PILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT from 6 – 9pm
At M Club tonight we’ll be meeting at Pilton Community Health Project for some snacks, hot drinks, Christmas crafts and good chat.
Join us and SHE Scotland CIC from 6pm.
TONIGHT: M Club Xmas Night In!
Month: December 2023
1 in 3 dogs suffer from SAD: Behaviour specialist reveals signs to look out for
Dog behaviourists reveal why our pets can feel SAD, just the same as humans
Whilst it’s common knowledge that 2 million people in the UK suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), did you know that dogs can be impacted by it too?
Vet charity PDSA found that 1 in 3 dog owners notice their pets appear down or depressed during the dreary, cold months, which equates to around four million dogs across the UK.
With this in mind, the outdoor dog gear experts at Ruffwear have collaborated with Rachel Rodgers, clinical animal behaviouralist at Nose to Trail, on how dogs can suffer from SAD, how to spot if your dog is experiencing SAD and how to overcome it with your four-legged friends:
Speaking to Ruffwear, clinical animal behaviourist Rachel Rodgers said: “When the clocks change, and the dark nights draw in, this can be the time where people notice their dog showing signs of ‘sadness’ or ‘doggy depression’ similar to SAD. Dogs typically thrive off routine, so when this changes, it can throw them off.
“Many breeds, particularly younger dogs with lots of energy, really do need ample amounts of exercise. Hence, if you’re out working all day and then not doing as much with them in the evening, what we may see is them being quite bored and miserable. It isn’t just the physical activity they are missing out on, but walks provide mental stimulation.
“Sniffing releases dopamine which has a calming effect on the brain, it also lowers heart rate and blood pressure so has other benefits for the dogs which they may be missing out on at this time of year.”
Six signs that your dog is suffering from SAD
In order to spot if your dog is suffering from SAD, Ruffwear have provided the top six signs to look out for this winter.
- Changes in their sleeping patterns
Much like humans, dogs can experience a change in sleeping patterns which can be influenced by their owners. Excessive sleeping or difficulty sleeping can be indicative of emotional distress.
- Decreased energy levels
If your dog seems unusually tired, lacks energy, or is less interested in activities they usually enjoy, it might be a sign of SAD. This can also manifest itself in your dog not wanting to go on walks or not being as physically active as usual.
- Naughty and destructive behaviour
During the winter months, in comparison to low energy levels, some dogs may exhibit destructive behaviour. This can include the likes of chewing furniture or personal items.
These naughty and destructive behaviours tend to occur when they are feeling stressed or anxious, and also a result of boredom.
- Withdrawal and less interaction
Dogs that are feeling down may withdraw from social interactions. They might not greet you at the door as enthusiastically as usual or may prefer to be alone.
- Changes in appetite
A decrease or increase in appetite can be a sign of emotional distress. Some dogs may lose interest in food, while others may start eating more than usual.
- Increased vocalisation
Some dogs may express their distress through increased whining, barking, or howling. On the other hand, some dogs may become unusually quiet.
Four expert tips to overcome SAD with your dog
If you’ve spotted these signs of SAD in your dog, Ruffwear have also provided their top tips on how to help overcome it and set a new routine.
It’s important to note that the first thing you should do is to check with your vet to ensure there is no underlying pain causing your dog to seem depressed, as this can sometimes cause behavioural changes in our pets.
- Teach your dog a few new tricks
The saying goes you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but when it’s dark and miserable outside, work through some new training.
- Make feeding fun
If your dog isn’t getting excited about their feeding time, something is definitely up. Try to make meal times a little more exciting for them by using puzzle games or fun treat dispensers.
- Increase your one-on-one time
Spend more one-on-one time with your dog. Rachel advises “As we get closer to the festive season some people will be out more vising friends and family, or at the office Christmas do and your dog may just be missing that social companionship with you.”
- Prep for next year
Once you’ve figured out what works for both of you, you can keep this in mind for next year. You know your dog better than anyone, and if you notice something isn’t right with your dog, it’s always best to have a plan in place for when the miserable weather comes back around.
Stories and Scran: A real Winter Warmer in West Pilton!
It was a full house at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday for Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Stories and Scran event.
Guests braved plunging temperatures to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea provided by Scran Academy and to hear a rich variety of stories and poems from EIBF’S Citizen programme participants.
Hosted by EIBF’s Ryan Van Winkle, the packed programme also included brilliant contributions from authors Kate Foster and Douglas Johnstone, and there was another welcome opportunity to see the touching documentary produced by North Edinburgh Arts’ Adult Drama Group.
Yes, it may have been freezing outside but there was a warm welcome and a cosy atmosphere in the local community centre. A real winter warmer!
‘Bold, brave and brilliant’
SCOTTISH EDGE AWARDS
Scottish EDGE invests £1.5 million into 38 early stage, high growth businesses
With many UK firms struggling to innovate against the current economic backdrop, 38 Scottish businesses with high-growth potential have received a much-needed injection of cash at the 22nd round of the Scottish EDGE Awards that took place last week.
Taking place for the first time in Glasgow since 2019 and hosted by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the awards were attended by Simon Hannah in his first official engagement as Chair of the organisation, and Mark Scott, CEO of pet wellness brand Bella & Duke.
This year also saw the introduction of the new Scottish Government backed £100,000 Pathways Award, to support an ambitious female entrepreneur and was presented to Good Nude Food, a multi-award winning, probiotic fermented sauerkraut company.
Two of the other big winners of the evening were Brose Oats, which triumphed in the Food and Drink Category, a new award sponsored by Food & Drink Scotland, and Conneckt Charging, an EV charging network which won in the Net Zero category, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland.
Both winners took home a prize worth £100,000, while GLORIAH, a company manufacturing sustainable intimate care products for women experiencing menopause, won a prize worth £80,000 in the Zero Waste Scotland supported Circular Economy category.
Sustainability was also a theme for Oir Soap, who won £65,000 alongside the STV Award of £75,000 of advertising airtime, and who create luxury soaps using natural ingredients.
Biotech start-up Prozymi Biolabs won the £65,000 IBioIC award to further their quest to revolutionise the gluten-free market, while Edinburgh Open Workshop, which offers affordable and flexible access to workshop machinery and tools, was awarded £75,000 in the Social Enterprise category, which is supported by The Postcode Innovation Trust.
The Young EDGE and Wildcard categories returned this round, with the former supporting companies whose Managing Directors are under 30 years old and the latter providing a grant to pre-trading businesses which need support to bring their products to market.
Winners of this year’s Young EDGE award ranged from Selki Store, which provides heat packs to people suffering from chronic pain, to confectionery companies Tabrifics and Chocolatia, who received the £15,000 Harper Macleod and Scottish Enterprise top Young EDGE awards respectively.
Wildcard winners included Claymore Surgical Ltd, who are developing a software platform to automate the diagnosis of childhood sleep apnoea, and Practest, who are aiming to revolutionise GPs’ communication with their patients.
Sir Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation said: “Bold, brave and brilliant – those are the characteristics of Scottish EDGE winners.
“All the evidence points to Scotland needing far more of these businesses. EDGE is a brilliant supporter of high growth business and I’m sure could do a lot more for Scotland’s economy with the right Government support.”
Judith Cruickshank, MD Commercial Mid Market at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Scottish EDGE awards continue to showcase the remarkable innovative talent present within Scotland’s entrepreneurial community.
“Helping businesses to scale and succeed is core to our principles which is why we’re so proud to continue our support for the Scottish EDGE awards.
“We’d like to congratulate all those businesses who were awarded funding at last night’s awards, and we can’t wait to see their progress in the coming months. As supporters of the Net Zero category, we’d like to extend special congratulations to Connekt Charging. Their work in creating an extensive and reliable charging network has the potential to be transformational.”
Jane Martin, managing director of innovation and investment at Scottish Enterprise said: “We’re pleased to continue our support for the Young EDGE category, which was once again a highly competitive field.
“Scottish EDGE has an important role to play within Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. By supporting innovative, high growth potential start-ups, together we can drive Scotland’s future economic prosperity and create purposeful, scaling companies of the future.”
Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE, said: “As businesses across Scotland find themselves facing challenging circumstances, there’s never been a more urgent need to drive creativity and innovation.
“The winners of the 22nd round of Scottish EDGE are testament to the incredible potential within Scotland’s start-up landscape. The addition of further awards this round, both Pathways and Food and Drink, has allowed us to reward more businesses, and alongside our partner organisations we continue our commitment to help Scottish businesses not just survive, but to thrive”.
Supported by The Hunter Foundation, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, Scottish EDGE has a key role to play in facilitating the nation’s economic growth.
List of this year’s Scottish EDGE winners (alphabetically)
· Ansearch (Edinburgh) – Ansearch connect to all of your business apps, to make their data searchable from one place (imagine Google, but the results are from your business) – Young EDGE, £10,000
· BOROBOSCOT (Edinburgh) – Introducing Maah, a robotic platform and its digital twin designed to aid older adults and caregivers improve both their lives and work, against the backdrop of the demographic crisis – £80,000
· Brose Oats (East Lothian) – Brose is a healthy and delicious alternative to dairy, and is made of the most environmentally sustainable substances of all plant-based drinks – oats – Food & Drink, £100,000
· CaskNet (Edinburgh) – CaskNet is a digital cask register, authenticating ownership of whisky casks owned by private individuals or brokers in Scotland, alleviating problems facing the industry – £65,000
· CEXAL LTD (Edinburgh) – CEXAL Ltd creates rapid, accurate and cost-effective test kits for the identification of harmful pathogens in water samples – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Chocolatia (Forfar)- Chocolate producer from a restaurant background making luxury chocolates with ethical, sustainable ingredients, showcasing Scottish seasonal produce and highlighting their importance – Young EDGE, £15,000
· Coolthstore Ltd (Edinburgh) – We provide FridgeMate, a non-battery energy-storage module onto which all future fridges will be built. FridgeMate harvests and stores renewable energy for later peak-time usage – Wildcard, £10,000
· Conneckt Charging (Ayr/Glasgow)- Connekt is a privately operated EV charging network and App which integrates into commercial EV charging solutions to provide its drivers with a seamless and reliable charging experience – Net Zero, £100,000
· Claymore Surgical (Glasgow) – We are developing a centralised software platform to automate the diagnosis of childhood sleep apnoea and prioritise treatment for the children who need urgent care – Wild Card, £15,000
· Edinburgh Open Workshop (Edinburgh) – A creative makerspace offering affordable, flexible, Pay-As-You-Go access to workshop machinery and tools – Social £75,000
· Eye to the Future – Eye to the Future develops software that enables clinicians to deliver improved and more consistent health outcomes through earlier diagnosis of critical eye conditions – £70,000
· Feverfew Garden Company (Orkney) – We’re the UK’s first functional gardenwear brand specifically designed for women. We create high quality products that help women feel confident in the garden – £10,000
· GLORIAH (Edinburgh) – GLORIAH create, manufacture, and sell sustainable luxury intimate care products for women experiencing menopausal symptoms alongside providing educational, sharable content focused on the menopause – Circular Economy, £80,000
· Good Nude Food (Shetland Isles) – Good Nude Food is a multi-award-winning, probiotic fermented sauerkraut company. Our vision is to be a brand leader in the growing gut-healthy, fermented food sector – Pathways, £100,000
· Gradatim (Edinburgh) – We create children’s picture books to aid the delivery of complex disability/illness information to children under 5 that are read in conjunction with their treatment – Wildcard, £10,000
· Happy Leaf Ltd (Glasgow) – Developing an all-in-one smart sensor and app that makes growing houseplants easy – Wildcard, £10,000
· Highland Domes Ltd (Dingwall) – We build competitively priced, visually pleasing geodesic greenhouses that are more resilient, better insulated and with more economic use of space than alternative structures – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Jacks-Alt-Stays (Millport) – Jack’s Alt-Stays – A one-of-a-kind cabin accommodation concept on a scenic Scottish island, powered by renewable energy – £90,000
· Klank (St Andrews)- Klank is a live-music booking service that connects musical performers, event hosts, and fans in an intuitive, streamlined, mobile application – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Local Caddie Ltd (Edinburgh) – Local Caddie is an innovative virtual platform connecting Golf Tourists and Scottish Caddies – Wildcard, £10,000
· Marked: Wayfinding System (Glasgow) – MARKED: Wayfinding System, is a micro-mobility management and navigation system that aims to redefine how people experience cycling and scooting in the city – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Oir Soap Ltd (South Queensferry) – At Oir we make luxury, plastic-free soaps using all natural and sustainable ingredients. The bars are deigned to replace shower gel – STV, £65,000 + £75,000 ad airtime
· Nami Surgical Ltd (Glasgow) – Nami has developed a miniaturised ultrasonic scalpel for robotic assisted surgery. Nami is an innovative B2B OEM for surgical robot manufacturers – £80,000
· Planner Bee VA Services Ltd (Aberdeen) – Planner Bee VA Services is a Virtual Assistant Service supporting sustainable and ethical businesses to make a buzz with their digital marketing – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Practest (Kirkwall) – We are on a mission to change how GPs communicate with their patients. Developing the Practest product (trading name), responsible for commercialisation and customer – Wildcard, £10,000
· Pro Dispense (Hamilton) – A protein machine that dispenses a smooth organic blend of protein and other key supplements such as creatine, on demand whenever the user requires – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Prozymi Biolabs (Edinburgh) – A biotech start-up that aims to revolutionise the gluten-free market using gluten-degrading enzymes for the production of gluten-free bread made of wheat – IBioIC, £65,000
· Quine Ltd (West Lothian) – Quine Magazine, the only digital-first publication for women in Scotland. Quine covers the latest in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and careers – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Research in Dreams t/a Hubble Bubble (Edinburgh) – Hubble Bubble is an online AI-based platform matching international students with the right course based on their passion at the top universities in the UK – £70,000
· Screen Hustler (Glasgow) – Screen Hustler is a talent marketplace and portfolio platform for the film and TV industry – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Selki Store (Stirling) – We aim to help people living with chronic pain by contributing to the understanding of their needs, and by creating functional heat-packs – Young EDGE, £10,000
· SIP IT (Scotland) (Aberdeen) – SIP IT takes pride in being Scotland’s only PUR SIP manufacturer of structural insulated panels – £85,000
· Tabrifabrics (Aberdeen) – Tabrifics® is a new small-batch Scottish confectionery company, which is passionate about bringing new life to our nation’s classic confection – Young EDGE, £15,000
· The Prebiotic Company (Edinburgh) – The Prebiotic Company’s principal business activity is the sale of our own innovative prebiotic water under the brand name ió fibrewater – £70,000
· Tourprism (Stirling) – Tourprism develops a web application that empowers tourism businesses with customized feedback insights, crucial for their business strategy and tactical decisions – Wildcard, £10,000
· Ujaama Spice (Edinburgh) – Scottish spice trading business, committed to decolonizing the traditional supply chain and shifting the stigma surrounding spice commodities – Young EDGE, £10,000
· Venturithm (Glasgow) – Venturithm is a web-based simulation platform that supports entrepreneurs by transforming market research into financial projections, enabling a new level of business model experimentation – Wildcard, £10,000
· 2B Jumps (Edinburgh) – 2B Jumps has created an innovative showjump design that increases horse welfare, rider safety and enhances course building efficiency and accessibility – Wildcard, £10,000
“I’m celebrating the hero that gave me a second chance at life”
Edinburgh man highlights importance of lifesaving skills
An Edinburgh man whose life was saved following a life-threatening emergency earlier this year, is appealing for nominations to recognise Scotland’s first aid heroes who have helped to save multiple lives across the country.
Keith Ridley, 70, who coaches at Edinburgh Athletic Club, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in April on the outdoor field at Meadowbank Sports Centre. Thankfully, medical students and staff from Meadowbank were close by to assist and provide immediate lifesaving first aid, with their quick thinking, action and first aid knowledge ultimately keeping Keith alive.
Six months after the incident, Keith is highlighting the importance of first aid skills and training and encouraging those who know of any First Aid heroes throughout the country to come forward and nominate them for an award. Supporting the launch of St. Andrew’s First Aid’s annual Scottish First Aid Awards for 2024, Keith is keen that those who have helped in situations like his are recognised for their bravery and swift actions.
As Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity, St Andrew’s First Aid’s annual awards ceremony recognises outstanding groups and individuals who have performed life-saving acts across Scotland or who have gone above and beyond to implement first aid skills, training, and resources into their organisation.
Nominations for the awards, which include nine categories, are now open with the charity encouraging entries ahead of the event which will take place in Glasgow on 29 March 2024.
Keith, who lives an active lifestyle and had no previous health concerns, trains regularly at the club where he was an athlete from 1969, before turning to coaching in 1998. On the evening of the incident, Keith had just completed a session of six 200m sprints and was chatting to a colleague when he suddenly collapsed.
Thankfully, a group of medical students were close by who quickly realised what had happened and came to Keith’s assistance. They were quickly followed by staff from Meadowbank, including Operations Manager, Martin Bews.
Keith, who was out for a total of 11 minutes, was given lifesaving CPR from Martin as Meadowbank staff brought their onsite defibrillator to the scene. Keith received two shocks from the defibrillator, alongside chest compressions and mouth to mouth until the ambulance arrived eight minutes later.
Recalling the incident, Keith said: “There were no warning signs at all. I was tired from my training, but this was nothing unusual, I didn’t feel any chest pains or anything out of the ordinary.
“It all happened so quickly, and I am very fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time. Having the medical students and staff from Meadowbank there to immediately step in and deliver CPR, saved my life.
“My experience has really highlighted that doing nothing isn’t an option in these situations. If they hadn’t stepped in, I would have lost my life and I am so grateful to those involved with helping me that evening.
“I think it also highlights the importance of having defibrillators available to be accessed by the public, as this was vital to the team who were saving me.”
Following his sudden cardiac arrest, Keith spent a week in hospital and had two stents and an internal defibrillator fitted.
Keith added: “Words really can’t explain how grateful I am that they were there and knew how to respond. For me, it’s really highlighted the importance of first aid training – I know that those within the sporting community are regularly trained – but it did make me think what if this had happened when I was somewhere else and wasn’t around people who knew what they were doing.
“It’s scary to think like that and further emphasises the need for training across the country.”
Martin Bews, Operations Manager for Edinburgh Leisure, was one of the first on the scene following Keith’s cardiac arrest. Having originally started his career as a lifeguard, Martin is regularly trained on emergency first aid within his role. His first response upon hearing what had happened was to jump into action to support.
When Martin arrived at the scene, he began delivering CPR for a total of nine minutes, playing a vital role in saving Keith’s life. When the paramedics arrived on the scene, they asked Martin to continue what he was doing to allow them to bring out their necessary equipment, and later commended him for his lifesaving actions.
Martin recalls the event: “It’s amazing really to think you’ve played a part in saving someone’s life. You never ever think something like this will happen to you and it really puts it into perspective just how important it is that you not only know what to do but remember to actually do it and not panic.
“At the time, I just went into help mode. It took a good few days for what had actually happened to really sink in. When we received a follow up call to let us know Keith was doing well, that’s when the relief sank in, and I felt an immense feeling of pride that I had been able to play a part in saving someone’s life.
“I used to work in the same building as Keith’s son, so for me there was a personal connection too, which made the stark reality of how it could have ended even more hard-hitting. I’m just so glad that I, and the rest of the team involved, were able to step in immediately and provide the first aid that was needed to keep Keith alive.”
Since the incident, Keith has been focusing on his physical recovery, which has involved taking part in a designated rehabilitation programme. Fit for Health, through the NHS and Edinburgh Leisure weekly, giving him structure and guidance in getting more fit.
Martin and the rest of the team at Meadowbank are being nominated for a St Andrew’s First Aid award this year, to commend their quick thinking actions and applaud their efforts in saving Keith’s life.
With stories such as Keith’s an important reminder of how pivotal first aid training can be, St. Andrew’s First Aid is encouraging the general public, organisations and businesses to nominate any outstanding individuals and groups who have shown first aid excellence, for its 2024 awards.
Stuart Callison, Chief Executive of St. Andrew’s First Aid, said: “Each year we are overwhelmed with the number of courageous people across Scotland, who have stepped up and stepped in during emergency situations like Keith’s.
“We know all too well that had Keith not been in the presence of a team of first aid trained individuals, the outcome of his story could have been drastically different.
“We want to encourage those who have saved a life or know of someone who has displayed first aid excellence, to come forward and nominate for this year’s awards, to ensure these heroes get the true recognition they deserve.”
To nominate an individual, or organisation for an award, please visit:
https://www.firstaid.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/events/scottish-first-aid-awards/
The nine categories for the 2024 Scottish First Aid Awards are:
- St Andrew’s First Aid Corps Company of the Year
- The Douglas Bremner First Aid Volunteer
- The Amy Allan Young First Aid Volunteer
- Community First Aid Champion
- Emergency Services Hero
- First Aid Hero
- First Class
- Employer of the Year Award for First Aid Excellence
- Young First Aid Hero
Applications for nominations close on 15th December 2023.
R2 newsletter
ISSUE 13 – 30.11.23
Cash-strapped Christmas
British frontline workers worse off than European peers, despite clocking up more hours
- Study finds 51% will go into debt to pay for Christmas
- 43% feel there’s ‘too much pressure to spend’ during the festive season
Brits are feeling the pinch more than their overseas counterparts, with 56% saying their wages barely cover living expenses compared to 39% of Germans, 31% of Nordic workers (Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland) and 29% of Dutch contemporaries.
That’s according to a first-of-its-kind study by global workforce management provider, Quinyx. It polled over 3000 shift and non-desk-based workers in the retail, fashion, wholesale, shipping, distribution, warehousing and logistics industries to gain a fuller understanding of how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting employees in Europe.
Despite respondents across all countries working more hours in 2023 compared to previous years – peaking at 46% in the UK and The Netherlands, many had to accept help to cover the cost of everyday essentials.
Around two in five (39%) workers in The Netherlands received financial support from family and friends to pay the bills (31% in the UK), while more than a quarter (26%) of those surveyed in the Nordics and Germany turned to food banks (11% in the UK).
With Christmas only weeks away, apprehension around the cost and associated pressures at home and work are mounting in the UK and overseas.
More than half of Brits (51%) will be getting into debt this festive season – a sentiment echoed in the Nordics (58%), 29% are dreading Christmas because of the cost, felt by 32% and 26% of Nordic and Dutch respondents respectively, and 43% think there’s too much pressure on people to spend money at Christmas.
However, it’s not all bah humbug! 41% surveyed in the UK said it makes them happy when they see people spending lots of money on seasonal gifts and activities – as Christmas is a time to be enjoyed, and 39% like working in December because of the festive cheer.
Toma Pagojute, Chief HR Officer at Quinyx, says: “Beyond the excitement and merriment of the holidays, many frontline workers – everyone from delivery drivers and waiting staff to warehouse operatives and retail assistants, are faced with increased workloads and insurmountable financial challenges.
“And as our study proves, the UK isn’t alone in that – the cost of living is proving a burden in Europe too.
“So, what’s the best gift business leaders can give our dedicated workforce on the frontline this year? Engage with them, listen, and provide support when and where they need it the most. This can be through flexible work schedules, improved communications and by ensuring their working conditions are the best they can be.”
Download the country comparison study breakdown: https://www.quinyx.com/2023-cost-of-christmas
Rip Off! Drivers lose out to the tune of £184m a month as major retailers refuse to pass on 5p fuel duty cut
- Pump price cuts in November fail to reflect extent of wholesale cost falls
- RAC to raise issue with Energy Secretary in a bid to support UK drivers
The average price of petrol fell by 7.5p a litre in November to 146.95p, but data from RAC Fuel Watch* shows that drivers are still paying 10p more than they should be and are far from getting a fair price on the forecourt despite recent government intervention.
Diesel came down by almost 7p to 154.40p but is also being overcharged by 5p a litre due to savings from lower wholesale costs not being passed on by retailers to drivers at the pumps.
The RAC’s analysis shows that average retailer margin on petrol is now 17p a litre and 13p for diesel. The long-term averages are 7p for petrol and 8p for diesel. This news comes as drivers are still supposed to be benefitting from a 5p-a-litre duty cut implemented in March 2022.
Instead, the figures show it’s major retailers which are gaining from this. The RAC estimates drivers have lost out to the tune of a staggering £184m over the last two months as a result not passing on the 5p duty cut.**
The RAC believes petrol should be sold for an average of 137p and diesel for 150p, based on retailers taking a fairer margin. This means drivers are currently paying around £5 more than they should be to fill up an average 55-litre family car (£80.62 v £75.35). For diesel, the figure is around £2.50 (£84.92 v £82.50).
In stark contrast, membership-only retailer Costco is currently selling unleaded for an average of 133.7p and diesel for 144p – 14p and 11p less than the UK average respectively. In Northern Ireland unleaded is being sold for an average of 141.4p and diesel for 149.5p – 5.5p and 5p less than the UK average.
The fuel finder feature in the free myRAC app shows independently run forecourt Grindley Brook in Whitchurch, Shropshire, is only charging 131.9p for petrol – matching Costco’s cheapest price, and 15p cheaper than the UK average – and 143.9p for diesel, 10.5p lower than the UK average. By comparison the average price of unleaded at the big four supermarkets is 143.37p and 151.48p for diesel.
RAC Fuel Watch data shows that the wholesale price of petrol dropped by 9p a litre in November and diesel by 7p on the back of oil averaging $84 across the month and the pound gaining ground on the dollar closing November at $1.26, up from $1.21 at the start. A litre of unleaded currently costs retailers just 106p and diesel 117p.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “While the price of fuel fell in November, the truth is there is no reason whatsoever for drivers to be jubilant as the data clearly shows they are continuing to get a rough deal at the pumps, unless they live in Northern Ireland.
“Wholesale fuel costs have been falling for months, so they should be paying around 137p for petrol, instead of a whopping 147p. Diesel is also overpriced at 154.40p when it should be on sale for under 150p.
“This is extremely worrying as the biggest retailers don’t seem to have heeded the warnings levelled at them by Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho at the end of October saying she wouldn’t hesitate to call out those that rip off the public.
“While the Energy Secretary’s action may have encouraged retailers to begin reducing their prices, it’s undoubtedly a case of far too little, far too late. The wholesale market data the RAC analyses shows the true picture and unfortunately, for the Government and drivers, it shows the 5p-a-litre duty cut is not getting to drivers at all, and prices aren’t falling nearly fast enough yet again.
“We’ve contacted her department to explain what’s really going on with a view to prompting greater and more effective intervention. If a price monitoring body had already been set up by now – as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority and accepted by the Government – then this might have been prevented and people might finally be getting a fairer deal at the pumps.
“We reiterate our call to the biggest retailers to significantly cut their prices to mirror what’s happening with greatly reduced wholesale costs.”
Drivers wanting to save as much as they can on the forecourt should download the free myRAC app from the App Store or Google Play and start using its fuel finder feature as it can save up to 6p a litre***.
Up to five searches a day over a two, five or 10-mile radius can be made, with each giving the five cheapest prices.
The RAC Fuel Watch web page has more information about the average price of petrol and diesel at the big four supermarkets and at motorway services. It also features graphs showing average prices since 2000 as well as a daily financial breakdown of the cost of a litre of petrol and diesel.
Regional pump prices
| Unleaded | 01/11/2023 | 30/11/2023 | Change | End of month variance to UK average |
| UK average | 154.41 | 146.95 | -7.46 | |
| East | 155.11 | 147.75 | -7.36 | 0.80 |
| East Midlands | 154.45 | 147.47 | -6.98 | 0.52 |
| London | 155.02 | 149.24 | -5.78 | 2.29 |
| North East | 153.77 | 146.58 | -7.19 | -0.37 |
| North West | 154.17 | 146.29 | -7.88 | -0.66 |
| Northern Ireland | 149.96 | 141.53 | -8.43 | -5.42 |
| Scotland | 153.36 | 145.59 | -7.77 | -1.36 |
| South East | 155.52 | 148.51 | -7.01 | 1.56 |
| South West | 154.71 | 146.85 | -7.86 | -0.10 |
| Wales | 153.98 | 145.52 | -8.46 | -1.43 |
| West Midlands | 155.06 | 147.20 | -7.86 | 0.25 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 153.78 | 146.44 | -7.34 | -0.51 |
| Diesel | 01/11/2023 | 30/11/2023 | Change | End of month variance to UK average |
| UK average | 161.25 | 154.40 | -6.85 | |
| East | 161.48 | 154.66 | -6.82 | 0.26 |
| East Midlands | 160.98 | 154.11 | -6.87 | -0.29 |
| London | 162.47 | 156.38 | -6.09 | 1.98 |
| North East | 159.93 | 154.13 | -5.80 | -0.27 |
| North West | 160.10 | 153.80 | -6.30 | -0.60 |
| Northern Ireland | 157.63 | 149.79 | -7.84 | -4.61 |
| Scotland | 161.31 | 154.58 | -6.73 | 0.18 |
| South East | 162.85 | 155.94 | -6.91 | 1.54 |
| South West | 162.10 | 154.73 | -7.37 | 0.33 |
| Wales | 161.40 | 153.41 | -7.99 | -0.99 |
| West Midlands | 161.77 | 154.75 | -7.02 | 0.35 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 161.02 | 154.53 | -6.49 | 0.13 |
Summer 25 City Breaks programme on sale from Edinburgh Airport
Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks put Summer 25 City Breaks programme on sale from Edinburgh Airport
- Summer 25 City Breaks programme goes on sale from Edinburgh Airport – meaning total of 35 sun and city destinations now on sale
- Customers and independent travel agents can book city breaks to Rome and Prague
- Flights and city breaks have gone on sale today in response to strong demand from holidaymakers wanting to book in advance
Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks are today announcing further good news for Summer 25, after putting their City Breaks programme on sale from Edinburgh Airport and providing holidaymakers in Scotland with the chance to book ahead and get a date in the diary now.
The UK’s largest operator of European City Breaks and leading leisure airline will operate up to two weekly services (Monday and Friday) to Rome and up to two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday) to Prague in Summer 25 from Edinburgh Airport.
With flights and city breaks on sale to these world-famous capitals, cultural centres and historical gems, customers and independent travel agents have plenty of opportunity to enjoy a city break escape.
The announcement comes just weeks after the companies put their Summer Sun programme on sale for 2025 and comes in response to strong demand for city breaks, as well as a desire from customers and independent travel agents looking ahead to book a much-needed holiday in the diary.
Package options with Jet2CityBreaks include flights with Jet2.com including 22kg hold luggage and a choice of 2-5 star hotels in central locations, providing the perfect base from which to explore and experience the best city break destinations in Europe.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Since putting our Summer 25 Sun programme on sale, we have received a very positive response from customers and independent travel agents in Scotland.
“Holidaymakers are wanting to book in advance and get a date in the diary now, and we are allowing them to do just that with the launch of our Summer 25 City Breaks programme today from Edinburgh Airport.
“Whether customers want a weekend away to these cultural hotspots or something longer, our Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks collection for Summer 25 offers something for everyone.”
Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer (Aero), at Edinburgh Airport, added: “These new flights with Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks offer passengers more opportunity to visit two of Europe’s most iconic cities, and even more time to plan that trip.
“Much like Edinburgh, Rome and Prague are in-demand destinations which feature high on many city break wish lists, so the addition of these services for Summer ’25 – along with Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks’ fantastic summer sun programme – means passengers can get that date in the diary early.”
The two city break destinations announced today are in addition to the Summer Sun destinations already on sale for Summer 25 from Edinburgh Airport. These are as follows:
- Antalya (5), Bodrum (2), Dalaman (5), Izmir (1), Tenerife (7), Lanzarote (5), Fuerteventura (2), Gran Canaria (3), Reus (2), Alicante (5), Malaga (4), Palma (Majorca) (9), Ibiza (4), Menorca (2), Faro (Algarve) (7), Madeira (1), Crete (Heraklion) (2), Corfu (2), Santorini (1), Kos (2), Preveza (1), Rhodes (2), Halkidiki (1), Zante (2), Larnaca (2), Paphos (2), Naples (2), Verona (2), Sicily (1), Dubrovnik (2), Split (2), Malta (2), Bulgaria (Bourgas) (2)
For further information and to book visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2citybreaks.com
Mary, Queen of Scots’ rooms at the Palace of Holyroodhouse open for exclusive evening event
On Mary, Queen of Scots’ birthday, Friday, 8 December, a special evening event at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will explore life at Mary’s court, giving visitors the rare chance to explore the Stuart Queen’s atmospheric private apartments at night.
The evening will include an exclusive curator-led tour of Queen Mary’s chambers, as well as immersive talks, performances and activities that will bring the sights, sounds and tales of Mary’s court at Christmas to life.
The evening commences with a tour of Mary’s private chambers, providing an insight into the life and surroundings of one of the most famous figures in Scottish history. Mary’s chambers were originally built for her father James V nearly 500 years ago and are the oldest section of the Palace.
Many of the most significant events of Mary’s short reign took place in these rooms, including the murder of her Italian secretary, David Rizzio, in front of her eyes in 1566.
As visitors explore the chambers, 16th-century music performed by The Galloway Consort will guide them through the historic corridors and rooms, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the Stuart period.
The Palace, which was occupied by Queen Mary between 1561 and 1567, will be spectacularly decorated for Christmas.
By the light of the Christmas tree in the Great Gallery, visitors can listen to festive tales of the celebrations at Mary’s court, including the Feast of the Bean, a 16th-century Christmas tradition that would take place at the start of the festive period.
The tour continues into the Abbey Strand buildings, which were once lodgings for many of Mary’s courtiers, where visitors can learn more about life at Mary’s palace.
A historical costume specialist will share insights into court fashions, with the chance to try on replica historical clothing. Visitors can even take part in an activity to craft their own sweet-smelling cloth pomander, bringing the smells as well as the sights and sounds of the 16th century to life.
The evening concludes with a glass of wine accompanied by a musical performance by lutenist Eric Thomas, featuring pieces for lute and voice, as well as performances of historical dances.
Throughout the evening, visitors will be able to enjoy the Christmas decorations, including the Christmas tree in the Great Gallery and the velvet garlands, vibrant berries and seasonal foliage adorning the Great Stair leading to the historic State Apartments.
An Exclusive Evening at Mary’s Court is at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday, 8 December, entry slots between 17:00 and 19:00, £25.00.
Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine, guided tours, talks and music performances. Tickets can be booked at www.rct.uk/whatson