and Pregnant Women around any housing issues but mainly damp and mould, and overcrowding.
She will be here at PCHP on the first and third Fridays of November and December from 10am until 12pm. Come along to meet her if these issues are affecting you!
We’re SO DELIGHTED to announce that, as part of Book Week Scotland, we have an author event with queen of crime LIN ANDERSON!
Lin Anderson’s books are some of our most borrowed titles so we know there are many, many Anderson fans in the Drumbrae (and Edinburgh) library community.
Tickets are free but places are limited and so booking is essential – get your ticket while you still can!
One of NHS Lothian’s healthcare heroes was celebrated at this year’s Scottish Health Awards 2023, scooping the Care for Mental Health Award.
Claire Bashford, who works in the Mental Health Team at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Major Trauma unit was named the winner of the Care for Mental Health Award.
Described as providing invaluable care through her training and support, Claire is known to support patients long after their initial injuries as her dedication to helping recovery is second to none.
As well as leading the Mental Health Team as part of the Major Trauma Service during the Covid pandemic, Claire developed an initiative for patients in Critical Care which is still used to this day. She is said to have ‘established a support network for staff and ensure co-ordinated, exceptional care is always available’.
Run by the Daily Record and in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, the annual awards celebrate the NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care and support to patients and their families.
Patients, families, work colleagues and members of the public were invited to nominate a local hero across one of the sixteen award categories with over 900 nominations and 51 finalists named.
David Dick, editor in chief of Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: “Congratulations to Claire for winning the Care for Mental Health Award. With over 900 nominations, the judging panel had a difficult task in picking the winner for each category this year.
“Every winner should be extremely proud of their hard work and dedication in making a difference to their patients, families and communities. It’s with their support that we are able to celebrate 75 years of our National Health Service as a country and it is an honour for us to continue running these awards.”
Winners were named at an awards ceremony at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh on 2 November.
For more information visit https://scottishhealthawards.com
– Prices will be locked at new price until 31st December –
– Morrisons is investing over £4 million in these new price reductions –
Morrisons is cutting the price of 58 popular festive items and is committing to keeping the prices low until the end of the year. The cuts are being made well in advance of December 25th so that customers can stock up and spread the cost of their Christmas grocery shopping.
Key festive items such as stuffing, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and tin foil have been cut in Morrisons latest wave of price activity – its tenth of the year.
Morrisons is investing over £4 million to cut the price of the products by an average of almost 20 per cent from current prices. The items have all been chosen because they were particularly popular at Christmas last year – with an average uplift in sales of over 90 per cent throughout the festive period.
The total price of all 58 items in Morrisons festive basket is nearly two pounds cheaper than the same basket of items would have cost in Christmas 2022, despite the significant inflation over the last year.
The cuts cover Christmas dinner must-haves and trimmings as well as drinks and nibbles including Bucks Fizz, tonic and peanuts. Festive hosts can also stock up on kitchen essentials such as kitchen foil and napkins while key ingredients needed to create seasonal bakes have also been cut such as mincemeat, sultanas and pastry – as well as cream.
These lower festive prices introduced in Morrisons supermarkets and online this week are on top of further 62 price cuts made last week on items such as chicken wings & drumsticks, frozen chips, bread and smoked fish. Those prices will be held for at least eight weeks and form part of the commitment Morrisons has upheld since January to always have over 1,000 prices lowered and locked each week.
Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: “We know that Christmas is an expensive time of year and that our customers are having to make tough choices about what to put in their baskets.
“We are working hard to help them when it comes to their festive grocery shopping and want to protect them from rising costs so despite the significant inflation we have seen over the last twelve months, our basket of 58 festive items is cheaper than it was in 2022.”
| KEY DEALS ON CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES | WAS | NOW |
| Morrisons Cocktail Prawns 300g | £4.30 | £3.59 |
| Morrisons Raspberry Sherry Trifle 900g | £4.00 | £2.99 |
| Winter Warmer Mulled Wine 75cl | £3.00 | £2.50 |
| Morrisons Cranberry Sauce 200g | £1.09 | £0.59 |
| Morrisons Mincemeat 822g | £2.79 | £2.15 |
| Morrisons Dry Roasted Peanuts 450g | £2.50 | £1.59 |
| Morrisons Yorkshire Wensleydale with Cranberries 200g | £2.19 | £1.99 |
| Morrisons Kitchen Foil 300 mm wide 10 Metres | £1.80 | £1.45 |
| Morrisons Sage & Onion Stuffing 170g | £0.75 | £0.49 |
| Morrisons Potatoes 1kg | £1.25 | £0.95 |
| Harveys Bristol Cream 1l | £12.00 | £10.00 |
| Morrisons Bucks Fizz | £3.00 | £2.50 |
The Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee is not convinced the Scottish Government is carrying out enough long-term financial planning to ensure Scotland’s fiscal sustainability.
On the Scottish Government’s public service reform programme, the committee says it has no overall strategic purpose with limited oversight and direction from government.
Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson MSP said: “As the Scottish Budget approaches, we’ve seen little evidence to suggest a shift away from the Scottish Government’s short-term approach towards financial planning; an approach hampered by reliance on one year UK financial settlements.
“We therefore strongly recommend that the Scottish Government produces a full response to the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s sustainability report, setting out the actions it will take to address the longer-term challenges ahead.
“We are also concerned that the UK Government’s decision not to inflation proof capital funding available to Scottish Ministers will mean a 16% reduction in 2028-29 compared to this financial year, at a time when governments need to invest in infrastructure to stimulate economic growth.
“The creation of a Scottish Government advisory group on taxation is welcome. Given the financial challenges ahead, it is imperative that their work to create a clear taxation strategy for Scotland proceeds at pace.”
On the government’s public service reform programme, Mr Gibson said: “We are concerned that the focus of the government’s reform programme has changed multiple times since May 2022, as have the timescales for publishing further detail on what it will entail.
“Given the financial challenges facing the Scottish Budget, this represents a missed opportunity to be further along the path to delivering more effective and sustainable public services.
“The recommendations in our report aim to bring much-needed impetus, focus and direction to the Scottish Government’s reform programme.”
Read the full report:
Pre-Budget 2024-25 Report on the Sustainability of Scotland’s Finances
Comfort Zone exhibition at Granton Hub!
Comfort Zone by Cerys Scorey features a series of new paintings inspired by, and displayed alongside the sketchbooks that Cerys carries with her in day to day life.
Opening night is on the 24th of Nov and the 25th and 26th is from 10-4.
Scottish Labour’s Sarah Boyack MSP has today lodged her final proposal for her Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Members’ Bill.
Despite ’empty promises’ for action from the SNP-led Scottish Government to legislate in this area there have been no tangible results to date.
As a result Sarah Boyack MSP has taken the initiative and pursued this issue as a Members Bill.
The lodging of the members’ bill follows an extensive consultation process which confirmed overwhelming support from stakeholders and constituents for all aspects of Ms Boyack’s Bill.
Scottish Labour’s Sarah Boyack explained: “Over 100 organisations called for this action in the run up to the 2021 elections. My Members’ Bill will end short-termism in the Scottish Government, and commit to the long-term thinking and action that has Wellbeing and Sustainable Development at its heart.
“Successive Programmes for Government have promised a bill of this nature, but as always its warm words and little action from the SNP.
“After a long and comprehensive consultation process it is clear that there is overwhelming support for action and a new Future Generations Commissioner and I encourage all members to support my bill now that it has been lodged”.
Also commenting Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive of Carnegie UK, said: “New wellbeing laws in Scotland would help to hardwire long-term thinking into our political and governmental decision-making.
“Backed by a new Future Generations Commissioner, the legal framework would help our decision-makers to look toward the horizon as well as deal with current emergencies.
“We’d urge MSPs from across the political spectrum to back these moves to help us to tackle the biggest challenges of our time.”
Following extensive police enquiries, a 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with two robberies and an attempted robbery in the Colinton area of Edinburgh.
The incidents took place at premises on Bridge Road, Colinton Road and Ashley Terrace, between Saturday, 7 October, and Sunday, 8 October, 2023.
The man is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Tuesday, 7 November, 2023).
Detective Constable Peter Lyons said: “We’d like to thank the public for their assistance with our enquiries following our earlier appeal.”
Actions to help improve the lives of British Sign Language (BSL) users have been published as part of ongoing work to make Scotland the best place to live, work and visit for people that use the language.
The BSL National Plan 2023-29 has made 45 commitments aimed at tackling barriers faced by BSL users by embedding the language across health, education, transport, culture and employment.
Commitments made include:
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “BSL is a vibrant language which is of significant importance to the lives of many people.
“This plan lays out our ambition to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to visit and live in. These 45 commitments will improve access to vital services and provide more opportunities for BSL users to contribute further to Scotland’s economy, culture and communities.
“The BSL community should be at heart of our decision making process in this area, which is why we will also establish a BSL National Plan Implementation Advisory Group, to ensure that the views of the community are properly represented.”
Philip Gerrard, CEO at Deaf Action, said: “I welcome the publication of the new National BSL Plan for Scotland.
“It was a pleasure to be part of the consultation process that led to the new plan, which demonstrates the continued commitment of the Scottish Government to improving the experiences of BSL users who live, work, visit and learn in Scotland.
“I now urge all agencies with responsibilities under this plan to meaningfully engage with it – there is much to do.”
Minimum service level regulations for rail workers, ambulance staff and border security staff will be laid in parliament to mitigate disruption and ensure vital public services continue if strikes are called, the UK government announced yesterday (Monday 6 November).
The legislation brings us in line with countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the US where public services reliably continue during strikes. The International Labour Organisation also recognises Minimum Service Levels as a sensible solution to protect the public from serious consequences of strikes.
The minimum service levels are designed to be effective and proportionate by balancing the ability to take strike action with ensuring we can keep our borders secure, supporting people to make important journeys including accessing work, education, and healthcare, and allowing people to get the emergency care they need.
Earlier this year, the government consulted widely on proposals to introduce minimum service levels legislation across a range of sectors, under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act which received Royal Assent in July. The responses to these consultations have been published today with the legislation set to be laid in parliament tomorrow.
For border security, the regulations will apply to employees of Border Force and selected HM Passport Office staff where passport services are required for the purposes of national security. The laws will set out that border security services should be provided at a level that means that they are no less effective than if a strike were not taking place. It will also ensure all ports and airports remain open on a strike.
For train operators, it will mean the equivalent of 40% of their normal timetable can operate as normal and, in the case of strikes that affect rail infrastructure services, certain priority routes can remain open.
Minimum service level regulations for ambulance workers will ensure that vital ambulance services in England will continue throughout any strike action, ensuring that cases that are life-threatening, or where there is no reasonable clinical alternative to an ambulance response, are responded to.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We are doing everything in our power to stop unions de-railing Christmas for millions of people. This legislation will ensure more people will be able to travel to see their friends and family and get the emergency care they need.
“We cannot go on relying on short term fixes – including calling on our Armed Forces or civil servants – to mitigate the disruption caused by strike action.
“That’s why we’re taking the right long-term decision to bring in minimum service levels, in line with other countries, to keep people safe and continue delivering the vital public services that hard-working people rely on.”
Where minimum service level regulations are in place and strike action is called, employers can issue work notices to identify people who are reasonably required to work to ensure minimum service levels are met.
The law requires unions to take reasonable steps and ensure their members who are identified with a work notice comply and if a union fails to do this, they will lose their legal protection from damages claims.
Last year, Westminster raised the maximum damages that courts can award against a union for unlawful strike action. For the biggest unions, the maximum award has risen from £250,000 to £1 million.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “For too long, hard working people have been unfairly targeted by rail union leaders – prevented from making important journeys, including getting to work, school or vital hospital appointments.
“Minimum Service Levels will help address this by allowing the rail industry to plan ahead to reduce disruption for passengers while ensuring workers can still exercise their ability to strike.
“An improved service on strike days will allow passengers to continue with their day-to-day lives and support businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.”
Earlier this year, the UK government accepted the independent pay review bodies recommendations in full, providing a fair pay deal for all public sector workers.
An agreement between the government and Agenda for Change unions earlier this year saw over one million NHS staff receive a 5% pay rise along with one-off awards worth over £3,000 for the typical nurse or ambulance worker.
For rail workers, there remains a fair and reasonable offer on the table which several unions have already accepted, one which would deliver competitive pay rises of 5% + 4% pay increase over two years.
Home Office staff in delegated grades including Border Force staff have been provided with a pay award averaging 4.5% with an additional 0.5% targeted at the lower grades.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “We must never allow strike action to compromise our border security or cause significant disruption to passengers and goods at our borders.
“The Armed Forces have commendably stepped up to fill vital roles during recent industrial action, but it would be irresponsible to rely on such short-term solutions to protect our national security.
“The minimum service levels announced today will ensure a fair balance between delivering the best possible service to the travelling public, maintaining a secure border and the ability of workers to strike.”
The government continues to recognise the crucial role of NHS staff and remains committed to working constructively to end any disruption for patients, and there are currently no live strike mandates relating to ambulance trusts. However, strikes have already had a significant impact on patients, NHS staff and efforts to cut waiting lists – including over one million postponed appointments and procedures.
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently seeking evidence on expanding the scope of minimum service levels to cover other urgent and emergency hospital-based services which could include nurses and doctors. The consultation is set to close on the 14th of November.
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Patients must be protected and strikes in ambulance services could put the lives and health of the public at risk, given their essential role in responding to life threatening emergencies.
“While voluntary agreements between employers and trade unions can still be agreed ahead of industrial action, these regulations provide a safety net for trusts and an assurance to the public that vital emergency services will be there when they need them.
“We will continue to take steps to protect patient safety and ensure health services have the staff they need to operate safely and effectively, no matter the circumstances.”
The Education Secretary has committed to introduce minimum service levels on a voluntary basis should an agreement be reached with the education unions. If a voluntary arrangement cannot be agreed, a consultation will be launched on introducing minimum service levels in schools and colleges.
Separately, the Department has also committed to launching a consultation on introducing minimum service levels in universities.
The Department for Business and Trade recently consulted on a new draft statutory Code of Practice on the ‘reasonable steps’ a trade union should take to meet the requirements set out in the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023.
They will also launch a consultation on removing regulation 7 across all sectors which prevents employment businesses supplying agency workers to cover the duties normally performed by a worker who is taking part in an official strike or other industrial action. These will be published in due course.
The TUC has slammed the government for trying to railroad through “unworkable” and “irrational” anti-strike laws.
Government ministers yesterday laid regulations for so-called ‘minimum service levels’ in rail, the ambulance service and border security. Ministers have said they will be rushed into force by the end of the year.
This comes despite warnings from unions and employer groups that the plans are unworkable.
The laws will mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.
TUC research found a massive 1 in 5 workers in Britain – or 5.5 million workers – are at risk of losing their right to strike as a result of the Strikes (Minimum service levels) Act.
Agency worker rules
In addition, ministers will try again to overturn the ban on the use of agency workers during strikes.
In June the government was defeated in the High Court after it rushed through new laws that allowed agencies to supply employers with workers to fill in for those on strike.
The presiding judge scolded ministers for acting in a way that was “unfair, unlawful and irrational” and reinstated the ban on agency staff being used to break strikes.
But despite this rebuke – and strong opposition from unions and employers – ministers are resurrecting the plans with a new consultation.
Commenting on the extension of minimum service levels to rail, the ambulance services and border security, Paul Nowak said: “These anti-strike laws won’t work. The crisis in our public services is of the government’s own making.
“Rather than engaging constructively with unions, they are attacking the right to strike. And they are punishing paramedics and rail staff for daring to stand up for decent pay and better services.
“These new laws are unworkable, undemocratic and almost certainly in breach of international law.
“The UK already has some of the most restrictive trade union laws in Europe.
“It is already harder for working people here to take strike action than in any other Western European country. Now the Tories want to make it even harder for people to win fair pay and conditions.
“Unions will keep fighting this spiteful legislation. We won’t stop until it is repealed.”
In September the TUC reported the government to the International Labour Organization (ILO) – the UN workers’ rights watchdog – over the Strikes Act.
Commenting on the announcement on agency workers, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Allowing unscrupulous employers to bring in agency staff to deliver important services risks endangering public safety and escalating disputes.
“Agency recruitment bodies have repeatedly made clear they don’t want their staff to be used as political pawns during strikes. But ministers are not listening.
“Despite suffering a humiliating defeat at the High Court, they are bringing back the same irrational plans.
“This is the act of desperate government looking to distract from its appalling record.”
