Lumo, the all-electric train operator, has announced its renewed partnership with Edinburgh Science Festival for this year’s theme: ‘Shaping the Future’.
Taking place over two weeks, from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 14 April 2024, thousands are expected to attend the series of interactive events, talks and workshops showcasing how science can create a more sustainable, accessible, and equal future.
This partnership with the UK’s largest science festival will see Lumo proudly sponsor one of six trails at the City Art Centre, focusing on Innovative Engineers. The trail will feature three distinct workshops – Little Sparks, Energy Makers, and Chain Reactor – tailored to inspire children to engage in problem-solving and explore technology and energy.
Lumo will also take on the role of Climate and Sustainability partner, sponsoring the festival’s year-long series ‘Climate Co-Labs’. This programme consists of round table meetings that bring together senior leaders across sectors to accelerate Scotland’s response to the climate emergency.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said:“We’re proud of our reputation for innovation and sustainability as we strive to reduce emissions in the transport sector.
“It’s thanks to great engineers and scientists that we’re able to deliver our all-electric rail service and, in partnering with Edinburgh Science Festival, we hope to inspire the next generation of innovative engineers – and, of course, transport them into Edinburgh for the science festival in the most sustainable way possible!”
Hannah Schlesinger Brodie, Director of Development and Marketing at Edinburgh Science, said:“We’re thrilled to have Lumo support the Edinburgh Science Festival once again.
“The chemistry between Lumo and Edinburgh Science Festival is a perfect match and will help many people to experience the excitement of the festival in a sustainable way.”
This latest partnership by Lumo adds to the already strong local commitment made by the company. Lumo trains are maintained at Craigentinny on the outskirts of Edinburgh and offer a range of locally sourced products onboard including Edinburgh Gin and Walkers Shortbread as well as the iconic Irn Bru.
Lumo customers can travel comfortably between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh knowing they’ll save 96 per cent CO2 emissions compared to taking a domestic flight between the two cities. The average fare for a single journey from London to Edinburgh also proves a huge saving at just £46.70.
The Edinburgh Science Festival takes place over numerous venues and locations around Edinburgh, attracting thousands of visitors to the city.
Thanks to Lumo’s fast services connecting Edinburgh with Newcastle and London, it’s the ideal choice for those planning a fun-packed trip to the Scottish capital.
Five floors of hands-on science fun
City Art Centre tickets go on sale on Monday
Tickets for the Edinburgh Science Festival’s City Art Centre – the flagship family venue – are released on Monday
Edinburgh Science Festival celebrates 35th anniversary this year. City Art Centre is sponsored by Cirrus Logic.
City Art Centre (30 March – 14 April) – five floors of hands-on science extravaganza for children between 3 and 12 years old. From making your own scab or slime to becoming an animal conservationist, investigating a crime scene or programming your own robot, City Art Centre is the most fun a family can have this Easter break! Allow 4-5 hours for the visit. On sale from Monday 26 February.
POLIVE officers in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery incident which happened in Drylaw.
Shortly before 11am on Wednesday (21 February), a 20-year-old man was walking on the footpath between Silverknowes Neuk and Wester Drylaw Drive when he was approached from behind by three men.
They assaulted him and stole a number of personal items, including a designer jacket and mobile phone.
The victim went to hospital for treatment to facial injuries.
Detective Constable William Doughty from Corstorphine CID said: “This area and footpath network is frequented by locals regularly and I’d ask anyone who saw what happened to come forward and speak with officers.
“The victim left the area following the incident towards Wester Drylaw Place and the suspects are believed to have been on foot.
“Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 1074 of 21 February 2024. An anonymous report can be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Wednesday 28th February at Corstorphine Community Centre, 5 Kirk Loan, Corstorphine between 2pm and 7pm.
PLANS to redevelop a corner plot in one of Edinburgh’s most desirable aareas have resurfaced with a switch from private flats to a care home in response to an ageing population profile.
Northcare has chosen a 0.56-hectare site at the corner of St John’s Road and Manse Road, launching a public consultation on its plans for a 60-bed unit designed by Unum.
Proposed Development
Being undertaken by award-winning operator Northcare (Scotland) Ltd, this proposed mixed-use development includes a 60-bed luxury care home, five assisted living apartments and ground floor commercial units facing onto St-John’s Road, all within a high-quality landscaped setting.
If consented, the care home complex will address an identified demand for care beds in the local area, exceeding expectations by providing high-quality care accommodation.
One floor (a third of the building) will be devoted to dementia care, and the care home will also provide residents’ entertainment spaces including private dining facilities, cinema, activity rooms, beauty salon, cafe/brasserie and gallery. These allow the residents to enjoy a “day out” without the need to leave the home. The cafe/brasserie and beauty salon will also be accessible to the public, and in addition to this two commercial units will be available for rent.
A residents’ amenity space and activity room will be located on the top floor of the care home. Benefiting from extensive glazing and an external terrace, this will take advantage of the views over Edinburgh towards the Pentland Hills and beyond.
The proposed development is set within an attractive landscape, enhancing the local area, and includes the creation of a secure landscaped garden to the rear of the property.
The site is directly accessible to a range of services, facilities and amenities, and is served by direct access to the public road network with good pedestrian, cycle and public transport access for both visitors and staff.
Ten car parking spaces are proposed, including two universally accessible and two electric vehicle charge points (EVCP). Secure and covered cycle stands, encouraging sustainable modes of travel, will also be provided.
Echoing the prior Michael Laird scheme the latest proposals include a dedicated dementia floor and secure landscaped grounds as well as a top-floor glazed amenity space with an outdoor terrace. Spread across six independent living wings the ‘L’ plan build is served by a double-height entrance lobby with services located in a partial lower ground floor.
Key Benefits
Regenerating this brownfield site, the development will bring a number of benefits to the local community:
Addressing an ageing population
As is well-recognised, Scotland is currently in the midst of a care crisis, with limited lifestyle choices for elderly residents requiring care services. The current stock of care homes and supported housing is not able to meet the future demand of care requirements within Edinburgh.
With an increasingly ageing population, this situation is set to worsen, with the level of bed demand set to almost double over the next 30 years.
A shortfall of care home provision in the wider area has been demonstrated by a Demographic and Needs Analysis Review, prepared to support the development. Much of the existing stock is not fit for purpose and requires to be modernised and upgraded to meet Care Inspectorate standards of provision.
It is anticipated that a proportion of those in the new home will be from the local community, and thereby already registered with a local GP. In addition to this, we partner up with GP practices and pay a private retainer to allow them to get sufficient resources to support our care homes. As an example, we already have such an agreement in place with Blackhall Medical Centre.
A new care complex such as that proposed will improve choice and in due course release housing locally.
Employment and investment
Northcare (Scotland) Ltd will acts as both the developer and operator of the facility, which will see a capital investment of £15 million from buying the site to development. The mixed-use development aims towards net-zero, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving gold standard.
In addition to the construction phase, when operational it is anticipated that 70 permanent jobs will be created at a range of levels and in a variety of trades, including care assistants, housekeeping staff, managers and chefs.
A cafe/brasserie and hair salon will be accessible to the public, and in addition to this two commercial units will be available for rent.
The proposed much-needed accommodation for an ever-increasing elderly population will allow them to live their lives with dignity and independence, with special assistance on hand, exceeding the requirements of the Care Inspectorate regulations.
Community Consultation
NORTHCARE says: ‘We strongly believe in the need for ongoing dialogue regarding our care home proposals, and through a meaningful and effective pre-application consultation (PAC) process are engaging early on with the local community and other key stakeholders.
As what is classed as a major development and in accordance with the planning regulations, a minimum 12-week period of consultation in advance of the submission of the planning application is required. This includes the holding of at least two public consultation events.
Through this process we are promising to consult and listen carefully to your views, making changes where possible to inform and improve our proposals, prior to the submission of a planning application to City of Edinburgh Council. This is anticipated to take place in April 2024.
Consultation Event
A second public consultation event will be held on Wednesday 28th February at Corstorphine Community Centre, 5 Kirk Loan, Corstorphine between 2pm and 7pm (the first was held on 31 January).
Consultation boards will be available to view, providing information on the proposals, with the project team on hand to explain and answer questions, and the opportunity to provide feedback, which will play a crucial role in refining and enhancing our plans.
This event seek to progress and update the proposals following feedback from the first consultation event held at the same venue on Wednesday 31st January, considering and incorporating any amendments where appropriate.
If you want to make comments on the proposals, you may do so at the public consultation event, via the project website using the feedback form below, by email to: hello@northcare-manse.co.uk,or by writing to: Orbit Communications, 42 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ. The deadline for receiving these is Wednesday 13th March.
Comments made do not constitute representations to City of Edinburgh Council. A further opportunity to make representations to the Council will be available following formal submission of the planning application.
It is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted to City of Edinburgh Council in April and a site start is estimated by the spring of 2025.
The award-winning Surgeons’ Hall Museums has announced it attracted a record-breaking 111,293 visitors last year.
The museums – among the UK’s oldest – are hosted in the iconic William Playfair building at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s campus on Nicholson St and boast Scotland’s largest pathology collection.
Renowned for its collections of anatomical specimens and artefacts, this remarkable milestone marks an exceptional journey of growth and transformation for the museum, which has gone from strength to strength since a major refurbishment in 2015.
In 2013, the museum welcomed 35,000 visitors which doubled to 60,000 the year after the refurbishment, funded by the National Lottery. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Surgeons’ Hall Museums has continued to further grow its visitor numbers, solidifying its place on the Capital’s list of world class museums available.
In 2021, the museum established new permanent galleries under the title, Body Voyager. This work considers what the future holds for surgery, extrapolating from existing robotics and technology that already is on the market.
The striking futuristic gallery is centred around the only Da Vinci robot in the world that the public can try out the authentic console that surgeons use today, testing their skills on a programmed art challenge.
Thomas Elliot, Head of Museum Learning and Interpretation, expressed pride in the museum’s accomplishments. He said: “We’re really proud of the work we’ve been doing to make the museum more engaging and accessible over the last eight years.
“The museum has traditionally been targeted to medical professionals, and that has been somewhat inaccessible or intimidating to the general public.
“Now we have school groups that love our interactive segments, and we curate our exhibitions to link the medical nature with what people care about.”
The success is attributed in part to a diverse and engaging temporary exhibition program, with notable highlights including the immensely popular ‘In Safe Hands: A Battle for Midwifery.’ This exhibition explores the evolution of the perception of childbirth, transforming it from a simple life event to something requiring medical oversight.
One of the most gratifying aspects of the museum’s success is the increasing number of returning visitors who often bring friends and family.
Thomas continued: “The whole museum team extends its gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and visitors who have contributed to this extraordinary success.
“We are always looking forward to continuing its mission of providing an enriching and accessible experience that cements our place as an important part of the city’s cultural and educational make up.”
Five writers from Edinburgh have been announced as recipients of Scottish Book Trust’s 2024 New Writers Award.
This year’s awardees from Edinburgh are Amos O’Connor (29), a Portland-born writer and visual artist who works as a bookseller, John Lawrie (31), a regular on the spoken word circuit, Sarah Whiteside (47), a writer living in Portobello, Katherine Hudson (46) a civil servant who is currently working on her first novel, and Les Hodge, a musician who was once part of the Edinburgh act, Coco and The Bean.
Every year Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, holds the prestigious year-long writer development programme to support burgeoning writers living in Scotland.
As well as a £2,000 cash award, they will receive mentorship from writers and industry professionals, a week-long retreat, and opportunities to showcase work to publishing industry professionals.
The New Writers Award has made an extraordinary impact on publishing since its launch in 2009. From the 177 awardees who have gone through the programme up to 2023, 76 have had their work published, with a total of 183 books going out into the world.
Previous awardees include Graeme Macrae Burnet whose 2015 novel His Bloody Project was shortlisted for the Man Book Prize, and Gail Honeyman, whose bestselling novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine won Scottish Book Trust’s The Next Chapter Award.
Titles published in 2022 and 2023 included Martin MacInnes, whose novel In Ascension was longlisted for The Booker Prize 2023, and Victoria MacKenzie’s For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain, which was Winner of the Scottish National First Book Awards 2023.
This year’s full list of awardees are Gaelic teachers and writers Kristina Nicolson and Iain Cuimeanach, writer visual artist Amos O’Connor, spoken word artist John Lawrie, Shetland researcher Siún Carden, Scots language writer Ross Crawford, essayist and novelist Sarah Whiteside, novelist Katherine Hudson, musician and novelist Les Hodge, poet Pip Osmond-Williams, and children’s author Taslin Pollock.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘It’s always incredible to meet our awardees for the New Writers Award, and I’d like to offer my congratulations to this year’s cohort, each of whom have demonstrated exceptional writing.
‘With our awardees exploring a rich variety of themes in their work, and writing in English, Gaelic and Scots, I am excited to follow their journey throughout the year and beyond, as we help to nurture and build on their talents.’
Harriet MacMillan, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said: ‘Every year, the Scottish Book Trust’s New Writers Award identifies unique and compelling new literary voices. This latest list of talent is no different, featuring a fantastic array of emerging writers spanning a broad range of mediums and celebrating Scots and Gaelic language.
‘The programme is an incredible departure point into professional writing, offering an invaluable package of support, mentorship and industry guidance. The impressive roster of notable alumni serves as a testament to the programme’s success and we’re all so excited to see what this latest cohort will go on to achieve.’
Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said: ‘Tha Comhairle nan Leabhraichean toilichte a bhith ag obair ann an co-bhanntachd le Urras Leabhraichean na h-Alba a-rithist airson cothrom a thoirt do dh’Iain agus Kristina. Thairis air na bliadhnaichean a tha an sgeama seo air a bhith a’ ruith, tha tàlant nan sgrìobhadairean ùra air a bhith na adhbhar moit is dòchais dhuinn, agus tha sinn an dùil nach bi e fada mus faic sinn na sgeulachdan cloinne aig Kristina agus na sgeulachdan goirid aig Iain ann an clò mar thoradh air an taic a gheibh iad sa bhliadhna a tha romhainn.’
Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said: ‘The Gaelic Books Councils is pleased to be partnering with Scottish Book Trust once again to provide this opportunity to Iain and Kristina.
“Over the years this programme has been running, the talent displayed by the new writers has been a source of pride and encouragement, and we hope it won’t be long before we see Kristina’s children’s stories and Iain’s short fiction appearing in print as a result of the support they will receive during the coming year.’
Author quotes and bios
Amos O’Connor (29) is a Portland-born writer and visual artist who works as a bookseller in Edinburgh. In 2022 he completed an MFA in creative writing from the University of St Andrews, and his short fiction and poetry have been published in Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Gutter Magazine, Painted Bride Quarterly, Copper Nickel, and elsewhere.
His writing tends to circle the ‘queer uncanny’, almost always with a touch of the absurd. He’s currently working on his first novel for young adults.
Amos says: ‘I’m so honoured to have been chosen for this award! I’m deeply grateful to the Scottish Book Trust for the recognition and encouragement, and for all the support the New Writers Award provides. I’m excited to meet the other awardees and to see what the year brings!’
Instagram – @a_oconnor_
Sarah Whiteside (47) is a writer originally from Norfolk, and currently living in Portobello, Edinburgh. Her work has appeared in Ambit, The Letters Page, Brittle Star, New Writing Scotland and Gutter Magazine.
She holds an MLitt in creative writing from the University of St Andrews, as well as an MSc in Music Therapy from QMU. In 2022 she was awarded an Open Fund grant from Creative Scotland to support her to write a novel called Auditorium.
This laid the foundation for an ongoing interest in writing on motherhood, music and neurodiversity, subjects she is currently exploring again through a series of personal essays.
Sarah says: ‘I was delighted and surprised to hear my work has been selected for a New Writers Award. I’m looking forward to meeting the other writers, as well as having time and space to develop my writing. I can’t wait to get started!’
John Lawrie (31) is a writer and spoken word artist from Edinburgh. He initially studied psychology at university, but quickly realised that spoken word and poetry allowed him to hog more of the spotlight and involved much less maths.
With a primary focus on identity, relationships and mental health, he delights in finding the humour and the horror in the everyday world. John has performed virtually and in-person across Scotland, being a regular performer with Loud Poets, and Push the Boat Out. He is currently working on his debut poetry collection.
John says: ‘Wildly grateful doesn’t cut it. I am deeply appreciative to the Scottish Book Trust for this opportunity and am incredibly excited to make the most of this opportunity to grow and develop as an artist.’
Instagram – @ poet_lawrieate
Les Hodge (61) is an Edinburgh-based writer, originally from St Andrews, Fife. As a musician he was part of the writing and production team behind Coco and The Bean. He co-wrote and co-produced all the Edinburgh act’s tunes – released first on Baghdad Radio Records and later on Beggars Banquet.
He brought a number of singers, rappers and musicians from across Scotland, England and the US into the project and he was also part of Coco and The Bean’s live set-up – providing both bass and vocals.
Les also produced for York-based hip-hop outfit New Flesh and wrote for Leeds vocalist Gwen Esty’s neo-soul project Harmonized. Later he went on to both write and perform as part of the Mystikman spoken-word project Alien Paradise. He is currently working on his first novel.
Les says: ‘I’m very grateful to be getting a New Writers Award and I’m looking forward to the coming year – to meeting, working with and learning from a range of people involved in the world of writing. It’s a fantastic opportunity not only to develop my own skills as a writer but also to get a wider understanding of how the whole book business itself operates.’
Twitter (X) @hodgeless
Katherine Hudson (46) is an Edinburgh-based writer who grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne. After studying for a degree in politics, she moved to Scotland and has worked in social research and public policy roles.
Writing has always been a big part of her day job, but she has also been an occasional writer of fiction, and more recently has focused on developing this. Her writing explores ideas of art, place, and how we come to terms with the past, personally and collectively.
She is currently working on her first novel, set in Edinburgh and Berlin.
Katherine says: ‘It’s a real honour to be chosen for a New Writers Award and I’m very grateful to the Scottish Book Trust and the judges. The programme of support that is offered is fantastic and I’m looking forward making the most of it and developing my writing over the coming year.’
THIRTEEN projects were awarded grants totalling £52,624 at an awards ceremony for the £eith Chooses programme at Leith Community Centre last night (February 22).
In September 2023 applications were invited from community groups in Leith for the 2023/24 £eith Chooses Participatory Budgeting process. 23 applications progressed to the voting stage of the process and 13 of those successfully gained funding.
Grants of up to £5,000 from this participatory budgeting programme were awarded to these local groups. The total budget consisted of £44,624 from the City of Edinburgh Council Community Grants Fund and £8,000 from Trams to Newhaven.
Public voting took place online through the Council’s Consultation Hub from the January 22-Febuary 5 and at the in-person vote day on the 27th January. Over 3000 people took the opportunity to vote and these decided which projects would be funded. A full list of organisations which received funding is available below.
An online open forum for feedback from voters and/or applicants will be offered in early March to encourage feedback and conversation around this year’s process. For more information please contact Leithchooses@edinburgh.gov.uk
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “It’s fantastic to see so many excellent local projects benefitting from the Leith Chooses scheme. Participatory budgeting is a key avenue for our citizens to have more control over public money and this has been carried out successfully in the north of the city for over a decade now.
“I look forward to seeing how these projects make use of the funding in the course of the year ahead.”
Sally Millar, a Member of the Leith Chooses Steering Group:“The £eith Chooses team was delighted to welcome over 40 Leithers to the ‘Results Night’ event, to hear the public announcement of which community groups and charities had been successful in winning funding through the 2023/24 £eith Chooses participatory budgeting process.
“Thirteen out of 23 applicants were awarded funding, based on the numbers of votes received online and at the recent in-person voting day. There were over 3,000 voters, with a total of over 11,000 votes cast.
“The evening was hosted by Leith Walk Councillors Susan Rae and Jack Caldwell, with brief speeches from members of the £eith Chooses Steering Group, a long-time volunteer helper, and Mr. Andrew Field, Head of Community Empowerment and Engagement, City of Edinburgh Council who was able to give reassurances that the same level of Community Grant budget has been secured for next year.
“This is the 14th year of community led decisions about how funds are spent locally, and it is inspiring to see how invested the Leith community is in the process.”
Chief Executive at Leith Community Centre, Rob Levick said:“It was great to finally have In-Person Voting back at the Community Centre after 4 years away.
“For us it’s possibly the highlight of the year, Welcoming Leithers into their Centre, to meet, to blether, and to play an active part in which local projects get support. I only wish we had more money to share out.”
About Participatory Budgeting and Leith Chooses:
Participatory Budgeting is an approach to engaging citizens in giving the decision- making power on the allocation of public funds. This approach has been used in Leith to allocate its Community Grants Fund (CGF) for the past 13 years.
£eith Chooses (previously known as Leith Decides) is the longest running PB project in Scotland, due to its strong identity and brand, as well as a strong and active local community and voluntary sector.
The community process is made possible by a commitment from a steering group of residents, community and city councillors and council workers.
Meeting every Wednesday Afternoon to plan and deliberate on the issues that matter in Leith and informed by dialogue with the community throughout the year.
Leith Chooses Funded Organisations 2023/24:
• Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB): £5000
Connecting Cultures community event: family-friendly event, for people of all age groups that will celebrate traditional Scottish and Ukrainian music, dance, and food.
• Citadel Youth Centre: £4900
TGI Citadel: Friday evening Youth club for 16-19 year olds.
• ELREC: £4600
The Conscious Weaving project: Weaving workshops that aim to bring the Leith community together to create art with a positive impact on mental health through giving opportunities for creative work, socialising, learning and self-expression.
• Edinburgh Community Food: £4616
Fun, Fit and Fed: partnership with Leith-based Upmo, to support Eat Community Cafés at local swimming pools and provide free, nourishing, plant-based meals to families.
• Himalayan Centre: £5000
Intergenerational Gardening, Fostering Cultural Exchange and Environmental Awareness in Leith: Targeting elders and youth, especially from ethnic minorities, this initiative promotes learning about traditional and contemporary horticultural practices in a communal garden setting.
• Edinburgh Tool Library: £4920
The Edinburgh Repairmongery: start up of ‘The Leith Repairmongery’, our very own version of ‘The Repair Shop’, in Leith.
• The Men of Leith Men’s Shed: £1400
Opportunities to meet, eat and learn: the development of social and educational lunch meetings at the Shed. We provide a space for men to meet and work on construction and repair projects, both to promote their wellbeing and to serve the community.
• Edinburgh Remakery: £4950
Creative Community Club: Through our Creative Community Clubs, we will collectively create a fantastic piece of community art which will highlight the wonderful people that make our well-loved area of Leith so special.
• Dr Bells Family Centre: £4980
Family Holiday Programme: We know school holiday periods can be some of the most challenging times for families, especially for those already struggling. At Dr Bell’s we want to ensure that families with children under 5 have the resources they need to not only endure these periods, but thrive and make memories too.
• Hibernian Community Foundation (in partnership with Hibernian Football Memories, Pilmeny Development Project and Leith Timebank): £4000
Monday Matchdays & Memories: HCF, in partnership with Hibernian Football Memories (HFM), Pilmeny Development Project (PDP) and Leith Timebank (LTB), will offer weekly activities sessions at HCF, supporting social inclusion and new opportunities for the Leith community.
• Leith Athletic: £4000
Club Equipment: New equipment to enhance the accessibility and inclusion of the club. In recent years the club has welcomed a girl’s section, Leith Athletic Giants and training sessions for Ukrainian families. The new equipment will allow us to cater to more groups.
• Leith Festival: £1210
Leith’s Got Talent: Leith Festival proposes to organise a ‘Leith’s Got Talent’ event series, aimed at adults and young people, culminating in a stage performance for the finalists at next year’s Gala Day (June 2025).
• SHE Scotland: £3048
Mind, Body and Soul at Leith Academy: The ‘Mind, Body and Soul’ programme at Leith Academy will provide a resource, sounding board and safe space for young women in S2-S4.
Stake limits for online slot games will be introduced for the first time in September, including lower limits for young adults
Stake limits for online slot games introduced for the first time in September in landmark moment for regulation of online gambling
Maximum £2 stake for 18 to 24-year-olds for online slot games to be introduced
£5 limit for adults aged 25 and over brings stakes in-line with casinos
Easily accessible online slot games are one of the most addictive forms of gambling, and can be associated with large losses, long sessions, and binge play. Unlike land-based gaming machines, such as in casinos, they have no statutory stake limits.
To counter the increased risk of significant harm and life-changing losses from online slot games, the Government will introduce a £5 stake limit for adults aged 25 and over.
Responding to evidence, a lower level stake limit for young adults aged 18-24 years old will be set at £2 per spin. This age group has the highest average problem gambling score of any group, as well as lower disposable income, ongoing neurological development impacting risk perception and common life stage factors like managing money for the first time. The evidence also points to a stronger link between gambling related harm and suicide among young adults.
The decision follows a 10-week consultation period in which the majority of respondents agreed with the gambling white paper proposal to introduce statutory limits for online slot games to help reduce the risk of gambling harm.
Consultation responses included views from industry, academics, treatment providers and individuals.
Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Although millions of people gamble safely every single day, the evidence shows that there is a significantly higher problem gambling rate for online slot games.
“We also know that young adults can be more vulnerable when it comes to gambling related harms, which is why we committed to addressing both of these issues in our white paper.
“The growing popularity of online gambling is clear to see, so this announcement will level the playing field with the land-based sector and is the next step in a host of measures being introduced this year that will protect people from gambling harms.”
NHS survey figures also show that there is a problem gambling rate of 8.7 per cent for online gambling on slots, casino or bingo games, one of the highest rates across gambling activities.
CEO of GambleAware Zoë Osmond said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce lower online stake limits for under 25s as an important mechanism to protect young people. Our research shows a concerning trend with this age group experiencing an increase in harm arising from gambling and online slots are very high-risk products.
“As we continue our work to tackle this growing public health issue, we will collaborate with the Government and others across the gambling harms sector to ensure there are no missed opportunities when it comes to the introduction of robust preventative measures, including new regulations such as these.”
Commenting on the announcement from the Government of new maximum online slot stakes, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the CMS Committee, said: “I’m pleased that the Government has listened to the Committee in its response to its consultation on stake limits for online slots and that the new limits will leave 99% of over-25 gamblers unaffected.
“Equalising online maximum stakes with those of most land-based gambling, while including protections for younger people, is a sensible and proportionate way to balance the risk of gambling harms with the freedoms and responsibilities that players have the right to expect.”
In announcing the new limits, the Government has agreed with the Committee’s recommendations from its report on gambling regulation published in December. The report said that stake limits for online slots should match those for electronic gaming machines in land-based venues and not exceed £5, with the limit £2 for young adults.
The limits will come into force in September this year, following secondary legislation. There will be a six week transition period for operators to become compliant with the general £5 stake limit rules, followed by a further six weeks for the development of any necessary technical solutions to ensure operators are fully compliant with the lower stake limit of £2 for young adults aged 18-24.
Although most people gamble without issue, the restrictions introduced today are just some of the proposals set out in the Government’s white paper to modernise the gambling sector and make it fit for the digital age.
This includes the introduction of a statutory levy for research, prevention and treatment, as well as financial risk checks designed to prevent catastrophic, life-changing losses.
The Gambling Commission and the Government continue to listen to concerns from campaigners, the wider public, and both the gambling and horse racing industries as part of the consultation process on these checks.
The Gambling Commission continues to refine its approach on the design to achieve the right balance between protections and freedoms.
As well as introducing measures to protect people from gambling related harm, the white paper package contains proposals that will support the land-based gambling industry to thrive. The industry supports thousands of jobs across the country and the Government has been clear it does not want to harm its success.
Responses to the wider white paper measures will be published soon.
Councillors prioritise poverty, climate and vital services for residents as budget balanced
Millions of pounds will be spent on protecting and improving crucial frontline services in Edinburgh after councillors agreed a balanced budget for 2024/25.
Labour, Tory and Lib-Dem councillors voted together to get the budget passed.
Featuring an additional £27m for schools and young people and £12.5m additional annual investment in roads, pavements, lighting and drainage improvements, the £1.5bn spending programme stays true to the Council’s core commitments of tackling poverty and inequality, becoming a net zero city by 2030 and ‘getting the basics right’ for the residents of Edinburgh.
Money will be ringfenced from a 7% rent rise for tenants to tackle the city’s housing emergency. This rent increase will raise around £2bn over 10 years to repair, upgrade and retrofit housing and to build and buy much needed social and affordable homes.
Funding for poverty fighting projects includes £100,000 for a Youth and Community Welfare Transition Fund, £25,000 to support the Big Hoose project which helps families experiencing hardship with household items, £500,000 towards child poverty reduction and close to £3m towards the city’s homelessness spend.
Boosting the biodiversity of Edinburgh’s award-winning parks and greenspaces, £600,000 will be put towards climate improvements, with additional funds for tree planting and new climate jobs. Up to £750,000 extra every year for three years will be spent on a rolling programme of localised and coastal flood prevention, acting on the city’s ambitious Climate Ready Plan.
In order to balance the budget, councillors also agreed raise to fees and charges such as Pay & Display parking and to change contributions to the Lothian Pension Fund at no impact to employees’ pensions.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m pleased that, despite ever-worsening settlements from the Scottish Government, we’ve been able to deliver a balanced budget and the very best investment plan we can for our city and for our residents.
“This is a budget aimed at protecting vital frontline services on which our communities and residents rightly depend. It will help us to keep on getting the basics right by improving our roads and parks and greenspaces, supporting our schools, tackling poverty, and working towards our climate crisis.
“We’re also putting additional funding towards Edinburgh Leisure, the creation of new public toilets and continuing our work with partners to reduce the harmful effects of poverty. This will include supporting the Big Hoose Project and lifting households out of homelessness.
“For all that, we remain the lowest funded local authority in Scotland, and I won’t tire of fighting for fairer funding for our Capital City.”
Socialist Labour Leith councillor Katrina Faccenda perhaps best sums up a day on which elected members were faced with a choice not of improving services, but where to make the latest round of cuts:
‘We are listening to deputations before our Council Budget meeting and it’s clear whichever budget is passed, there is no good budget for public services on the table. No-one should celebrate passing their budget – this is a sad day for vital services.‘
Chief Constable Jo Farrell gave a wide ranging update on how Police Scotland is delivering for the public during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board yesterday (Thursday 22 February).
The Chief outlined the implications of policing’s budget allocation and discussed necessary criminal justice reform and the need to reset the parameters around Police Scotland’s role in responding to mental health incidents.
CC Farrell also shone a light on policing’s response to serious offences and securing important court outcomes; seizing illegal drugs; road traffic enforcement or picking out the unsung proactive community policing and prevention we know the public values.
The Chief also discussed joint work with the Authority to progress a programme of change across policing in Scotland.
CC Farrell said: “Change can be unsettling but we are building Police Scotland from a position of strength and we must clearly explain the changes to the public – and our officers and staff – so they can be confident in their police service.
“I have asked Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors to lead our programme of change, focused on delivering service transformation at pace, prioritising the frontline, removing back-office duplication, and creating capacity to deal with new and increasing threats.
“The change programme will inform how we shape, train, enable, equip and deploy our greatest asset – that is our workforce, our officers and staff – to best meet the evolving needs and complexities of our diverse communities at best value.
“Our primary investment will always be in police officers. As Chief Constable, entrusted with significant public funding, I have a duty to ensure I maximise the number of experienced officers available to the frontline through the right investment in non-warranted support.
“So we will carefully examine which roles can and should be done by police staff, enabling a wider range of people access to a policing career and allowing even more of our officers to return to frontline and operational policing roles.
“Our aim is – must be – to bring the frontline of Scottish policing to the strongest position possible within the resources available.
“I think that’s my duty as Chief Constable, I think it is what the Authority would expect and demand. Providing the highest possible level of safety and security with the funding available is what the people and communities of Scotland deserve and would expect.”
However, they highlight a number of concerns in their report and say their support remains conditional on the Scottish Government addressing these concerns and agreeing to facilitate significant further scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 2, ahead of formal Stage 2 proceedings.
A majority of the Committee say they recognise the need for wide-ranging reform of social care; to address existing inconsistencies in access and delivery across local authorities, address ongoing workforce challenges, improve commissioning and procurement, and most importantly, improve outcomes for those in receipt of social care.
However, the Committee’s detailed 183-page Stage 1 report highlights a series of concerns with the proposals and the process, and calls on the Scottish Government to take a number of actions ahead of stage 2.
Committee concerns include the Scottish Government’s inability to articulate and communicate a model of how the proposed National Care Service would operate. The Committee say they are looking forward to receiving further detail from the Scottish Government on this ahead of the Stage 1 debate next week.
Following the Scottish Government’s announcements that they plan to revise the original proposals, and the partnership agreement reached between the Scottish Government, local government and the NHS in summer 2023, the Committee say they are seeking further details of amendments which the Scottish Government intends to bring forward to clarify its revised proposals.
The Committee say they understand that this is a ‘framework Bill’ but describe the lack of detail at this stage on what that framework will look like as concerning, arguing that this has limited the Committee’s ability to scrutinise the proposals effectively.
Prior to Stage 2, the Committee is calling on the Scottish Government to explore the possibility of establishing an expert legislative advisory group for the Bill to help guide the proposed co-design process.
Assurances are also sought that a full list of Stage 2 amendments will be made available to the Committee as soon as possible and well in advance of formal Stage 2 proceedings to allow for significant further scrutiny.
The Committee has also given due notice to the Scottish Government that it will require additional time to take further oral and written evidence from key stakeholders on the content of these amendments, prior to commencing the formal Stage 2 process.
In the report, the Committee concludes: ‘Subject to these conditions, the Committee recommends that the general principles of the Bill be agreed to.’
Speaking on the publication of the report, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said:“A majority of our Committee welcomes the intentions underlying the Scottish Government’s proposals for the creation of a National Care Service.
“Our Stage 1 scrutiny has undoubtedly been affected by changes to the original proposals, meaning we will have to reserve final judgement until we have had an opportunity to scrutinise the detail of those changes as part of a reinforced Stage 2 process.
“We welcome the Scottish Government taking on board the views and concerns of stakeholders and its plan to revise the original proposals, but it is essential details of these revised proposals are shared with the Committee in a timely manner and sufficient time is allowed for the Committee to undertake substantial further scrutiny ahead of formal Stage 2 proceedings.
“It is on this basis that that a majority of our committee has concluded that it recommends that the Parliament should agree to the general principles of the Bill.”
“We’d like to thank all who have engaged with us during this process. Their insight and knowledge have been invaluable in helping us to consider and scrutinise the Scottish Government’s proposals.”
members of the Health, Social Care & Sport Committee meet with Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland National Care Service Committee at Key in Glasgow. 05 December 2022. Pic-Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament
Some of the other key conclusions in the report include:
While acknowledging the Scottish Government’s intention to utilise co-design as a key mechanism for developing the proposed National Care Service once the framework legislation is in place, the Committee has heard evidence from multiple stakeholders that there appears to be an ongoing lack of clarity regarding the definition, the precise scope and key areas of focus of codesign or the anticipated outcomes of the co-design process.
The Committee calls on the Scottish Government to acknowledge concerns from many stakeholders that the consensus agreement between it and COSLA and the way in which this was arrived at has undermined the confidence of many of those who have participated in co-design so far that their input is being taken seriously.
It remains unclear to the Committee at this stage whether the Scottish Government intends to transfer those powers currently conferred on Scottish Ministers under Chapter 4 to the newly proposed National Care Service Board. Nonetheless, the Committee’s report highlights widespread concerns it has heard during its scrutiny of the Bill regarding the nature and extent of those powers.
The Committee welcomes confirmation from the Scottish Government that, under the new consensus agreement with COSLA, local government will retain control of functions, staff and assets following concerns raised by multiple stakeholders.
The Committee believes that a single electronic health and care record is fundamental to the success of the proposed National Care Service and calls on the Scottish Government to complete this as a matter of urgency.
The Committee welcomes indications from the Scottish Government that, as a consequence of the consensus agreement with COSLA, rather than being transferred to Scottish Ministers, legal accountability for the proposed National Care Service will be shared between the Scottish Government and local government.
The Committee says the Scottish Government should mandate a review of the regulation-making powers of the Bill and of any regulations made using these powers, within 3 years of each of the corresponding provisions coming into effect.
The Committee welcomes the commitment to Anne’s Law and considers it should be fully implemented as soon as possible to ensure a human rights-based approach to care.
Members of the Health, Social Care & Sport Committee meet hold a committee meeting focusing on the National Care Service Bill in the Quarriers Centre, Govan, Glasgow. 05 December 2022. Pic-Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament
For info:Dissent
Tess White MSP and Sandesh Gulhane MSP dissented from many of the recommendations in the report. More details of this dissent can be found in the report.
Paul Sweeney MSP and Carol Mochan MSP dissented from certain of the Committee’s concluding recommendations on the general principles of the Bill. More details of this dissent can be found in the report.
Alternative wording of a number of the report’s concluding recommendations on the general principles of the Bill were also proposed by certain Members of the Committee. These were all rejected in votes by a majority of Committee Members.
